Alan White (Oasis drummer)

Alan White

For the former drummer of Yes, see Alan White (Yes drummer).

Alan White, born 26 May 1972, in Eltham, South London, is an English drummer, most famous as being the 'longtime' drummer of English rock group Oasis between 1995 and 2004, performing on 4 studio and 1 b-side albums. He joined the band in May 1995 after the band's original drummer Tony McCarroll was kicked out of the band. He was recommended to Noel Gallagher by Gallagher's friend Paul Weller. Notably, Alan's brother Steve has been longtime drummer for Weller. Alan left the band in early 2004 in somewhat unclear circumstances. He was replaced in Oasis by Zak Starkey, drummer of the Who and son of Beatles' drummer Ringo Starr.

Before Oasis (1987-1995)

In 1987 Alan auditioned to join future Oasis member Gem Archer's band Whirlpool. "He came down and just blew us all away," remembers Archer .. "I thought he was mega but the others were worried what a 15-years-old kid on the road and on the lager would be like. I rang his dad and told him: 'Sorry. But don't worry he's fantastic. He'll go all the way.' And he did. It was the weirdest day when he welcomed me to Oasis. And he hasn't let me forget it." White also played drums on Andy Bell's wife's solo album, forming a connection with another future Oasis member. It was at this session that Noel Gallagher first heard him playing, though he was recommended to Noel by Paul Weller. Prior to joining Oasis, White drummed with London-based band Starclub.

White's brother, Steve White had played with Paul Weller's Style Council and various other famous musicians, including The Who. Because of this famous connection, Alan mentioned that Steve impacted greatly his development as a drummer. His other influences include Ringo Starr, Chad Smith, Mick Avory, and John Bonham.

Oasis career (1995-2004)

White replaced original Oasis drummer Tony McCarroll in May 1995 and was immediately "thrown in the deep end", joining the band the very next day to perform a playback of Some Might Say in front of a national TV audience on BBC1's long running music programme Top of The Pops. One of White's first live shows with Oasis was in front of a massive crowd at the Glastonbury Festival in June 1995. Noel heard him first playing on a session with Idha Bell, the wife of Andy Bell from Ride.

Until the arrival of Gem Archer and Andy Bell in the Autumn of 1999, White was the token southerner in the otherwise Mancunian Oasis. Initially known, inventively, as 'Whitey', he was later re-christened 'Dave' by the band because he once served himself a drink from an unattended bar, therefore resembling the character Dave from "The Winchester" in the '70s TV series Minder. White commented on the "North/South divide" saying it was not that bad, but "for ages I was the 'Cockney cunt' and they were the 'Manc fuckers'". In his book "What's the Story?" Ian Robertson stated that White was also known by the phrase "Alan White - He's alright".

White was also entrusted with the job of being Liam Gallagher's 'official' drinking partner and was also said to be his best friend in the band. Together the pair were known as 'Bert and Ernie', named after the Sesame Street-characters. In December 2002 Liam and White were involved in a high-profile brawl in a German bar. Consequently, Liam lost some of his front teeth and Alan, was inebriated and had a brain scan in a hospital afterwards after suffering minor head injuries. Both were arrested by the authorities and were released only after the band's management paid for their bale.

Noel has stated that Alan had a far greater significance to the band than a mere session and touring drummer, claiming that he helped immensely in the recording process. Noel also said that when he wrote a song he would play it to White who would often adapt the rhythm of the song or advise Gallagher on possible changes in the tempo. However, his style has been criticised for contributing to some of the bands more overblown moments, which earned Oasis' 1997 Be Here Now and 2000 Standing on the Shoulder of Giants a critical panning.

At the time of his departure White was the longest serving member in Oasis beside the Gallaghers and passed through thin and thick with the brothers despite being struck down several times with bouts of alleged Tendonitis during his later years with the band. Alan performed on 4 of Oasis' 7 studio albums: (What's the Story) Morning Glory? (1995), Be Here Now (1997), Standing on the Shoulder of Giants (2000) and Heathen Chemistry (2002). He also played on the majority of band's b-sides, some of which were released on the b-side record The Masterplan (1998).

White married model Liz Atkins on 13 August, 1997 at Studley Priory Hotel, Oxfordshire. He had met her on the set of the "Don't Look Back in Anger" music video. The couple divorced in 2000.

Departure

In early 2004, White surprisingly left Oasis during the early recording sessions for the band's sixth album. According to Oasis' spokesperson there were some new tracks and demos with White's performance as well, which were made at the end 2003 and early 2004 at the very first demoes for their upcoming album, before his surprising departure.

In a recent interview, Noel alluded to Alan White's personal problems: "He's a fucking great guy and he's one of the best drummers I've ever met in my life, but his personal life is fucking chaos. In the end he fucked off and we haven't seen him since.".

There is also evidence to suggest that Alan was upset that his drums were going down so low in the mix on top of the prevalence of drum loops ("Go Let It Out", "Gas Panic", "The Hindu Times", "Better Man"). On one Q&A with Freddie Gee, he had said: "Well, I don't like that my drums get turned down with each successive mix we do of an album, but one mustn't grumble in this band".

Steve White, Alan's brother, said to a fan in early 2005 that "the spirit of being in a band was kicked out of him [...] but he is very happy and very healthy and keeping very well".

White was replaced with Zak Starkey – The Who drummer and the son of The Beatles' legend Ringo Starr. Ringo particularly was cited as one of White's biggest drumming influences. Due to his departure, the band scrapped the first midway sessions and later suffered some prolonged and difficult recording for Don't Believe the Truth (2005).

Post-Oasis (2004-present)

In March 2007, the remaining members of Oasis paid White £348,000 to buy him out of their company "Definitely Maybe".

Since his departure, White has remained out of the spotlight and he has no familiar drumming occupations at the moment. He currently resides in the Chicago suburbs with his wife Christine.

His brother Steve has explained lately in his website that Alan "is just having a nice time, he has pursued other interests in business."

Drum Set Up

1995-1999

Pearl Drums

- (1) 16x22 Bass Drums (Known to use 2 during the "Be Here Now" Tour. ) - (1) 10x12 Tom - (2) Floor Toms, 16x16 and 16x18 - (1) 5.5x14 Snare Drum

Note: White used several other drum sets such: Ludwig And Rogers on some of Oasis's recording's but mainly used Pearl and DW drums at live gigs.

Cymbals

All from Sabian's hand hammered series unless noted.

1995-1999

- 14" HH Regular Hats - 16" HH Rock Crash - 22" HH Classic Ride - 18" HH Rock Crash - 20" HH Rock Crash

White used Vater "Sugar Maple" Blazer drumsticks during this period

2000

Drums Drum Workshop - Blue Boa finish with DW hardware

- (1) 14x6 Craviotto Snare Drum - (1) 12x8 Tom - (1) 13x8 Tom - (1) 16x16 Floor Tom - (1) 22x18 Bass Drum

Cymbals Sabian

- 14" Hand Hammered Bright Hats - 16" Hand Hammered Medium Thin Crash - 22" Signature Alan White Ride - 14" AA Regular Hats - 18" Medium Crash

Note: White played many different kits in the studio including Gretsch, Pearl and Ludwig.

2001-2004

White played DW Drums live and Sabian. (Estimated)

- (2) 14x6 Snare Drums - (1) 12x10 Tom - (1) 16x16 Floor Tom - (1) 16x18 Floor Tom - (1) 22x20 Bass Drum

- 16" Hand Hammered Rock Crash - 16" Hand Hammered Medium Thin Crash - 22" Signature Alan White Ride / Classic Ride / 20" Rock Ride - 18" Hand Hammered Rock Crash - 20" Hand Hammered Rock Crash

White uses Vic Firth drumsticks and Remo Heads and DW Pedals.

Discography

Oasis

2. (What's the Story) Morning Glory? (1995)
3. Be Here Now (1997)
* The Masterplan (1998)
4. Standing on the Shoulder of Giants (2000)
* Familiar to Millions (2000)
5. Heathen Chemistry (2002)

External links

• Steve White, Alan's brothers offical site
• Oasis Rock forum