In Memoriam: John Lennon

John Ono Lennon, MBE (born John Winston Lennon, 9 October 1940 – 8 December 1980) was an iconic English 20th century rock and roll songwriter and singer, best known as the founder of The Beatles. He and fellow-Beatle Paul McCartney formed the massively successful Lennon-McCartney songwriting partnership throughout the 1960s, writing songs for The Beatles and other artists to record.


Noel, Gem & Johnny Marr - Tomorrow Never Knows

Lennon's songwriting was often full of pain and hope. His melodies were at times beautiful and at times dark. His lyrics reflected his personal and career demands, philosophical outlook, his unease with his fame, and current events. As a writing pair, Lennon's hard-edged and McCartney's optimistic styles complemented one another. The Beatles, largely under Lennon and McCartney's influence and with their record producer George Martin, revolutionised rock music with their lyrics, instrumentation, harmony, and electronic effects, changing the nature of popular music at the time and paving the way for the music of the 1970s, 1980s and beyond. In his solo career distinct from The Beatles, Lennon wrote and recorded songs that became icons of the age, such as "Imagine" and "Give Peace a Chance".


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Lennon, on television and in films such as A Hard Day's Night (1964), and by press conferences and interviews, revealed his rebellious, iconoclastic nature and quick, irreverent wit. He channeled his fame and penchant for controversy into his work as a peace activist, artist and author.

He had one son, Julian, with his first wife, Cynthia; he later married his second wife, avant-garde artist Yoko Ono, and they had one son, Sean. John Lennon was murdered in New York City on December 8, 1980 by a deranged fan, as he and Ono returned home from a recording session; he was, and continues to be, mourned throughout the world.


I Am The Walrus

In 2002, respondents to a BBC poll about the 100 Greatest Britons voted Lennon into eighth place.

Source: Wikpedia

Fun Lovin' Kasabian Set For City Date

“In case there’s any remaining doubt, we’re bang up for it!” With this very quip, delivered wryly to an Orlando audience last month, wiry guitarist Serge Pizzorno inadvertently pinpointed why music fans have embraced Kasabian to their collective bosom.

In the last three years the kaleidoscopic rockers have picked up the 'band of the people' baton once grasped by The Stone Roses and Oasis and well and truly run with it.

And, although they hail from unfashionable Leicester, there’s no doubt a chunk of the quartet’s musical heart lies in Manchester too.

Led by pocket rocket frontman Tom Meighan, the four-piece have infused the passion and everyman spirit of Oasis with the Stone Roses’ feel for a groove.

Thankfully, for Kasabian, the feeling appears to be mutual. Ex-Stone Roses bassist Mani championed the band early on, while Liam Gallagher once turned up backstage just to flourish them with superlatives.

One thing led to another and Kasabian joined Oasis on a memorable US tour.

From a Paris hotel room drummer Ian Matthews describes their first proper meeting: “We met up with them at a Portuguese festival and got beckoned to their area and a genuine relationship developed over the next few weeks.

“Liam and Noel have just been so supportive, they’ve become mates, you know? “We go out with them for beers and watch the football.”

Pleasingly, Matthews is thrilled a natural friendship between the two bands has blossomed.

“It’s nice because they are great guys, but they don’t suffer fools - if they don’t like you, they let you know! So having them on your side is amazing!”

While hyperactive Meighan maybe Liam to Pizzorno’s more reserved Noel, because of the relentless nature of the band’s music - particularly in the live arena - Matthews’ role should not be underestimated.

Impact

A Bristolian, he met the rest of the band in a local studio and is proud of the impact he has made.
“When we play live my job is to make the crowd jump to the beats, it’s an incredibly powerful position to be in as I’m driving the band, the crowd, even the bar staff and the bouncers stood outside!”

In the luxurious state of being in a successful band, yet still relatively unknown, does Matthews enjoy being out of the limelight?

“I don’t know really, it is nice to be able to go to Sainsbury’s and no one know,” he concedes. “It’s like leading a double life.”

“If you want fame, it’s there; I just love what I do though. For me it’s the best job in the world - I get to travel, meet people and play to really receptive audiences.”

Does he agree the group have taken on Oasis’ mantle?

Bard

“I can see why people say that. Tom is the people’s singer, the people’s bard.

“Personally, I’m just an honest musician who wears his heart on his sleeve. I’m not a lord, you know?”

If they share the same outlook on life though, Matthews confirms their music does benefit from their eclectic tastes.

“Our iPods tell different stories, we’ve all got common ground of course, but we’ve all got our own ways.

“We want to experiment and not stay stuck waiting at the bus stop. We want to move things on with each LP and not stand still.”

So with a host of the country’s biggest venues primed what can we expect from the tour?

“We’ve put a lot of thought into it as we want to give the crowd maximum bang for their buck and make it the best night out possible, a real party!”

Source: www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk

Noel Gallagher Turns Down X Factor Role

Rocker Liam Gallagher was reportedly keen for Oasis to act as a mentors on 'The X Factor' but his brother Noel said no.

According to Life Style Extra, Liam Gallagher is a big fan of the reality show and thought that appearing on the programme might boost the group's album sales.

Liam Gallagher reportedly said in a recent interview: "We should have done it. The contestants would have been singing Oasis songs."

"I would have loved that. If Tony Bennett can go on, why can't we?" he said.

"We'd have made it to number one in the album charts without a doubt, but our kid said no and that was that."

Lionel Richie, Tony Bennett, Rod Stewart and Westlife have already acted as mentors to the contestants during the themed nights in the current series of the show.

Source: www.rte.ie

Happy Birthday Gem Archer

Colin Murray Archer (born December 7, 1966 County Durham), better known as Gem (pronounced with a hard "G" - like "gift", after the Scottish footballer Archie Gemmill), is an English musician best known for his work with Heavy Stereo and Oasis. He joined Oasis as rhythm guitar player in November 1999, and now writes some of their songs.

Archer is a vegetarian. He is married to Lou, with whom he has a son, Joel, and a daughter, Libby.




Whirlpool
Archer began his musical career in Whirlpool in the mid-80s. Ironically, in 1987, when Whirlpool were auditioning for a drummer, he stumbled across a young Alan White (then just 15 years old) who impressed everyone at the audition. Archer remembers "I thought he was mega but the others were worried what a 15-years-old kid on the road and on the lager would be like. I rang his dad and told him, Sorry. But don't worry he's fantastic. He'll go all the way". Archer's words were to prove true when White joined Oasis in 1995. Archer was to join him 12 years after their initial meeting.



Heavy Stereo

When Whirlpool split in the early 90s, Archer graduated to singer and guitarist status with Creation Records signing Heavy Stereo, a glam-rock band. Their only album, 1996's Déjà Voodoo, did not enjoy a much critical or commercial success. However, though it never came to pass, 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 - Songs Of The Jam, and opening on a Paul Weller tour. Archer recalls "We'd got a Paul Weller tour and our new music was our best ever... I thought '99 really might be a good year for us." However, work on the record was put on hold when Archer's mother fell seriously ill.



Oasis

Whilst at home in Newcastle, having returned to care for his mother, Archer - laying in front of the fire - heard a report on The Big Breakfast that Bonehead had left Oasis after a massive row with Noel Gallagher. He claims "I thought, Shit! They'll split now. I was a real fan, and I'm not just saying that. For me, Oasis had breathed life back into rock 'n' roll." He was unaware that Noel Gallagher - who knew Archer from both their days on the Creation Records label - had rung his home in London where it was Archer's son Joel's birthday party. Once Archer's mother had recovered, Gallagher invited him to Olympic Studios, where Oasis were mixing Standing on the Shoulder of Giants. "We went to the pub and I couldn't stand not knowing if I was a part of the band. After less than half a pint of Guinness I said, What does Liam say? And Noel said, It's my fucking band. I'll have who I want." Archer claims the rest of Heavy Stereo were pleased for him to join Oasis.

As Archer did not perform on the Giants album, he received no royalties and, for the first few performances, was paid a standard session wage, about £85 a gig, as the new Oasis rhythm guitarist.[citation needed] His first official duty was to appear on the "Go Let It Out" video - on which he played lead guitar, as Andy Bell had yet to take over bass, so Noel played bass with Liam on rhythm - and played his first rhythm guitar set at a session for alternative radio in Philadelphia.

Though Archer is officially referred to as Oasis' rhythm guitarist, his role in Oasis is much more than that. In live setting he and Noel often switch between lead and rhythm guitar and both Noel and Liam Gallagher have praised Archer for his contributions in the studio. Archer also has a role as a songwriter. His first songwriting contribution after joining Oasis was "Hung in a Bad Place", which appeared on Oasis' 5th album Heathen Chemistry and was said to resemble Heavy Stereo. His role has expanded on Oasis' most recent album, Don't Believe the Truth, which features Archer's "A Bell Will Ring" and "Love Like a Bomb", the latter of which he co-wrote with singer Liam Gallagher. He also contributed the B-sides "Eyeball Tickler" and "The Quiet Ones" - an acoustic song much like Liam's "Songbird". Gem has said that he finds it quite daunting to submit songs for consideration to the band because of Noel Gallagher's stature as a songwriter, whom he cites as one of his favourite songwriters.

Andy Bell highlights Archer's significance to Oasis saying "Oasis has completely evolved. Noel's old mates left, he's been divorced and really changed his own life around. He still has Liam but his relationship with Liam is different - It's more tempestuous. He needs a less extreme mate and Gem's it. Gem chills Noel out. And that makes Oasis a more stable ship."

Gem also had a role in making the Nine Inch Nails' latest record With Teeth in middle-2004 before starting final sessions in October 2004 for Don't Believe the Truth. He also assisted Noel Gallagher in producing the first Proud Mary album, a band signed to Gallagher's Sour Mash record label.

Source: Wikpedia

Gallagher Spooked By Lennon Ghost

Oasis star Liam Gallagher wasn't always a fan of John Lennon - the late Beatle icon once haunted the Wonderwall singer. The rock wildman is adamant he was haunted by a presence one night- and is adamant it was the Imagine hitmaker. Gallagher says, "I was in Manchester (north England) at a mate's house having a kip (sleep). I remember getting up and feeling really weird. I turned round and there I was, lying on the bed, and I sort of fell back into my body. "There was a presence there and it was him. Lennon."

Source: www.contactmusic.com

The All-TIME 100 Albums

So here's how we chose the albums for the All-TIME 100. We researched and listened and agonized until we had a list of the greatest and most influential records ever - and then everyone complained because there was no Pink Floyd on it. And that's exactly how it should be. We hope you'll treat the All-TIME 100 as a great musical parlor game. Read and listen to the arguments for the selections, then tell us what we missed or got wrong. Or even possibly what we got right.

The 1990's

Sunrise Elvis Presley
BMG / Elvis
1999

Car Wheels on a Gravel Road
Lucinda Williams
Universal
1998

OK Computer
Radiohead
Capitol
1997

Time Out of Mind
Bob Dylan
Sony
1997

Endtroducing...
DJ Shadow
Mo' Wax
1996

(What's the Story) Morning Glory
Oasis
Sony
1995

Live Through This
Hole
Geffen
1994

My Life
Mary J. Blige
MCA
1994

Ready to Die
The Notorious B.I.G.
Bad Boy
1994

Slanted and Enchanted
Pavement
Matador
1992

The Chronic
Dr. Dre
Death Row/Interscope
1992

Achtung Baby
U2
Island
1991

Nevermind
Nirvana
DGC Records
1991

Out of Time
R.E.M.
Warner Brothers
1991

Phil Spector
Back to Mono (1958 - 1969)
Various Artists
Abkco
1991

Ropin' The Wind
Garth Brooks
Capitol
1991

Star Time
James Brown
Polydor
1991

The Low End Theory
A Tribe Called Quest
Jive
1991

Ckick Here for full list.

Source: www.time.com

Videos From The Lowry: Manchester

Thanks To Marie74

Zak And The Revision Of History

Zak came to see me in Boston to say that he felt Who fans might be angry with him after my description of events in an article published in a Boston newspaper. I had said that Zak's work with Oasis in 2005 had meant Roger and I had to wait until the spring of 2006 to move ahead with recording plans. I think I must have made it clear in other interviews that what also contributed to the delay - after an announcement in late 2004 that we planned an album and a tour for 2005 - was the fact that the songs were slow in coming to me.

Zak had asked to hear some songs in early 2005, and I was uneasy about letting him hear stuff I was unsure about. When he took on the work with Oasis it was not exactly good news for Roger and me, but we could offer Zak no certain future until we had songs. At the time we wished him well, and thought we might have to replace him if we needed to start touring before he was finished with Oasis.

In the long run everything worked out well. Oasis got a good lung run with Zak in the drummer's chair, and I had time to develop material for the new Who album ready by the summer of this year. It would have been great if Zak and I had had more time to work in the studio, but we are all together on the road and that's really where Zak shines like the beacon for the Who he really is.

There is no one who can fill the drummer's chair in the Who quite like Zak. His long history with the band (he was a constant presence when he was young and a fan of Keith Moon's) and his experience as the son of one of the Beatles gives him the credentials, and the serenity and authority he needs to do his job with the Who with panache.

Who fans should not look for anyone to blame for delays - especially not Zak. Zak would work for the Who all the hours he had if only the Who worked all the hours he had. We have never been a band that toured constantly, something that particulalry frustrated John Entwistle who ended up going out on his own quite a bit.

It now looks likely that this tour will end in July 2007 rather than continue until the autumn. That means our proposed return trip to Japan and Australia may be postponed for a while. I suppose one result of that is that Zak may pick up his sticks for Oasis again later next year - and as Noel and Liam wished him good luck when he came to play this tour with us, Roger and I will wish him luck if he goes to play with them. We are all friends. Life is too short for petty recriminations and in this matter Zak has nothing to apologise for. He was available to work in early 2005, but I wasn't ready for him.

I look forward to the next seven months of shows with Zak - he's been playing really well, and the whole band is in great shape.

One small thing - some of you may have noticed in one of my recent diary postings that I welcomed Zak into the Who as a permanent member. This is something he doesn't feel he needs or wants. Let's just say that the door is always open to this amazing musician, and - whenever we can - we will always try to make it possible for Zak to work with the Who in the future.

Source: www.petetownshend.co.uk

New Interview With Noel

Click Here to watch Noel's recent interview for CBCs 'The Hour' .

Source: www.cbc.ca

Noel Gallagher And Gem At The Lowry

SPECIAL SET: Gem and Noel03/12/06 (5/5 Stars)

WHAT would you expect from an exclusive and intimate Oasis homecoming gig? Cosy revelations about the Gallagher brothers’ life growing up down the road in Burnage? Heartfelt tales of missing Manchester?

When Noel Gallagher and bandmate Gem Archer take the stage for their acoustic gig in front of 400 Xfm competition winners at The Lowry theatre we get nothing of the sort.

Turns out he’s not really the kiss and tell, gut-spilling, tea and sympathy type.

But, if we don’t get up close and personal with Noel himself, we do get more intimate than ever with his songs. Which, let’s face it, more than makes up for that lack of chat.

This is Oasis, after all, not Oprah. And what songs. Stripped back, toned down, and minus the trademark strut of little brother Liam, these are Oasis tunes as you have never heard them before.

How Noel perhaps wants them to be. Take blast from the past Whatever – a string-laden single from the back catalogue which teeters dangerously on the brink of schmaltz.

Transformed here into a feisty folky number, it comes alive with a bit of Noel re-mastering.

“The original way we done this was ****,” he mumbles. “But we was all on drugs.”

Yes, he’s a man of few words. But when he does use them to answer back the (frequent) hecklers, he’s quick off the mark.

Mop top

“Lend us a tenner,” comes the cry from the audience. “I only carry fifties, cock.” And not a hair on that mop top barnet ruffled.

But if the crowd are less than gushingly star struck by the presence of this modern day music icon on stage, you get the impression that’s just how he likes it.

He certainly comes without any of the airs and graces of the super famous, preferring instead to dress down in trademark jeans and polo shirt, as though he’s strolled straight off the street.

It soon becomes clear there’s little need for rock n’ roll swagger anyway.

Even without all the hype, the tough talking, and the hard-faced controversy, these are simply some of the greatest songs of the past decade.

From the anthemic Wonderwall to the recent chart comeback, The Importance of Being Idle, each one sounds great once more with just some simple guitar and Noel’s vulnerable vocals breathed up close into the mic.

Heard without the posturing of frontman Liam (who barely gets a mention all night), it simply proves what a great singer/songwriter he is in his own right.

Ostensibly, these intimate forays of Noel’s around the country are to promote the band’s 'best of' album, Stop the Clocks.

Less of an advert for the band, maybe. Definitely a good sign for any future solo career

Source: www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk

Noel Gallagher Plays Intimate Hometown Show

And dedicates a song to an ex-Monkey

Noel Gallagher voiced his support for ex-Arctic Monkey Andy Nicholson during an intimate hometown gig tonight (December 4).

"I'd like to dedicate this one to our mate Andy" he told the crowd at the Lowry Theatre in Manchester before 'Talk Tonight'. "He used to be in the Arctic Monkeys, but now he isn't for reasons I just don't know."

The Oasis leader's latest stripped-down acoustic gig, organised and broadcast by XFM Manchester, was witnessed by 400 ecstatic competition winners and celebrities including Peter Kay.

Backed by bandmate Gem Archer on guitar and organ, and percussionist Terry Kirkbridge, Gallagher played a mesmerising career-spanning set, featuring early Oasis favourites 'Cast No Shadow', 'Wonderwall' and rapturously received set-closer 'Married With Children'.

The hour-long set also featured a cover of The Beatles 'Strawberry Fields Forever' and a number of Oasis B-sides including 'Half The World Away' and '(It's Good) To Be Free'.

Noel was in a buoyant, comic mood, slapping down a heckler who asked to borrow a tenner with a typical boast of: "I only carry fifties mate."

He also had a jokey dig at XFM DJ and ex- Inspiral Carpets man Clint Boon, who introduced him as "the greatest songwriter this country's ever produced."

"It's a nice thing for Clint to say - although it didn't stop him sacking me twice [as an Inspiral Carpets roadie]," he quipped. "Although it all worked out well in the end - I mean, he's working on the radio now!"

Support came from Tailgunner, the band fronted by 'Definitely Maybe' producer Mark Coyle, for whom Noel had a brief stint as a drummer.

The gig followed earlier acoustic show at London's Union Chapel (November 26).

Noel Gallagher played:

'(It's Good) To Be Free'
'Talk Tonight'
'Fade Away'
'Cast No Shadow'
'The Importance Of Being Idle'
'Listen Up'
'Half The World Away'
'Wonderwall'
'Whatever'
'Slide Away'
'Strawberry Fields Forever'
'Don't Look Back In Anger'
'Married With Children'

Source: www.nme.com

Gallagher Hands Over Clothes To Oxfam In Secret

Bargain hunters in England are walking around in Noel Gallagher's cast-off clothes - without knowing it. The Oasis rocker secretly bags up his "junk" and asks friends and staff to hand over the items to the local Oxfam charity shop near his country retreat in Buckinghamshire, insisting no one knows they're his old shirts, trousers, shoes, jackets and crockery. Gallagher explains, "I called up the local Oxfam... and I get someone else to be there when they came (to pick up the items) because, if they'd seen it was me, it would have all ended up at Sotheby's (auction house). So, I gave it all to charity, and nobody knows. "It's all out there somewhere. People are walking around in my old clothes, eating off my old plates."

Source: www.contactmusic.com

Noel Gallagher Admits Trembling Backstage

Oasis big gob Noel Gallagher admits he was left trembling backstage before being interviewed on Michael Parkinson.

Speaking about his appearance alongside Dustin Hoffman and Rod Stewart, he told me: "It was worse then any big arena concert".

"I heard the music and the legs turned to jelly. Then i was like, wow, I'm on!"

Source: Daily Star Sunday

Homecoming Gig Broadcast Live Later Today

Today Noel Gallagher and Gem Archer of Oasis will be playing an exclusive Xfm homecoming gig in Manchester to be broadcast live across the Xfm Network.

Xfm in association with Virgin Megastores are proud to announce that Noel and Gem will be taking to the stage at The Lowry, Manchester to play this special exclusive set on Sunday 3 December to celebrate the release of their best of album ‘Stop The Clocks’.

Listen to the full show here from 6PM (UK)

Source: www.xfm.co.uk

Oasis Slam New Beatles Album

Noel and Liam Gallagher take aim during film screening

Oasis have rubbished the new Beatles' album 'LOVE' on the day (November 20) it went head-to-head in the charts with the Manchester band's best of, 'Stop The Clocks'.

Gallagher brothers, Noel and Liam, rounded on the record of remixed songs at the UK screening of their road movie 'Lord Don't Slow Me Down'.

"It's a pointless exercise," said Noel Gallagher, adding that he turned the new collection off "after five songs".

His brother and frontman Liam Gallagher was more scathing declaring the album of tracks re-produced by Beatles producer Sir George Martin and his son, "rubbish!".

"If you haven't got The Beatles by now you're not going to get it," declared the singer and John Lennon fan. "I'm all Beatled-up!"

The 'LOVE' album came about after tracks by the Liverpool group were adapted for Circus De Sole show in Las Vegas.

Oasis made their comments during a question and answer session between all four band members and fans at the only UK screening of the band's film 'Lord Don't Slow Me Down' held at London's Curzon Mayfair cinema.

The film, directed by Baillie Walsh, charts Oasis' last world tour which ended in March this year.

Following the band's UK dates in 2005, it also covers jaunts to the US, Europe, Japan and Australia.

The screening was the only chance British fans had to see the full version of the movie ahead of its DVD release next year.

An edited, 40 minute version of 'Lord Don't Slow Me Down' was shown on Channel 4 the day before (November 19).

Speaking about the movie, Liam Gallagher told fans he was pleased with the finished film, explaining: "I buzzed off myself, I played a blinder."

His brother Noel meanwhile offered an insight into being the subject of a fly on the wall documentary.

"Baillie Walsh said I wouldn't notice the cameras after a while," recalled the guitarist. "You do notice them but I was alright with that, I kind of enjoyed it."

Meanwhile, fresh from his experience of cameras close hand, Liam waded into this year's 'I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here' show, backing record producer and Liza Minnelli's ex-husband David Gest to win the ITV reality TV show, explaining "as long as someone ugly wins" he would be happy.

Source: www.nme.com

Videos From Milan

Del Piero Introducing Noel Gallagher and Gem Archer at the show in Milan on the 29th November.



The Importance Of Being Idle


Thanks to Foscot And NewMan83.

Oasis Sony NET JUKE & WALKMAN Advert

Thanks to Lancastergate

Oasis Live..In Our Living Room In Cheshire!

It certainly wasn't the biggest venue Noel Gallagher has ever played - but it was probably the cosiest.

The Oasis superstar gave a Wonderwall-to-wall performance yesterday ... in fan Ben Haynes's Living rooom at Poynton, Cheshire.

Ben, 22, sat spellbound on a couch with his mum and dad and the rest of his family as Noel strummed some of the band's greatest hits.

"I just couldn't believe it was really happening," said Ben, who won the personal gig of a lifetime in a Radio 1 competition and was interviewed by DJs Jo Whiley and Chris Moyles.

"It was a totally amazing experience. We were all chatting to him and he was really nice."

With just an acoustic guitar, Noel played Half The World Away - theme tune to TV's The Royle Family - The Importance of Being Idle and Don't Look Back in Anger. His surprise performance from the Haynes's household was broadcast to millions of Radio 1 listeners.

Ben - a chef at Selfridges in Manchester - has seen Oasis live nine times. He won the chance to entertain one of his heroes at home by remembering which song Noel's brother Liam played live on air when he popped in to Radio 1 in 2003. He gave the answer Songbird, then had to say why Noel should play his lounge.

"I just explained that I was one of Oasis's biggest fans," said Ben. "I can't really remember what else I said - but it obviously worked. I was gobsmacked when Noel turned up on the doorstep."

Source: www.themirror.co.uk

Oasis Deny 2007 Single

'No plans' to release 'Lord Don't Slow Me Down' track

Oasis have denied reports that they will release a new single next year.

It had been suggested that the group would release Noel Gallagher-fronted 'Lord Don't Slow Me Down', which features in the band's road movie of the same name, early next year.

However while it is understood the film is set to appear on DVD, a spokesperson for the band told NME.COM a musical release was unlikely stating: "There are currently no plans to release a new single right now."

Oasis, who are set to receive the Outstanding Contribution To Music Award at next year's BRITS in February, are currently without a record deal after their best of 'Stop The Clocks' fulfilled their contract with SonyBMG.

Meanwhile Noel Gallagher also saught to quash speculation about another of his unreleased tracks.

'Stop The Clocks' was written during the sessions for the 2005 album 'Don't Believe The Truth', but was not included on that, or the recent compilation of the same name, and the guitarist warned fans not to expect too much.

"Every time I write a new song I say it's the best ever," he told The Sun's Something For The Weekend. "But it's not the best thing I've ever written. There are about ten versions and I can't decide on one. It's a good song, the lyrics are great."

Source: www.nme.com

Noel Interview From Q Magazine

"Oasis always excel at the Q Awards," says Noel Gallagher as he storms up the red carpet into ranks of baying paparazzi and tabloid hacks. "These are our awards."

Looking dapper in black jeans and jacket accessorised with a cream scarf with gold clasp, he woke up in his eight-bedroom country pile in Buckinghamshire this morning around 8.30am, had tea brought to him by his missus Sarah and tried out a new melody on his acoustic guitar in the lounge.

But, he says, he couldn't concentrate. He was relishing the explosive chemical equation which states that Liam Gallagher plus champagne awards ceremony plus Keane plus A-Ha equals a definite ruck in the hallowed Grosvenor House ballroom.

However, by 10am Noel was reeling from the news that Liam has chosen today of all days to visit London Zoo.

"Fair play to him, though, he claims it was a moment of clarity," says Noel. "He said that he was so bent on trouble he'd only spoil it for everyone else and decided to stay away. I had to get him to repeat it to me. I couldn't beleive my f***ing ears."

This year has been one of transition for Oasis. Since completing their world tour in March they've dedicated themselves to pursuits outside rock. There has been extensive building work to country properties, holidays to Ibiza ("Top") and Miami ("Shit"). There's also been a coming of age. In just under half an hour, Noel Gallagher will be shocked into a brief moment of silence when he wins the coveted Q Classic Songwriter gong. There's also a greatest hits album out and a major tribute due at next February's Brit Awards, where Oasis will be the guests of honour and recipients of the Outstanding Contribution To Music trophy.

"You don't expect to be an elder statesman before toy've hit 40," says the 29-year-old legend elect. "But f**k it. Bring it on. We'll spend the next couple of months being brown-nosed and drinking champagne, and then we can get on and make a new album.

Paul Weller was muttering something under his breath as he presented you with the Classic Songwriter Award. What did he say?

He was having a pop at me - I deserved it. We got on the podium and I said to him, "You never got one of these, did you?" He said something like, "No, How've you managed it ripping people off? You Jammy b****rd ."

The Greatest Hits album - you said you'd never do one while the band were together.

We had no choice. We told Sony we wouldn't re-sign after Don't Beleive The Truth. They own the rights to the back catalogue and as they're going down the f***ing toilet they wanted a shitload of Oasis music for Christmas. If I had the power it wouldn't be coming out. We were left with the dilemma: step back and don't get involved or get involved and pick the songs you want. If it has to be now it has to be now.

Have you started recording the next album?
There were 11 songs left off Don't Beleive The Truth. Seven good, four great. There's one of Liam's called The Boy With The Blues, which is fantastic. There's Stop The Clocks, Let It Come Down Over Me and Lord Don't Slow Me Down - which is also the title of this tour film we've got coming out. The director says it's about the love an audience has for a band. It looks like us doing shows and me and Liam having arguments, to me.

I asked Andy Bell earlier if there would be a new direction. He said: "We're moving down a long dark tunnel and it's getting narrower and darker every day."

[Laughing] I f***ing love Andy Bell! He should be doing all our interviews. I guess we've learned that we write on acoustic guitar. I've never been one to challenge my audience. Have you seen my audience? They're f***ing confused enough as it is. They're like, "There's been 18 members in this f***ing band since the start. I don't think I can cope with a change of f***ing musical direction." We are influenced by a period of music starting in 1956 with Elvis, and it would be preposterous for us to start wearing top hats and playing some dub fork drum'n'bass. Having said that, I'll write a song on a synthesizer just to shut you lot up.

The Arctic Monkeys had a go at Take That. You bonded with them. Does Manc allegiance override musical bond?

I don't like the Take That shtick, but they seem like nice guys. The thing is, it's like Big Brother or Justin Timberlake or Celebrity Love Island. If you live with a woman, you have to take an interest because it's women's culture. I have to listen to Take That and Justin Timberlake. I'd like to sneak upstairs and watch a documentary about how the Nazis brainwashed sharks into attacking Allied ships, but I can't.

How are things with Liam? I'm not sure about his zoo excuse. You were sceduled to arrive separately and sit on seperate tables...

So what? Our relationship isn't changing we walk off tours, we fight, but we still manage to hold it together. If i'm brutally honest I'm not his favourite person and vice versa, but it's not just about us: we have to think of Gem and Andy and whoever happens to be playing drums for us that particular afternoon.

Dont you ever call him up and say, "Hey bruv, fancy a pint?"

Nope. But he'll call me at 4am to be disgustingly insulting to me. But we're entering a new and possibly dangerous era. he's just bought his first country pile and he's down the road from me! The idea that he could now pop over at 4am and have a rant is scaring me and the missus. I've heard that local property prices are plummeting.

I saw you and Bono having a good chat. Are you still impervious to the state of the world?

War in Iraq? Nothing to do with me. I didn't f**king start it. I went out to dinner with a big name who said, "Why do you think it's cool not to care?" I don't think it's cool not to car. But I believe that if I and Bono and Johnny Borrell tell the North Koreans to get rid of their nuclear weapons they would, quite rightly, say, f**k off. What are you going to do? Hit me over the head with a f**king guitar?" Now, if any terrorist came knocking on my f**king door that would be different.

Do you have armed response at your house?

No, just pure Northern belligerence. That'll sort them out.

You weren't always so non-political. If David Cameron is the next PM, would you go round for a glass of champers?

I'll give that c**t the same as I gave Tony Blair. What time do you want me there? I'll lay down a few f**king ground rules just like I did to Tony Blair. I'm in charge in London and I have been for the last 10 years. You keep out of Marylebone and I'll keep out of Whitehall. But I think he'll get in. The Labour Party have achieved something that the anarchists have been trying to do for years. They've killed politics. It feels like you're a bit better off cos you've got a flat-screen TV and a iPod, but I don't think any of us really are.

Does that affect you? How Much is a pint of milk?

They don't do pints down my supermarket. In my waitrose it's a litre for about 70p. I go every day. Ask any of the checkout girls down on Marylebone High Street.

Source: Q Magazine