Adrian Oxaal
Encyclopedia
Adrian Oxaal is an English musician and music educator, best known for being the lead guitarist
in James
between 1997 and 2002. He has also played with the bands Sharkboy and Goat.
in Brighton
, where he settled permanently.
Oxaal's heart wasn't in the world of classical music, and after leaving university he chose to play in bar bands - a process which led to him being asked to play on a demo for a band named Goat whose music Oxaal would later describe as being "a kind of melodic hard rock." Goat went to sign a deal with Beggars Banquet
, although he admitted that it didn't really amount to much apart from some studio experience.
acts of the time, Sharkboy were nonetheless signed to Nude
and went on to support Suede
(whose frontman Brett Anderson
was a fan) on their first big UK tour. Sharkboy recorded two albums (Matinee and The Valentine Tapes) which were critically well received but sold poorly, and the band folded circa 1995.
were having personnel problems, as lead guitarist Larry Gott
had announced his departure. Oxaal's friend Saul Davies had been in James since 1989 (playing rhythm guitar, violin and percussion) and suggested Oxaal as a possible replacement for Gott. Oxaal was given an introduction to James that he regards as "bizarre", in which he was only given a drum loop and a vocal track and was asked to just "do something". The remaining members of James were impressed with his guitar skills and gave him the job immediately, relieved that they didn't have to go through the long audition process which they had already experienced with the search for previous members.
Oxaal formally joined James in 1996 and remained as lead guitarist until the band went on hiatus in early 2002. During this time he played on three studio albums (Whiplash, Millionaires and Pleased To Meet You, as well as the live album/DVD Getting Away With It... Live
. When James reformed in January 2007, Larry Gott resumed his position as lead guitarist and the band resumed their early 1990s Gold Mother lineup, which includes neither Oxaal nor the subsequent James member Michael Kulas
.
James fans still debate about whether Oxaal or Gott was best suited to be James' lead guitarist, as many preferred Gott's simpler playing style and use of slide
. However, drummer Dave Baynton-Power described Oxaal in 1997 as being "a really good guitar player....a bit more rocking than Larry, he's got a bit of an edge, which has injected a new spark into the band". This became evident on both the Whiplash
and Millionaires
albums, as well as in the live environment in which Oxaal was noted for his willingness to play "storming" guitar solos from time to time (something never really attempted by either Gott or his own predecessor in James, Paul Gilbertson).
, Essex
. He left this post during the summer of 2007, and worked as a music teacher at Bexhill College
, East Sussex
. He is currently teaching at City College
, Brighton
.
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
in James
James (band)
James are a British rock band from Manchester, England. They formed in 1982 and were active throughout the 1980s, but most successful during the 1990s. Their hit singles include "Come Home", "Sit Down", and "She's a Star" as well as their American College Radio hit "Laid"...
between 1997 and 2002. He has also played with the bands Sharkboy and Goat.
Early years, and work with Goat
Adrian Oxaal was born in California of mixed Norwegian, American and Guyanan ancestry: however, he grew up in Hull, England where he learned guitar and cello and befriended his future James colleague Saul Davies when both attended the same school. Oxaal went on to study music at the University of SussexUniversity of Sussex
The University of Sussex is an English public research university situated next to the East Sussex village of Falmer, within the city of Brighton and Hove. The University received its Royal Charter in August 1961....
in Brighton
Brighton
Brighton is the major part of the city of Brighton and Hove in East Sussex, England on the south coast of Great Britain...
, where he settled permanently.
Oxaal's heart wasn't in the world of classical music, and after leaving university he chose to play in bar bands - a process which led to him being asked to play on a demo for a band named Goat whose music Oxaal would later describe as being "a kind of melodic hard rock." Goat went to sign a deal with Beggars Banquet
Beggars Banquet Records
Beggars Banquet is an English independent record label that began as a chain of record shops owned by Martin Mills and Nick Austin, and is part of the Beggars Group of labels...
, although he admitted that it didn't really amount to much apart from some studio experience.
Sharkboy
Oxaal was then recruited by singer-songwriter Avy to her band Sharkboy, in which he predominantly played guitar and cello. Somewhat different to - and more experimental than - the usual BritpopBritpop
Britpop is a subgenre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom. Britpop emerged from the British independent music scene of the early 1990s and was characterised by bands influenced by British guitar pop music of the 1960s and 1970s...
acts of the time, Sharkboy were nonetheless signed to Nude
Nude Records
Nude Records was a London based record label, set up in 1992 by Saul Galpern who had previously been involved in the success of artists such as Simply Red, the Fall, Julian Cope, The Triffids, The Slits and The Au Pairs. The label's first success was with Suede. Suede's debut album was the fastest...
and went on to support Suede
Suede (band)
Suede are an English alternative rock band from London, formed in 1989. The group's most prominent early line-up featured singer Brett Anderson, guitarist Bernard Butler, bass player Mat Osman and drummer Simon Gilbert. By 1992, Suede were hailed as "The Best New Band in Britain", and attracted...
(whose frontman Brett Anderson
Brett Anderson
Brett Lewis Anderson is an English singer-songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist of the band Suede. After Suede disbanded in 2003, he briefly fronted The Tears, and has released four solo albums...
was a fan) on their first big UK tour. Sharkboy recorded two albums (Matinee and The Valentine Tapes) which were critically well received but sold poorly, and the band folded circa 1995.
James
At around the same time the band JamesJames (band)
James are a British rock band from Manchester, England. They formed in 1982 and were active throughout the 1980s, but most successful during the 1990s. Their hit singles include "Come Home", "Sit Down", and "She's a Star" as well as their American College Radio hit "Laid"...
were having personnel problems, as lead guitarist Larry Gott
Larry Gott
Larry Gott is an English musician, primarily of the Mancunian band, James. He is also a designer.-Music:...
had announced his departure. Oxaal's friend Saul Davies had been in James since 1989 (playing rhythm guitar, violin and percussion) and suggested Oxaal as a possible replacement for Gott. Oxaal was given an introduction to James that he regards as "bizarre", in which he was only given a drum loop and a vocal track and was asked to just "do something". The remaining members of James were impressed with his guitar skills and gave him the job immediately, relieved that they didn't have to go through the long audition process which they had already experienced with the search for previous members.
Oxaal formally joined James in 1996 and remained as lead guitarist until the band went on hiatus in early 2002. During this time he played on three studio albums (Whiplash, Millionaires and Pleased To Meet You, as well as the live album/DVD Getting Away With It... Live
Getting Away With It... Live
Getting Away With It... Live is the thirteenth release and the third live album from the Manchester Indie group James. It was recorded at the Manchester gig of their 2001 winter tour, which was dubbed as James' final tour until their reunion in 2007, at the Manchester Evening News Arena on 7...
. When James reformed in January 2007, Larry Gott resumed his position as lead guitarist and the band resumed their early 1990s Gold Mother lineup, which includes neither Oxaal nor the subsequent James member Michael Kulas
Michael Kulas
Michael Kulas is a Canadian singer, songwriter and music producer who was a member of the English rock band James between 1997 and 2001.- Personal details :...
.
James fans still debate about whether Oxaal or Gott was best suited to be James' lead guitarist, as many preferred Gott's simpler playing style and use of slide
Slide guitar
Slide guitar or bottleneck guitar is a particular method or technique for playing the guitar. The term slide refers to the motion of the slide against the strings, while bottleneck refers to the original material of choice for such slides: the necks of glass bottles...
. However, drummer Dave Baynton-Power described Oxaal in 1997 as being "a really good guitar player....a bit more rocking than Larry, he's got a bit of an edge, which has injected a new spark into the band". This became evident on both the Whiplash
Whiplash (album)
Whiplash is the seventh studio album by British alternative rock band James. It contained the top ten hit "She's a Star" which re-established the group commercially...
and Millionaires
Millionaires (album)
Millionaires is the eighth studio album by British alternative rock band James.- Reception :In a review of the album in 1999, Q Magazine stated: - Track listing :# "Crash"# "Just Like Fred Astaire"# "I Know What I'm Here For"...
albums, as well as in the live environment in which Oxaal was noted for his willingness to play "storming" guitar solos from time to time (something never really attempted by either Gott or his own predecessor in James, Paul Gilbertson).
Post-James (work in music education)
Following his time in James, Oxaal returned to Brighton and performed a handful of solo bar gigs, seemingly having gone full circle since leaving University. He has since moved into music education, having worked as Course Team Leader for the BTEC National Diploma in Contemporary Music at South East Essex College of Arts and Technology in Southend-on-SeaSouthend-on-Sea
Southend-on-Sea is a unitary authority area, town, and seaside resort in Essex, England. The district has Borough status, and comprises the towns of Chalkwell, Eastwood, Leigh-on-Sea, North Shoebury, Prittlewell, Shoeburyness, Southchurch, Thorpe Bay, and Westcliff-on-Sea. The district is situated...
, Essex
Essex
Essex is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England, and one of the home counties. It is located to the northeast of Greater London. It borders with Cambridgeshire and Suffolk to the north, Hertfordshire to the west, Kent to the South and London to the south west...
. He left this post during the summer of 2007, and worked as a music teacher at Bexhill College
Bexhill College
Bexhill College is a sixth form college with a long history of average post 16 education. In September 2004, the college moved into brand new buildings situated in Penland Road, Bexhill-On-Sea...
, East Sussex
East Sussex
East Sussex is a county in South East England. It is bordered by the counties of Kent, Surrey and West Sussex, and to the south by the English Channel.-History:...
. He is currently teaching at City College
City College Brighton & Hove
City College Brighton & Hove is a large general further education college in Brighton and Hove. Its main campus is at Pelham Street, Brighton. It was formerly known as Brighton College of Technology and before that Brighton Technical College....
, Brighton
Brighton
Brighton is the major part of the city of Brighton and Hove in East Sussex, England on the south coast of Great Britain...
.
Goat
- As You Like (Beggars Banquet, 1990) BBL 110CD
- Medication Time (Beggars Banquet, 1991) BEGA 119CD
Sharkboy
- Matinee (Nude Records,1994) NUDE 2CD
- The Valentine Tapes (Nude Records, 1995) NUDE 4CD
James
- WhiplashWhiplash (album)Whiplash is the seventh studio album by British alternative rock band James. It contained the top ten hit "She's a Star" which re-established the group commercially...
(1997) - MillionairesMillionaires (album)Millionaires is the eighth studio album by British alternative rock band James.- Reception :In a review of the album in 1999, Q Magazine stated: - Track listing :# "Crash"# "Just Like Fred Astaire"# "I Know What I'm Here For"...
(1999) - Pleased to Meet You (2001)
- Getting Away With It... LiveGetting Away With It... LiveGetting Away With It... Live is the thirteenth release and the third live album from the Manchester Indie group James. It was recorded at the Manchester gig of their 2001 winter tour, which was dubbed as James' final tour until their reunion in 2007, at the Manchester Evening News Arena on 7...
(2002)