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| The Gallagher brothers (left) called on
the army to supply helicopters for video
footage. | |
Oasis change their tune towards army
Gethin Chamberlain
AS an act of hypocrisy, it takes some beating. When the rock band
Oasis wanted to feature a couple of military helicopters in one of their
music videos, they turned to the British Army for help.
The top
brass were only too happy to oblige, supplying men and machines to enliven
the opening sequences of the band�s 1997 release, D�You Know What I Mean.
But when the Edinburgh-based Highlanders regiment decided to use a
couple of old Oasis songs in its latest promotional video, it was quite
another story.
Lawyers acting for the band waded into action,
firing off a letter to the regiment warning that it must remove the songs
- Wonderwall and Hello - from the soundtrack or face legal action.
The band also made it clear that they would not have granted
permission for the songs to be used even if the army had remembered to ask
for permission.
But the band�s antipathy towards the military was
not in evidence in 1997 when they paid the Ministry of Defence �3,000 an
hour to hire two Gazelle helicopters belonging to the Army Air Corps.
The helicopters were featured in the video for the first track
from the band�s third album, Be Here Now. They were seen swooping overhead
before disgorging a number of people in combat clothing.
But the
band are believed to have objected to their songs being associated with
the Highlanders� video, which featured footage of the regiment on
manoeuvres in Kenya, dressed in desert fatigues and carrying rifles. The
promotional footage was intended for use in schools and shopping centres.
Andy Damond, of Big Brother Recordings, the band�s record company,
said: "I have spoken to the adjutant at the Highlanders and have told them
there is no way they would get copyright clearance on the tracks - even if
they had asked."
He said anyone wishing to use Oasis songs on any
soundtrack needed to ask permission in advance.
The band�s refusal
to allow its songs to be used to help recruit would-be soldiers to the
Edinburgh-based regiment has surprised and annoyed many in military
circles, including members of the Royal British Legion Scotland.
Spokesman Neil Griffiths, himself a former soldier, said: "I find
it rather peculiar because they had a single out featuring Army Air Corps
helicopters, so obviously money or goodwill was exchanged then. It is a
surprise that a group like Oasis, who have used the military in the past,
have now said no to letting the army use their songs. It is unquestionably
a slap in the face."
The army in Scotland was quick to admit that
the regiment had made a mistake by failing to ask for permission to use
the songs.
A spokeswoman explained that the video had been shot on
exercises in Kenya for the regiment�s own use and no-one had thought to
seek permission for the soundtrack.
"It was done in ignorance, but
they know now and will not do it again," she said.
The army has
recalled all 300 copies of the video and the songs have now been removed
from the soundtrack.
Yesterday, a Ministry of Defence spokesman
said the Highlanders were unaware they needed the band�s permission to use
the music until it was "brought to their attention".
Oasis, led by
combative brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher, dominated the British charts
in the mid-1990s.
But in recent years their star has faded and
until the release of Hindu Times, their first single for two years, in
April, they had become better known for their rock-star lifestyles and
Liam�s arguments with former Take That celebrity Robbie Williams.
It is not the first time the band have gone into battle to protect
their artistic integrity. They have previously refused permission for the
Smurfs to produce a cover version of Wonderwall.
Oasis
Famous foes: Blur, Robbie Williams.
Famous battles: The Battle with Blur (1995). Ended in defeat when
Blur�s Country House pipped Roll With It to the No 1 spot.
The
battle with Robbie Williams (2000). Ended inconclusively after a series of
skirmishes provoked by Liam�s description of Robbie as "a fat dancer".
The battle with photographers and bouncers. Assorted and ongoing
engagements, including Liam�s arrest for assaulting a photographer in
1998.
Notable acts of bravery: Releasing the album Standing on the
Shoulder of Giants, marrying Meg Mathews and Patsy Kensit.
Uniform: Parkas, Stone Island jackets, denim (informal), retro
trainers, sunglasses.
Original line up: Liam and Noel Gallagher,
Paul Arthurs, Paul McGuigan and Tony McCarroll. McGuigan - known as Guigsy
- and Arthurs - known as Bonehead - quit in 2000.
Previously known
as: Rain. Liam changed the name, inspired by a leisure centre.
Famous marriages: Noel and Meg Mathews, Liam and Patsy Kensit.
Both ended in divorce.
Favourite instruments: Guitars and drums.
Musical influences: The Beatles.
Financial status: Liam is
estimated to have a �15 million fortune.
Motto: Mad for it.
The Highlanders
Famous foes: Indian Mutineers,
Dervishes.
Famous battles: The Battle of Assaye (1803). Seaforths
defeated the much larger French-trained Maharrata force.
The
Battle of Waterloo (1815). The 79th (Cameron) and 92nd (Gordon) battalions
played a central part.
Boer War (1899-1902), won eight VCs. First
World War (1914-1918), won 14 VCs, lost 50,000 men.
Notable acts
of bravery: Lucknow (1857). Six VCs awarded to Seaforth Highlanders in
battle against Indian Mutineers.
North West Frontier of India
(1897). Two VCs won seizing Heights of Dargai from Pathan tribesman,
including Piper Findlater, who played on after being shot in both ankles.
Uniform: Kilt in Gordon tartan, trousers in Seaforth Mackenzie.
Pipers and drummers wear Cameron of Erracht tartan.
Original
line-up: 72nd Highlanders (formed 1778), 78th Highlanders (1793), 79th
Cameron Highlanders (1793), 75th Stirlingshire (1787), 92nd Gordon
Highlanders (1794).
Previous name: Queen�s Own Highlanders.
Famous marriages: The five original regiments became the Gordon
Highlanders, Seaforth Highlanders and Queen�s Own Cameron Highlanders,
before merging.
Favourite instruments: Pipes and drums.
Musical influences: Traditional Scottish.
Financial
status: Starting pay �10,720 a year.
Motto: Caidich�n Righ (Help
to the king). |
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