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How we got to support Oasis
by Mark Smith30/ 6/2005
THE Redwalls have been called the new Beatles in their home city
of Chicago. And they impressed Noel Gallagher so much that he asked
them to support Oasis at the City of Manchester Stadium.
Andrew Langer, the velvet-voiced singer/guitarist, explained: "Noel
loved our record. A friend, who got drunk with the Gallaghers on
their last US tour, gave him a copy of our first album. When he
asked us to support Oasis in the UK there was only ever going to be
one answer."
It is not hard to see why self-confessed Beatles nut, Noel, was so
keen on the young four-piece from suburban Chicago.
"We make no bones about the fact that we're influenced by The
Beatles," says Andrew. "British music in general was such a huge
influence on us, and we're thrilled to be able to play to so many
people by supporting Oasis."
Imagine Beatles songs being played by the Stones and sung full-tilt
by Lennon at his raucous best and you'll come close to the sound of
the Redwalls' major label debut, De Nova.
Their first album, Universal Blues, was self-recorded and financed
while gigging in bars around Chicago that they weren't old enough
to drink in.
Brothers Logan Baren, 22 (guitar), and Justin Baren, 19 (bass),
were childhood friends, neighbours, and schoolmates with Andrew in
the town of Deerfield, Illinois. All three write, sing, and even
play a little piano, and have been performing together since their
schooldays.
Drummer Ben Greeno, 21, completed the line-up after their original
stickman chose university over touring.
"Somebody has to be the new guy," says Andrew. "It helps that most
of us have played together for so long, especially when it comes to
writing. We just know what to expect from each other, which makes
it easier."
The bond is also shown in the pitch-perfect harmonies that pepper
the album. Is it the brotherly biological connection?
"Andrew and I sound pretty good together too, though," says Justin.
"It's more that we've had the patience to actually sit down and
figure out how to make it sound good."
The Redwalls supported Oasis at London's Clapham Grand in May, and
have just finished a tour with Manchester band, Nine Black
Alps.
However, the band know that playing 2,000 capacity clubs is nothing
compared to the 60,000-plus at the City of Manchester
Stadium.
"Our set went down really well at the Clapham Grand, so that's why
Oasis asked us to support them for the bigger venues," explains
Andrew.
The Redwalls supported Oasis at the City of
Manchester Stadium yesterday (Thursday) and will do tomorrow and
Sunday.
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