Paul McGuigan (musician)

Paul McGuigan

McGuigan in 1998
Background information
Birth name Paul Francis McGuigan
Also known as "Guigsy" "faulsy"
Born 9 May 1971
Barton-upon-Irwell, Lancashire, England
Genres Rock, Britpop, alternative rock
Occupation(s) Musician, DJ
Instruments Bass guitar, turntables, sampler, drum machine
Years active 1991–1999, 2002
Associated acts Oasis, The Rain
Notable instruments
Fender Telecaster Bass
Fender Jazz Bass
Fender Precision Bass
Gibson Les Paul Triumph Bass

Paul Francis McGuigan (born 9 May 1971), better known by his nickname, Guigsy (pronounced "Gwigzee"), is an English musician and one of the four founder members of the English rock band Oasis. He was the group's bassist from 1991 to 1999.

Early Life

During his childhood McGuigan faced racism due to his Irish roots.[1]

The Rain and Oasis (1991–1999)

"When I first started I just played up and down the top string of the bass. Come to think of it, that's what I still do now."[2]

—McGuigan

In the late 1980s, McGuigan started a band with his friends, Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs on guitar, Chris Hutton on lead vocals, later joined by Tony McCarroll on drums. They called themselves The Rain. After Hutton was fired, McGuigan invited his school friend, Liam Gallagher, to join.

Though a functional bassist onstage, McGuigan's bass tracks were often replaced by Noel Gallagher on the band's recordings, especially on Definitely Maybe, which features no bass tracks by McGuigan at all.[3][4] McGuigan has admitted to smoking marijuana during touring.[5]

Post-Oasis (1999–present)

McGuigan left Oasis in 1999. Noel Gallagher claims he quit via fax and avoided phone calls from the Gallaghers in the following weeks. Though he eventually gave up trying to contact him by phone, Noel claims to bear no malice towards McGuigan.[6]

He occasionally performs as a DJ. He declined to appear in the 2004 Definitely Maybe DVD, though a polite letter explaining his reasons for doing so appears as a hidden extra, along with a short segment with pundits giving their views on him.[7]

Hobbies

A lifelong sports fan, McGuigan especially loves football. He is a supporter of Manchester City F.C. Whilst still with Oasis, he and journalist Paolo Hewitt wrote a book about football player Robin Friday, entitled The Greatest Footballer You Never Saw (ISBN 1-85158-909-0). McGuigan was renowned for his encyclopaedic knowledge of football and cricket. In an interview for a BBC Radio 1 documentary in 1995, McGuigan said his favourite magazine is FourFourTwo.

Personal Life

McGuigan presently lives in Mill Hill, North London with his wife and son.

References

  1. ↑ "Oasis- The Truth by sacked drummer Tony McCarroll - 3am & Mirror Online". Mirror.co.uk. 2010-10-17. Retrieved 2014-08-24.
  2. ↑ "And the band played on | Music". The Guardian. Retrieved 2014-08-24.
  3. ↑ "Oasis – Gallagher: 'I Miss Bonehead And Mcguigan' – Contactmusic News". Contactmusic.com. Retrieved 18 July 2011.
  4. ↑ McCarrol, Tony (2010). Oasis: The Truth, Blake Publishing, ISBN 1-84358-246-5
  5. ↑ "Oasis interview with Paul 'Guigsy' McGuigan by Toazted part 1". YouTube. Retrieved 2014-08-24.
  6. ↑ Interview with Noel Gallagher on MTV Gonzo, 2006
  7. ↑ "band - Paul "Guigsy" Mcguigan biography". Oasis fanatic. Retrieved 2012-01-03.

External links