Gem Archer

Colin Murray Archer (born 7 December 1966) is an English musician and singer, best known as a member of the English 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. He 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 broke up in August 2009, but in November 2009, Liam Gallagher announced he was writing new material with Archer as well as other ex-Oasis members excluding his brother Noel, under the name Beady Eye. After two albums with Beady Eye, 2011's Different Gear, Still Speeding and 2013's BE, the band officially disbanded in October 2014. In 2017, Archer joined Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds as lead guitarist, thus reuniting with former Oasis member Noel Gallagher. 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". 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. 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.