Who is Oasis bassist Andy Bell and where is he now?
ANDY Bell has been a pivotal figure in the British music scene for decades, from his early days with Ride to his role as bassist for Oasis.
As fans eagerly await the upcoming Oasis reunion, many are curious about where Andy Bell is now and what he’s been up to since the band’s split.
Who is Oasis bassist Andy Bell?
Andy Bell is a Welsh musician.
Born Andrew Piran Bell on August 11, 1970, in Oxford, Andy is best known as a key figure in several prominent bands and as a solo artist.
Andy co-founded the shoegaze band Ride in 1988 with Mark Gardener, Laurence Colbert and Steve Queralt.
Ride became known for their distinctive sound characterised by lush, reverberating guitar textures.
After Ride split up in 1995, Andy formed Hurricane #1 in 1997, a band with a more straightforward rock sound.
Despite some chart success, Hurricane #1 did not reach the same level of prominence as Ride.
In 1999, Andy joined Oasis as their bassist following the departures of Bonehead and Guigsy.
His work with Oasis was marked by contributions to the band’s later albums.
He wrote several tracks for these albums and was involved in the band’s creative processes until their breakup in 2009.
After Oasis, Andy joined Beady Eye, formed by Noel Gallagher and other former Oasis members.
As a guitarist and songwriter for Beady Eye, he contributed to their albums.
The band broke up in 2014, leading him to pursue a solo career.
His debut solo album, The View from Half Way Down, was well-received, followed by the album Flicker in 2022.
In addition to his band work, Andy has been involved in production and DJing.
He has worked with Swedish band Weeping Willows, collaborated with electronic duo DK7 and played in tribute concerts.
Andy has also performed in various solo gigs and contributed to soundtracks.
Where is Andy Bell now?
As of August 2024, Andy Bell is still actively involved in music.
He continues to perform with his original band Ride, which reunited in 2014 and has been releasing new music and touring.
In August 2023, Ride performed in Taunton, Somerset.
In addition to his work with Ride, Andy has also been involved in other musical projects.
In 2023, he became part of a supergroup called Mantra of the Cosmos, which includes members like Shaun Ryder from Happy Mondays, Zak Starkey and Bez.
The group released their debut single, Gorilla Guerilla, in June 2023 and performed at the Glastonbury Festival.
Andy lives in London with his family, where he balances his ongoing music career with his personal life.
Is Oasis reuniting?
Yes, Oasis is preparing for a major reunion after a 15-year hiatus.
Liam and Noel Gallagher have hinted at a comeback, with an official announcement expected on August 27, 2024, at 8 am.
The reunion is expected to include a 2025 tour, featuring multiple shows in iconic venues like Wembley Stadium and Heaton Park.
Original members Paul ‘Bonehead’ Arthurs, Paul ‘Guigsy’ McGuigan, and Tony McCarroll are not expected to return.