Editing Oasis (band) (section)

=== 1993–1994: Breakthrough with ''Definitely Maybe'' ===
After over a year of live shows, rehearsals and a recording of a demo, the ''Live Demonstration'' tape, in May 1993, Oasis were spotted by the [[Creation Records]] co-owner [[Alan McGee]]. Oasis were invited to play a gig at [[King Tut's Wah Wah Hut]] club in [[Glasgow]] by Sister Lovers, who shared their rehearsal rooms. Oasis, along with a group of friends, hired a van and made the journey to Glasgow. When they arrived, they were refused entry as they were not on that night's set list. They and McGee have given contradicting statements about how they entered the club.<ref>VH1 Behind the Music, [[VH1]], 2000</ref> They were given the opening slot and impressed McGee, who was there to see [[18 Wheeler (band)|18 Wheeler]], and Sister Lovers, whose member Debbie Turner was a close friend of McGee's from his days frequenting [[the Haçienda]] in Manchester.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dingwall |first=John |date=2013-11-17 |title=Music guru Alan McGee: If I'm being honest.. all I could wish for came true |url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/entertainment/celebrity-interviews/music-guru-alan-mcgee-im-2798664 |access-date=2024-02-09 |website=Daily Record |language=en}}</ref> McGee offered them a recording contract; however, they did not sign until several months later.<ref>"Oasis." Encyclopedia of Popular Music, 4th ed. Ed. Colin Larkin. Oxford Music Online. Oxford University Press.</ref> Due to problems securing an American contract, Oasis signed a worldwide contract with [[Sony]], which in turn licensed Oasis to Creation in the UK.<ref>Harris, pg. 131</ref>

Following a limited [[white label record|white label]] release of the demo of their song "Columbia", Oasis went on a UK tour to promote the release of their first single, "[[Supersonic (Oasis song)|Supersonic]]", playing venues such as the [[The Forum, Tunbridge Wells|Tunbridge Wells Forum]], a converted public toilet. "Supersonic" was released in April 1994, reaching number&nbsp;31 in the charts.<ref>Harris, pg. 149</ref> The release was followed by "[[Shakermaker]]", which became the subject of a plagiarism suit, with Oasis paying $500,000 in damages.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Mundy |first=Chris |date=1996-05-02 |title=Ruling Asses: Oasis Have Conquered America, and They Won't Shut Up About It |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/oasis-ruling-asses-243843/ |access-date=2024-05-11 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}</ref> Their third single, "[[Live Forever (Oasis song)|Live Forever]]", was their first to enter the top ten of the [[UK Singles Chart]]. After troubled recording and mixing sessions, Oasis's debut album, ''[[Definitely Maybe]]'', was released on 29 August 1994. It entered the [[UK Albums Chart]] at number one within a week of its release, and at the time becoming the fastest selling debut album in the UK.<ref>Harris, pg. 178</ref>

Nearly a year of constant live performances and recordings, along with a [[hedonistic]] lifestyle, damaged the band. This behaviour culminated during a gig in Los Angeles in September 1994, leading to an inept performance by Liam during which he made offensive remarks about American audiences and hit Noel with a tambourine.<ref>{{cite web|last=Grundy|first=Gareth|title=Born To Feud|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/aug/30/oasis-split-liam-noel-gallagher|work=The Guardian|date=30 August 2009|access-date=27 February 2013|archive-date=29 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171229011850/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/aug/30/oasis-split-liam-noel-gallagher|url-status=live}}</ref> Upset, Noel temporarily quit the band and flew to San Francisco (it was from this incident the song "[[Talk Tonight]]" was written). He was tracked down by Creation's Tim Abbot and they made a trip to Las Vegas. Once there, he was persuaded to continue with the band. He reconciled with Liam and the tour resumed in [[Minneapolis]].<ref>Harris, pg. 189</ref> The group followed up with the fourth single from ''Definitely Maybe'', "[[Cigarettes & Alcohol]]", and the Christmas single "[[Whatever (Oasis song)|Whatever]]", issued in December 1994, which entered the British charts at number three.<ref>Harris, pg. 213</ref>