Win Tickets To See The Vortex At The Underground!

It was 1999 when Paul 'Bonehead' Arthurs walked away from one of the biggest acts on the planet.

The band was Oasis and Bonehead left during the recording of their fourth album, Standing On The Shoulder Of Giants.

He was one of the founding members of the group – when it was known as The Rain – before the arrival of the Gallagher brothers and subsequent change of name.

From 1995 onwards, Oasis were the undisputed kings of Britpop.

They sold millions of records worldwide and played the biggest concert in history in front of 250,000 people across two days at Knebworth. For many, they defined the sound of a generation.

Citing family reasons (his daughter was very young at the time) Bonehead stepped down at the height of their fame. But he didn't disappear from music altogether.

His latest musical project, The Vortex, sees him play a gig in the Potteries.

Next Friday, he will perform at The Underground, Hanley, alongside bandmates John Mackie, Maz Behdjet, Nick Repton, Sean O' Donnell and Colin Ward.

"The Vortex were going before that but I joined them full-time at the beginning of last year and we've been gigging non-stop since then," says Bonehead. "Originally I got to know them by going to a few gigs myself and they asked me to join them on stage.

"We've also been recording an album in Manchester which we've funded ourselves. I'm really enjoying it. It's out and out guitar music but there are dancy elements to it as well.

"There's a massive interest in Oasis still. Every interview I do, people are going to ask me about that and compare it with what I'm doing now.

"I've not seen Noel or Liam for ages but we seem to bump into each other every other year or so. There's no bad feelings and there never was between us."

Local band Skinny Pigs will be proud to be supporting The Vortex when they play in Hanley. Lead singer Craig Paterson says that he grew up as a fan of Oasis.

Craig will be joined by fellow Skinny Pigs Sam Hardy on guitar, rhythm guitarist Lee Swindells, bass player Ben Nixon and drummer Jake Cunningham.

Fresh from shooting a video with Flashgun Films last weekend – for their new song Best In Me – the group, who are all from Stoke, are looking forward to the gig.

"It will be the biggest date we've played so far," says 31-year-old Craig, of Baddeley Green. "We supported Kid British at The Box in Crewe last month.

"With The Vortex having onehead, that's obviously a big draw for us. We take inspiration from all that era and Oasis were the biggest band going at the time."

The Vortex play at The Underground on Friday, September 24. Support will be provided by local bands Skinny Pigs, The Riots and The Way. Doors open at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £7 from Music Mania on 01782 206000.

Win tickets to see The Vortex at The Underground!

The Sentinel has teamed up with promoters of tickets to The Vortex's gig at The Underground on Friday September 24. Winners will also have the chance to meet the band. All you have to do is answer the question below and fill in your details and submit the form before noon on Wednesday September 22.

Click here for more details.

Source: www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk

Visit Bonehead's band 'The Vortex' MySpace page (here) for a number of newly announced tour dates.