It’s 20 years since the advent of Britpop. The all too familiar sound of the legendary Supersonic guitar riff blazing out of the stereo - released on this day in 1994. Atom Retro reflect on this era of music and it’s profound affect on society, fashion and style.

Forget the Blair-ite Cool Brittania crap that followed shortly after and all too often gets banged in with the Britpop boom, this was about music and the dawning of a new era in style not politics. The lynchpin of the movement being Oasis and the sheer Indie swagger of the lads from Manchester. Mod parkas, desert boots and the iconic Union Jack guitar. The rivalry with fellow Britpop legends Blur who I fondly think of in Retro track tops, Mod Harringtons and cool Indie trainers made the Britpop bang even louder and with everyone’s favourite Common People, Pulp revitalising the trend for skinny Mod blazers, tweeds and fab Seventies shirts, this was bound to be an unforgettable era in British music history.

It was a time where gigs, beer and amazing records flowed freely. A feel good factor gripped the nation. Let’s join together and remember this great time.

Who was your favourite Britpop era band/artist? What was your favourite gig?

Share your stories with us!

In the mean time here’s a jukebox of some of our favourite Britpop tracks from 1994.

1. Supersonic - Oasis 
Released: 11th April 1994

Released on the 11th April, 1994 this was Oasis' debut single. Peaking at the time at only 31 in the UK singles charts, the sales for Supersonic have since topped 215,000 making it Oasis' 13th biggest ever selling single, outselling number 1's The Hindu Times, Lyla and The Importance of Being Idle.
  
Sing-a-long bit: "I need to be myself, I can be no one else..." (Although, basically the whole song should be sung along to at high volume).

How often do you hear a snippet of a song on an advert - a great tune, but what is it? The ad's gone before you can say Shazam! Here's some of of our fave tunes on TV ads currently.


1. Nissan Note Advert - 'The Ghost Train' 
 

Features: Evil Eye by Franz Ferdinand  
Originally Released: 2013  
Find it: On Franz Ferdinand's album 'Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action'

The Advertising Standards Authority received 2 complaints about Nissan's use of Franz Ferdinand's 'Evil Eye' which contains the swear words 'Bastard' and 'Shit'. The complaints were quashed when Nissan pointed out they'd paid for a special 'clean' version of the song, replacing the words with 'basket' and 'schtick'. 'Evil Eye' was an overlooked single of 2013, which undeservedly failed to chart in the UK. One of the best indie rock songs of recent times in our book!  

Sing-a-long bit: "What's the colour of the next car? Red, yer... um basket, red yer basket..."
 

The Christmas Juke Box is rockin' at Atom Retro!  We love all the ol' faves, of course; Slade, Wizzard, Wham and Mud, right through to Brenda Lee's Rockin' Christmas Tree and Bing's White Christmas... but we also love to discover a rare festive hit, a Christmas Song that you won't hear blaring inside every shop or supermarket this Christmas season - so here's our 2013 top ten less heard Christmas Songs!

1. Father Christmas - The Kinks

Released: 1977

An anti-commercial Christmas hit which tells the story of a Father Christmas mugged by kids who'd rather have the money than the toys.

Sing-a-long bit: "Father christmas, give us some money! Don't mess around with those silly toys! We'll beat you up if you don't hand it over, We want your bread so don't make us annoyed!"


2. Back Door Santa - Clarence Carter

Released: 1968

A bluesy rock 'n' roll Christmas song, full of festive double entendre!

Sing-a-long bit: "They call me Back Door Santa, I make my runs about the break of day, I make all the little girls happy, While the boys are out to play."