I had a really fascinating experience a couple of days ago on a flight from Heathrow to JFK where I was seated next to Manchester author Ian Hough. We talked about many things including Oasis, the current world tour, Dig Out Your Soul, and Oasis’ influence on world culture.

We talked about Dig Out Your Soul, and what just exactly that meant. He offered two theories by my count, but he insisted that they were really the same thing. He said that the “soul boys” of Manchester inspired earlier artists like David Bowie who inspired them reciprocally, and that they are credited with the soccer designer thug style of early Oasis, which goes back to the late 70s. He also said that to dig out your soul could be to dig out your old soul vinyls, and that this too is a reference to a certain subculture existing in the UK so both really are the same thing.

In his book titled The Perry Boys Abroad, he even mentions the “undershave” hairstyle that is unique to Liam Gallagher. In the past when there have been Beatles/Oasis debates on this forum, I have always leaned strongly to the side that Oasis are unique and not copy cats, but rather inspired as are all artists. I find it really interesting that Oasis are always negatively likened to The Beatles and that their hair is supposedly evidence of this, yet in reality Liam’s early hairstyle, which is iconic, is actually unique of past styles. It even has its own name. I never knew this before.

According to him there is also a passage in the book about how Liam and Noel were considered more like “glimmer twins” than serious artists like Lennon/McCartney ironically. The book states that Oasis never got the proper credit they deserved for their songwriting ability. And, the book touches on how The Rolling Stones had tons of anthem songs and yet they never received the stigma that Oasis were dealt. He (Ian Hough) seemed intensely knowledgeable, and I found his book on Amazon (www.amazon.co.uk/Perry-Boys-Abroad-Ones-Away/dp/1906015384/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1242857129&sr=1-1) so I don’t think this was just some crazy guy pulling my leg. And, Irvine Welsh said good things about the book. So he looks credible. I checked before posting on the forum.

And a “Perry Boy” has something to do with Perry shirts connected to the tennis player. A lot of it was over my head since I’m an American plus he talked pretty fast with an accent. But talking to this guy was cool, and a lot like reading posts from Brits on this forum, not always easy to grasp but truly interesting.

I wanted to pass along the good news of positive Oasis mentions in this new book, and pass along those bits (undershave, old soul vinyls, glimmer twin perception, etc.) Oh, and Ian seemed excited about the Heaton Park shows; he said he used to hang around there a lot.