Kasabian Are Kind Of Like Oasis, But Not Really

Could the planet even deal with two Oasis-es? Or is that Oases? Regardless, British rockers Kasabian have launched an informal campaign to remind everyone that they are not, in fact, the new Oasis.

“People say we’re going to be the new Oasis — but we’re not,” Kasabian vocalist Tom Meighan told Reuters during a recent trip to Tokyo. “There is no new Oasis. We can’t be Oasis because they’ve done it. Oasis were giants in the ’90s. It’s nice when people say it, but they’re kind of missing the point.”

The Highlander was right: “There can be only one.” The not-Oasis Kasabian actually opened for Oasis in Britain this summer – then jetted to Japan for the Summer Sonic music festival.

That’s not to say there aren’t any similarities between the two bands. Both British. There’s one. But seriously, both Oasis and Kasabian equally dabble in that potent mix of indie-rock/Britpop style that has equaled loads of success with critics and fans. Kasabian may not yet be on the top line of British music royalty like Oasis, but no doubt they have plenty of time to keep pumping out quality music.

The band’s third album, West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum, is short-listed for the prestigious Mercury Prize, awarded to the best album from Britain or Ireland.

Even as lead singer Meighan makes sure to quell any Oasis comparisons, there is some connection to be made. In the Reuters interview he admits Kasabian used to be “terrors” on tour and trouble has sought them out in unusual ways. Example: guitarist Sergio Pizzorno found a live World War Two grenade in his garden.

Terrors on tour and unusual trouble just screams Liam and Noel Gallagher – the famous and feuding brothers in Oasis who sing and play guitar, respectively.

Meighan says the band, which hails from Leicester, England, is all grown up now – the wild days behind them.

“We’ve gone against everything we’ve ever done,” said Meighan, who is dressed up as Napolean on the album’s ’60s-inspired cover photo for West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum.

“I suppose we’ve grown up a lot and we’ve not gone for the fierce Kasabian as you know us. We’ve still got that aggressive edge, but it’s just simmered down a bit,” he said.

Yep, that’s just what the Gallagher brothers once said!