Former Oasis member Paul ‘Bonehead’ Arthurs has shared a clutch of candid untold stories from the recording sessions of the Mancunians’ iconic album, Definitely Maybe
As we continue to self-isolate across the globe amid the coronavirus outbreak, artists have been taking to the internet to keep the connection with fans going and alleviate some of the doldrums of staying indoors.
Bonehead was appearing on The Charlatans’ Tim Burgess online listening party. The Charlatans singer has been welcoming guests to take part in listening parties with tidbits from the artists who created them.
As well as playback on Franz Ferdinand’s self-titled album, The Charlatans Some Friendly, and Blur’s Parklife, Burgess now turned his attentions to the Oasis debut.
This event welcomed Bonehead, Brian Cannon and Kevin Cummins alongside Burgess to dissect the band’s legendary album. As ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Star’ plays, Bonehead told fans: “When I think of my guitar sound it’s always this track I look to.”
Track 1 Rock n Roll star
— Paul Arthurs. (@BoneheadsPage) March 27, 2020
What an album opener? Doesn’t need an introduction , still gets crowds bouncing now, 26 years later on stage with Liam. When I think of my guitar sound it’s always this track I look to
As the questions rolled in Bonehead struggled to keep up but continued to offer wonderful tidbits on the recording process.
Bonehead also mentioned how on ‘Live Forever’, Noel Gallagher’s impressive solo “took him 28 takes, don’t let him tell you otherwise.”
Top solo. Took him 28 takes don’t let him tell you otherwise.
— Paul Arthurs. (@BoneheadsPage) March 27, 2020
Bonehead also revealed: “The melody for ‘Shakermaker’ was stolen from the Coca Cola advert,” and that the song “originally had the words I’d like to buy the world a coke to keep it company, but we had to take them off or else, said Coca Cola.”
Find below some of Bonehead’s responses to the tracks and Brian Cannon, designer of the album artwork for Definitely Maybe, share some original concepts for the artwork.
Shaker maker, 12 bar blues innit. Melody stolen from the Coca Cola advert. I’ve still got the clock from the back cover of the single designed by @MicrodotCreativ
— Paul Arthurs. (@BoneheadsPage) March 27, 2020
This was our 2nd single off the album, charted at number 11. originally had the words I’d like to buy the world a coke to keep it company, but we had to take them off or else, said Coca Cola. Whatever
— Paul Arthurs. (@BoneheadsPage) March 27, 2020
Arthurs also had high praise for ‘Slide Away’ suggesting it was “the best ever vocal take from Liam in my opinion. When he sings “oh let me be the one” I’d let him be the one. “As well as ‘Married with Children’, I love the guitar sound on this, it was an unplugged electric of Coyleys, miked up in the bedroom. Another great vocal from Liam too.”
Slide away. Only song that survived the original sessions from Monnow Valley studios and the best ever vocal take from Liam in my opinion. When he sings “oh let me be the one” I’d let him be the one.
— Paul Arthurs. (@BoneheadsPage) March 27, 2020
Married with children. This was recorded in the bedroom at Mark Coyles house (rented off Mani) and kept as it was for the album. I love the guitar sound on this, it was an unplugged electric of Coyleys, miked up in the bedroom. Another great vocal from Liam too
— Paul Arthurs. (@BoneheadsPage) March 27, 2020
Brian Cannon’s original concept for the album’s artwork was a little different from the finished product: “Before we had settled on the idea of shooting the sleeve in Bonehead’s house, Liam’s ‘concept’ for the artwork was a knife in a lump of butter—true story!
And we’re off! Before we had settled on the idea of shooting the sleeve in Bonehead’s house, Liam’s ‘concept’ for the artwork was a knife in a lump of butter – true story! #timstwitterlisteningparty pic.twitter.com/o6Udj44kvl
— Microdot (@MicrodotCreativ) March 27, 2020
The front cover of Def Maybe was inspired by the back of the Beatles album ‘Oldies But Goldies’ I just loved the fly on the wall feel to the shot. pic.twitter.com/hfCRpVGuOZ
— Microdot (@MicrodotCreativ) March 27, 2020
The first thing I did for the band was the logo – inspired by the Decca Records logo seen on a Rolling Stones album – here’s the prototype in which I used an approximation of the Adidas font – before changing it. pic.twitter.com/xxqgN5pqB5
— Microdot (@MicrodotCreativ) March 27, 2020