Original Oasis Drummer Reflects on His Journey with the Band

Tony McCarroll, the original drummer of Oasis, shares his experiences with the band that defined a musical era. McCarroll was among only two individuals who attended both the first and last gigs of Oasis; the other was lead vocalist Liam Gallagher.

Oasis began its journey as The Rain, with McCarroll as a founding member alongside Paul ‘Bonehead’ Arthurs and Paul ‘Guigsy’ McGuigan. The band’s name changed to Oasis in 1991 when Liam Gallagher took over as the lead singer and subsequently invited his brother Noel to join after witnessing the band perform at the Boardwalk in Manchester.

During his time with Oasis, McCarroll played on iconic tracks including ‘Supersonic,’ ‘Shakermaker,’ and ‘Live Forever,’ contributing to the band’s breakthrough debut album, ‘Definitely Maybe.’ However, his tenure came to an end after the release of their number-one hit ‘Some Might Say‘ in 1995.

The circumstances surrounding McCarroll’s departure from Oasis remain contentious. Noel Gallagher has claimed that McCarroll’s drumming skills were insufficient for the new material, while McCarroll contends he was dismissed for standing up against Gallagher’s authoritative approach. The fallout led to a legal battle in which McCarroll sought £18 million from the band, ultimately settling for a six-figure amount.

Post-Oasis, McCarroll reflected on his struggles with substance abuse, stating that he spent three years drinking heavily after leaving the band. He later found purpose in establishing a music studio where he worked with at-risk youth, guiding them in developing musical skills.

In 2019, he expressed contentment with having returned to a regular work routine, although he acknowledged that his identity as Oasis’s original drummer would always follow him. He remarked, ‘I’ll never get away from being the original Oasis drummer,’ stressing the enduring legacy of his brief time with the band.

McCarroll attended the band’s last performance at the V Festival in 2009, marking a poignant moment as it was his first time seeing Oasis since their split. Just days later, the band was scheduled to perform in Paris but canceled after a well-publicized altercation between the Gallagher brothers.

Reflecting on his years with Oasis, McCarroll stated he felt proud of the band’s achievements, acknowledging the significant trajectory from performing in small venues to headlining iconic festivals like Knebworth.