Andy Bell has been at the epicenter of British rock music since the late 1980s, when his band Ride were at the forefront of the shoegaze scene. From there, he did time with Britpoppers Hurricane #1 and Gay Dad before landing on the mothership of British rock with Oasis. With Noel Gallagher and company, Bell set down the guitar for the first time and quickly learned the bass. In the aftermath of Oasis’ 2009 breakup, Bell remained with bandmates Liam Gallagher, guitarist Gem Archer and drummer Chris Sharrock to form a new group, Beady Eye. The band released their first album, Different Gear, Still Speeding, in February to positive reviews, only bolstered by the group’s subsequent live performances.
When Beady Eye formed, the press and fans alike wondered if the former Oasis band members could make a go of it without their leader. But the foursome quickly proved the naysayers wrong with a killer debut album. The group have spent the better part of 2011 touring the world and proving without a doubt that, even without Noel, they’re still rock ‘n’ roll stars.
For Andy, the band has given him the opportunity to return to his original instrument of guitar after a decade playing bass with Oasis.
Bell sat down at the Gibson NYC Showroom to talk about his beloved Trini Lopez, the amazing run of drummers in his career, his years in Oasis, plans for Beady Eye’s next album and his mystical 13-year-old mentor.
What do you think your album has brought to the UK chart which may have been lacking before?
I think my album is bringing the rock and roll thing back to UK music. Like Oasis - I mean, I'm not comparing myself to them - but I'm bringing that kind of music back into 2011. It's not an X-Factor type of thing; it's solo and quite ballsy. I suppose it's got swagger, but I don't mean that in an arrogant way. It's good to still be rewarded for making that kind of honest music.
You're a big Oasis fan and are friendly with Liam and Noel. What did it mean to you to support Beady Eye on tour?
It meant so much that they asked me. I love Liam, so to be at Beady Eye's first gigs was exciting and one of the best tours I've done. Sometimes on support you feel a bit like there's no point if people didn't come to see you specifically, but with the Beady Eye tour it was perfect. We gained a lot, and people were getting there early just to see us. Travelling with my band is great too as I've known them all for a long time.
I think my album is bringing the rock and roll thing back to UK music. Like Oasis - I mean, I'm not comparing myself to them - but I'm bringing that kind of music back into 2011. It's not an X-Factor type of thing; it's solo and quite ballsy. I suppose it's got swagger, but I don't mean that in an arrogant way. It's good to still be rewarded for making that kind of honest music.
You're a big Oasis fan and are friendly with Liam and Noel. What did it mean to you to support Beady Eye on tour?
It meant so much that they asked me. I love Liam, so to be at Beady Eye's first gigs was exciting and one of the best tours I've done. Sometimes on support you feel a bit like there's no point if people didn't come to see you specifically, but with the Beady Eye tour it was perfect. We gained a lot, and people were getting there early just to see us. Travelling with my band is great too as I've known them all for a long time.
