The very first time Oasis played together they promised they were going to be the best. That they'd never settle for the dumb thud of mediocrity. And then they set about proving it. Right from the off. They resisted the security of the obvious, of doing things the way they were supposed to.

They never sent a demo tape to a record company, knew that supreme self-confidence and a host of classic songs would be enough to curve destiny their way. When Creation records supremo Alan McGee saw them at a club gig in Glasgow they had no manager, no agent and no money. Just greatness. He signed them on the spot. An unsuspecting world was about to be blown away.

On April 11, 1994 , Oasis released their debut single, "Supersonic", an elegantly noisy pop celebration. By now their live shows were already being talked of as something very special and they'd built an extensive, committed fan base. A trio of classic singles, "Shakermaker", "Live Forever" and "Cigarettes and Alcohol" further emphasised Oasis' searingly assured power. Their increasingly growing audience began to wonder what they ever did without them.

More live shows followed, including a triumphant New York debut, and promoters soon got used to the band breaking all records, exceeding even the wildest expectations.

With the release of their debut album, 'Definitely Maybe', it was time to rewrite the record books once again. The album was the fastest selling debut in British history, entering the charts, unsurprisingly, at number one. It's still in the UK Top Twenty after a staggering nine months, going way past double platinum, and perhaps more impressive, has sold over one million copies outside the UK. A year between their first single and the stratospheric. Not bad going.

Oasis' strength lies in their smart, instinctive reinvention of rock's most tingly qualities. Influences as diverse as the Beatles, Neil Young, the Faces, The Sex Pistols, Stooges and The Who are all reinvented through a truly thrilling originality. They're the most modern group on the planet.

Live they're even more impressive. It's a revelation to witness a band taking the traditional, classic line-up of two guitars, bass and drums and making music that is entirely contemporary and unquestionably timeless. If it takes more than twenty seconds for their songs to sear themselves on your subconscious, you haven't been listening.

They've already got a barrel load of classics, and earlier this year the release of "Some Might Say" provided them with their first number one single. They'll be plenty more to follow. Guaranteed.

Last year they swept the readers' and writers' polls in the music press and produced a consistent flow of gold and platinum discs. They were, unsurprisingly, winners at the Brits and Brats Awards, and individually the band members topped ever category in the NME fantasy supergroups league. 'Definitely Maybe' has been nominated for the Mercury Music Prize and goes off the shortest prices favorite since the accolade was first awarded.

If last year was magnificent, their future looks better still. Oasis are currently finishing off their second album, a record that promises to be even better than the debut. They'll also be playing extensively at festivals around Europe over the summer prior to the album's October release. Then it's back to America and Japan, places where they've already attracted superlatives with every visit. How much more do they want? How much have you got!

The new Oasis album will be released later this year. It will contain B-side nummers.

Oasis are Liam Gallagher (vocals), Noel Gallagher (guitar/vocals), Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs (rhythm guitar), Paul "Guigs" McGuigan (bass) and new drummer Alan White.

That promise about being the best band in the world? It still stands. And how.

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