Beady Eye an English rock band formed in 2009 by lead vocalist Liam Gallagher, guitarists Gem Archer and Andy Bell, and drummer Chris Sharrock, all former members of Oasis. In 2013, former Kasabian guitarist Jay Mehler joined the band playing bass guitar on tour. Liam Gallagher announced that November he and former Oasis band members had written new material as part of a new project, and could be gigging as early as a couple of months, and stated that “Oasis are done; this is something new”.
The discography of Beady Eye consists of two studio albums, one extended play, eleven singles and ten music videos. On the 19th November 2009, Liam Gallagher announced that he would be recording an album with Gem Archer, Andy Bell, Chris Sharrock around Christmas time, with a possible release date in July 2010. The band’s origins lie in the break-up of Oasis, after chief songwriter, lyricist and lead guitarist Noel Gallagher quit acrimoniously in August 2009. Oasis split up while on tour in France in August with Noel Gallagher citing Liam’s behaviour for the reason behind his departure. On the subject of his relationship with his brother, Liam said: “I love him to bits but we just don’t get on.
The remaining members gathered on and decided that they would “not quit making music together” and so renamed themselves “Beady Eye”. He told MTV: “We’ve been demo-ing some songs that we’ve had for a bit. Just doing that, on the quiet, not making a big fuss about it. After Christmas we might go in the studio and record them and hopefully have an album out in July.” He later said that the band would “do it in a different kind of way now. I’ll try and reconnect with a new band, new songs, and I’m feeling confident about the songs.” He was reported to be “feeling a million per cent confident that they could be better than Oasis.
On 9th November 2010 Beady Eye released their first single “Bring the Light” as a free download, A limited physical release followed, and charted at number sixty-one on the UK Singles Chart, topping the Indie and Rock charts. A second promotional single, “Four Letter Word”, was released on 26th December 2010. “The Roller” was announced as the band’s first commercial single,#
The band released two studio albums: “Different Gear, Still Speeding” (2011) The album was recorded in London at RAK studios in Autumn 2010 and produced by Steve Lillywhite. The band then undertook a short promotional tour of the UK and Europe in March 2011. A second single, “Millionaire”, Following a performance at Brixton Academy, they released a cover of “Across the Universe”, originally by The Beatles, as a download only single, The third single from their debut album, “The Beat Goes On”, was released on 18 July 2011 with a new B side, “In the Bubble with a Bullet”.
By the time “Different Gear…” emerged, its sense of ‘continuity Oasis’ felt mistimed – quite simply, the world wasn’t ready to welcome Oasis back yet, in any guise.
Despite the large Noel-shaped hole in the songwriting, Beady Eye’s debut had plenty in its favour, delivering flagrant Lennonisms “The Roller“, Who-esque thrills (titled Beatles And Stones, oddly), and piano-trashing rock’n’roll “Bring The Light” with a vitality that bespoke years of repression under the old regime.
“We could all have sat at home after Oasis split but what would have been the point of that,” Andy Bell said. “We had a couple of weeks off and then we were back in the studio demo-ing. We’re musicians, it’s what we do, it’s how we define ourselves.” Adds Gallagher, “We’re fired up, not because we thought we’d show everyone it could happen without you know who [Noel Gallagher], we’re fired up because we’re doing music.”
The album produced three additional singles: “Four Letter Word”, “Millionaire” and “The Beat Goes On”.
Beady Eye recorded the song “Blue Moon”, which is sung by Manchester City fans during matches, in support of Manchester City F.C.’s new 2011/12 kit. Liam Gallagher said “I’ve been a City fan since I was a kid, so to be involved with the launch of a new kit is colossal. Manchester City fans are known for having a lot of style and the new shirt looks mega. I love the soundwave idea and the Mod-inspired collar looks proper smart. “Blue Moon” is a top tune and has been City’s song for as long as I can remember. It’s been covered by loads of people but the only good one until now was the one Elvis did. I hope the fans buzz off our version and sing along to it at the stadium”.
The band toured UK, Europe and America from March to December 2011, initially shying from playing Oasis songs, because Liam Gallagher wanted the band to “become known for what it is”. Liam stated that Beady Eye would play Oasis songs. Beady Eye performed the Oasis classic “Wonderwall” at the London 2012 Olympics closing ceremony.
“BE” (2013) The album was produced by Dave Sitek who has previously produced records for Yeah Yeah Yeahs, TV on the Radio and Jane’s Addiction. The second Beady Eye album was recorded in London with super-producer Dave Sitek. ‘BE’ is retro as hell, but Sitek treats that (essential) aspect of the band’s identity with a wink, and in doing so, makes it feel oddly contemporary. Standout cuts are ‘Flick of the Finger’ which is like a fuzzy velvets with blaring trumpets, The four-minute song layers a horn section over a repetitive drumbeat and sees Liam adopt a stream-of-consciousness vocal style, as the track, which has no chorus, builds. ‘Iz Rite’ comes across like the Beatles on ecstasy and ‘I’m Just Saying’ is super catchy but with that Sitek zing. The 11 track Standard CD and a 15 track Deluxe CD with four bonus tracks, housed in a Hard book sleeve and thick booklet. 14 track plus the Double vinyl in a Gatefold sleeve.
Released for Record Store Day, The box set includes three 7″ singles from “Different Gear, Still Speeding”: “Bring the Light”, “Four Letter Word” and “The Roller”. It also included three previously unreleased and exclusive live recordings of “The Beat Goes On”, “Three Ring Circus” and “Millionaire” Live session from KEXP radio as a digital download.
The album release was preceded by the release of the single “Second Bite of the Apple” was released in May. . The double A-side “Shine a Light” / “The World’s Not Set in Stone” . Their new double A-side “Iz Rite” / “Soul Love” was released on 25th November 2013.
Beady Eye’s debut single “The Roller” has been announced as the best selling vinyl single of 2011 in the UK. Follow up release “Millionaire” was the second best selling, and “The Beat Goes On” the fifth.
The documentary ‘Start Anew? A Film About Liam Gallagher and Beady Eye’ has won the People’s Choice Lovie Award.
After 2011’s “Different Gear, Still Speeding” showed the remaining members of Oasis could hold their own after the departure of their chief creative force, Liam, Gem Archer, Andy Bell and drummer Chris Sharrock could have quite easily stuck out another album of Oasis-lite. Instead, they hooked up with TV On The Radio’s Dave Sitek for what might be the most out-there sounding record any member of Oasis has been involved in. When it works – the Mexican standoff of opener “Flick Of The Finger”, “Face In The Crowd’s” cinematic psych rock – the gamble pays off, but largely, for all its inventive sonic atmospherics, “BE” highlighted that Beady Eye simply didn’t have the songs.
Both the bands albums have reached the Top 5 in the UK Album Chart, but as of November 2013 they had only one UK Top 40 single, “The Roller”, However, Beady Eye received some acclaim for their music by Oasis fans, with Q claiming that their debut album is the best Liam has performed on since “What’s the Story) Morning Glory?”
On 25th October 2014, Liam Gallagher announced, via Twitter, that Beady Eye had disbanded. Gallagher would blame a lack of coverage for Beady Eye’s disbandment, as well as the diminishing size of crowds and venues, furthered by the second album’s failure to gain popularity in the United States resulting in the band not touring the US. Gallagher believes that if their third album had not been successful, “We’ll be playing pubs.
The Fat Angel Sings 