There's no doubt that the magic that made Oasis what they are is entirely to do with Noel and Liam, but Oasis aren't a duo - Bonehead and Guigs were the right bandmates for them earlier, Gem and Andy are right for Oasis now.

I've been seeing Oasis for a long time and like most of us they'll always be a special place for Guigs and Bonehead. Obviously Bonehead got the whole ball rolling in the first place and they were exactly right for what Oasis was in those first few years. However, there's no way Oasis would still be around now had there not been a change, and I don't think it's over-stating the point to say Gem and Andy's presence has as much do with Oasis still going now as Noel and Liam. I don't think that necessarily means there's anything special about the two, don't get me wrong I think Gem especially is a top bloke, but I thought both of them were pretty average, in pretty average bands before they joined. But with Gem especially it was vital that Oasis had someone on the summer 2000 tour who was able to play lead guitar to keep Oasis just about stuttering on enough to be able to pick up the pieces eventually. As Gem said, he had to learn to be Noel Gallagher in 24 hours, I'm not sure there would be many other people who could've been arsed.

Look at the way the recording of the albums has changed as well, not just with them contributing songs, but the way they all contribute to each others songs - during the recording that is. In many ways Gem and Andy are a much bigger part of Oasis than Bonehead and Guigs ever were. You only need to listen to interviews from Noel and Liam (one's where there not taking the piss!) since they joined to see how much they feel they've brought to Oasis.

For me as a fairly new Oasis fan (a couple of years) I feel that Andy and Gem are as much part of Oasis as Liam and Noel. From day one I saw them as equal members. I never thought of anything else. I don't have as much feelings for Guigs and Bonehead as for Andy and Gem simply because they we're before my era.