Oasis

That Oasis wasn’t immediately massively popular in the U.S. was surprising. After all, Britpop’s hooligans had all the ingredients for musical dominance from day one. Vocalist Liam Gallagher and his older brother Noel—a pair of rowdy Manchester loudmouths who survived tumultuous childhoods—oozed confidence and charisma: Early interviews often devolved into bouts of profanity-filled shit-talking during which they attacked other bands and, more often than not, each other. In 1995, NME journalist John Harris even released a single, “Wibbling Rivalry,” consisting of nothing more than an audio interview with the brothers that deteriorated into incomprehensible and hilarious bickering.

Still, Noel Gallagher backed up Oasis’ braggadocio (and overshadowed their snits) with serious songwriting talent. The band’s 1994 debut, Definitely Maybe, was full of soaring, brilliant guitar anthems indebted to The Beatles and the Stones. The album’s lyrics fantasized about the good life: adrenalized rock ’n’ roll, debauchery, everlasting love, perfect relationships, and that superhuman feeling that comes from rock music. Liam Gallagher’s nasal sneer perfectly captured the album’s optimism and handled the album’s other big influence—the brash glam rock of the ’70s—with appropriate swagger. In contrast with the Serious Grunge Bands of the day, the members of Oasis were far more interested in actually enjoying themselves and their music.