Alex James reflects on that 90s rivalry with Oasis and Blur's future plans
He spoke to Ken Bruce
Last updated 8th May 2025
Blur's Alex James joined Ken Bruce on Greatest Hits Radio for Golden Years. Alex's Golden Year was 1995, the year that Blur won several BRIT Awards, and had success with 'Country House' and 'The Universal'.
Alex chose three songs from his Golden Year including, Pulp's 'Common People', Supergrass' 'Alright' and Oasis' 'Wonderwall', and opened up about the Blur/Oasis rivalry, seeing Pulp perform for the first time, and what the future of Blur looks like.
Blur Vs Oasis
Seeing an Oasis song on the list, Ken had to ask about the famous rivalry between the bands, that saw them going head-to-head with their songs 'Country House' and 'Roll With It', vying for the top spot - something which has been turned into a comedy play, going on tour in 2026.
When Ken asked Alex: "You've gone for an Oasis song as your third one. Now, how real was the great rivalry back in the day?"
Alex responded saying: "Well, I look back at it now, I think it was just what a brilliant time. You know, two brilliant bands, if I say so myself, just both really at the top of their game.
"Really going for (it). It's amazing how it kind of captured the... it was a big deal, right? But I just I really look back on it now with nothing but just really, really fond memories. And I'm, I'm so delighted they're getting back together, it's a sad fact most bands end up hating each other.
"I remember hearing this (‘Wonderwall’) for the first time, it was after ‘Country House’/’Roll With It’ and I remember the first time I heard this thinking, ‘he's actually got quite a good voice’. That's actually quite a good song. Have to take these guys seriously."
When asked if he would be going to see Oasis when they're on tour later this year, Alex admitted: "I’m not sure I’ll be going but I’m delighted for them…"
Touring with Pulp
The second song that Alex chose was Pulp's 'Common People' revealing why he chose the song, he said it's one that makes him smile. He also reminisced about the first time he saw Pulp performing, knowing they would be big one day.
"I remember we were booked onto a bill," Alex started. "It was one of the first times we played abroad in the city of Lille, the fair city of Lille in northern France, Lush were top of the bill and we were second and there was these kids from Sheffield called Pulp, who were bottom of the bill. And we watched them sound checking, and it was just like oh these guys are stars!
"And I think we all ended the night jumping in the fountain at the Lille and my passport got soaked, which caused problems going into Canada. They were cross about that!"
Alex went on to reveal from that moment he thought hey were going to be "massive", continuing: "Actually the record companies took a while for them to get signed. They signed to Island, I think, didn't they? Then we toured America with them, it's such a shame we lost Steve Mackey didn't we? So this one always makes me smile."
The future of Blur
With Oasis reuniting for several gigs this summer, Ken was keen to know if Blur would be reuniting again, however it seems that following their 2023 reunion, when they released 'The Ballad of Darren', it looks unlikely.
Alex explained to Ken: "We got back together in 2023, made a new record and I think did our best ever run of shows. It’s incredible how the music has endured and it was the first time we’d ever got to the end of an album or tour without at least one of us saying ‘that’s it, never again.’ We didn’t do many shows and I think that was probably a good place to leave it."
He added: "There’s two ways to go either the ABBA thing and stop at the top and just let it take its own course and make avatars of yourself when you were 27 and beautiful. Or treat it respectfully and dip in and out occasionally and it’s a really wonderful thing to be able to step back in to – that all those years of playing together is a gift actually. As long as you don’t overcook it or annoy the guitar player or singer too much…"
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