Beady Eye is the new group from Oasis members Liam Gallagher, Gem Archer and Andy Bell, plus newcomer Chris Sharrock. They’re a blistering mix of classic rock, pop, and glam that proves that while Oasis may be long gone, their spirit certainly endures. The debut album Different Gear, Still Speeding, is chock full of all Oasis’ trademark Britpop attributes: snarky vocals, hooky guitars, and simple but addictive chord progression.
Although fans will have to wait one week to pick up the album, you can listen to an live preview, recorded exclusively for KEXP, right now! KEXP’s own Cheryl Waters had the fortune to talk with Liam Gallagher and Andy Bell about Beady Eye before the session.
You can listen to both the interview and the live performance of 'Three Ring Circus', 'Millionaire', 'The Roller' and 'The Beat Goes On' here.
To celebrate the release of 'Different Gear, Still Speeding', the debut album by Beady Eye, Propaganda, Loaded and Collision are hosting some very special album launch parties across the UK before the official release date!
Not only will you hear brand new tracks but this is your chance to get your hands on exclusive Beady Eye gear including CDs, posters and t-shirts!
It’s a super-packed issue, so let’s cut to the chase. Firstly, we give our verdict on the Beady Eye album and speak to Liam and the boys about the making of it. Who’s more into it? Them or us?
He warns fans not to expect Oasis songs when they come to live shows.
Beady Eye, Liam Gallagher's new band is set for its debut release on Monday 28 February.
Early reviews of 'Different Gear, Still Speeding' have seen music writers dig out their Oasis comparisons with Q saying it's Liam's best since 'What the Story (Morning Glory)?' while Mojo prefers to invoke 'Definitely Maybe'.
For Liam, however, it's a new start.
Talking to BBC 6 Music's Steve Lamaqc, the frontman says fans shouldn't expect Oasis tracks at their live shows, which start in Glasgow next month.
"And once you do one [Oasis song], you have to do the lot of them", he says.
After the global domination of Oasis, it might feel like going backwards for the star, but in fact, starting out and making new music is the best bit for Liam.
" I think that's the best thing about being in a band, that moment when you are new. Arctic Monkeys and Kasabian, now things are expected of them and you fall into that thing...It's great to be able to make music so they're lucky, but there's nothing better than playing small gigs."
The Last Shadow Puppets tunesmith turned solo singer Miles Kane has found himself in the middle of the warring Gallagher brothers.
The Scouse lad, who’s taking time out from the band he fronts with Arctic Monkeys’ Alex Turner, 25, has hooked up with Noel, 43, on his new album.
But he is also gearing up to go on tour with 38-year-old Liam’s new band Beady Eye next month.
Last week Liam announced there would never be an Oasis reunion and called his older brother “a little bitch”.
Could be tricky but Miles, 24, has vowed not to take sides. He said: “Noel is a lovely fella. He sings backing vocals on a track called My Fantasy on my album.
“He came down to see me when I was recording one afternoon and I was doing backing vocals so he said he’d sing as well.
“It sounds cool and his voice sounds great. We get on well.”
Miles, whose new tune Come Closer is out this week, added: “I don’t really know Liam yet but I’m really looking forward to hanging out with him. I was honoured he asked me to support Beady Eye on tour.
“It comes off the back of my own tour, so I’ll have to have plenty of vitamins to see me through.
“I admire Liam’s style and I think it’s important to look sharp. Clothes are important to me. Some people may not agree with that but I believe it’s important.”
The singer will get the chance to get to know Liam better at tomorrow’s NME Awards, where Beady Eye are up for Best New Band.
He has just put the finishing touches to debut solo album Colour Of The Trap, out in May.
He said: “It has a classic rock ’n’ roll sound.
“I know a lot of acts say that but I’ve got the songs to back it up.”
Spotify Premium users can now listen to Beady Eye's 'Beatles And Stones', 'For Anyone' and 'Three Ring Circus' from the band's debut album Different Gear, Still Speeding.'
Liam Gallagher says he won't talk about the end of Oasis, or his fractured relationship with brother Noel Gallagher, on his new band's album.
Beady Eye - essentially Oasis minus Noel - release their debut Different Gear, Still Speeding next Monday (28 Feb), and Liam's been talking to Steve Lamacq about it it.
"We're all in good moods," he said.
"We had a great time in Oasis, there's no time to be going around moping about it with your head between your legs.
"It was great, and we're proud of it, but now that's over and there's no need to write a morbid album."
The band kick off their first tour in Glasgow on 3 March at Barrowlands.
" I think that's the best thing about being in a band, that moment when you are new," Gallagher said.
"Arctic Monkeys and Kasabian, now things are expected of them and you fall into that thing...It's great to be able to make music so they're lucky, but there's nothing better than playing small gigs.
" Before you know it you are massive and the fun goes out of it."
Liam added that fans shouldn't expect to hear Oasis songs if they came to a Beady Eye show.
"We have got to get this into people's heads. It would be schizophrenic going from one to the other. And once you do one [Oasis song], you have to do the lot of them.
He's not worried about heckling, either: "Let them shout," he bristled.
"I've got a microphone. I'll be louder. I'll just go 'No!' really loud. 'Not happening, get over it!'"
Asked about criticism of the band name, Liam - who previously boasted that people would be calling their children 'Beady Eye' by Christmas - said he wasn't too bothered:
"The name's a funny one. A lot of people don't like it, which is fine by me. There's a lot of things I don't like - but people will get into it. We like it. It looks good on paper."
And the singer said Beady Eye was more democratic than Oasis, with each of the four band members bringing their own songs to the table:
"We're all into the same kind of things, pretty much. and if a certain song needs to be brought into the ring a bit more, then we do it. "If there are some things that need to be changed to suit the singing, then we do it," he added.
Liam Gallagher is ensuring his clothing line is a family business - his former stepson James works for the company.
The rocker launched his Pretty Green label in 2009, specialising in retro-style trousers, hats, cagoules and t-shirts.
And he's now taken on 18-year-old James, his ex-wife Patsy Kensit's son from her marriage to Jim Kerr, to help out at the organisation.
She tells Britain's Celebs on Sunday magazine, "James is working for Liam's clothing company now, which is fabulous. He's finding his own way and I'm proud of him. I've always been a grafter (hard worker) and he has that."
Kensit - who was married to Gallagher from 1997 until 2000 - also reveals she snubbed offers to let James, as well as her and Gallagher's son Lennon, star alongside her on the big screen.
She adds, "When I was making films in America I was always asked if James could be in them, but the answer was no. I kept them both away from all that. The most important thing for me was to let them have their childhoods."
Beady Eye's debut single 'The Roller' - with new b-side 'Two Of A Kind' - is out today. You can download it from the Beady Eye store and iTunes or get the 7" from your local music store (the limited edition 7" that went on pre-sale through the official store has already sold out!).
The Beady Eye store is now also selling an exclusive t-shirt featuring 'The Roller' single packshot. The t-shirt is available to buy HERE! and comes in khaki.
Keep checking back to the Beady Eye store as a new range of merchandise is coming soon. There's going to be some very cool gear, so don't forget to keep checking!