How Oasis Shaped 90s British Music Culture

The 90s. 

It was an era of transformation, of attitude, and of British music reclaiming its swagger. If there’s one band that epitomised this cultural resurgence, it was Oasis. 

Born out of Manchester’s grey, working-class streets, Oasis not only dominated the airwaves but also left an indelible mark on the fashion, attitude, and identity of the decade. More than just a band, Oasis became the poster boys for a generation that demanded to be heard—and looked good doing it. 

From their gritty, anthemic rock to their cocky public personas, Oasis shaped British music culture in ways few others could, and their influence still reverberates through the country’s cultural landscape today.

The Sound of Britpop – Oasis’s Impact on Music

Before Oasis came crashing onto the scene, British music in the early 90s was dominated by American grunge. 

Bands like Nirvana and Pearl Jam held the reins, and while they offered an outlet for teenage angst, there was a longing for something closer to home—something that spoke directly to the British experience. 

Enter Oasis, led by brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher, whose sound fused classic British rock influences with a modern, working-class edge.

Oasis didn’t just play rock music; they redefined it for a new generation. Their debut album, Definitely Maybe, was a defiant statement, with tracks like "Rock 'n' Roll Star" and "Supersonic" announcing the arrival of a band that wasn’t here to apologise.

Instead, they brought back swagger and guitars, pulling inspiration from bands like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. Oasis created anthems that felt instantly timeless, yet deeply connected to the experiences of working-class Brits. Their follow-up, (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?, took things further, spawning hits like "Wonderwall" and "Don’t Look Back in Anger," songs that became the soundtrack to the lives of millions.

Oasis’s success ushered in a new era of British rock, inspiring a wave of guitar-driven bands. Acts like Blur, Pulp, and The Verve followed in their wake, giving birth to Britpop, a cultural phenomenon that would come to define the decade. 

Oasis may have drawn from the past, but their sound was modern, urgent, and unmistakably British—a perfect antidote to the American sounds that had dominated the airwaves.

For many fans, the music wasn’t enough. They wanted to look like their idols too. The classic Mod jackets and parkas that Oasis wore became as iconic as the music itself, setting off a revival in Mod-inspired fashion, much of which can still be found in modern collections like Mod jackets and coats from Mazey's.

The Britpop Explosion – A Cultural Phenomenon

Oasis wasn’t just the band of the 90s—they were the face of Britpop. 

But Britpop was more than just a genre of music. It was a cultural movement, a revival of British pride and identity at a time when the country was searching for something to believe in. 

The rivalry between Oasis and Blur epitomised this moment in history, and it was about more than music; it was a clash of class, ideology, and regional pride.

The infamous "Battle of Britpop" in 1995 was less about chart positions and more about what each band represented. 

Oasis, with their working-class, northern roots, represented the grit and resilience of post-Thatcher Britain. Blur, by contrast, embodied a more middle-class, southern sensibility, offering a more intellectual take on British life. 

When the two bands went head-to-head in the charts, with Oasis releasing "Roll With It" and Blur countering with "Country House," the nation was divided. 

North vs. South. 

Working-class grit vs. middle-class cool.

Blur may have won the chart battle, but Oasis won the war. 

Their appeal was more universal, and they became the defining band of the era. It wasn’t just their music that resonated—it was their attitude. 

Oasis weren’t just selling records; they were selling a lifestyle, one that was unapologetically British and deeply rooted in working-class culture. The band’s swagger and arrogance became aspirational for a generation that had grown tired of being overlooked.

Alongside the music came a revival in fashion. Fans began emulating their idols, with the Mod parka becoming the signature look of Britpop. 

Whether you were a fan of Blur or Oasis, dressing like a Britpop star was essential, and Oasis were at the forefront of this fashion revolution. The Mod parkas that Liam Gallagher often wore became an iconic part of this cultural moment, cementing the band’s role not just as musicians but as style icons.

Style Icons – Oasis and 90s Fashion

Oasis weren’t just the kings of Britpop; they were also the kings of style. 

Liam and Noel Gallagher became fashion icons in their own right, with their love for  polos, Desert boots, and Mod parkas inspiring a new generation of fashion-conscious fans. 

They took the Mod look and made it relevant for the 90s, blending classic British style with a rock 'n' roll edge.

Liam’s love for the Mod parka became synonymous with the Britpop era, but it wasn’t just about the outerwear. The polo, with its sharp lines and simple design, became a staple for fans who wanted to emulate their idols without trying too hard. 

It wasn’t just the clothes—it was the attitude. 

Oasis made it cool to care about how you looked, but not in a fussy, over-the-top way. Their fashion choices were simple, but they exuded confidence, a confidence that their fans aspired to. 

Whether you were at a gig or just hanging out with mates, dressing like Oasis made you feel like you were part of something bigger. Britpop wasn’t just about the music; it was about the way you carried yourself.

Oasis and the Working-Class Voice in Music

What made Oasis different from their Britpop peers was their authenticity. 

They weren’t just singing about working-class life; they were living it. Noel and Liam Gallagher grew up in Burnage, Manchester—a working-class area that had seen better days. 

Their songs reflected their upbringing, with lyrics that spoke of hope, frustration, and the desire to escape.

Where bands like Blur offered a more detached, ironic take on British life, Oasis were raw and direct. Songs like "Cigarettes & Alcohol" captured the disillusionment of a generation stuck in dead-end jobs, while "Live Forever" expressed the hope and ambition that came with wanting more. 

Their music gave a voice to a generation of working-class youth who felt like they’d been left behind in the post-Thatcher era.

Oasis didn’t just sing about the working class—they were the working class. That authenticity resonated with fans, many of whom saw themselves in the band. 

Whether you were from Manchester or London, Oasis’s music made you feel like you could achieve something bigger, no matter where you came from. Their working-class roots were reflected in everything they did, from the music to their fashion.

The Lasting Legacy of Oasis on British Music

Even after Oasis’s breakup in 2009, their influence on British music remained undeniable, a fact proven by the demand for tickets for their 2025 reunion tour. 

The band’s blend of classic rock influences and modern attitude paved the way for a new generation of British bands. Acts like Arctic Monkeys, Kasabian, and The Libertines have all cited Oasis as a major influence, and their sound can still be heard in modern indie rock.

But Oasis’s legacy extends beyond music. They helped re-establish British identity at a time when it was in danger of being overshadowed by American culture. 

They made it cool to be British again, and they gave a voice to the working class in a way that hadn’t been done since The Clash. 

Britpop may have faded, but Oasis’s influence continues to be felt in everything from music to fashion.

Their timeless style has also endured. Mod Footwear and other Mod-inspired pieces remain popular among fans who want to keep the spirit of Britpop alive, showing that Oasis’s impact on British culture goes far beyond the music.

The Band That Defined a Decade

Oasis didn’t just shape 90s British music culture—they were 90s British music culture. Their sound, their style, and their attitude became the blueprint for a generation that wanted something real, something loud, and something undeniably British. 

From their iconic anthems to their influence on fashion, Oasis left a mark that will never fade.

As the years go by, their legacy only grows stronger, inspiring new generations to pick up guitars, don parkas, and belt out "Wonderwall" at the top of their lungs.

 And for those who want to carry on that legacy today, Mazey’s offers a range of Mod-inspired clothing that keeps the spirit of Britpop alive, ensuring that Oasis’s influence will continue for years to come.