Wanna thank all the xfm listeners who voted me as the BEST FRONTMAN OF ALL TIME. Keep the faith and beware of daftcunts, I mean darkness..LG
Follow Liam on Twitter by clicking here.
Liam Gallagher
Wanna thank all the xfm listeners who voted me as the BEST FRONTMAN OF ALL TIME. Keep the faith and beware of daftcunts, I mean darkness..LG
Follow Liam on Twitter by clicking here.
Liam Gallagher's Latest Tweet
Wanna thank all the xfm listeners who voted me as the BEST FRONTMAN OF ALL TIME. Keep the faith and beware of daftcunts, I mean darkness..LG
Follow Liam on Twitter by clicking here.
Alan White
Andy Bell
Gem Archer
Liam Gallagher
Neil Young
Noel Gallagher
Oasis
The videos below are from March 10th 2006, when Oasis headlined the Hot Festival in Buenos Aires , Argentina.
The band had previously played at the Hot Festival in 2001 when they co-headlined with Neil Young & Crazy Horse.
Also on this day in 2003, Noel Gallagher was interviewed on German television, and played Songbird acoustically for just under 100 Euros.
Watch the video here.
On This Day In Oasis History...
The videos below are from March 10th 2006, when Oasis headlined the Hot Festival in Buenos Aires , Argentina.
The band had previously played at the Hot Festival in 2001 when they co-headlined with Neil Young & Crazy Horse.
Also on this day in 2003, Noel Gallagher was interviewed on German television, and played Songbird acoustically for just under 100 Euros.
Watch the video here.
Mario Balotelli
Noel Gallagher
Roberto Mancini
Watch the full Football Focus interview here as Noel Gallagher meets enigmatic City striker Mario Balotelli.
Balotelli dispells a few of the myths that have built up around him, and chats about his childhood and life under Italian coach Roberto Mancini.
Video: Noel Gallagher Interview With Mario Balotelli For Football Focus
Watch the full Football Focus interview here as Noel Gallagher meets enigmatic City striker Mario Balotelli.
Balotelli dispells a few of the myths that have built up around him, and chats about his childhood and life under Italian coach Roberto Mancini.
Mario Balotelli
Noel Gallagher
The full transcript of Noel Gallagher interviewing Manchester City's Mario Balotelli for BBC's Football Focus
Noel Gallagher: So, Mario, I gotta say, it's an honour for me to meet you.
Mario Balotelli: Honour for me.
NG: As a Manchester City supporter, I've supported Manchester City for 40 years, 40 YEARS can you believe that? That's a long time. What I wanna know is when you first got the call about coming to Manchester City, had you heard anything about the club at all?
MB: No, nothing.
NG: Nothing at all?
MB: No.
NG: Apart from we play in blue and we were rubbish apparently.
MB: No I didn't know nothing.
NG: Had you heard anything about the city of Manchester … apart from Man United?
MB: I came three years ago, I played in the game with United so I came here.
NG: OK.
NG: Right. How big a part did Mancini play to get you to coming to City?
MB: Yeah if Mancini wasn't here I think I never come here.
NG: No?
MB: No.
NG: So you … you've known him since you were a young man. I mean you're still a young man now but you've known him since you were 16, 17?
MB: How long do I know him?
NG: Yeah.
MB: Err when I was 15.
NG: Was he the coach at Inter when you joined?
MB: Yes, for the first team and I used to play in the like kind of academy.
NG: Right OK. And would you say he's a good coach?
MB: He's a good manager?
NG: Yeah.
MB: Of course.
NG: I think so, I think he's great. And what do you think … with the way that the team is now, we're top of the league and how far do you think we can go?
MB: I tell you in the end.
NG: In the end?
MB: It's unlucky to say before.
NG: No I know, I'm the same when people ask me "can we win the league?" I always say that if it's a two-horse race between City and United and for all the things that we've done this season that we deserve to win it. Now whether, whether we can get over the line or not but I think we've got the best players, certainly.
MB: If you ask me if we deserve to win …
NG: Yeah.
MB: If we keep playing like that then yes we deserve it.
NG: Absolutely I think so too.
NG: Right, Rafaella Te Amo, your missus, she's a beauty isn't she?
MB: Yeah.
NG: Yeah? What does that mean, does that mean Rafealla I love you?
MB: Yeah.
NG: Yeah? Does she appreciate that?
MB: Yeah of course.
NG: Nice one. And so have you brought any family with you over here?
MB: There is only my little brother.
NG: Is he the one you were doing magic tricks for? You know there was when we was playing some game against err …
MB: Yeah, no that is his friend and my brother.
NG: Right. Where did you learn to do magic?
MB: Magic, it's one guy I don't know he's in Manchester no. I was in Trafford Centre and he came, he just show me tricks so one day I invited him to my house and he teach me something.
NG: So there's a guy in the Trafford Centre doing magic tricks and you said come and show me some stuff?
MB: Yes.
NG: To entertain your …
MB: Because we were like in 10 people me and my friends so you know the people that do magician no they cannot teach you.
NG: That's right they can't teach you.
MB: So I said to him, I took him alone and I say to him "listen I invite you to my house so you can teach me" and he say "OK".
NG: Nice. So how many tricks do you know?
MB: Err no just one.
NG: Just the one trick?
MB: Yeah but it's difficult.
NG: It's magic.
MB: Yeah.
NG: That's why it's difficult. Oh yeah, when I was watching training before, Carlos is back.
MB: Yeah.
NG: He looks happy.
MB: Yeah.
NG: And fit. But when you see pictures of him that they put in the papers he looks quite mean and unhappy but I've just watched him training with you guys there and he …
MB: Ah the paper they just …
NG: Yeah we all know that but I just, I mean maybe you could give us the official story but I've just seen it with my own eyes he looks as happy as I've ever seen him. He looked fit and raring to go.
MB: When, I don't know when he didn't play, I don't know, I wasn't there so I don't really know what happened but I think everyone can do a mistake, Carlos is part of the team so everyone is want to have fun with him and he's just part of the team so everybody love him. That's why he's happy.
NG: So it's true to say that outside of all the politics that's going on between the club and the player the players themselves are still all great friends with him and would all have a strong bond with him?
MB: Because like me, if I'm happy in Manchester now it's for the team, for my team-mates, how they are with me.
NG: Yeah.
MB: And for supporters, that's the good of this club.
NG: Do you think Carlos will be in any way worried about the supporters' reaction to him if he …
MB: I think supporters have to be like they were before, they shouldn't care because Carlos can hear, and if they do or if they make pressure on Carlos they make pressure to all the team so they shouldn't do nothing.
NG: Well this is what I was saying before that I don't think there'll be booing, I think there might be maybe a tiny bit but I think it'll be mixed but I think the fans should still respect him because he's gonna be one of our greatest ever players.
MB: Of course.
NG: And if he leaves, he leaves, you know footballers move on …
MB: It's normal, every one of us we came from outside, we stay, we go, it's normal.
NG: I think that's the modern day football but I agree with ya, but I was … it was interesting to see him out there with a smile on his face and …
MB: Yeah.
NG: Playing away there and it was good to see.
NG: So apparently Mancini in his press conference this morning said again that you need to mature but we don't think you need to mature.
MB: No, OK, I'm … if Mancini say something he's right but I'm 21 so I still young and I think that already from last year I'm already bigger like in my head …
NG: Well me too … well I would agree, I think … from the outside looking in, but there's some things we don't want you to mature about you know.
MB: No but if you look me from outside and you don't know me and you think I'm an idiot [smiles and laughs].
NG: NO, no, no, no, no do you know I go round the world and you know a lot of when you mention Man City and people tend to boo and all that but when you mention the name Balotelli [pause] everyone loves it.
MB: [laughs]
NG: Seriously it's like you've become the poster boy for naughty children.
MB: [laughs]
NG: My children love you and they don't even know who you are.
MB: [laughs]
NG: So tell us what … can you run me through … I'm fascinated by this, so the night before the derby at Old Trafford when we won six one [pause] the fire brigade are called when you set fire to your house …
MB: I didn't.
NG: Accidentally or so they say.
MB: No I didn't.
NG: OK can you clear that up?
MB: So [laughs] you want me to tell you what happened?
NG: If you want.
MB: Only because it's you.
NG: Nice one, thank you very much.
MB: So it started like a joke no.
NG: Right.
MB: So, nah but that's stupid. [Both laugh]
NG: Never mind, you can tell me later.
MB: I was bored no, so I was with my friends and one of them was limping so I got one bin you know the bin?
NG: Yeah.
MB: But a metal one yeah.
NG: OK [both laugh].
MB: For put fireworks inside.
NG: OK.
MB: But nothing gonna happen right, so I left the room and I left the fireworks but I didn't …
NG: You didn't light them?
MB: No, I walk out and then my friend go in the room and they just start screaming blah blah blah and the fireworks was going off and they put the fireworks on the bed, not on the bed sorry, on the toilet.
NG: [laughs]
MB: But just the curtain caught on fire, that's it, nothing else, they just made everything up.
NG: Oh so the fire brigade weren't called?
MB: Yeah, only because the firemen they came.
NG: Oh right OK.
MB: For the curtain and the toilet.
NG: Oh because the alarm was going off right?
MB: Just the toilet was lost.
NG: So all that being said that part of the story, what were you thinking when you made the T-shirt, the "why always me" T-shirt? Did you have a feeling you were gonna score that day?
MB: I thought I was gonna score three.
NG: You were gonna score three?
MB: Yeah.
NG: Coz before the game started I thought you were gonna score the winner, I thought we were gonna win 1-0 and you were gonna score the winner at the Stretford End, and when you … I mean it was a great goal and the celebration with the T-shirt and the picture that was seen around the world … what did you think of that?
MB: Of what?
NG: Well did you think … when the top's going up did you think this picture's gonna be shown all round the world?
MB: No, no, no just a message …
NG: Was it a message?
MB: It's not a question, that people do to me it's a question that I do to them. You understand?
NG: So was it a message to the fans coz we love that …
MB: No it was to all the people that just talking bad about me and say stuff not nice about me …
NG: Oh to the press …
MB: And they don't know me so just asking why always me, like, why always me? [Both laugh]
NG: It was genius. Have you still got the T-shirt?
MB: Yeah in Italy.
NG: I would like that T-shirt.
MB: OK I give it to you.
NG: Serious?
MB: Yeah.
NG: Now he's said that on film, the T-shirt is mine, nice one.
MB: OK [both laugh].
NG: Now there's a lot of very very very funny stories that are written about you in the papers could we clear some of them up you can tell me if some of them are true or false?
MB: Like what?
NG: We know this one is true, did you turn up at a women's jail in Milan and ask for a tour?
MB: No I, you know that for go to jail you have to call them and you have to have like an invitation. So I have to go in one of them but it was for men no? And I was with my brother, but where I live there are two prison like one mile away.
NG: Right.
MB: So the gate was open and I went in the wrong one but I was in the parking so but when you go in the parking then they have to check everything and after like every time someone just talk, called the press …
NG: And said that you turned up and asked for a tour?
MB: Nah, I didn't, just stupid people.
NG: Is it true that a young lad turned up here at the training ground, asked you for your autograph and you asked him why he wasn't at school and he said he was being bullied so you took him to school and spoke to the headmaster?
MB: No.
NG: That's not true either? You're blowing it all here Mario.
MB: What?
NG: You're blowing it all here mate.
MB: No it's not true that I took him to school, no it's not true. I tell him why he wasn't at school but I didn't took him to school.
NG: Really?
MB: Yeah.
NG: Are you having lessons to be a DJ from Tim Westwood?
MB: Errr no … I had a picture with him, he asked me a picture, that's it.
NG: [laughs] Right, and they said …
MB: He's the DJ yeah?
NG: Yeah, well, yeah he's a DJ.
MB: No I was in town to get the PSP, the new one so.
NG: OK, is it any good?
MB: The PSP, I never use it.
NG: Oh right.
MB: But erm he ask me a picture and I ask who this guy is and they say DJ, they told me he's a DJ, famous DJ.
NG: He's a hip-hop DJ.
MB: And after in the morning I saw I had lessons from DJ, OK.
NG: What do you think, because the British press they're known for making up stories about everybody, they used to do it to me and my brother a lot.
MB: Yeah?
NG: It's just sometimes it can be a bit … things like this can be a bit of fun but do you find it annoying?
MB: Erm I think it … you can do what you want if you stay in the line.
NG: Right.
MB: They that go out from the line, kill them. [both laugh]
NG: Erm [pause] is this true? I so want this to be true and … did your mum send you to John Lewis for an ironing board and you came back with a quad bike …
MB: Yeah that's true [both laugh]
NG: Yes. A quad bike, a scalextric and a tennis table?
MB: Yeah. No a tennis table no … the trampoline.
NG: [laughs] A trampoline? What would Mancini say if he thought you had a quad bike and a trampoline at your house?
MB: He knows.
NG: Does he?
MB: Yeah.
NG: Wouldn't he go like mad? Coz like …
MB: The quad bike is also at my house, no. Why he have to go mad, for what?
NG: Well in case you injure yourself.
MB: Nah with a quad bike no.
NG: Do you wear a helmet? Obviously no …
MB: Yeah.
NG: You do?
MB: Right. You don't do you?
NG: NO, yeah yeah [both laugh].
NG: Right [pause] are you allergic to grass, a specific kind of grass? Is that true or is that nonsense?
MB: I'm allergic to the dry grass.
NG: To dry grass, so do you get a like hayf …
MB: Not the grass, the green one, the brown one you know like, I don't know how you say in English …
NG: Do you get hay fever?
MB: Hay fever what is this?
NG: It's like people get in the summer when errr … how do we describe hay fever? It's like when like the flowers come our people start to sneeze a lot …
MB: No no no not that one, no it's like under my skin I have to scratch.
NG: Really?
MB: Yes.
NG: Wow mental. And you're a footballer and allergic to some kind of grass. Is it true that you went into a petrol station and paid for everybody's petrol …
MB: No that's not true, that's not true.
NG: I'm being crushed here, I'm being crushed, that's not true?
MB: NO.
NG: OK. Did you drive round Manchester dressed as Santa Clause …
MB: [rolls eyes and smiles] NO [both laugh].
NG: Right, OK. Have you played darts recently and how good are you?
MB: No I didn't play recently I played last year.
NG: Right, so are you … have you ever got a 180?
MB: What? I don't know about the game. I put it in the middle you know.
NG: Oh in the bullseye?
MB: Yeahs.
NG: Nice one. One shot. Rock'n'roll star. Did you give a tramp a thousand pound after winning in a casino?
MB: Never [laughs].
NG: Good lord. Did you go to church on Christmas Eve?
MB: Yeah.
NG: Did you put a thousand pound in the collection plate?
MB: No. I put … I don't know but not a thousand.
NG: Not a thousand? And then did you go to a pub in Wythenshawe and buy everybody a drink afterwards?
MB: No I didn't.
NG: OK. I wouldn't do that either to be honest, not in Wythenshawe. Tynchy Stryder, do you know Tynchy Stryder?
MB: Yeah.
NG: He wrote a song about you.
MB: Yeah.
NG: Have you heard it?
MB: Yeah yeah.
NG: Do you like it?
MB: Yeah yeah, it's nice.
NG: Is that your favourite kind of music, hip-hop?
MB: His song?
NG: Well no like that genre, hip-hop?
MB: Yeah I like it.
NG: Do you know anything about the Manchester music scene?
MB: Singer?
NG: No, like, do you know anything about the history of all the bands that have ever come from Manchester? Joy Division, have you ever heard of Joy Division?
MB: Say it …
NG: Joy Division?
MB: No.
NG: The Smiths?
MB: No.
NG: Stone Roses?
MB: No.
NG: Oasis.
MB: Yes [laughs].
NG: Now, you were recently named the third [best] dressed man in Britain by GQ …
MB: Second!
NG: Second? Nice one. How does that feel?
MB: Don't care.
NG: Coz we had one of the players in here before who'll remain nameless, but his initials are AJ …
MB: What?
NG: AJ … OK it was Adam Johnson he came in here and he was saying that the fact that you were named second best dressed man is a travesty, he said …
MB: Yeah but listen, I don't wanna offend nobody but an English person cannot speak about style with an Italian person [smiles].
NG: Well, that's true but a Mancunian can, well Adam's not from Manchester, but Mancunians are known for being impeccably … as you can see, for being impeccably dressed but I'm not gonna go for a fashion off with you because …
MB: No I didn't say that English people wear bad clothes, I said Italian people are another level.
NG: No question, we all wear Italian shoes, these are Italian shoes, they're nice …
MB: Are they Italian?
NG: Yeah, Golden Goose do you know that label?
MB: [laughs]
NG: Right, what music do you listen to in the dressing room with the players?
MB: R&B.
NG: Really?
MB: R&B or hip-hop.
NG: Does nobody ever play Oasis?
MB: [pause] I don't think so.
NG: I've got a CD for you later, you might have to bang it on there when Nigel's bogling.
MB: [laughs] Yeah OK.
NG: Yeah stick it on.
MB: Thank you.
NG: Is music a big part of your life would you say?
MB: Hmmm?
NG: Is music a big part of your life?
MB: Errrrr …
NG: You like music?
MB: Yeah I like music. Yeah. Some music remind me of when I was young you know so, yeah.
NG: I'll ask you about that, where do you hail from, originally? Where your …
MB: I born in … oh originally?
NG: Yeah.
MB: Or where was I born?
NG: Where were you born?
MB: In Palermo, Sicily.
NG: And where are your ancestors from?
MB: Who?
NG: Your parents …
MB: My natural parents oh, from Ghana.
NG: From Ghana? OK. And have you ever been to … have you been back there?
MB: Never been to Africa in my life.
NG: No?
MB: Never.
NG: I've only been to Egypt, it's very hot. Now listen, I am … I used to be in Oasis and now I've gone solo coz my brother was a bit crazy like you.
MB: Really?
NG: Yeah, and so I'm in a critically acclaimed and best-selling act called High Flying Birds have you ever heard of us?
MB: Of what?
NG: Of our music?
MB: I knew about Oasis yes.
NG: So I've got a CD for you. Now, so next time, when you're limbering up, when we're gonna play United on April the 30th on the Monday night, this will guarantee victory.
MB: Yeah but you have to explain to the others …
NG: Never mind them, you're in charge. Bang that on, if you could make it … if you could just see your way to when you score the winner pull up a little T-shirt that just said "because Noel said so".
MB: [laughs]
NG: Right, you'd made an old man very happy.
NG: I've got to say it's been an absolute honour to meet you.
MB: Thank you, and for me …
NG: And you're one of my heroes …
MB: No you are …
NG: Ah no no no you're one of my heroes and all the lads that I go to the match with, there's about six or seven of us, we absolutely love you, but there you can have that.
MB: Thank you.
NG: Nice one mate.
NG: So you had a tough upbringing and you were seriously ill as a child and then you were fostered at three years old, how do you think that has shaped your character, do you think it's made you a stronger person?
MB: I never talk about when I was young but I think some experience when you are young then you can, in some people you can see when they grow up like, they show I some way …
NG: Right. I think it shapes you as you get older your experiences as a young child somehow …
MB: Yeah I think people yeah … because from outside people don't know me and they don't know how I am but I think I'm more old than my age.
NG: Yeah you're more mature than for your years? I can see that [pause] The last Porto game when, it says you were racially abused by the Porto fans …
MB: Yeah …
NG: You suffered a bit of that in Italy as well …
MB: Yeah in Italy yes, but I don't know if in Porto it was but I heard it but I don't know if it's just stupid people or proper racists I don't know.
NG: It seems to be it was quite a contentious topic in England for about a fortnight but it's always sad I think when you see it and particularly in Europe, do you know what I mean, because you feel bad for the players but did you and Yaya speak about it afterwards apparently he was abused as well was he not?
MB: No we didn't say nothing, we won so that's the most important thing.
NG: Absolutely. Who is your favourite player? Ibrahimovic?
MB: He's one of them yeah, him and Ronaldo, the Brazilian one.
NG: Ronaldo, oh yeah.
MB: He used to play for Inter Milan …
NG: He was killer wasn't he?
MB: Yeah …
NG: Did he play for Inter?
MB: Yeah.
NG: While you were there?
MB: No. Unfortunately no.
NG: Wow. And who would you say the biggest influence has been on your career?
MB: The biggest influence?
NG: Yeah like who, say like obviously Mancini has brought you to England and he's been an influence on your career in England who would you say has been …
MB: No Mancini is like … even in Italy because it is him that made me start to play in Serie A, in the league, in the first league in Italy.
NG: And why do you think that Mourinho didn't believe in you?
MB: That's his problem.
NG: I'm glad he didn't because you're sat here now innit?
MB: They say he want to come here? But me with Mourinho? I think he's a great manager but he didn't understand me so he said that nobody can understand me but I think the only one that cannot understand me is him so it's his problem.
NG: You know when we played Tottenham recently?
MB: Yeah.
NG: And, so we've gone 2-0 up and Tottenham have come back we're two all and we get a penalty in injury-time, I was sat in a hotel room in Australia watching the match, do you feel any nerves when you're walking up to take the penalty kick knowing that we're going for the league title and this is up to that point the most significant kick of a ball in the entire season for any club so far?
MB: Sometimes, it's not pressure I feel like I have to concentrate, I don't like to be concentrate I have just to do things as they come …
NG: Just instinctively like that?
MB: Yeah … that time I wasn't, I wasn't …
NG: Do you prefer just playing by instinct and just letting things flow or is it … because this is what fascinates me is, when I watch you play I just think you're not thinking of anything you're just playing from the soul. But to walk up you've obviously got to mentally make a decision of where you're gonna put the ball, were you nervous in any way, were you calm, did you know you were gon … obviously you knew you were gonna score coz you never miss right?
MB: The penalty?
NG: Yeah yeah like you scored the penalty, but the lads tell me that you never miss in training. Have you ever missed a penalty?
MB: Errr in the match or in training?
NG: In training, no in the match?
MB: In the match no.
NG: I think I gotta say for somebody so young … for you to pick the ball up and say I'm taking this knowing that the league's on the line there you must have … there's some courage to do that, but I'm …
MB: No, why?
NG: Why? Because if it was any … a mere mortal like the rest of us …
MB: Yeah but if it's me I go to the concert and I start to sing I cannot even talk because I'm shy …
NG: See I understand that but when, if I go to a concert and I can't sing I guess it's not … if I have a bad show it's not, it wouldn't have been as seismic as if you'd have missed that penalty.
MB: Yeah because you cannot play football so it's normal.
NG: How do you know I can't play football?
MB: You can play football?
NG: No [both laugh].
MB: No but it's because you cannot play football in the Premier League so it's normal you could feel pressure.
NG: Were the other players happy to let you take that penalty, or did … did …
MB: Yeah because they know how I shoot like …
NG: So they know of course …
MB: When there is a free-kick on the right we know that Kolarov want to shoot because he's good so …
NG: OK, and you take the penalties. Another thing before we wrap up, the goal with the shoulder …
MB: [smiles] Ah I don't know it just came.
NG: That's the kind of thing that you do in the school playground, that's never been seen on an English pitch before and I have to say I was watching it, I was on tour in a catering room in Copenhagen with lots of football supporters like some on my crew are City supporters and Liverpool supporters, there might even be a Man United supporter there and everybody stood up and applauded because it was just … maybe the goal of the season for me. But those things are just instinctive you don't think you just do it?
MB: No, because I shoot the ball and the goalkeeper he catch it and then the ball goes high and thought the ball would go out so I was under the bar I was just under, I was just here and I saw the ball coming down but I couldn't go with the head because it was too late so I just go with the shoulder.
NG: It's brilliant.
NG: What do you think as a player … obviously with all the individual awards that are given out, the golden ball and all that and the golden boot and all that, what do you think individually as a player you'd like to achieve when you finally hang up your boots and jet back to the planet where you came from?
MB: So what do I want to win before I finish football?
NG: Yeah well obviously you want to win trophies but how far do you think you can go in the game do you think you can eventually be the best player in the world? Would you like to be the best player in the world?
MB: I would like to yeah, but it's not only something that you would like it's something that you have to work for.
NG: Totally. I think … mean I don't know what it's like but I think you're underneath the right manager to achieve that …
MB: What?
NG: I think you're working for the right manager if you want to be the best player in the world.
MB: Yeah.
NG: And it's said that you're quite a shy retiring young lad, would you say that's true?
MB: What's retiring?
NG: Well you know what shy means, retiring is like you like to keep yourself to yourself …
MB: Yes, a lot, I don't like when people talk about my business or my life and I like to be … I'm really private.
NG: I can see that …
MB: So maybe someone thinks I'm arrogant or something but it's just me I'm …
NG: Do you know what I think it is that, it's a British thing with the British press is if they don't understand people …
MB: They never understand people …
NG: No no but if, people like yourself who … you know … the average Premiership footballer is not like you do you know what I mean?
MB: Who?
NG: Just any footballer, like I don't know any footballer … you're kind of unique in the game of football at the moment and I think that the British media are … if they don't understand somebody they just think well we have to find out what makes this person tick and that's where all the stories come from but you shouldn't get too upset about it because they do it to everybody …
MB: They do it to everybody?
NG: Oh yeah, like all the great people … like me and you we always get stick from the press …
MB: Yeah but that's normal, but just …
NG: Did you get that in Italy at all?
MB: Yeah of course, but …
NG: And how do you deal with it , do you just choose not to …
MB: I don't care because they can say what they want but me I'm a footballer so the most important moment is on Sunday on the pitch, after that they're totally different.
NG: Correct, absolutely.
MB: Ao they just say a lot of stuff about me, but they're just lying, they don't even know. You know if I go in the street one guy gets the picture, then they say "oh Mario was there" then they, someone call the press and say Mario is there, so the day after Mario was there, that's normal isn't it. Why? Because I just walk in town in town normal, like a normal guy and I go to the pub, just normal.
NG: You go to the pub?
MB: I've been to the pub yeah. Not to drink, but just to …
NG: To play darts?
MB: No [both laugh]
[Direction – Mario any questions for Noel?]
MB: Why do you like me?
NG: I speak for all … well me personally there's just … there isn't that many footballers that you see … I've supported this club all my life … there isn't that many footballers that you see that when they get the ball they make you sit forward on your seat, very rare. You see, you get that and very rare we've had it at this club. But it's the little things …
MB: That make you what?
NG: Well say we're all sat at the match and we're watching football … when a player like you gets the ball everybody gets to the edge of their seat because you know something special could happen. But it's the little things that we love you for it's like the magic tricks and stealing Agüero's gloves and the goal with the shoulder and the T-shirt celebration and it goes without saying you're a great footballer and I believe that truly over the next decade you'll be a truly great footballer, but it's footballers in general in this country, they're quite boring and dull and … I love you because you're Balotelli and you make me smile.
MB: [laughs]
[They shake hands]
MB: Where did you get your ring from?
NG: The ring? I got it in a shop in Japan, it's like when you're American and you leave college you get a ring like this. Do you get that in Italy?
MB: No.
NG: No we don't get it in England either, but yeah there you go. I would say I'd swap it you for the T-shirt.
MB: What T-shirt?
NG: Why always me?
MB: No I'll give you the T-shirt no problem.
NG: Brilliant, that's twice he's said that now.
MB: You make me say it [both laugh].
Watch the whole interview on Football Focus at 12.15pm on BBC1 and BBC1 HD.
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Full Transcript Of Noel Gallagher's Interview With Mario Balotelli
The full transcript of Noel Gallagher interviewing Manchester City's Mario Balotelli for BBC's Football Focus
Noel Gallagher: So, Mario, I gotta say, it's an honour for me to meet you.
Mario Balotelli: Honour for me.
NG: As a Manchester City supporter, I've supported Manchester City for 40 years, 40 YEARS can you believe that? That's a long time. What I wanna know is when you first got the call about coming to Manchester City, had you heard anything about the club at all?
MB: No, nothing.
NG: Nothing at all?
MB: No.
NG: Apart from we play in blue and we were rubbish apparently.
MB: No I didn't know nothing.
NG: Had you heard anything about the city of Manchester … apart from Man United?
MB: I came three years ago, I played in the game with United so I came here.
NG: OK.
NG: Right. How big a part did Mancini play to get you to coming to City?
MB: Yeah if Mancini wasn't here I think I never come here.
NG: No?
MB: No.
NG: So you … you've known him since you were a young man. I mean you're still a young man now but you've known him since you were 16, 17?
MB: How long do I know him?
NG: Yeah.
MB: Err when I was 15.
NG: Was he the coach at Inter when you joined?
MB: Yes, for the first team and I used to play in the like kind of academy.
NG: Right OK. And would you say he's a good coach?
MB: He's a good manager?
NG: Yeah.
MB: Of course.
NG: I think so, I think he's great. And what do you think … with the way that the team is now, we're top of the league and how far do you think we can go?
MB: I tell you in the end.
NG: In the end?
MB: It's unlucky to say before.
NG: No I know, I'm the same when people ask me "can we win the league?" I always say that if it's a two-horse race between City and United and for all the things that we've done this season that we deserve to win it. Now whether, whether we can get over the line or not but I think we've got the best players, certainly.
MB: If you ask me if we deserve to win …
NG: Yeah.
MB: If we keep playing like that then yes we deserve it.
NG: Absolutely I think so too.
NG: Right, Rafaella Te Amo, your missus, she's a beauty isn't she?
MB: Yeah.
NG: Yeah? What does that mean, does that mean Rafealla I love you?
MB: Yeah.
NG: Yeah? Does she appreciate that?
MB: Yeah of course.
NG: Nice one. And so have you brought any family with you over here?
MB: There is only my little brother.
NG: Is he the one you were doing magic tricks for? You know there was when we was playing some game against err …
MB: Yeah, no that is his friend and my brother.
NG: Right. Where did you learn to do magic?
MB: Magic, it's one guy I don't know he's in Manchester no. I was in Trafford Centre and he came, he just show me tricks so one day I invited him to my house and he teach me something.
NG: So there's a guy in the Trafford Centre doing magic tricks and you said come and show me some stuff?
MB: Yes.
NG: To entertain your …
MB: Because we were like in 10 people me and my friends so you know the people that do magician no they cannot teach you.
NG: That's right they can't teach you.
MB: So I said to him, I took him alone and I say to him "listen I invite you to my house so you can teach me" and he say "OK".
NG: Nice. So how many tricks do you know?
MB: Err no just one.
NG: Just the one trick?
MB: Yeah but it's difficult.
NG: It's magic.
MB: Yeah.
NG: That's why it's difficult. Oh yeah, when I was watching training before, Carlos is back.
MB: Yeah.
NG: He looks happy.
MB: Yeah.
NG: And fit. But when you see pictures of him that they put in the papers he looks quite mean and unhappy but I've just watched him training with you guys there and he …
MB: Ah the paper they just …
NG: Yeah we all know that but I just, I mean maybe you could give us the official story but I've just seen it with my own eyes he looks as happy as I've ever seen him. He looked fit and raring to go.
MB: When, I don't know when he didn't play, I don't know, I wasn't there so I don't really know what happened but I think everyone can do a mistake, Carlos is part of the team so everyone is want to have fun with him and he's just part of the team so everybody love him. That's why he's happy.
NG: So it's true to say that outside of all the politics that's going on between the club and the player the players themselves are still all great friends with him and would all have a strong bond with him?
MB: Because like me, if I'm happy in Manchester now it's for the team, for my team-mates, how they are with me.
NG: Yeah.
MB: And for supporters, that's the good of this club.
NG: Do you think Carlos will be in any way worried about the supporters' reaction to him if he …
MB: I think supporters have to be like they were before, they shouldn't care because Carlos can hear, and if they do or if they make pressure on Carlos they make pressure to all the team so they shouldn't do nothing.
NG: Well this is what I was saying before that I don't think there'll be booing, I think there might be maybe a tiny bit but I think it'll be mixed but I think the fans should still respect him because he's gonna be one of our greatest ever players.
MB: Of course.
NG: And if he leaves, he leaves, you know footballers move on …
MB: It's normal, every one of us we came from outside, we stay, we go, it's normal.
NG: I think that's the modern day football but I agree with ya, but I was … it was interesting to see him out there with a smile on his face and …
MB: Yeah.
NG: Playing away there and it was good to see.
NG: So apparently Mancini in his press conference this morning said again that you need to mature but we don't think you need to mature.
MB: No, OK, I'm … if Mancini say something he's right but I'm 21 so I still young and I think that already from last year I'm already bigger like in my head …
NG: Well me too … well I would agree, I think … from the outside looking in, but there's some things we don't want you to mature about you know.
MB: No but if you look me from outside and you don't know me and you think I'm an idiot [smiles and laughs].
NG: NO, no, no, no, no do you know I go round the world and you know a lot of when you mention Man City and people tend to boo and all that but when you mention the name Balotelli [pause] everyone loves it.
MB: [laughs]
NG: Seriously it's like you've become the poster boy for naughty children.
MB: [laughs]
NG: My children love you and they don't even know who you are.
MB: [laughs]
NG: So tell us what … can you run me through … I'm fascinated by this, so the night before the derby at Old Trafford when we won six one [pause] the fire brigade are called when you set fire to your house …
MB: I didn't.
NG: Accidentally or so they say.
MB: No I didn't.
NG: OK can you clear that up?
MB: So [laughs] you want me to tell you what happened?
NG: If you want.
MB: Only because it's you.
NG: Nice one, thank you very much.
MB: So it started like a joke no.
NG: Right.
MB: So, nah but that's stupid. [Both laugh]
NG: Never mind, you can tell me later.
MB: I was bored no, so I was with my friends and one of them was limping so I got one bin you know the bin?
NG: Yeah.
MB: But a metal one yeah.
NG: OK [both laugh].
MB: For put fireworks inside.
NG: OK.
MB: But nothing gonna happen right, so I left the room and I left the fireworks but I didn't …
NG: You didn't light them?
MB: No, I walk out and then my friend go in the room and they just start screaming blah blah blah and the fireworks was going off and they put the fireworks on the bed, not on the bed sorry, on the toilet.
NG: [laughs]
MB: But just the curtain caught on fire, that's it, nothing else, they just made everything up.
NG: Oh so the fire brigade weren't called?
MB: Yeah, only because the firemen they came.
NG: Oh right OK.
MB: For the curtain and the toilet.
NG: Oh because the alarm was going off right?
MB: Just the toilet was lost.
NG: So all that being said that part of the story, what were you thinking when you made the T-shirt, the "why always me" T-shirt? Did you have a feeling you were gonna score that day?
MB: I thought I was gonna score three.
NG: You were gonna score three?
MB: Yeah.
NG: Coz before the game started I thought you were gonna score the winner, I thought we were gonna win 1-0 and you were gonna score the winner at the Stretford End, and when you … I mean it was a great goal and the celebration with the T-shirt and the picture that was seen around the world … what did you think of that?
MB: Of what?
NG: Well did you think … when the top's going up did you think this picture's gonna be shown all round the world?
MB: No, no, no just a message …
NG: Was it a message?
MB: It's not a question, that people do to me it's a question that I do to them. You understand?
NG: So was it a message to the fans coz we love that …
MB: No it was to all the people that just talking bad about me and say stuff not nice about me …
NG: Oh to the press …
MB: And they don't know me so just asking why always me, like, why always me? [Both laugh]
NG: It was genius. Have you still got the T-shirt?
MB: Yeah in Italy.
NG: I would like that T-shirt.
MB: OK I give it to you.
NG: Serious?
MB: Yeah.
NG: Now he's said that on film, the T-shirt is mine, nice one.
MB: OK [both laugh].
NG: Now there's a lot of very very very funny stories that are written about you in the papers could we clear some of them up you can tell me if some of them are true or false?
MB: Like what?
NG: We know this one is true, did you turn up at a women's jail in Milan and ask for a tour?
MB: No I, you know that for go to jail you have to call them and you have to have like an invitation. So I have to go in one of them but it was for men no? And I was with my brother, but where I live there are two prison like one mile away.
NG: Right.
MB: So the gate was open and I went in the wrong one but I was in the parking so but when you go in the parking then they have to check everything and after like every time someone just talk, called the press …
NG: And said that you turned up and asked for a tour?
MB: Nah, I didn't, just stupid people.
NG: Is it true that a young lad turned up here at the training ground, asked you for your autograph and you asked him why he wasn't at school and he said he was being bullied so you took him to school and spoke to the headmaster?
MB: No.
NG: That's not true either? You're blowing it all here Mario.
MB: What?
NG: You're blowing it all here mate.
MB: No it's not true that I took him to school, no it's not true. I tell him why he wasn't at school but I didn't took him to school.
NG: Really?
MB: Yeah.
NG: Are you having lessons to be a DJ from Tim Westwood?
MB: Errr no … I had a picture with him, he asked me a picture, that's it.
NG: [laughs] Right, and they said …
MB: He's the DJ yeah?
NG: Yeah, well, yeah he's a DJ.
MB: No I was in town to get the PSP, the new one so.
NG: OK, is it any good?
MB: The PSP, I never use it.
NG: Oh right.
MB: But erm he ask me a picture and I ask who this guy is and they say DJ, they told me he's a DJ, famous DJ.
NG: He's a hip-hop DJ.
MB: And after in the morning I saw I had lessons from DJ, OK.
NG: What do you think, because the British press they're known for making up stories about everybody, they used to do it to me and my brother a lot.
MB: Yeah?
NG: It's just sometimes it can be a bit … things like this can be a bit of fun but do you find it annoying?
MB: Erm I think it … you can do what you want if you stay in the line.
NG: Right.
MB: They that go out from the line, kill them. [both laugh]
NG: Erm [pause] is this true? I so want this to be true and … did your mum send you to John Lewis for an ironing board and you came back with a quad bike …
MB: Yeah that's true [both laugh]
NG: Yes. A quad bike, a scalextric and a tennis table?
MB: Yeah. No a tennis table no … the trampoline.
NG: [laughs] A trampoline? What would Mancini say if he thought you had a quad bike and a trampoline at your house?
MB: He knows.
NG: Does he?
MB: Yeah.
NG: Wouldn't he go like mad? Coz like …
MB: The quad bike is also at my house, no. Why he have to go mad, for what?
NG: Well in case you injure yourself.
MB: Nah with a quad bike no.
NG: Do you wear a helmet? Obviously no …
MB: Yeah.
NG: You do?
MB: Right. You don't do you?
NG: NO, yeah yeah [both laugh].
NG: Right [pause] are you allergic to grass, a specific kind of grass? Is that true or is that nonsense?
MB: I'm allergic to the dry grass.
NG: To dry grass, so do you get a like hayf …
MB: Not the grass, the green one, the brown one you know like, I don't know how you say in English …
NG: Do you get hay fever?
MB: Hay fever what is this?
NG: It's like people get in the summer when errr … how do we describe hay fever? It's like when like the flowers come our people start to sneeze a lot …
MB: No no no not that one, no it's like under my skin I have to scratch.
NG: Really?
MB: Yes.
NG: Wow mental. And you're a footballer and allergic to some kind of grass. Is it true that you went into a petrol station and paid for everybody's petrol …
MB: No that's not true, that's not true.
NG: I'm being crushed here, I'm being crushed, that's not true?
MB: NO.
NG: OK. Did you drive round Manchester dressed as Santa Clause …
MB: [rolls eyes and smiles] NO [both laugh].
NG: Right, OK. Have you played darts recently and how good are you?
MB: No I didn't play recently I played last year.
NG: Right, so are you … have you ever got a 180?
MB: What? I don't know about the game. I put it in the middle you know.
NG: Oh in the bullseye?
MB: Yeahs.
NG: Nice one. One shot. Rock'n'roll star. Did you give a tramp a thousand pound after winning in a casino?
MB: Never [laughs].
NG: Good lord. Did you go to church on Christmas Eve?
MB: Yeah.
NG: Did you put a thousand pound in the collection plate?
MB: No. I put … I don't know but not a thousand.
NG: Not a thousand? And then did you go to a pub in Wythenshawe and buy everybody a drink afterwards?
MB: No I didn't.
NG: OK. I wouldn't do that either to be honest, not in Wythenshawe. Tynchy Stryder, do you know Tynchy Stryder?
MB: Yeah.
NG: He wrote a song about you.
MB: Yeah.
NG: Have you heard it?
MB: Yeah yeah.
NG: Do you like it?
MB: Yeah yeah, it's nice.
NG: Is that your favourite kind of music, hip-hop?
MB: His song?
NG: Well no like that genre, hip-hop?
MB: Yeah I like it.
NG: Do you know anything about the Manchester music scene?
MB: Singer?
NG: No, like, do you know anything about the history of all the bands that have ever come from Manchester? Joy Division, have you ever heard of Joy Division?
MB: Say it …
NG: Joy Division?
MB: No.
NG: The Smiths?
MB: No.
NG: Stone Roses?
MB: No.
NG: Oasis.
MB: Yes [laughs].
NG: Now, you were recently named the third [best] dressed man in Britain by GQ …
MB: Second!
NG: Second? Nice one. How does that feel?
MB: Don't care.
NG: Coz we had one of the players in here before who'll remain nameless, but his initials are AJ …
MB: What?
NG: AJ … OK it was Adam Johnson he came in here and he was saying that the fact that you were named second best dressed man is a travesty, he said …
MB: Yeah but listen, I don't wanna offend nobody but an English person cannot speak about style with an Italian person [smiles].
NG: Well, that's true but a Mancunian can, well Adam's not from Manchester, but Mancunians are known for being impeccably … as you can see, for being impeccably dressed but I'm not gonna go for a fashion off with you because …
MB: No I didn't say that English people wear bad clothes, I said Italian people are another level.
NG: No question, we all wear Italian shoes, these are Italian shoes, they're nice …
MB: Are they Italian?
NG: Yeah, Golden Goose do you know that label?
MB: [laughs]
NG: Right, what music do you listen to in the dressing room with the players?
MB: R&B.
NG: Really?
MB: R&B or hip-hop.
NG: Does nobody ever play Oasis?
MB: [pause] I don't think so.
NG: I've got a CD for you later, you might have to bang it on there when Nigel's bogling.
MB: [laughs] Yeah OK.
NG: Yeah stick it on.
MB: Thank you.
NG: Is music a big part of your life would you say?
MB: Hmmm?
NG: Is music a big part of your life?
MB: Errrrr …
NG: You like music?
MB: Yeah I like music. Yeah. Some music remind me of when I was young you know so, yeah.
NG: I'll ask you about that, where do you hail from, originally? Where your …
MB: I born in … oh originally?
NG: Yeah.
MB: Or where was I born?
NG: Where were you born?
MB: In Palermo, Sicily.
NG: And where are your ancestors from?
MB: Who?
NG: Your parents …
MB: My natural parents oh, from Ghana.
NG: From Ghana? OK. And have you ever been to … have you been back there?
MB: Never been to Africa in my life.
NG: No?
MB: Never.
NG: I've only been to Egypt, it's very hot. Now listen, I am … I used to be in Oasis and now I've gone solo coz my brother was a bit crazy like you.
MB: Really?
NG: Yeah, and so I'm in a critically acclaimed and best-selling act called High Flying Birds have you ever heard of us?
MB: Of what?
NG: Of our music?
MB: I knew about Oasis yes.
NG: So I've got a CD for you. Now, so next time, when you're limbering up, when we're gonna play United on April the 30th on the Monday night, this will guarantee victory.
MB: Yeah but you have to explain to the others …
NG: Never mind them, you're in charge. Bang that on, if you could make it … if you could just see your way to when you score the winner pull up a little T-shirt that just said "because Noel said so".
MB: [laughs]
NG: Right, you'd made an old man very happy.
NG: I've got to say it's been an absolute honour to meet you.
MB: Thank you, and for me …
NG: And you're one of my heroes …
MB: No you are …
NG: Ah no no no you're one of my heroes and all the lads that I go to the match with, there's about six or seven of us, we absolutely love you, but there you can have that.
MB: Thank you.
NG: Nice one mate.
NG: So you had a tough upbringing and you were seriously ill as a child and then you were fostered at three years old, how do you think that has shaped your character, do you think it's made you a stronger person?
MB: I never talk about when I was young but I think some experience when you are young then you can, in some people you can see when they grow up like, they show I some way …
NG: Right. I think it shapes you as you get older your experiences as a young child somehow …
MB: Yeah I think people yeah … because from outside people don't know me and they don't know how I am but I think I'm more old than my age.
NG: Yeah you're more mature than for your years? I can see that [pause] The last Porto game when, it says you were racially abused by the Porto fans …
MB: Yeah …
NG: You suffered a bit of that in Italy as well …
MB: Yeah in Italy yes, but I don't know if in Porto it was but I heard it but I don't know if it's just stupid people or proper racists I don't know.
NG: It seems to be it was quite a contentious topic in England for about a fortnight but it's always sad I think when you see it and particularly in Europe, do you know what I mean, because you feel bad for the players but did you and Yaya speak about it afterwards apparently he was abused as well was he not?
MB: No we didn't say nothing, we won so that's the most important thing.
NG: Absolutely. Who is your favourite player? Ibrahimovic?
MB: He's one of them yeah, him and Ronaldo, the Brazilian one.
NG: Ronaldo, oh yeah.
MB: He used to play for Inter Milan …
NG: He was killer wasn't he?
MB: Yeah …
NG: Did he play for Inter?
MB: Yeah.
NG: While you were there?
MB: No. Unfortunately no.
NG: Wow. And who would you say the biggest influence has been on your career?
MB: The biggest influence?
NG: Yeah like who, say like obviously Mancini has brought you to England and he's been an influence on your career in England who would you say has been …
MB: No Mancini is like … even in Italy because it is him that made me start to play in Serie A, in the league, in the first league in Italy.
NG: And why do you think that Mourinho didn't believe in you?
MB: That's his problem.
NG: I'm glad he didn't because you're sat here now innit?
MB: They say he want to come here? But me with Mourinho? I think he's a great manager but he didn't understand me so he said that nobody can understand me but I think the only one that cannot understand me is him so it's his problem.
NG: You know when we played Tottenham recently?
MB: Yeah.
NG: And, so we've gone 2-0 up and Tottenham have come back we're two all and we get a penalty in injury-time, I was sat in a hotel room in Australia watching the match, do you feel any nerves when you're walking up to take the penalty kick knowing that we're going for the league title and this is up to that point the most significant kick of a ball in the entire season for any club so far?
MB: Sometimes, it's not pressure I feel like I have to concentrate, I don't like to be concentrate I have just to do things as they come …
NG: Just instinctively like that?
MB: Yeah … that time I wasn't, I wasn't …
NG: Do you prefer just playing by instinct and just letting things flow or is it … because this is what fascinates me is, when I watch you play I just think you're not thinking of anything you're just playing from the soul. But to walk up you've obviously got to mentally make a decision of where you're gonna put the ball, were you nervous in any way, were you calm, did you know you were gon … obviously you knew you were gonna score coz you never miss right?
MB: The penalty?
NG: Yeah yeah like you scored the penalty, but the lads tell me that you never miss in training. Have you ever missed a penalty?
MB: Errr in the match or in training?
NG: In training, no in the match?
MB: In the match no.
NG: I think I gotta say for somebody so young … for you to pick the ball up and say I'm taking this knowing that the league's on the line there you must have … there's some courage to do that, but I'm …
MB: No, why?
NG: Why? Because if it was any … a mere mortal like the rest of us …
MB: Yeah but if it's me I go to the concert and I start to sing I cannot even talk because I'm shy …
NG: See I understand that but when, if I go to a concert and I can't sing I guess it's not … if I have a bad show it's not, it wouldn't have been as seismic as if you'd have missed that penalty.
MB: Yeah because you cannot play football so it's normal.
NG: How do you know I can't play football?
MB: You can play football?
NG: No [both laugh].
MB: No but it's because you cannot play football in the Premier League so it's normal you could feel pressure.
NG: Were the other players happy to let you take that penalty, or did … did …
MB: Yeah because they know how I shoot like …
NG: So they know of course …
MB: When there is a free-kick on the right we know that Kolarov want to shoot because he's good so …
NG: OK, and you take the penalties. Another thing before we wrap up, the goal with the shoulder …
MB: [smiles] Ah I don't know it just came.
NG: That's the kind of thing that you do in the school playground, that's never been seen on an English pitch before and I have to say I was watching it, I was on tour in a catering room in Copenhagen with lots of football supporters like some on my crew are City supporters and Liverpool supporters, there might even be a Man United supporter there and everybody stood up and applauded because it was just … maybe the goal of the season for me. But those things are just instinctive you don't think you just do it?
MB: No, because I shoot the ball and the goalkeeper he catch it and then the ball goes high and thought the ball would go out so I was under the bar I was just under, I was just here and I saw the ball coming down but I couldn't go with the head because it was too late so I just go with the shoulder.
NG: It's brilliant.
NG: What do you think as a player … obviously with all the individual awards that are given out, the golden ball and all that and the golden boot and all that, what do you think individually as a player you'd like to achieve when you finally hang up your boots and jet back to the planet where you came from?
MB: So what do I want to win before I finish football?
NG: Yeah well obviously you want to win trophies but how far do you think you can go in the game do you think you can eventually be the best player in the world? Would you like to be the best player in the world?
MB: I would like to yeah, but it's not only something that you would like it's something that you have to work for.
NG: Totally. I think … mean I don't know what it's like but I think you're underneath the right manager to achieve that …
MB: What?
NG: I think you're working for the right manager if you want to be the best player in the world.
MB: Yeah.
NG: And it's said that you're quite a shy retiring young lad, would you say that's true?
MB: What's retiring?
NG: Well you know what shy means, retiring is like you like to keep yourself to yourself …
MB: Yes, a lot, I don't like when people talk about my business or my life and I like to be … I'm really private.
NG: I can see that …
MB: So maybe someone thinks I'm arrogant or something but it's just me I'm …
NG: Do you know what I think it is that, it's a British thing with the British press is if they don't understand people …
MB: They never understand people …
NG: No no but if, people like yourself who … you know … the average Premiership footballer is not like you do you know what I mean?
MB: Who?
NG: Just any footballer, like I don't know any footballer … you're kind of unique in the game of football at the moment and I think that the British media are … if they don't understand somebody they just think well we have to find out what makes this person tick and that's where all the stories come from but you shouldn't get too upset about it because they do it to everybody …
MB: They do it to everybody?
NG: Oh yeah, like all the great people … like me and you we always get stick from the press …
MB: Yeah but that's normal, but just …
NG: Did you get that in Italy at all?
MB: Yeah of course, but …
NG: And how do you deal with it , do you just choose not to …
MB: I don't care because they can say what they want but me I'm a footballer so the most important moment is on Sunday on the pitch, after that they're totally different.
NG: Correct, absolutely.
MB: Ao they just say a lot of stuff about me, but they're just lying, they don't even know. You know if I go in the street one guy gets the picture, then they say "oh Mario was there" then they, someone call the press and say Mario is there, so the day after Mario was there, that's normal isn't it. Why? Because I just walk in town in town normal, like a normal guy and I go to the pub, just normal.
NG: You go to the pub?
MB: I've been to the pub yeah. Not to drink, but just to …
NG: To play darts?
MB: No [both laugh]
[Direction – Mario any questions for Noel?]
MB: Why do you like me?
NG: I speak for all … well me personally there's just … there isn't that many footballers that you see … I've supported this club all my life … there isn't that many footballers that you see that when they get the ball they make you sit forward on your seat, very rare. You see, you get that and very rare we've had it at this club. But it's the little things …
MB: That make you what?
NG: Well say we're all sat at the match and we're watching football … when a player like you gets the ball everybody gets to the edge of their seat because you know something special could happen. But it's the little things that we love you for it's like the magic tricks and stealing Agüero's gloves and the goal with the shoulder and the T-shirt celebration and it goes without saying you're a great footballer and I believe that truly over the next decade you'll be a truly great footballer, but it's footballers in general in this country, they're quite boring and dull and … I love you because you're Balotelli and you make me smile.
MB: [laughs]
[They shake hands]
MB: Where did you get your ring from?
NG: The ring? I got it in a shop in Japan, it's like when you're American and you leave college you get a ring like this. Do you get that in Italy?
MB: No.
NG: No we don't get it in England either, but yeah there you go. I would say I'd swap it you for the T-shirt.
MB: What T-shirt?
NG: Why always me?
MB: No I'll give you the T-shirt no problem.
NG: Brilliant, that's twice he's said that now.
MB: You make me say it [both laugh].
Watch the whole interview on Football Focus at 12.15pm on BBC1 and BBC1 HD.
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Mario Balotelli
Noel Gallagher
The first part of Noel's exclusive interview airs on Football Focus, at 12.30pm on BBC1.
Watch Noel Gallagher's Interview With Mario Balotelli Later Today
The first part of Noel's exclusive interview airs on Football Focus, at 12.30pm on BBC1.
Mario Balotelli
Noel Gallagher
Click here for a number of pictures of Noel Gallagher meeting Mario Balotelli at Manchester City's training ground last week.
Thanks to AG
Another Gallery: Noel Gallagher And Mario Balotelli
Click here for a number of pictures of Noel Gallagher meeting Mario Balotelli at Manchester City's training ground last week.
Thanks to AG
Liam Gallagher
Xfm's Steve Harris called up Liam Gallagher to present him with the news that he had won XFM's The Greatest Frontman Of All Time. Not surprisingly, he thought it was the right result.
"Greatest frontman? I knew that anyway! There's not many of us about. There are a lot of pretenders out there. But I'd like to thank everybody for voting and stuff. Nice one."
Asked if he ever entertained the thought of being a guitarist or other sideman, Liam said: "I don't think I could handle the bass guitar, but I could see myself down the line on guitar and I can see myself smashing the kit up. But but singing is all I can do. It's always been about the vocal for me, man. If you're a good looking fucker like me, you've got to be down the front, haven't you?"
And how did Liam come up with his trademark hands-behind-the-back stance? "If I hold the microphone stand, I feel a bit weak and a bit singerish," he explained. "But when I put my hands behind my back I feel more power… it feels like it's going to go off at any minute.
Liam Gallagher On Being Voted The Greatest Frontman Of All Time
Xfm's Steve Harris called up Liam Gallagher to present him with the news that he had won XFM's The Greatest Frontman Of All Time. Not surprisingly, he thought it was the right result.
"Greatest frontman? I knew that anyway! There's not many of us about. There are a lot of pretenders out there. But I'd like to thank everybody for voting and stuff. Nice one."
Asked if he ever entertained the thought of being a guitarist or other sideman, Liam said: "I don't think I could handle the bass guitar, but I could see myself down the line on guitar and I can see myself smashing the kit up. But but singing is all I can do. It's always been about the vocal for me, man. If you're a good looking fucker like me, you've got to be down the front, haven't you?"
And how did Liam come up with his trademark hands-behind-the-back stance? "If I hold the microphone stand, I feel a bit weak and a bit singerish," he explained. "But when I put my hands behind my back I feel more power… it feels like it's going to go off at any minute.
Beady Eye
Liam Gallagher
Oasis
Liam has seen off competition from Mick Jagger, Freddie Mercury, Jim Morrison and Kurt Cobain to win XFM's 'Greatest Frontman Of All Time' poll as voted for by their listeners.
Liam was interviewed by the station about the win which fans can listen to HERE!
Alex Turner, Morrissey, Thom Yorke and Joe Strummer, amongst others, were also in the running. Check out the full details HERE!
The poll to find the 'Greatest Frontman Of All Time' is the first of XFM's new 'Legend Polls' to celebrate the station's 20th Birthday.
A big thank you to all the fans who voted. To watch Liam doing what he does best check out the video for Beady Eye's 'Bring The Light' below.
Source: www.beadyeyemusic.com
XFM Names Liam Gallagher The Greatest Frontman Of All Time
Liam has seen off competition from Mick Jagger, Freddie Mercury, Jim Morrison and Kurt Cobain to win XFM's 'Greatest Frontman Of All Time' poll as voted for by their listeners.
Liam was interviewed by the station about the win which fans can listen to HERE!
Alex Turner, Morrissey, Thom Yorke and Joe Strummer, amongst others, were also in the running. Check out the full details HERE!
The poll to find the 'Greatest Frontman Of All Time' is the first of XFM's new 'Legend Polls' to celebrate the station's 20th Birthday.
A big thank you to all the fans who voted. To watch Liam doing what he does best check out the video for Beady Eye's 'Bring The Light' below.
Source: www.beadyeyemusic.com
Noel Gallagher
Check out an exclusive acoustic performance by Noel recorded in Glasgow for In:Demand Uncut - the show is broadcast this Sunday 11th March at 7pm GMT. Noel will also be interviewed by Jim Gellatly and talk about his favourite records.
Fans in Scotland can tune in to Clyde 1, Forth 1, Northsound 1, Tay FM, West FM, West Sound FM, MFR and Radio Borders to listen back to the gig. Everyone else can catch it online here, there's a teaser available to watch now.
Source: www.noelgallagher.com
Watch An Exclusive Acoustic Performance With Noel Gallagher This Sunday
Check out an exclusive acoustic performance by Noel recorded in Glasgow for In:Demand Uncut - the show is broadcast this Sunday 11th March at 7pm GMT. Noel will also be interviewed by Jim Gellatly and talk about his favourite records.
Fans in Scotland can tune in to Clyde 1, Forth 1, Northsound 1, Tay FM, West FM, West Sound FM, MFR and Radio Borders to listen back to the gig. Everyone else can catch it online here, there's a teaser available to watch now.
Source: www.noelgallagher.com
Carlos Tevez
Mario Balotelli
Noel Gallagher
Click here to watch the video.
Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli has told the club's fans not to target Carlos Tevez with any abuse when the Argentinian forward returns to action.
Tevez has not played for City since boss Roberto Mancini accused him of refusing to warm up at Bayern Munich in September - but he has now apologised.
Balotelli said: "I think supporters have to be like they were before.
"If they make pressure on Carlos, they make pressure to all the team, so they should do nothing."
Tevez, 28, had become a firm favourite with the City faithful after helping the club win the FA Cup last season following a switch from rivals Manchester United.
But that soured with his apparent refusal to come off the bench at the Allianz Arena in Germany - and he then returned to his native Argentina without the club's permission.
Following a five-month stand-off, Tevez returned to the club in February and has reconciled his differences after apologising for his conduct.
He returned to action in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Preston, then scored on his first public appearance for the reserves against Bolton.
Balotelli, speaking to former Oasis man Noel Gallagher for the BBC's Football Focus, said supporters should forgive him.
The 21-year-old said: "I think everyone can make a mistake. Carlos is part of the team. He's just a part of the team, so everybody loves him."
Manager Robert Mancini says he has already forgiven Tevez and is looking forward to the striker's return to first-team football.
Watch the full interview on Saturday's Football Focus at 1215 GMT on BBC One and on the BBC website.
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
thanks to AG
Watch Some More Of Noel Gallagher's Interview With Mario Balotelli
Click here to watch the video.
Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli has told the club's fans not to target Carlos Tevez with any abuse when the Argentinian forward returns to action.
Tevez has not played for City since boss Roberto Mancini accused him of refusing to warm up at Bayern Munich in September - but he has now apologised.
Balotelli said: "I think supporters have to be like they were before.
"If they make pressure on Carlos, they make pressure to all the team, so they should do nothing."
Tevez, 28, had become a firm favourite with the City faithful after helping the club win the FA Cup last season following a switch from rivals Manchester United.
But that soured with his apparent refusal to come off the bench at the Allianz Arena in Germany - and he then returned to his native Argentina without the club's permission.
Following a five-month stand-off, Tevez returned to the club in February and has reconciled his differences after apologising for his conduct.
He returned to action in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Preston, then scored on his first public appearance for the reserves against Bolton.
Balotelli, speaking to former Oasis man Noel Gallagher for the BBC's Football Focus, said supporters should forgive him.
The 21-year-old said: "I think everyone can make a mistake. Carlos is part of the team. He's just a part of the team, so everybody loves him."
Manager Robert Mancini says he has already forgiven Tevez and is looking forward to the striker's return to first-team football.
Watch the full interview on Saturday's Football Focus at 1215 GMT on BBC One and on the BBC website.
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
thanks to AG
Noel Gallagher
Click here to to hear Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds recorded live at O2 Arena in London – the entire gig uninterrupted.
Listen To Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds At The 02 Arena
Click here to to hear Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds recorded live at O2 Arena in London – the entire gig uninterrupted.
Noel Gallagher
Oasis
Sara Gallagher
Absolute Radio’s Pete Mitchell spoke to Noel Gallagher in an exclusive interview as part of a 2-hour documentary special to air on digital stations Absolute Radio 00s on Wednesday 14th March from 6pm and Absolute Radio 90s on Thursday 22nd March from 9pm. The man, recently crowned Godlike Genius at the NME awards revealed just how important his hometown was in shaping his career, explaining that:
“Manchester, as a musician, is a great place to grow up because you’ve got everything you need is there; little venues, big venues, nightclubs, or you had then nightclubs, music shops, if you needed a bass player you can get one, it’s got a musical history, it had great DJs at Piccadilly Radio, yourself being one”
Noel’s critically acclaimed album High Flying Birds has flown off the shelves both physically and digitally and Noel explains that he was confident that it would do well:
“I expect greatness from myself. So when people are saying ‘Wow, this is amazing’ and it’s selling, I don’t feel very proud of myself, I think that’s what I should be doing anyway, and I’m quite critical of myself, but, by the same rule, it’s great, I’ve got to say, but I kind of knew it would be well received because I’ve made so many records in the past and I knew that this collection of songs was a good collection of songs, if nothing else, you know.”
Noel tells Pete how he isn’t chasing success anymore and only really makes music now to please wife Sara:
“There was a point in the 90s and in the early 2000s where I was obsessed with success, do you know what I mean, and chasing the big hits and all that, but I’ve had enough of that now. Like I say, I don’t make records to be number one in the charts, but when it happens it’s great. I make them because, you know, my wife won’t let me sit round the house for more than 11 months, as has now become apparent.”
Noel talks about his creative process when it comes to writing:
“Sometimes I can write five songs in a row, very quick, over like a five week period, and then sometimes I go months and months without writing anything, and that’s when I used to get a bit edgy and nervous and like ‘Oh, I’ll just write something’. I’ve learned now to just let it find me, and I don’t know what it is. There’s no special room that I go to, I’ve not even got a music room in my house, my kids have taken over my house and are slowly demolishing it, and I don’t even have a music room. I don’t have a place where I keep all my notes or anything like that, do you know what I mean, it’s purely inspiration, my whole thing is pure inspiration, it’s just ‘There it is’.”
Noel reflects on the success of Definitely Maybe:
Well that record is just a phenomenon that’s just… you know, to think that when I was writing those songs in a bedsit, a council bedsit in Manchester in 1991, ’92, that those songs, 20 years later, would still mean as much, not to people in England, but you take that for granted. I’ve just been out to Australia and Singapore, kids, you know what I mean, who wouldn’t have been born then, Cigarettes and Alcohol means the same to then as it did to me then, and that is an amazing thing, and I don’t know why that is. You know, I’d love to say it’s because I’m a genius and all that, which quite evidently I am, but it’s just a magical thing that we were all involved in and long may it continue. It’s just a great… I love that record.
Listen to Noel Gallagher “The Boy From Burnage” on Absolute Radio 90s on Thursday 22nd March from 9pm.
Noel Gallagher On Manchester, Oasis And More
Absolute Radio’s Pete Mitchell spoke to Noel Gallagher in an exclusive interview as part of a 2-hour documentary special to air on digital stations Absolute Radio 00s on Wednesday 14th March from 6pm and Absolute Radio 90s on Thursday 22nd March from 9pm. The man, recently crowned Godlike Genius at the NME awards revealed just how important his hometown was in shaping his career, explaining that:
“Manchester, as a musician, is a great place to grow up because you’ve got everything you need is there; little venues, big venues, nightclubs, or you had then nightclubs, music shops, if you needed a bass player you can get one, it’s got a musical history, it had great DJs at Piccadilly Radio, yourself being one”
Noel’s critically acclaimed album High Flying Birds has flown off the shelves both physically and digitally and Noel explains that he was confident that it would do well:
“I expect greatness from myself. So when people are saying ‘Wow, this is amazing’ and it’s selling, I don’t feel very proud of myself, I think that’s what I should be doing anyway, and I’m quite critical of myself, but, by the same rule, it’s great, I’ve got to say, but I kind of knew it would be well received because I’ve made so many records in the past and I knew that this collection of songs was a good collection of songs, if nothing else, you know.”
Noel tells Pete how he isn’t chasing success anymore and only really makes music now to please wife Sara:
“There was a point in the 90s and in the early 2000s where I was obsessed with success, do you know what I mean, and chasing the big hits and all that, but I’ve had enough of that now. Like I say, I don’t make records to be number one in the charts, but when it happens it’s great. I make them because, you know, my wife won’t let me sit round the house for more than 11 months, as has now become apparent.”
Noel talks about his creative process when it comes to writing:
“Sometimes I can write five songs in a row, very quick, over like a five week period, and then sometimes I go months and months without writing anything, and that’s when I used to get a bit edgy and nervous and like ‘Oh, I’ll just write something’. I’ve learned now to just let it find me, and I don’t know what it is. There’s no special room that I go to, I’ve not even got a music room in my house, my kids have taken over my house and are slowly demolishing it, and I don’t even have a music room. I don’t have a place where I keep all my notes or anything like that, do you know what I mean, it’s purely inspiration, my whole thing is pure inspiration, it’s just ‘There it is’.”
Noel reflects on the success of Definitely Maybe:
Well that record is just a phenomenon that’s just… you know, to think that when I was writing those songs in a bedsit, a council bedsit in Manchester in 1991, ’92, that those songs, 20 years later, would still mean as much, not to people in England, but you take that for granted. I’ve just been out to Australia and Singapore, kids, you know what I mean, who wouldn’t have been born then, Cigarettes and Alcohol means the same to then as it did to me then, and that is an amazing thing, and I don’t know why that is. You know, I’d love to say it’s because I’m a genius and all that, which quite evidently I am, but it’s just a magical thing that we were all involved in and long may it continue. It’s just a great… I love that record.
Listen to Noel Gallagher “The Boy From Burnage” on Absolute Radio 90s on Thursday 22nd March from 9pm.
Kevin Keegan
Noel Gallagher
Sara Gallagher
The Strokes
From Noel Gallagher's 'Tales From The Middle Of Nowhere' tour diary.
Yes..well been mad busy. Lot's to tell. So . . . where were we? Barcelona right?
The trip from Barcelona to Paris was uneventful as you would imagine. Landed in the rain and rushed across town to sit in a cold room for 3 hours waiting to do some bizarre tv show where me and 6 other French people occupied some kind of rustic dining table for a casual chat while they ate desert!! For real!!!!! As you can imagine it was a bit awkward. Me . . . not knowing the lingo had to wear an ear piece what had an interpreter translating the conversation into my lug-hole. Still had no fucking idea what they were on about.
The gig in Paris was great. It was in a place called Grand Rex Theatre. Incredible upholstery!! The seats would most definitely have been stolen had it been in England!! 2 of that band The Strokes were there . . . Fab and Albert to be exact. I ain't seen them for long time..cool cats man.
Had a brilliant night out after.stumbled into an empty restaurant at fuck knows what time to catch 2 french dudes - one on piano and one on the guitar - playing that song "harvest moon" by Neil Young. What followed was mega. They started taking requests. . . well at least I think they did . . . and before you know it it was 5am!! They went through every genre of music I've ever heard of!! 50's,60's,70's,80's . . . they stopped at the 90's though thankfully. My lovely good lady wife kept them on their little French toes with a barrage of 80's demands what peaked with "the wham rap"!!! It really was fucking mega. Needless to say the next day was spent nursing a rather sore head. Well worth it though. I LOVE PARIS!
So...last night's gig here in Hamburg was ok . . . not bad . . . if I'm being honest I was still feeling it a little bit from Paris. Someone - they were definitely german - kept shouting out, clear as day, in between songs . . . "KEVIN KEEGAN!!!!"
??????????????? Indeed.
Off to Berlin just now.
Gotta go.
ONWARDS.
GD.
Source: www.noelgallagher.com
Keep up to date with Noel's award-winning tour diary by signing up to Noel's Official Website's Inbox here.
Noel Gallagher's Tales From The Middle Of Nowhere (Vol.2) Part Forty Two
From Noel Gallagher's 'Tales From The Middle Of Nowhere' tour diary.
Yes..well been mad busy. Lot's to tell. So . . . where were we? Barcelona right?
The trip from Barcelona to Paris was uneventful as you would imagine. Landed in the rain and rushed across town to sit in a cold room for 3 hours waiting to do some bizarre tv show where me and 6 other French people occupied some kind of rustic dining table for a casual chat while they ate desert!! For real!!!!! As you can imagine it was a bit awkward. Me . . . not knowing the lingo had to wear an ear piece what had an interpreter translating the conversation into my lug-hole. Still had no fucking idea what they were on about.
The gig in Paris was great. It was in a place called Grand Rex Theatre. Incredible upholstery!! The seats would most definitely have been stolen had it been in England!! 2 of that band The Strokes were there . . . Fab and Albert to be exact. I ain't seen them for long time..cool cats man.
Had a brilliant night out after.stumbled into an empty restaurant at fuck knows what time to catch 2 french dudes - one on piano and one on the guitar - playing that song "harvest moon" by Neil Young. What followed was mega. They started taking requests. . . well at least I think they did . . . and before you know it it was 5am!! They went through every genre of music I've ever heard of!! 50's,60's,70's,80's . . . they stopped at the 90's though thankfully. My lovely good lady wife kept them on their little French toes with a barrage of 80's demands what peaked with "the wham rap"!!! It really was fucking mega. Needless to say the next day was spent nursing a rather sore head. Well worth it though. I LOVE PARIS!
So...last night's gig here in Hamburg was ok . . . not bad . . . if I'm being honest I was still feeling it a little bit from Paris. Someone - they were definitely german - kept shouting out, clear as day, in between songs . . . "KEVIN KEEGAN!!!!"
??????????????? Indeed.
Off to Berlin just now.
Gotta go.
ONWARDS.
GD.
Source: www.noelgallagher.com
Keep up to date with Noel's award-winning tour diary by signing up to Noel's Official Website's Inbox here.
Andy Bell
Gem Archer
Liam Gallagher
Noel Gallagher
Oasis
Zak Starkey
'Falling Down' was a single released on March 9th 2009 by English rock band Oasis, featured on their 2008 seventh studio album Dig Out Your Soul. Written and sung by lead guitarist Noel Gallagher, it was released as the third single from the album and is also the final single released by the band with the digital release occurring a day earlier.
The song debuted at 10 in the UK Singles Chart.
"Falling Down" is the fifth Oasis single to be sung by Noel rather than Liam (not including "Lord Don't Slow Me Down"). It is also the second Oasis song to be used in a TV series (the first being "Half the World Away").
"Falling Down" posted a subtle improvement from its predecessor, "I'm Outta Time" on the UK Singles Chart, reaching #10 in its chart entry week. This was something of a return to form for the band, after "I'm Outta Time" charting at #12 made it the first Oasis single released in the UK to fail to reach the top 10 since "Shakermaker" in 1994.
Between the two releases the band had put out 22 singles which made the top 10.
However, it still showed a decline in the band's fortunes; from the release of "Whatever" at the end of 1994 until the release of "I'm Outta Time" the band had only had one single which failed to reach the top 4 in the charts, and that had been 2007's "Lord Don't Slow Me Down" which was only a minor promotional release and a non-album track and also download only.
The heavily compressed drum-rhythm and sense of disillusioned psychedelia bear a strong resemblance the Beatles song "Tomorrow Never Knows", being cited as Noel's finest effort so far to emulate the atmosphere of that song.
An excerpt of the B-side song "Those Swollen Hand Blues" appears at the end of "Mucky Fingers", second track of Oasis' 2005 album Don't Believe the Truth.
The lyric: "Catch the wheel that breaks the butterfly" references the quotation: "Who breaks a butterfly upon a wheel?" from Alexander Pope's "Epistle to Dr Arbuthnot".
The song was released as downloadable content for the video game Guitar Hero: World Tour on 29 January 2009.
The song was used in the opening sequence for the Production I.G anime Eden of the East, which first aired on Fuji TV's noitaminA timeslot on April 9, 2009.
On This Day In Oasis History...
'Falling Down' was a single released on March 9th 2009 by English rock band Oasis, featured on their 2008 seventh studio album Dig Out Your Soul. Written and sung by lead guitarist Noel Gallagher, it was released as the third single from the album and is also the final single released by the band with the digital release occurring a day earlier.
The song debuted at 10 in the UK Singles Chart.
"Falling Down" is the fifth Oasis single to be sung by Noel rather than Liam (not including "Lord Don't Slow Me Down"). It is also the second Oasis song to be used in a TV series (the first being "Half the World Away").
"Falling Down" posted a subtle improvement from its predecessor, "I'm Outta Time" on the UK Singles Chart, reaching #10 in its chart entry week. This was something of a return to form for the band, after "I'm Outta Time" charting at #12 made it the first Oasis single released in the UK to fail to reach the top 10 since "Shakermaker" in 1994.
Between the two releases the band had put out 22 singles which made the top 10.
However, it still showed a decline in the band's fortunes; from the release of "Whatever" at the end of 1994 until the release of "I'm Outta Time" the band had only had one single which failed to reach the top 4 in the charts, and that had been 2007's "Lord Don't Slow Me Down" which was only a minor promotional release and a non-album track and also download only.
The heavily compressed drum-rhythm and sense of disillusioned psychedelia bear a strong resemblance the Beatles song "Tomorrow Never Knows", being cited as Noel's finest effort so far to emulate the atmosphere of that song.
An excerpt of the B-side song "Those Swollen Hand Blues" appears at the end of "Mucky Fingers", second track of Oasis' 2005 album Don't Believe the Truth.
The lyric: "Catch the wheel that breaks the butterfly" references the quotation: "Who breaks a butterfly upon a wheel?" from Alexander Pope's "Epistle to Dr Arbuthnot".
The song was released as downloadable content for the video game Guitar Hero: World Tour on 29 January 2009.
The song was used in the opening sequence for the Production I.G anime Eden of the East, which first aired on Fuji TV's noitaminA timeslot on April 9, 2009.
Mario Balotelli
Noel Gallagher
Roberto Mancini
We want to believe this kid goes into petrol stations and buys everyone a full tank.
The BBC had been trying to get hold of Mario Balotelli to do a TV interview with him for quite a while. But he doesn't do TV interviews because he doesn't like journalists. And they kept going back to him and he kept saying no.
But I've been on tour and I've been dedicating a song What a Life to him every night. It's amazing the reaction that it gets, all around the world. People love him. It starts off with booing because he's a City player, but it turns into cheers because he's a modern day rock-star.
And he'd heard of this and he said if he was going to do an interview he'd only do it with me. So they asked me to do it, and I cleared my schedule. Too right, I'll do that for a laugh.
I spent an hour with the lad, he was quite shy. You could tell he's got a bit of the devil in him. He seems to be very much unaware of why people would make a fuss about him. He seemed very interested as to why I would dedicate a song to him. He's like all naturally talented people: he's not got a clue what he's doing.
I can only liken it to this: I was born with a natural gift for music. And I've never had a lesson in my life, I was never taught to play the guitar, or any musical instrument, and I can play half a dozen of them. I was never taught how to write or sing or anything.
And when people ask me to teach them to play the guitar, I'm at a loss, because it just comes to me. I haven't got a clue what I'm doing when I do it. And when I meet other songwriters, and they talk to me about my songwriting, they might as well be talking French. Because I don't understand any of this, I just do it. And it's like that for him.
I was asking about his penalties, and he just shrugged his shoulders the way that he does when he scores. I asked him about the stoppage-time penalty against Tottenham: The league title's on the line, you're 21, and in a new country, why did you grab the ball? "Because I always score." But what about the senior players? Sergio Aguero and Gareth Barry, did they not make a move? "No, because they see me in training every day, and I never miss." He said that he regularly puts 10 out of 10 past Joe Hart.
I asked him what was going through his mind with his "Why Always Me?" T-shirt in the derby at Old Trafford, the day after he nearly burnt his house down with fireworks. "I got up, and I read the papers, and I knew I was going to score a hat-trick". But you only got two? "That's because Mancini took me off, if he'd kept me on I'd have scored a hat-trick." And I believe him. So I asked him about "Why Always Me?" And he said it was a message to the press: "Why are you so interested in me?"
I go all over the world and all over Britain, and my one topic of conversation – if it's not music – is football: with black-cab drivers, people in pubs and so on. And everyone loves Balotelli. Everybody in England, even Man United fans, they all love him. And that's fascinating for him. I'd love him if he played for United. At the interview he asked a question: "Why do you love me so much?" And my answer was five minutes long, and he was laughing all the way through. I don't think he could quite fathom what all the fuss is about.
But it's the goal with the shoulder, the penalties, the bits on YouTube where he nicks Aguero's gloves in the warm-up, all that kind of thing. He's young enough for it to be all innocent. And he shows flashes of sheer brilliance.
So I asked him about the rumours, we listed them all. Unfortunately 90 per cent of them are bollocks, but there's a grain of truth in them all. I told him he was killing me, because we want them all to be true. We want a footballer to be going around giving £1,000 to a homeless person, because it's just cool. We don't want professional footballers to be like Michael Owen or Ashley Cole, people that think the world owes them something. We want to believe that this kid goes into petrol stations and buys everyone a full tank of petrol. Not because that's what they should do, but because footballers are young and they should behave young.
My favourite Balotelli story is the magic tricks. One day he was wandering through the Trafford Centre minding his own business, as if he could do, like a modern-day Mr T. And there's a guy doing magic, and he asked if he could teach him some magic. The guy said, "No, I don't teach magic." So Mario went home, pondered it, and thought, "I'm not having that", so he went back to the Trafford Centre and said to the bloke, "teach me these magic tricks". The guy said, "No, there's too many people here." So Mario took him in his car, back to his house for dinner, and the guy showed him magic over dinner. That's where he learnt the tricks.
He's not arsed about the money, where he is, who he's playing, none of it. He does have a great affection for Roberto Mancini. He said the only reason that he's in Manchester is because of Mancini, they obviously have a bond. I think he loves the fans, because for all the times he's been sent off the fans have never turned on him. I asked him what he wanted to achieve in football, and he just wants to be the best player in the world. But I'm not sure he knows how to go about that. He's just a force of nature.
Source: www.independent.co.uk
Noel Gallagher: "Forget About Me, Balotelli's The Real Rock Star"
We want to believe this kid goes into petrol stations and buys everyone a full tank.
The BBC had been trying to get hold of Mario Balotelli to do a TV interview with him for quite a while. But he doesn't do TV interviews because he doesn't like journalists. And they kept going back to him and he kept saying no.
But I've been on tour and I've been dedicating a song What a Life to him every night. It's amazing the reaction that it gets, all around the world. People love him. It starts off with booing because he's a City player, but it turns into cheers because he's a modern day rock-star.
And he'd heard of this and he said if he was going to do an interview he'd only do it with me. So they asked me to do it, and I cleared my schedule. Too right, I'll do that for a laugh.
I spent an hour with the lad, he was quite shy. You could tell he's got a bit of the devil in him. He seems to be very much unaware of why people would make a fuss about him. He seemed very interested as to why I would dedicate a song to him. He's like all naturally talented people: he's not got a clue what he's doing.
I can only liken it to this: I was born with a natural gift for music. And I've never had a lesson in my life, I was never taught to play the guitar, or any musical instrument, and I can play half a dozen of them. I was never taught how to write or sing or anything.
And when people ask me to teach them to play the guitar, I'm at a loss, because it just comes to me. I haven't got a clue what I'm doing when I do it. And when I meet other songwriters, and they talk to me about my songwriting, they might as well be talking French. Because I don't understand any of this, I just do it. And it's like that for him.
I was asking about his penalties, and he just shrugged his shoulders the way that he does when he scores. I asked him about the stoppage-time penalty against Tottenham: The league title's on the line, you're 21, and in a new country, why did you grab the ball? "Because I always score." But what about the senior players? Sergio Aguero and Gareth Barry, did they not make a move? "No, because they see me in training every day, and I never miss." He said that he regularly puts 10 out of 10 past Joe Hart.
I asked him what was going through his mind with his "Why Always Me?" T-shirt in the derby at Old Trafford, the day after he nearly burnt his house down with fireworks. "I got up, and I read the papers, and I knew I was going to score a hat-trick". But you only got two? "That's because Mancini took me off, if he'd kept me on I'd have scored a hat-trick." And I believe him. So I asked him about "Why Always Me?" And he said it was a message to the press: "Why are you so interested in me?"
I go all over the world and all over Britain, and my one topic of conversation – if it's not music – is football: with black-cab drivers, people in pubs and so on. And everyone loves Balotelli. Everybody in England, even Man United fans, they all love him. And that's fascinating for him. I'd love him if he played for United. At the interview he asked a question: "Why do you love me so much?" And my answer was five minutes long, and he was laughing all the way through. I don't think he could quite fathom what all the fuss is about.
But it's the goal with the shoulder, the penalties, the bits on YouTube where he nicks Aguero's gloves in the warm-up, all that kind of thing. He's young enough for it to be all innocent. And he shows flashes of sheer brilliance.
So I asked him about the rumours, we listed them all. Unfortunately 90 per cent of them are bollocks, but there's a grain of truth in them all. I told him he was killing me, because we want them all to be true. We want a footballer to be going around giving £1,000 to a homeless person, because it's just cool. We don't want professional footballers to be like Michael Owen or Ashley Cole, people that think the world owes them something. We want to believe that this kid goes into petrol stations and buys everyone a full tank of petrol. Not because that's what they should do, but because footballers are young and they should behave young.
My favourite Balotelli story is the magic tricks. One day he was wandering through the Trafford Centre minding his own business, as if he could do, like a modern-day Mr T. And there's a guy doing magic, and he asked if he could teach him some magic. The guy said, "No, I don't teach magic." So Mario went home, pondered it, and thought, "I'm not having that", so he went back to the Trafford Centre and said to the bloke, "teach me these magic tricks". The guy said, "No, there's too many people here." So Mario took him in his car, back to his house for dinner, and the guy showed him magic over dinner. That's where he learnt the tricks.
He's not arsed about the money, where he is, who he's playing, none of it. He does have a great affection for Roberto Mancini. He said the only reason that he's in Manchester is because of Mancini, they obviously have a bond. I think he loves the fans, because for all the times he's been sent off the fans have never turned on him. I asked him what he wanted to achieve in football, and he just wants to be the best player in the world. But I'm not sure he knows how to go about that. He's just a force of nature.
Source: www.independent.co.uk
Noel Gallagher
It's been reported to me me via Twitter and eMail that Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds will play a second gigin Seoul, South Korea on 29th May 2012 at the AX Hall.
No official word yet, but I will keep you updated.
Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds To Play Another Date In South Korea
It's been reported to me me via Twitter and eMail that Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds will play a second gigin Seoul, South Korea on 29th May 2012 at the AX Hall.
No official word yet, but I will keep you updated.
Noel Gallagher
Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds will play at the Max-Schmeling Halle in Berlin, Germany later today (March 9th).
If you are going to the show, and you are able to scan your ticket or send in pictures email them to us @ scyhodotcom@gmail.com.
You can also tweet us pictures and updates @scyhodotcom
Noel Gallagher's High Flying Bird's Land In Berlin
Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds will play at the Max-Schmeling Halle in Berlin, Germany later today (March 9th).
If you are going to the show, and you are able to scan your ticket or send in pictures email them to us @ scyhodotcom@gmail.com.
You can also tweet us pictures and updates @scyhodotcom
Setlist: Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds In Hamburg
Below is the setlist for Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds concert at the Alsterdorfer Sporthalle in Hamburg, Germany yesterday.
(It’s Good) To Be Free
Mucky Fingers
Everybody’s On The Run
Dream On
If I Had A Gun
The Good Rebal
The Death Of You And Me
Freaky Teeth
Supersonic
(I Wanna Live In A Dream In My) Record Machine
AKA... What A Life!
Talk Tonight
AKA... Broken Arrow
Half The World Away
Solder Boys And Jesus Freaks
(Stranded On) The Wrong Beach
Whatever
Little By Little
The Importance Of Being Idle
Don’t Look Back In Anger
A number of pictures from the gig can be found on our Twitter page here.
Noel Gallagher
Click here to see a video of Noel Gallagher leaving his soundcheck and meeting fans at the Razzmatazz in Barcelona.
Video: Noel Gallagher Meeting Fans In Barcelona
Click here to see a video of Noel Gallagher leaving his soundcheck and meeting fans at the Razzmatazz in Barcelona.
Noel Gallagher
The current issue of the NME features an interview with the Godlike Genius Noel Gallagher.
On sale in newsagents and online now!
Noel Gallagher Interview In This Week's NME Magazine
The current issue of the NME features an interview with the Godlike Genius Noel Gallagher.
On sale in newsagents and online now!
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