Phil Spector Doesn't Like The Gallagher Brothers

Phil Spector's murder trial - he's accused of shooting a B-list actress in the face -should've had all kinds of musical legends rallying to his side. Now we know why none did. The New York Post is carrying a report from the author who interviewed him for an upcoming biography in which the nicest thing Spector said about anyone in the biz is that Liam and Noel Gallagher of Oasis are jerks.

Writer Mick Brown's "Tearing Down the Wall of Sound" has Spector wondering how Dick Clark evaded jail in a payola scandal, intimating that Bruce Springsteen has fashioned a career out of three new songs and 25 old ones, and saying that he's unfazed by Brian Wilson's dislike because he'd rather "be worshiped by someone with a brain." Yeah, but what would you and Brainiac have in common, Phil?

Source: New York Post

Parents-To-Be Noel And Sara Check Out Classic Music Snaps

Noel Gallagher and his partner of seven years, Sara MacDonald, are clearly making the most of their evenings out before the arrival of their baby and the inevitable sleepless nights to follow. The pair were guests at a private viewing in London of the work of NME photographer Lawrence Watson, which features Noel and his Oasis bandmates along with other big music names including David Bowie and Janet Jackson.

Now five months pregnant, Edinburgh-born Sara, 31, looked glowing at the Shoreditch event. And while she wore a loose-fitting top to accommodate her bump, there was no sacrificing of style when it came to her feet as she'd chosen to step out in some killer designer heels.

The couple's child will be a sister or brother for Noel's daughter Anais, from his marriage to Meg Matthews. But before the new arrival is celebrated there's the small matter of the guitarist's 40th birthday party next month. He's already promised it's going to be "bigger and better" than that thrown by fellow musician Elton John, who hosted a lavish fancy dress do for his 50th. According to one source, the theme is set to be "tyrants and despots".

Source: www.hellomagazine.com

Banhart Covers Oasis For Guilty Pleasures Albums

No matter how much people talk about having no guilty pleasures, it's hard to deny that some artists and songs have a little stink on them, rightly or wrongly.

But that's not all bad. There can be a lot of catharsis in screaming from the rooftops about your love for, say, the Deftones (so good!) after so much repression. And when you're a musician yourself, sometimes screaming from the rooftops about your guilty pleasures turns into covering them.

It's under this premise that Engine Room Recordings rounded up some of the biggest names in independent music to have them record versions of their favorite guilty pleasures for a compilation it will release August 7 called Guilt by Association.

Will Oldham, Devendra Banhart, Superchunk, Minutemen/Stooges bassist Mike Watt, Jim O'Rourke, Luna, Petra Haden, Geoff Farina, and the Concretes all contributed to the compilation, which includes covers of songs by Journey, Oasis, the Spice Girls, Destiny's Child, Paula Abdul, Fall Out Boy, Cher, Shania Twain, System of a Down, Blue Oyster Cult, Eddie Money, and the cast of High School Musical. Seriously, this tracklist is amazing.

The folks at Engine Room are also holding a video contest in conjunction with the compilation. The label is currently accepting video proposals for one of three tracks from Guilt by Association: Will Oldham's cover of Mariah Carey's "Can't Take That Away", Devendra Banhart's cover of Oasis' "Don't Look Back in Anger", or Petra Haden's cover of Journey's "Don't Stop Believing".

Listen to Devendra Banhart cover of "Don't Look Back in Anger" Here

Source: www.pitchforkmedia.com

Meet The Frock And Roll Chicks

Now that she's a doting mum, and common-law wife to the snarling Oasis frontman, Liam Gallagher, it's easy to forget that Nicole was the smily blonde in All Saints.

A product of the Sylvia Young Theatre School, Nicole dabbled with wildmen when she dated Robbie, before upgrading to a genuine rocker in 2000.

By the looks of things, these once-unlikely lovebirds look set to run and run.

Source: www.thesun.co.uk

Mogwai Criticises Bands For Beatles Cover Album

Scottish band Mogwai have attacked artists The Fratellis, Kaiser Chiefs and James Morrison for making a Beatles cover album, insisting they cannot "pull it off".

A host of bands will record versions of famous Beatles songs for the LP, which marks the 40th anniversary of the Sergeant Peppers album.

Mogwai say they're unimpressed with artists attempts to cover the Beatles tracks, although they are working on the release of a new Pixies tribute CD this month (Apr07).

Mogwai say on their website, "Such musical wonders as James Morrison and The Fratellis are to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Sergeant Pepper's Beatles album by covering songs from it.

I cannot wait to hear this meaningful idea. "Only thing is, can anyone really better the genius of With A Little Help From My Friends? I know Wet, Wet, Wet came really close but it'll take mastery of music to pull this one off."

Source: www.contactmusic.com

Be Here Now Reprised

A Quick perusal of the home page of this site will tell you that the simian features of Liam Gallagher adorn this month’s cover. Scarily, it has been 10 years since the furore that surrounded the release of Oasis’s Be Here Now album reached a fever pitch, and then quickly abated when the hundreds of thousands of folk who’d bought it on the day of release determined it was a hubristic, overblown mess. Be Here Now signalled the end of Britpop, the end too of an era when one could sell markedly more magazines simply by referring to the ‘Brit’ word. Cheers, Oasis.

We tell the Be Here Now story this month. It’s a cracker. If nothing else, it re-enforces the fact that Oasis were – and remain – among the last of a dying breed: proper rock stars. They glorify in their success, apologise to no one for it, and forever run the risk of flushing it all away. Monstrous egos, ridiculous excess, grand delusions and the shovelling of vast quantities of Columbian marching powder up their collective beaks are indelible parts of their story. And you don’t get that with The Killers or the Kaiser Chiefs.

Q has had a sometimes rocky, but always fruitful relationship with the Brothers Gallagher and whoever else has comprised their band over the years. They’ve graced and – praise be – sold our cover many, many times. They’ve brought the Q Awards to life equally often. Liam Gallagher was, memorably, arrested after one such afternoon drinking in our company.

On another Q Awards occasion, fortified no doubt by the copious bottles of free plonk on his table and having been to the toilet more times than is seemly (perhaps he suffers from a weak bladder), Liam directed his considerable ire at Chris Martin, entering a new term of abuse into the lexicon in the process: “Plant pot!” he roared at Coldplay’s hapless frontman as the latter attempted to give an acceptance speech. Like much that issues forth from Gallagher Jr’s mouth, one could only guess at its meaning, but you had to laugh.

And therein lies the essence of Oasis. Notwithstanding the eternal appeal of their everyman anthems, by God they’re funny. Noel and Liam, that is. Lovely fellas though Gem, Guigsy et al no doubt are and have been, there’s little evidence to suggest that you’d need a change of underwear after an hour in their company. By contrast I once spent a thoroughly entertaining hour in Liam and Noel’s presence during an Oasis photo shoot for Q. Together, they’re a terrific comic double act.

On that afternoon, Noel greeted his scowling brother with a cheery “Hello Happy!:”. “Fook off,” replied Liam, whilst performing the most outrageously exaggerated ‘monkey walk’. Girls Aloud arrived as Liam was having his picture taken. Noel convinced them to shout “Wanker!” at his younger sibling throughout the session. Liam spoke but five words to me. They were, “Who the fuck are you?” He is everything you’d expect him to be. Noel, I find, is more so. He’s an effortlessly funny man, but a smart one too. I think he’s hugely impressive.

So... let me further recommend that Be Here Now feature to you now, Should that spark a yearning for more Oasis tomfoolery, let me direct you too to another of Q’s Oasis cover features, from 2005, around the time of the release of Don’t Believe The Truth. It’s by Michael Odell, and to my mind remains the best, and most entertaining piece written on the band. The man Odell has certainly dined out on it ever since.

Till next time...

Paul Rees
Editor, Q

Source: Q Magazine

Gallaghers Of The World Unite

Hundreds of people named Gallagher from across the globe will descend on Donegal's shores in September for the firs tever gathering of the clan.

And organisers have issued special invites to the most-famous two - Oasis brothers Liam and Noel.

It is hoped that the duo will make a special appearance in Letterkenny.

Gallaghers from the US, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Britain have already signed up with organisers hoping 2,000 people will make the trip.

Organiser Adrian Gallagher from Letterkenny said: "We thought about it around 2005 and have built on it since then. We're going to have Gallaghers from all over the world and it would be great to have the Manchester brothers there too.

"There's lots of folklore and history that gets lost if it's not collected and documented so this is a great way to explore one's ancestry."

A special invitation has been sent out to the Gallagher's management company and organisers are hopeful the brothers will respond.

Adrian said: "We haven't heard from them yet but it's early days. I think there will be a surge in the next couple of weeks where we'll get more Gallaghers signed up. We've left their places open just in case."

Organisers have been delighted with the response so far and tourism has been boosted in the area. Hotels and restaurants have been inundated with bookings and everyone is full of support.

Adrian said: "It's amazing just how many Gallaghers are out there in the world. I've just come off the e-mail from one guy from Shanghai who's booking his trip now."

The Gallagher Global Gathering is taking place from September 8-15 in Letterkenny.

For further details phone 00 353 74 912 4689 or log onto www.gallagherclan.org

An Apology For Noel Gallagher

Earlier this week I reported that Noeg Gallagher was spotted drinking mineral water at an Arsenal v Man City match.

A reader rang to say Noel was being sensible, supping water all night. I would like to make it clear that Noel was, in fact, right on it with pals Mike Pickering, Phil Smith and Manc character Scully.

I apologise for any damage to his reputation as Bizarre Caner Of The Year.

Source: www.thesun.co.uk

Q Magazine Covers The 10th Anniversary Of Oasis' Controversial Third Album, Be Here Now

The next issue of Q, onsale 1st May, celebrates the 10th anniversary of Oasis' controversial third album, Be Here Now. Hailed as a masterpiece upon its 1997 release, its reputation swiftly deteriorated. Today it's usually dismissed as a disastrous, overblown folly - the moment when Oasis, their judgement clouded by drugs and blanket adulation, ran aground on their own sky-high self-belief. Noel Gallagher himself remembers is as "the sound of five men in the studio, on coke, not giving a fuck."

But was Be Here Now really all that bad? We came across this footage of Noel Gallagher performing Don't Go Away on an obscure Japanese TV show in 1997. Stripped of the dense layers of distorted guitars that cluttered the album version, it emerges as a heartfelt, affecting ballad - easily the equal of, say, Slide Away, or Cast No Shadow. OK, the lyrics are excruciating, but that hardly makes it unique in the Oasis canon.

Whatever you think of the song, the clip is worth watching for Noel's visible embarrassment at performing the song in such bizarre circumstances, surrounded by baffled studio guests and backed by cheesy video footage. Of course, the original version was sung by Noel's brother Liam. Are we alone in thinking Noel actually delivers it with more soul and sensitivity?

Clip Here

Source: www.q4music.com

Mad Fer Cabbage Soup

Liam Gallagher could be in for a windy time of things.

We're told the Oasis frontman, 34, has put on a few pounds and is hoping to ditch them on the Cabbage Soup diet.

Liam will have the special soup twice a day for two weeks as he gears up to lose weight.

We hear the former hardman of rock is a fan of diet guru Gillian McKeith.

But we're pleased to report his fiancee Nicole Appleton is far too sassy to allow him to guest on her show.

Source: Daily Star

Noel: " Liam Is Losing It"

Noel Gallagher believes that his younger brother Liam is “losing it” – so much so he hates to be near him.

The songwriter believes that he is the cement holding the band together and if it wasn’t for his good self, the band would collapse.

Reflecting upon his decision to stay at home rather than hit the road in Europe with Oasis earlier this year, the monobrowed one said: “I don’t like the way people are saying I want to spend more time at home. If you’d ever tasted my wife’s tea you wouldn’t say that.

At the moment my brother is losing it. Anyone who knows me or has been a fan of the band down the years will know it would have taken something quite major for me to walk out of a tour.”

He finished to Radio 1: “It’s been me who has kept the band together, it’s not been made lightly, but it’s been impossible for me to even be in the same room as him let along be on the same stage.”

source: www.gigwise.com

On This Day In Oasis History...

"Some Might Say" is a song by British rock band Oasis and was released on April 24 1995, it's written by the band's lead guitarist Noel Gallagher. It was the first single to be released from their definitive second album (What's the Story) Morning Glory? in 1995, and provided the band with their first #1 in the UK Singles Chart (see 1995 in British music).

The track was apparently inspired by the Small Faces and/or T-Rex. It was the last Oasis track to feature drummer and founding member Tony McCarroll, who was asked to leave the band during the recording sessions for (What's the Story) Morning Glory when tensions arose between McCarroll and the Gallagher brothers, resulting in an alleged punch up with Liam Gallagher. The rest of the tracks on the album feature Alan White on drums.

The sleeve artwork, shot at Cromford railway station in Derbyshire, England, features art director Brian Cannon's father with wheelbarrow and his mother with mop. Also pictured are Matthew Sankey, Cannon's aide and Carla Knox, barmaid of his local pub. Liam Gallagher can be seen on the bridge whilst Noel can be viewed with a watering can. Cannon himself rates this piece amongst his greatest works.

The planned promo video for the song was cancelled due to Liam not turning up for the shoot. Instead, a makeshift video was created using footage from the "Cigarettes & Alcohol" and US "Supersonic" videos.

In an interview promoting Stop the Clocks, Noel stated that Some Might Say is the song which "sums up everything Oasis is about". This is strange, as the song isn't played live an awful lot, and is rarely mentioned as being an Oasis classic.

The song also appears on Oasis' 'best-of' album Stop the Clocks, as do two of the b-sides. Surpisingly, this means that the "Some Might Say" single contains the fourth largest number of tracks to appear on Stop the Clocks of any Oasis release (after Definitely Maybe, Morning Glory and The Masterplan). Therefore more songs from this single ended up on Stop the Clocks than Don't Believe the Truth (2 songs), Standing on the Shoulder of Giants, Heathen Chemistry (1 song each) and Be Here Now (no songs from this album appear on Stop the Clocks).

Click here for the music video, or here for a live performance.

Source: Wikipedia

Oasis Holding Out For Highest Bidder On Next Album

The boys in Oasis are currently without a recording contract, as their last endeavor fulfilled their requirments to Sony Records. As such, crafty Noel says the band will finish the album, then hand it off to the highest bidder. Smart move?

The album, which isn't expected until 2008, has been a hot topic of late. Although rumours swirled that Noel would be doing a solo project, the band shot them down last week.

According to a Australian news site, the main reason the Oasis album will be delayed for almost a year is Noel will be using the time to care for his girlfriend, Sara McDonald, who is pregnant - and then spend time with his new kid.

The wait could actually be good for Oasis... as the old saying goes, "absence makes the heart grow fonder", and labels will probably be chomping at the bit to release an Oasis album, when the time comes.

Say what you like about the Gallaghers, but they're not dumb.

Source: www.shoutmouth.com

Noel And Bez Take In A Manchester City Game

Ben Foster's dreadful error gifted Darius Vassell the goal that condemned Watford to relegation after a 1-1 draw at home to Manchester City.It was unfortunate that Foster - the Hornets' best player this season - should make the mistake that ensured Adrian Boothroyd's team would return to the Championship.

But had the on-loan Manchester United goalkeeper's under-hit pass not gifted City striker Vassell the opening goal, and had Watford gone on to win this game, it would have merely delayed the inevitable.

Substitute Tamas Priskin equalised for the Vicarage Road hosts in the 75th minute, but the painful truth for Boothroyd is that his team have hardly ever looked good enough this season, and their demotion after just one season is a surprise to nobody.

In front of Oasis star and City fan Noel Gallagher, City were as poor as Watford, but the home side - as on so many occasions - lacked the guile to break down the visitors' defence, meaning Stuart Pearce's team did not have to work especially hard to claim a point.

Gallagher was joined in the crowd by Bez from fellow Manchester band the Happy Mondays - but there was little supersonic about City's attacking play.

Half-time entertainment in the away end at Vicarage Road involved fans getting your mobile phone out and taking a picture of yourself with Manchester City fan, and the mastermind behind rock band Oasis, Noel Gallagher.

Source: Yahoo Sports

Where's Wally

Liam Gallagher once slagged off David Beckam for being a "nancy boy" - but now look who's become the proper Wally.

The Oasis frontman wore a red and white jumper like the nerdy kid's cartoon when he popped to the shops in London yesterday.

He has ditched his cool mop-top barnet for Wally's lanky locks - and even clutched a man bag like the hide-and-seek hero - while he was out flashing the cash with 32-year-old partner Nicole Appleton.

Liam, 34, accused Beck's, 31, of being a nancy boy and England playing like a bunch of women after the team's dismal World Cup performance last year.

Source: Daily Star

On This Day In Oasis History

"Who Feels Love?" is a song by British rock band Oasis, written by the band's lead guitarist Noel Gallagher. It became to second single to be released from the album Standing on the Shoulder of Giants, peaking at number 4 in the UK charts. One of the B-sides is a cover of The Beatles' "Helter Skelter".

The album was noted for its psychedelic feel, and "Who Feels Love?" was held up at the most extreme example of this. Mark Stent was praised for his production on the song, creating a "trippy" feel like that found on Beatles songs such as "Rain". With the psychedelic and Eastern sound, the song also reminds of George Harrison achievements like "Within You Without You" and also some of his solo work.

However, despite the high-quality production, the song was not well received by the critics, NME said that the production "triumphs over any real sort of feeling... pure mock Maharishi spirituality that not even Liam can salvage from the realm of self-parody".

Click here for the music video, or here for a live performance.

Source: Wikipedia

The Enemy's Friend

This time last year The Enemy couldn’t afford to see their fave band Kasabian live — and now they’re pals.

The Leicester rockers were helped on their way by Oasis star Noel Gallagher — and now in turn they’re helping the Coventry teen trio.

The Enemy — who Bizarre tipped as a band to watch this year — have already supported Kasabian on tour and their first full single, Away From Here, was released yesterday.

Frontman Tom Clarke told me: “Our lives have changed in so many ways.

“This time last year two of us were selling TVs and one was working for FedEx. I used to have a knackered Rover 416 and we used to drive around Coventry listening to Kasabian.

“Now we’ve met them and they’re putting a lot of faith in us — it’s mint.

“I’d never seen them live because we couldn’t really afford to go to gigs.

“The first time I saw them was when we supported them. They blew me away.”

www.thesun.co.uk

Noel Gallagher 48th In "Most Influential" Poll

X-Factor judge Simon Cowell has landed the fifth spot in a poll of Britain's top 50 most influential unelected people.

The no-nonsense music boss is the highest placed TV celebrity in the poll - which was complied by Guardian Unlimited - and finds himself only one place behind the Queen.

Kate Moss also made it into the top ten due to her status as a style icon, highlighted by the recent rush for cheap Superdrug bags after the supermodel was seen holding one.

Author J K Rowling's 375 million book sales haven't gone unnoticed as the Harry Potter creator was allocated 13th place in the top 50.

The latest and final instalment in the Potter saga, Harry Potter and the Deathly Gallows, will be published on July 21st in the UK.

Two music legends are also featured, with David Bowie being placed in 43rd place and Noel Gallagher sneaking in at 48.

Both rock 'n' roll elder statesman still know how to wield their influence, particularly Gallagher, who recently requested a place at this year's Glastonbury through the NME, duly resulting in the promise of a phone call from festival organiser Michael Eavis.

Tesco chief executive Sir Terry Leahy won the top spot in the poll, followed by the governor of the Bank of England Mervyn King.

Noel: I'm A Rock 'N' Roll Stalin

I can reveal there are going to be dictators on the dancefloor at Noel Gallagher's 40th birthday mega bash.

The Oasis star is throwing a “tyrants and despots” party where everyone will be kitted out as a ruthless renegade — and he’s going as evil Soviet leader Joseph Stalin.

There are sure to be some fantastic costumes on show and Noel’s brother Liam is not one to be overshadowed.

I reckon he could go as Nazi Adolt Hitler — the most infamous despot of them all.

As for that fat fascist Benito MussoliniENITO, I think their roly-poly brother PAUL is the only Gallagher big enough for that job.

The Sun’s art desk wizards have done mock-ups of just what the lairy lads might look like

A source said: “The party will be totally insane.

“Noel has a brilliant but really dark sense of humour, as his plans show. It’s going to be a mad, mad, night.”

Macho brothers Liam and Noel are actually big fans of fancy dress.

Liam once dressed up as Jesus for a party — no surprises there. And Noel was high as a kite and in a costume when his invitation to drinks at Downing Street plopped on to his doormat in 1997, Britpop’s heyday.

He revealed recently: “I defy anybody to have an official f***ing letter drop through the letterbox, while you’re dressed as an Afghan clown, at five in the morning, off your head on acid from going, ‘It’s from the f***ing Prime Minister. He’s inviting us to his house for a drink’. ”

Among those expected to be at Noel’s affair in May are Kasabian — there’s a whisper guitarist Serge Pizzorno could go as Genghis Khan — and Paul Weller.

Noel wants to keep things up to date and is trying hard to find someone to be Iranian boss Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. And no wonder he chose a Russian icon — his childhood nickname was Brezhnev, after bushy-eyebrowed leader Leonid.

Source: www.thesun.co.uk

Noel Loves The God Delusion By Richard Dawkins

The hard-living Oasis star Noel Gallagher has revealed to the New Musical Express that he has read Richard Dawkins’ book The God Delusion and loved it “Anything that disproves God, bring it on,” he is quoted as saying.

Source: www.secularism.org.uk