Gem Archer

English rock musician

This biography of a living person needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately from the article and its talk page, especially if potentially libelous.
Find sources: "Gem Archer" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (May 2020) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

|

Gem Archer

Background information
Birth name| Colin Murray Archer
Born|  (1966-12-07) 7 December 1966 (age 57)
Hunwick, County Durham, England
Genres| Britpop, glam rock, alternative rock, indie rock, funk rock
Occupation(s)| Musician, songwriter
Instrument(s)| Guitar, vocals
Years active| 1987–present
Labels| Creation, Big Brother

Musical artist

Colin Murray "Gem" Archer (/ɡɛm/ GEHM; born 7 December 1966) is an English guitarist and singer. He is best known as a member of the rock bands Oasis, Beady Eye and Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, making him, alongside Chris Sharrock, one of the only members of Oasis to have been part of both Liam and Noel Gallagher's post-Oasis projects. He is also known for his work with Heavy Stereo.

Archer joined Oasis as rhythm guitarist in November 1999, and handled lead guitar for acoustic songs as well. He also contributed to the writing of some of the band's songs. Oasis went on a 15 year hiatus in August 2009, but in November 2009, Liam Gallagher announced he was writing new material with Archer as well as other Oasis members excluding his brother Noel, under the name Beady Eye.[1] After two albums with Beady Eye, 2011's Different Gear, Still Speeding and 2013's BE, the band had officially disbanded in October 2014. In 2017, Archer joined Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds as lead guitarist, thus reuniting with Oasis member Noel Gallagher.

## The Edge and The Contenders

[edit]

Archer began his musical career in a group called The Edge in the early 1980s. They released two singles, "Take a Walk" and "Little Girl Blue".[2] In early 1987, he was part of a band called The Contenders. He then formed Whirlpool in 1991 and signed to Food Records and EMI Publishing. Simon Scott was also involved on a live basis playing keyboards and back-up vocals. After gigging around the UK and recording for 18 months the group folded. This laid the foundations for Heavy Stereo, with Gem taking over the role of singer.

## Heavy Stereo

[edit]

Archer formed Heavy Stereo with bassist Nez and guitarist Pete Downing both previously of Redcar indie band 2 Lost Sons who were subsequently signed with Creation Records. The band's only album, 1996's Déjà Voodoo, did not enjoy much critical or commercial success. However, Heavy Stereo's next release did receive more attention through demos of new material, a critically acclaimed contribution to The Jam tribute album, Fire and Skill: The Songs of the Jam, and opening on a Paul Weller tour.

## Oasis

[edit]

Whilst at home in Durham, having returned to care for his mother, Archer – lying in front of the fire – heard a report on The Big Breakfast that Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs had left Oasis after a massive row with Noel Gallagher. He claims "I thought, Shit! They'll split now. I was a real fan, and I'm not just saying that. For me, Oasis had breathed life back into rock 'n' roll." He was unaware that Noel Gallagher – who knew Archer from both their days on the Creation Records label – had rung his home in London where it was Archer's son Joel's birthday party. Once Archer's mother had recovered, Gallagher invited him to Olympic Studios, where Oasis were mixing Standing on the Shoulder of Giants. "We went to the pub and I couldn't stand not knowing if I was a part of the band. After less than half a pint of Guinness I said, 'What does Liam say?' And Noel said, 'It's my f*cking band. I'll have who I want.'" Archer claims the rest of Heavy Stereo were pleased for him to join Oasis.

Since Archer did not perform on the Giants album, he received no royalties and, for the first few performances, was paid a standard session wage, about £85 a gig, as the new Oasis rhythm guitarist. His first official duty was to appear on the "Go Let It Out" video – on which he played lead guitar, as Andy Bell had yet to take over bass, so Noel played bass with Liam on acoustic guitar and vocals. Archer played his first rhythm guitar set at a session for alternative radio in Philadelphia.[citation needed]

Though Archer was officially referred to as Oasis' rhythm guitarist, his role in Oasis was much more than that. In live settings, he and Noel often switched between lead and rhythm guitar and both Noel and Liam Gallagher have praised Archer for his contributions in the studio. Archer also had a role as a songwriter. His first songwriting contribution after joining Oasis was "Hung in a Bad Place", which appeared on Oasis' fifth album Heathen Chemistry. This song was picked up for use in a commercial for Victoria's Secret in the US. His role was expanded on Oasis' sixth studio album, Don't Believe the Truth, which features Archer's "A Bell Will Ring" and "Love Like a Bomb", the latter of which he co-wrote with singer Liam Gallagher. He also contributed the B-sides "Eyeball Tickler" and "The Quiet Ones" – an acoustic song. He also wrote "To Be Where There's Life" on the 2008 album Dig Out Your Soul. Archer has said that he found it quite daunting to submit songs for consideration to the band because of Noel Gallagher's stature as a songwriter, whom he cites as one of his favourite songwriters. Archer, in rare occasions, contributed backing vocals to Oasis songs, such as on "The Meaning of Soul", "Force of Nature", and on the band's cover of The Who's "My Generation", played piano on "Stop Crying Your Heart Out" and harmonica on "Mucky Fingers".[citation needed]

Andy Bell highlighted Archer's significance to Oasis, saying "Oasis has completely evolved. Noel's old mates have left, he's been divorced and really changed his own life around. He still has Liam but his relationship with Liam is different – it's more tempestuous. He needs a less extreme mate and Gem's it. Gem chills Noel out. And that makes Oasis a more stable ship."[citation needed]

Although Noel Gallagher departed Oasis, Archer and he remained friends, and teamed up for a charity concert at the Royal Albert Hall.[citation needed]

## Beady Eye

[edit]

Archer (right) performing in 2011

Noel Gallagher quit Oasis in August 2009, following an argument with his brother in Paris. Gallagher placed part of the blame for his decision to leave on Archer, and Andy Bell, for a lack of support saying "the lack of support and understanding from my... band mates has left me with no other option than to get me cape and seek pastures new."[3] Soon afterwards the band announced they had split.[4] However, Archer, Bell, Liam Gallagher and Oasis live drummer Chris Sharrock resolved to work together on a new project under a new name, Beady Eye.[5][6] While Noel Gallagher maintains a friendship with Archer, as well as Oasis drummer Chris Sharrock, he claims that he has not spoken with his brother Liam or former Oasis bassist Andy Bell.

Archer contributed guitar, bass and backing vocals to Beady Eye's debut album Different Gear, Still Speeding, released on 28 February 2011.

Archer also contributed guitar, keyboards, and backing vocals on Beady Eye's second album BE, released on 10 June 2013.

On 25 October 2014, Liam Gallagher announced, via Twitter, that Beady Eye had disbanded.[7][8]

## Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds

[edit]

In December 2015, Archer appeared with Noel Gallagher at an acoustic gig in Lincoln on 6 December 2015, followed by an appearance for BBC Radio 2 the following night.

In October 2016, Gem joined Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds for their performance of "Half the World Away" dedicated to Caroline Aherne for Channel 4's Stand Up to Cancer telethon; leading to speculation he had become a permanent member of the band.

In July 2017, it was confirmed that Gem had become a permanent member of Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds.[9]

## Other work

[edit]

Outside of Oasis, Archer has collaborated with a few other artists, most notably Paul Weller. He has contributed acoustic guitar to the song 'One x One' on Weller's 2002 album Illumination and guitars and mellotron to the song 'Echoes Round The Sun on Weller's 2008 album 22 Dreams. He participated in an acoustic tour of the US with Weller when Steve Cradock of Ocean Colour Scene was unavailable, and provided guitar and backing vocals at the 2010 NME Awards when Weller performed a live set having received the 'Godlike Genius Award'.

He also contributed guitar to David Holmes' 1997 album Let's Get Killed.

He also assisted Noel Gallagher in producing the first Proud Mary album, a band signed to Gallagher's Sour Mash record label.

According to album notes, Gem also worked with his good friend and previous Oasis and Beady Eye colleague Andy Bell on his debut solo Album (not under the “Glok” alias) called “The View from Halfway Down”, contributing some drums, bass and guitar tracks, and also providing some of the recording work. [10]

## Personal life

[edit]

On 1 August 2013, Archer was admitted to hospital with serious head trauma and a fractured skull after a freak accident at home, by falling down a flight of stairs. After several scans, to ensure that there was no long-term effects, Beady Eye's V-Festival act was cancelled, so that he could be kept under observation. He was later said to be in a stable condition.[11][12]

He was married to Lou and is father to Joel and Libby.[citation needed] On 26 November 2022, he married Christine Mary Biller during a ceremony in London, England.[13]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Liam Gallagher reveals his post-Oasis band name". Nme.com. Retrieved 24 August 2014.
2. ^ "Stewart Piercy". Stewart-piercy.com. Retrieved 1 November 2011.
3. ^ Gallagher, Noel (29 August 2009). "29/08/09". Tales from the Middle of Nowhere. Oasis. Archived from the original on 9 October 2009. Retrieved 29 August 2009.
4. ^ Paine, Andre. "Liam Gallagher Confirms Oasis Split, Plans 'Next Step'". billboard.com. 9 October 2009.
5. ^ "Liam Gallagher outlines solo LP plan". BBC. 19 November 2009. Retrieved 19 November 2009.
6. ^ "Liam Gallagher: I don't wish Noel any bad, I love him to death". Nme.com. 2 December 2009. Retrieved 1 November 2011.
7. ^ "Beady Eye announce the band have split up". Fit4Talent. 25 October 2014. Archived from the original on 26 October 2014. Retrieved 27 October 2014.
8. ^ "Liam Gallagher says Beady Eye are 'no longer'". Nme.com. 25 October 2014.
9. ^ "Noel Gallagher confirms Gem Archer is in High Flying Birds". 7 July 2017.
10. ^ "The View From Halfway Down, by Andy Bell". Andy Bell. Retrieved 17 January 2023.
11. ^ "Beady Eye guitarist Gem Archer 'fractured skull falling down stairs at home' | News | NME.COM". www.nme.com. Archived from the original on 11 August 2013. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
12. ^ "Beady Eye cancel V Festival appearance following injury to Gem Archer | News | NME.COM". www.nme.com. Archived from the original on 11 August 2013. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
13. ^ "Photos: Gem and Christine Archer's Wedding".

## External links

[edit]

* Media related to Gem Archer at Wikimedia Commons

* v
* t
* e

Oasis

* Liam Gallagher
* Noel Gallagher

* Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs
* Paul "Guigsy" McGuigan
* Tony McCarroll
* Alan White
* Gem Archer
* Andy Bell

* Touring members

* Jay Darlington
* Zak Starkey
* Chris Sharrock

Studio albums|

* Definitely Maybe
* (What's the Story) Morning Glory?
* Be Here Now
* Standing on the Shoulder of Giants
* Heathen Chemistry
* Don't Believe the Truth
* Dig Out Your Soul

Compilation albums|

* The Masterplan
* Stop the Clocks
* Time Flies... 1994–2009

Live albums|

* Familiar to Millions
* Knebworth 1996

Demo albums|

* Live Demonstration

Singles|

* "Supersonic"
* "Shakermaker"
* "Live Forever"
* "Cigarettes & Alcohol"
* "Whatever"
* "Some Might Say"
* "Roll with It"
* "Morning Glory"
* "Wonderwall"
* "Don't Look Back in Anger"
* "Champagne Supernova"
* "D'You Know What I Mean?"
* "Stand by Me"
* "All Around the World"
* "Don't Go Away"
* "Go Let It Out"
* "Who Feels Love?"
* "Sunday Morning Call"
* "The Hindu Times"
* "Stop Crying Your Heart Out"
* "Little by Little"/"She Is Love"
* "Songbird"
* "Lyla"
* "The Importance of Being Idle"
* "Let There Be Love"
* "Lord Don't Slow Me Down"
* "The Shock of the Lightning"
* "I'm Outta Time"
* "Falling Down"
* "Don't Stop..."

Other songs|

* "Rock 'n' Roll Star"
* "Columbia"
* "Slide Away"
* "Half the World Away"
* "Talk Tonight"
* "Cast No Shadow"
* "She's Electric"
* "Acquiesce"
* "The Masterplan"
* "Where Did It All Go Wrong?"
* "Stop the Clocks"
* "Boy with the Blues"

Video albums|

* Live by the Sea
* ...There and Then
* Lord Don't Slow Me Down

Tours|

* Definitely Maybe Tour
* (What's the Story) Morning Glory? Tour
* Be Here Now Tour
* Standing on the Shoulder of Giants Tour
* The Tour of Brotherly Love
* 10 Years of Noise and Confusion Tour
* Heathen Chemistry Tour
* Don't Believe the Truth Tour
* Dig Out Your Soul Tour
* Live '25 Tour

Related groups|

* Beady Eye
* Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds
* Starclub
* Heavy Stereo
* Ride
* Hurricane #1
* No Way Sis

Related articles|

* Discography
* Songs
* Awards and nominations
* Big Brother Recordings
* Brian Cannon
* Oasis: Supersonic
* The Dreams We Have as Children
* Standing on the Edge of the Noise
* "Wibbling Rivalry"
* "Boulevard of Broken Songs"

* Category

* v
* t
* e

Beady Eye

* Liam Gallagher
* Gem Archer
* Andy Bell
* Chris Sharrock
* Jay Mehler
* Jeff Wootton

Studio albums|

* Different Gear, Still Speeding
* BE

Singles|

* "Bring the Light"
* "Four Letter Word"
* "The Roller"
* "Across the Universe"
* "Millionaire"
* "The Beat Goes On"
* "Second Bite of the Apple"

Related groups|

* Oasis
* Ride
* Heavy Stereo
* Hurricane #1
* Gorillaz
* Kasabian

Related articles|

* Discography
* Songs

* v
* t
* e

Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds

* Noel Gallagher
* Mikey Rowe
* Russ Pritchard
* Chris Sharrock
* Gem Archer

* Tim Smith
* Jeremy Stacey

Studio albums|

* Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds
* Chasing Yesterday
* Who Built the Moon?
* Council Skies

Compilation albums|

* Back the Way We Came: Vol. 1 (2011–2021)

Remix albums|

* Where the City Meets the Sky – Chasing Yesterday: The Remixes

Extended plays|

* Songs from the Great White North...
* Black Star Dancing

Singles|

* "The Death of You and Me"
* "AKA... What a Life!"
* "If I Had a Gun..."
* "Dream On"
* "Everybody's on the Run"
* "In the Heat of the Moment"
* "Ballad of the Mighty I"
* "Riverman"
* "Lock All the Doors"
* "Holy Mountain"
* "It's a Beautiful World"
* "She Taught Me How to Fly"
* "If Love Is the Law"
* "Wandering Star"
* "Blue Moon Rising"

Other songs|

* "Stop the Clocks"

Video albums|

* International Magic Live at the O2

Tours|

* High Flying Birds Tour
* Chasing Yesterday Tour
* Stranded on the Earth World Tour
* Garbage & Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds: Live in Concert

Related articles|

* Discography
* Oasis
* The Dreams We Have as Children

Authority control databases

International|

* VIAF

National|

* Germany
* Czech Republic

Artists|

* MusicBrainz

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template