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Saturday, 22 June, 2002, 22:49 GMT 23:49 UK

Oasis do battle with British Army

Rock band Oasis have gone to war with the British Army over the use of two of its songs on a recruitment video.

The band's lawyers have ordered that the Highlanders regiment remove the songs Wonderwall and Hello from the soundtrack - or face legal action.

The film, which was shown in shopping malls and schools, was shot during a recent exercise by the 600-strong Edinburgh-based regiment in Kenya.


" The record label was contacted to seek permission ...but it was turned down "

MoD spokesman

It shows soldiers performing exercises in desert fatigues and carrying rifles to the sound of the hit tracks from Oasis' 1995 album What's The Story Morning Glory.

But 300 copies have now had to be recalled after songwriter Noel Gallagher refused permission for the songs to be used.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said the promotional video was intended to show "what the regiment had been up to in recent months".

"We didn't realise we needed permission to use the songs until it was brought to our attention," he added.

"Their record label was contacted by the regiment to seek permission but it was turned down and so we've had to recall every one of the videos."

A spokesman for Oasis, whose new album Heathen Chemistry is released on 1 July, was unavailable for comment on Saturday night.


Related to this story:
Gallaghers 'could be new Osbournes' (05 Jun 02 | Entertainment) Oasis still favourite with fans (22 Apr 02 | Entertainment) Oasis get back on top (21 Apr 02 | Entertainment)


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