When you want a clip that looks cinematic enough to convey your band's exalted status, and yet exudes that lingering chemical waft of after-hours debauchery to effectively communicate your connection to 'the street', British director W.I.Z. is what they call "a safe pair of hands".

He has revelled in blurring the glossy with the grotty since near the dawn of the '90s, for artists such as Chemical Brothers, Massive Attack, Marilyn Manson, Jamelia, Will Young, Kasabian, Arctic Monkeys, Dizzee Rascal, and now Oasis for a fourth time.

Of course, some performers fit more easily into these mini-movies than others. Kasabian's lead singer Tom was reportedly considered for real acting work after W.I.Z. directed "Empire" for them.

For new single 'Falling Down' (out in March) he's wisely left the Gallaghers in the background where possible, since they can't seem to relax into a truly "natural" anything, but there's a great moment when he has to punch in for a mid-shot to capture the big acting moment, that will hopefully anchor them to the rest of the story somehow.

Naturally, they're hilariously inept at this...




It's not clear why the band are at this right royal knees-up, or why they snub their fun-loving royal host (Can they smell the drugs on her? Are they sniffer dogs employed by the palace?), but Oasis do seem to love mixing it up with the hoi-polloi, so it's not completely out of character.

UPDATE!

Digital Spy has reported that the hyper-alert Noel Gallagher has noticed a drugs connection in Disney's wholesome High School Musical films, saying...

"I have a nine-year-old daughter who's into that rubbish. It's like aural drugs, isn't it? They get obsessed and it ain't good for them."

He is then reported has having conceded that television for kids nowadays is better than that of his own childhood, citing The Magic Roundabout, perhaps the one of the most overtly drug-related shows ever broadcast in Britain.

In other words, the ex nose-candy specialist is seeing drugs everywhere. Poor Noel.


BONUS GRAM OF W.I.Z.

Back in 1991, way before Human Traffic and the like, there was the short film Weekender, directed by W.I.Z. for the band Flowered Up. Considered by many UK clubbers in the 90's to be the best evocation of the ecstacy experience in Britain at that time.

Perhaps not safe for work, but absolutely essential at the weekend...


Pt 1:



Pt 2: