Kasabian Swim With Oasis

With their month-long stint opening for Oasis in America coming to an end tonight at Atlantic City's House of Blues, British rockers Kasabian are just not ready to let go. "I'm holding on to every last inch I can grab," says frontman Tom Meighan. "We've had some great gigs, and some good nights. It's just been an amazing time for us."

The members of the Leicester five-piece chose to end the campaign for their self-titled debut, out last spring, by supporting their teenage heroes. Now mates with the infamous Gallagher brothers (singer Liam and guitarist/songwriter Noel), Meighan and Kasabian guitarist Sergio Pizzorno were even invited onstage during Oasis' set closer last week.

"Me and Serge did [a cover of the Who's] 'My Generation' with them," Meighan announces. "Not many people come onstage with Oasis, do they? It's a brotherhood! 'Soul brothers' is what Noel says." And as for frontman Liam, Meighan adds, "He's as mad as a hatter! Fucking nuts. But I understand exactly where he's coming from. I feel his vibe; I feel Noel's vibe. We're buzzing."

Offstage, Oasis, Kasabian and fellow openers Jet have indulged in some hotel shenanigans. "Late nights in the swimming pools," says Meighan. "Serge and Liam were going on a mad one, diving in the pool fully clothed, fucking going nuts."

Once they've dried off, Kasabian will head back into the studio to work on their second record, which they hope to have out next May. Jim Abyss (DJ Shadow, U.N.K.L.E.) will again produce, helping the boys refine the dozen tracks they've penned, including "The Stuntman" and "Shoot the Runner." According to Meighan, their time on the road has put a new spin on their sound. "Oasis and Jet have influenced [the music], man, of course," he says. "Just the sheer power of Oasis: You know it's them when you hear a song. It's massive, it's big, it's in your face. We want to get in the studio as soon as we can and write that monster second record."

Tonight though, Kasabian will be celebrating their final date of the tour in style. "We've been on the road twenty-two months, and to end it like this? With Oasis, the monsters of rock? It just doesn't come any better than that," gushes Meighan. "I've made friends for life in everyone here. There are many good times to come."

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Song Stories

“All Along the Watchtower”

The Jimi Hendrix Experience | 1968

Jimi Hendrix got hold of Bob Dylan's early John Wesley Harding tapes and in late 1967 recorded a version of "All Along the Watchtower" with the Experience in London. Dissatisfied with that first development, Hendrix brought those tapes with him to New York in early 1968 when he began work on Electric Ladyland. Eddie Kramer, Hendrix's engineer at the time, told Rolling Stone that Hendrix "was still looked upon by his basically white audience as the mammoth black guitar hero. There was a constant fight within him to expand himself." Hendrix's successful take on Dylan's work has long been recognized by the songwriter. "I liked Jimi Hendrix's record of this and ever since he died I've been doing it that way," Dylan wrote in the liner notes to his Biograph box set. "Strange how when I sing it, I always feel it's a tribute to him in some kind of way."

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