Howie Payne from The Stands has a dilemma. He doesn't really comprehend how famous some of his friends are. One of his most famous friends is Noel Gallagher from Oasis.

The way Oasis and The Stands met was almost the reverse what you would expect. Noel is a fan of Howie's band and contacted him one day. "He got hold of a demo of ours about a year ago" Howie tells Undercover News. "He really liked it so he phoned us up and asked us to do some shows which we did. We got to know each other so now he is a friend of ours more than a fan of the group".

Now that they have known each other for a year, there is no star treatment for Noel whenever Howie sees him. In fact, he often forgets who is hanging out with. "We are just mates. It is weird to me because I don't see it as anything other than that" he says. "He came and played with us in London the other day and I said to him "are you going to get up and play on the tour?" He was like "I suppose I should". So he came out, hung out and did a tune. Then the next day it is in the national newspaper. Because he is my mate I just forget who he is. It always takes me by surprise".

Howie does like Oasis as a band. "I am a fan of Noel's and I am a fan of Liam's. I am a fan of Gem's and a fan of Andy. Collectively at the moment they are Oasis" he says. "I like the new stuff. I like their B-sides from the first record a lot. The first record is the reason a lot of people are in groups".

The Stands are currently in Australia. You can see them supporting Jet.

source: undercover.com.au