Hurricane #1

Hurricane #1 formed in Oxford in 1996, Andy Bell — formerly of Ride — assembling a new band with Alex Lowe, Will Pepper, and Gareth Farmer. Bell's shoegaze background was evident in the band's sound, but Hurricane #1 were more melodically direct and Britpop-influenced than Ride had been, with Lowe's vocals giving their songs an accessible warmth.

They were signed to Creation Records and released two albums — 'Hurricane #1' (1997) and 'Only the Strongest Will Survive' (1999) — that earned good reviews and radio play. 'Step into My World' became their best-known track, a melodically irresistible Britpop song that reached the UK top twenty. The albums showed Bell's continued melodic gifts in a more accessible context than Ride.

Hurricane #1 dissolved in 1999, and Andy Bell subsequently joined Oasis as a second guitarist, a role he held until the band's dissolution in 2009. Bell has continued to perform under the Hurricane #1 name in subsequent years. The band's Creation Records albums reward rediscovery — particularly 'Hurricane #1', which holds up as a strong record of the Britpop era. ⚠ Flag: post-2009 Hurricane #1 activity — verify current status.