Print-friendly Version
Oasis Hires Bass Player
British tabloid favorite Oasis is whole again with the announcement that Andy Bell, formerly of Ride and Hurricane #1, has joined the band as its bass player. Bell has been rehearsing with his new bandmates, and will accompany them to play a series of holiday festivals for U.S. radio stations, according to the band's British label, Creation Records.
Earlier this year, guitarist Paul Arthurs and bass player Paul McGuilgan announced in quick succession that they were leaving Oasis. Gem, formerly of Heavy Stereo, was introduced last month as the band's new guitarist.
''I'm very excited,'' Bell said in a statement. ''When I got asked, it was not a difficult decision to make. Oasis have always been an inspiration. I'm looking forward to it.''
Oasis is confirmed for three U.S. radio station shows in December. They will share a bill on Philadelphia's Y-100 FEASTival on Dec. 3 with Beck, the Foo Fighters, Moby , and Stroke 9 .
In Chicago on Dec. 4, Oasis is part of the Q101 ''Twisted 6'' line-up that will also include Moby, Blink 182 , Run DMC, Filter, Fiona Apple, Foo Fighters and Bush.
The band is also scheduled to take the stage during Detroit's ''The Night 89X Stole Christmas'' show on Dec. 5. Others on the bill are Bush, Blink 182 and Ben Harper .
The new Oasis line-up will open a world tour in late February in Japan and will be on the road for most of 2000, according to its label. Its fourth album, ''Standing On The Shoulder Of Giants,'' is scheduled for release on Feb. 28. The album was completed before the departures of Arthurs and McGuilgan.
