The Hot Seat: Liam Gallagher of Oasis

So you guys have a different line-up these days. Do you still talk to Bonehead?

No, not really, but I see him every now and again, maybe once in a couple of years at a gig or summat, but he’s all right, he’s cool.

You don’t call each other up and hang out?

Nah, but then I never called him up when he was in the band, either.

Tell me a bit about your new clothing line, Pretty Green.

Well, just makin’ some clothes. Fancied a change, doing somethin’ different. They’re going to be out in June, I think. I find it hard when we come off the road from touring and I don’t like sitting around doing nothing, so depending on whether we do another record or not – or do one straightaway – I like to keep my mind off that. I don’t want to sit at home for four years waiting for the next album to come out. If people like it, they like it. If people don’t, they don’t.

I don’t think many people pegged you as a fashion-line kind of guy.

I was gonna do it in the ’90s, but I was too busy caning it. It’s the same type of thing as the music – if you like it, then buy it. If you don’t, then don’t. We’re not gonna be forcing it on anyone, you know what I mean? 

(credit: Katie Ackerman)

Do you guys have plans to do another Free Tibet gig?

Sure, why not.

Do you find it hard playing in countries with major language barriers?

No I don’t, because that’s what the music’s about, innit? It’s all about the music – I think that’s pretty cool. Music is powerful, it says what it wants to say in all languages. Melody speaks all languages.

You guys had a really interesting way of promoting your new album – you got buskers in New York to play your new songs. What was that like?

It was all to do with Noel really, I didn’t know that much about it. We had some New Yorker buskers playing the tunes. The interviews were good and interesting, especially with the hangover from hell.

Speaking of Noel, some of your fans like to do the s**t-stirring ‘Noel vs Liam’ chant at your concerts. How do you deal with that?

Nah, hecklers don’t p**s me off. I’m too busy concentrating on the next song, remembering the words and such. I don’t get p**sed off.

Liam Gallagher (credit: Katie Ackerman)

Do you talk much when you’re recording?

Nah, not at all. We only speak when it’s got to do with the album, like if there’s a problem with it we’ll have a debate about it, but that just takes about five minutes, you know what I mean?

The Beatles are obviously a great influence on you, and recently there’s been a ton of Beatles merchandising going on – films about John Lennon, Rock Band video games and stuff. Is Oasis planning on going down a similar path?

I don’t know, you’d have to ask my manager.

You’re not into the whole Guitar Hero thing?

Nah. Played it once.

Didn’t like it?

Nah. It was rubbish.

Oasis Concert at the Singapore Indoor Stadium (credit: Katie Ackerman)

When was the last time you were really starstruck?

Hmm. The last time I was starstruck, there was this programme on in the ’80s called One Summer and it was about two lads from Liverpool who run away to Wales. I hadn’t seen it for ages, and I started watching it again. And the geezer that was in it, called Billy, his kid goes to my kid’s school. I saw him and I was like ‘F***, it’s him. That’s pretty cool.’ I was sort of starstruck then.

Have you ever thought about making a documentary about Oasis? Spinal Tap-style, but not quite?

I don’t like films and videos and such. I just want to do the tunes.

What if somebody followed you around taping what you did?

It’d do my head in. Sometimes I do watch a bit of The X Factor and stuff.

Ah, Simon Cowell. What do you think of reality shows?

He’s a f***ing idiot. I like that he’s honest, but he’s an idiot, and that’s the way he is. Everything he says I sort of agree with, but maybe that makes me a f***ing idiot as well.

Marry, shag or kill: Chris Martin, Bono, Damon Albarn.

Shag ’em all!