{ Lick That Riff! }

Hello everyone and welcome back to another Guitar Duel! It’s been a couple of weeks I know but I have been busy sorting some stuff out. Lets take a look at the result of the last Guitar Duel between Tony Iommi and Ritchie Blackmore. Well surprisingly to me, Blackmore won with 71% of the votes. Anyway now onto this weeks duel. It’s a bit of a contrast from last weeks as we see two 90s Giants go head to head instead of two metal guru’s. And this week plays out a real life duel that these two had back in the mid-90s. Their bands, Oasis and Blur respectively, or more so their record labels, decided to release a song that would come out on the same day as each other. This was Oasis’ Roll With It and Blur’s Country House. It sparked a media frenzy and fans rushed out to buy their albums to help their favourite band go to number one. In the end it was Blur who won that battle, even if Oasis did end up winning the war. But who are the two guitarists from these bands, I hear you ask. Well as if they need an introduction, its Noel Gallagher and Graham Coxon. Both being featured on this blog in past posts, with Noel in my top 10 most influential guitarists and Coxon on my Hero Worship.

Actually I don’t think its strictly true that Noel Gallagher had much of a vendetta against Coxon, I think it was more against Blur’s other band members Albarn and James, who Gallagher famously said in an interview he wished would “catch AIDS and die.” So, that sets the duel off doesn’t it. Two warring bands. Two iconic guitarists and equally great songwriters. Oasis formed in 1991, formally called The Rain. It was originally a band that didn’t involve Noel and instead it was formed by his younger brother, Liam. Noel quickly took charge of the band and told them that he was to write the songs if they were going to get anywhere. 8 UK Number ones and 50 million albums later and Oasis sadly split in 2009. Noel has since performed some solo gigs and is said top be releasing a solo album. Can’t Wait! Blur formed in 1989 under the name Seymour until their record label told them to change it. They’ve released 7 studio albums (1 of which Coxon was not part of) and have been split since 2003. They reformed in recent years to play a string of gigs which were met with both critical and commercial success. They are most famous for their albums around the Britpop era and their war with Oasis. Being the only guitarist in the band, Coxon heavily influences Blurs style and sound, with many songs being based around a short-punchy riff.

These guitarists are both inspirational guitar players and songwriters and before you decide, let me tell you a little bit more about them:

Noel Gallagher – Bio

Born: 29 May, 1967

Started Playing: 13 Years Old

Influences: The Smiths, The Stone Roses, The Who, The Jam, The Sex Pistols, The Beatles

Early Work: The Rain

Band That Made Him: Oasis

Other Projects: Solo, Smokin’ Mojo Filters, Chemical Brothers, Ian Brown, Paul Weller

Guitar: Epiphone Supernova

Best Known For: That catchy four-chord riff at the start of Wonderwall. Pioneering Britpop. Constant feuds with Blur, Hip-Hop and his infamous brother Liam.

Guitar Accolades: Sold over 50 Million Albums Worldwide, Ivor Novello Award for Songwriting in 1996 (Shared with Blur)

Graham Coxon – Bio

Born: 12 March, 1969

Started Playing: 12 Years Old

Influences: The Who, The Kinks, The Jam, The Beatles

Early Work: Seymour

Band That Made Him: Blur

Other Projects: Solo

Guitar: Fender 52′ Telecaster

Best Known For: Song 2. His guitar influence on Blurs style. His bookish geeky looks.

Guitar Accolades: Won an Ivor Novello Award in 1996 for songwriting.

Now you’ve heard a little bit more about them. I’m asking you, who is the better guitarist. I would also like to ask you to think about your vote, especially if you were around when the whole Blur vs Oasis thing was going on, and vote on the best guitarist, not the best band.

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And that I’m afraid is another Guitar Duel over. I really really hope the person I want to win actually wins. He probably won’t now though.

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