Noel Gallagher is an easy target, if only because he gleefully takes aim at just about everything in his sights. In recent years, he's pointed his abrasive Mancunian accent at Jay Z, The X Factor and, most famously, his own brother, Oasis frontman Liam.
Scroll through enough of his soundbites and it'll dawn on you like a champagne supernova: This isn't a schtick. But taken as a whole, the following collection also reveals a sensitivity that belies much of Gallagher's couldn't-give-a-fook bravado.
He cuts himself down nearly as often as he does others, and he congratulates those of his victims who show they're in on the joke.
Decades of bad behavior have prompted public apologies and begged the question, why do we keep asking Noel Gallagher what he thinks?
But the answer is simple: Because unlike so many others in the industry he loves to cut down, he remains totally honest.
Liam Gallagher Has Denied A Report Suggesting He Is Set To Launch A Solo Career And Is Working On A New Album.
Editors at British newspaper The Sun reported on Tuesday (17Mar15) that the former Oasis frontman has been putting together new songs since his band Beady Eye split last year (14).
However, he has now dismissed the rumours as untrue, with a spokesperson telling NME.com, "(It is) a totally fabricated rumour."
Asked about the claim Gallagher is eyeing a solo album, the representative replies "(It's) not true."
Liam Gallagher is reportedly planning to release a solo album, following resurfacing but unlikely rumours that Oasis are planning to reform.
The singer, whose band Beady Eye ended last year, recently posted a selfie of himself with a backstage pass for the gig of his brother and former Oasis bandmate Noel Gallagher.
Whilst this small gesture signalled the end of a decades long, on-off feud between the two brothers, the chances that this signals any kind of Oasis reunion are slim to none.
More likely though, in news that has been seemingly confirmed by a source for The Sun, is that Liam is preparing to release a solo album. The source is quoted as saying, "Liam is eyeing up summer festival slots so he can preview some of his new stuff. Though he knows his song writing isn't as consistent as Noel's, he's also well aware that his name carries a lot of clout in the music industry.
"His solo record would be one of the most highly-anticipated releases in British rock."
The move has been supported by Noel, who recently told NME: "I'm amazed Liam has chucked it in, but he won't stay out of the limelight for long. I think Liam should make a solo record - put his balls on the line, put his name up in lights and go for it..."
Beady Eye's second and final album, BE, was released in 2013.
Tales From The Middle Of Nowhere Vol 3: The Good, The Bad And The Bubbly:
That Italian TV show was a fucking struggle. The miming I don't mind, it's the interview.
You have an actual person in front of you asking questions in Italian and a phantom in your ear translating them into English. It can be, and usually is, very awkward.
Here is but one example of what I mean...and bear in mind I'd been kissing the sky with Nancy until 5am the previous.
"Noel...you say that you don't take yourself seriously and that you live only for the moment. I also hear you say you refuse to overthink anything that you do in as much as you let the people decide what is and what is not...but what we would like to know is how do you come to such enlightenment at such an age?"
"..........Erm....Si?"
"I'm sorry but you have to give me an answer.."
".......Erm...I don't know?"
(Huge round of applause).
I started to do a little sweat.
After about 6 months we left the TV studio and were taken out to some swanky restaurant, which was indeed a night club, which was indeed the preferred hang out for yer Milanese footballer.
All the women (and there was a LOT of women) looked like Mick Jagger when Mick Jagger looked like an Italian woman (1965-1969!). Nice enough gaff...Nancy would have loved it.
Flew to Berlin the next day. Met some nice German fans on the plane. They'd been to the gig in Milan see? Very polite. Lovely kids.
I'm sat on the plane waiting for lift off and who should amble on last but my old drug buddy Evan Dando!!!! What the fuck??? I hadn't seen him in years. Fucking love that guy.
Had a bit of a kick about waiting for my band to rehearse with the latest brass section. I hadn't had a kick about for a long time...years. I think it's fair to say the old touch hasn't deserted me... You never lose it see?
The gig was wünderbar!! Excellent! In fact there was a minor fracas down the front at one point and the security team vaulted the barrier and got in amongst the crowd to fucking sort some shit out.
There was a bit of pushing and shoving and the security team reappeared with a girl in a headlock!!!! She was kicking and screaming like a fucking wild cat!!! I saw her later outside and asked her what she'd been thrown out for and she replied... "Just crying"... and all this took place during The Dying Of The Light!! Germans eh? You gotta love 'em!
Just had my first overnight on the bus to Copenhagen.
Below is the setlist from yesterdays Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds concert in Berlin.
Do The Damage
Stranded On The Wrong Beach
Everybody's On The Run
Fade Away
In The Heat Of The Moment
Lock All The Doors
Riverman
The Death Of You And Me
You Know We Can't Go Back
Champagne Supernova
The Ballad Of The Mighty I
Dream On
The Dying Of The Light
The Mexican
AKA... Broken Arrow
Digsy's Dinner
If I Had A Gun
Don't Look Back In Anger
AKA... What A Life!
The Masterplan
Check out the current collection and offers from Pretty Green here
Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds will be headlining Summer In The City at Castlefield Bowl in Manchester on Saturday 11th July! Tickets go on general sale Friday 20th March, 9am here.
Check out the current collection and offers from Pretty Green here
Everyone knows the story. As the creative force behind Oasis, Noel Gallagher changed the face of British music. Their sound and his songs swept the nation up in their wake and helped inspire a whole genre, but will far outlive the world of Britpop that they helped define.
Now, as he prepares to release his second solo album Chasing Yesterday, Noel sits down for a special interview with Matt Everitt to kick off the new season of The First Time. Here Noel talks about his very first exposure to music (Country and Irish bands like Dermot Hegarty and Big Tom and The Mainliners as it happens) and how the anthems of the football terraces inspired his childhood.
He also chats about the impact of The Sex Pistols, The Dammed, Leo Sayer (honestly) and his passion for the holy trinity of The Smiths, The Stone Roses and The Jam (and he may well mention The Beatles)
He also looks back on the very first Oasis rehearsal ("Mindblowing") and gig ("Great"), the difficult birth of their debut album Definitely Maybe and the all important issues of what length your guitar strap should be. There's also his memories of meeting Paul McCartney (they shared a meditation bubble), what it's like becoming so famous that when you get a haircut it ends up on the front pages of the tabloids ("the whole business is one huge joke") as well as his realization that Oasis had come to the end of the road and his feelings about stepping up to become a solo artist.
And, as you would expect, he's as charismatic, honest and funny as ever.
Tales From The Middle Of Nowhere Vol 3: The Good, The Bad And The Bubbly:
So... Holy shit... Where did we get up to? Was it after The O2? I can't remember... What day is it anyway?
So, I'm remembering a day off after The O2...that's right, an actual fucking day off.
All day...off!!
Was good seeing my boys and my girl. Bought myself a new hairdryer as my old one was starting to annoy me. The new one is already getting on my tits. Badly balanced see?
Paris in the spring is quite frankly...well just beautiful. Fucking LOVE that town. The sun was out. It was warm...all I'm missing is my girl.
The gig was great too. Bit of a come down from all the razzmatazz of the big shows in the UK. Great crowd...some people actually flew in from The Lebanon especially for it, which was nice.
Still got this bloody cold. It's starting to feel more like a chest infection now though. It's beginning to piss me off. Good job Nancy is coming to Milan with some antibiotics...gotta clear this shit up once and for all.
Now I'm not sure what happened after that to be honest. I know I'm currently in Milan. Its been fucking wonderful...it always is.
It's fair to say The Italians love me and long may that continue 'cause I love them right back...the beautiful bastards.
The gig was amazing, the kind of gig you'd never want to end. Easily my favourite so far. I would go into greater detail but I'll freely admit I'm suffering with a raging hangover.
Nancy did arrive with the medication but she was cracking foxy and we somehow managed to get roaring drunk instead. I guess the meds can wait until tomorrow eh?
I'm fucked...can't believe I now have to go and do some live Italian TV?!
Keep it livid yeah?
On Friday 27th March, Noel Gallagher will take to the stage at an exclusive South East London venue to perform an intimate gig for fans and Absolute Radio listeners.
You can’t buy tickets, you can only win them. If you want in, simply sign up here.
You have until Monday 16th March, 5pm GMT to enter.
The winners will be notified between Tuesday 17th March and Friday 20th!
The event is 18+ only.
Check out the current collection and offers from Pretty Green here.
BBC Radio 6 Music
Sunday 15th March at 13:00 (UK Time)
Listen live here.
Everyone knows the story. As the creative force behind Oasis, Noel Gallagher changed the face of British music. Their sound and his songs swept the nation up in their wake and helped inspire a whole genre, but will far outlive the world of Britpop that they helped define.
Now, as he prepares to release his second solo album Chasing Yesterday, Noel sits down for a special interview with Matt Everitt to kick off the new season of The First Time. Here Noel talks about his very first exposure to music (Country and Irish bands like Dermot Hegarty and Big Tom and The Mainliners as it happens) and how the anthems of the football terraces inspired his childhood.
He also chats about the impact of The Sex Pistols, The Dammed, Leo Sayer (honestly) and his passion for the holy trinity of The Smiths, The Stone Roses and The Jam (and he may well mention The Beatles)
He also looks back on the very first Oasis rehearsal ("Mindblowing") and gig ("Great"), the difficult birth of their debut album Definitely Maybe and the all important issues of what length your guitar strap should be. There's also his memories of meeting Paul McCartney (they shared a meditation bubble), what it's like becoming so famous that when you get a haircut it ends up on the front pages of the tabloids ("the whole business is one huge joke") as well as his realization that Oasis had come to the end of the road and his feelings about stepping up to become a solo artist.
And, as you would expect, he's as charismatic, honest and funny as ever.
Check out the current collection and offers from Pretty Green here.
Below is the setlist from yesterdays Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds concert in Milan.
Do The Damage
Stranded On The Wrong Beach
Everybody's On The Run
Fade Away
In The Heat Of The Moment
Lock All The Doors
Riverman
The Death Of You And Me
You Know We Can't Go Back
Champagne Supernova
The Ballad Of The Mighty I
Dream On
The Dying Of The Light
The Mexican
AKA... Broken Arrow
Digsy's Dinner
If I Had A Gun
Don't Look Back In Anger
AKA... What A Life!
The Masterplan
Check out the current collection and offers from Pretty Green here