May 9, 2000 – Fresh plagiarism charges are being hurled at British band Oasis by American heavy metal group the Tribe of Gypsies because the Tribe released an album called Standing on the Shoulders of Giants in Japan last year, months before Oasis gave theirs a name.

And by the time the LA-based rockers, who are signed to Iron Maiden singer Bruce Dickson's label Air Raid, came to release their songs in Europe, Oasis had already released their disc around the world using almost exactly the same name.

But rather than sue the Oasis, kind-hearted Tribe of Gypsies delayed their release date, renamed the album, and reprinted all the covers at huge expense. It will now be called Tribe of Gypsies III and will be released in June 2000.

Air Raid spokesperson Nikki Affleck said, "We had to redesign and reprint all the album covers which cost a lot of money. But rather than waste time going through the courts we just decided to get on with it. It's one of those things. We accept Oasis are a much bigger band. The band were disappointed though."

More Oasis News:

• May 8, 2000 - Laim Gallagher Slams Divorce Rumors
• May 5, 2000 - Oasis Give Impromptu Poetry Reading and Plan Free Concert
• March 2000 - Interview with Noel Gallagher
• February 2000 - CD Review, Standing on the Shoulder of Giants