Noel Gallagher Appreciation Thread

First two are from a soundcheck in Hong Kong on the 2009 tour. Soundcheck ones sound like a mixture of Headshrinker, the live Champagne Supernova outro and Paul Weller’s “Changing Man”. Last one is leaked from the album.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RWpbZEmrE8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-G69tv0OmDc&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUgor468qNE&feature=related

SHANNONSIDER · September 11, 2011, 1:41am

Noel is making really dreadful music at the moment unfortunately. Is he even up to being a session guitarist for The Rutles these days? As for Liam, you’d hear more cutting edge sounds upstairs in Sweeneys from a spotty kid wearing a Ramones t-shirt. HIs unhealthy, banal obsession with The Beatles has led to musical wankrupcy

cluaindiuic · October 18, 2011, 12:47pm

Any of ye listen to his new album yet?
I’m on my second listen. Some good stuff on there.

Also, if anyone hears of anyone selling a ticket to him next week PM me please.

myboyblue · October 20, 2011, 8:43am

Yep, given it a full listen through there this morning. Some very good stuff on it. Great to see him back to his best.

myboyblue · October 20, 2011, 3:27pm

What a guy

Noel Gallagher, promoting his new solo album, sat down with UK magazine The Shortlist this week.
He was in good form.
You’ve said recently that you’re apprehensive about performing live as a solo artist. Why is that?
“I know I can do it — I’m just anxious about what people will expect. It’s inevitably going to be compared to Oasis and I don’t mind that, but Oasis had two frontmen, me and Liam, and now there’s just one. And I’m not really a frontman — I’m a backing vocalist. At Oasis gigs, I would sing one in every six songs — to give Liam’s voice a rest, the poor flower — and that was always a nice change. I just hope people are prepared for me singing for an hour and a half. But I’m trying to get it out of everyone’s heads that I left the band to ‘go solo’. That’s not my preferred explanation for why I’m doing this.”
What is your preferred explanation?
“I’ve got fck all better to do. Seriously, I don’t see it as a career. I’ve never wanted to be a solo artist — I’d still rather be in a band. But you can’t start another band after you’ve been in Oasis. What’s the point? It’s just fcking ludicrous. I’m doing this because I’m a songwriter and I make records. I’m not going out there to prove anything to anybody.”
Liam told ShortList that when people hear your new material, “there’ll be one thing missing — me”. How do you respond to that?
“If I was playing live and singing Rock’N’Roll Star and Some Might Say, then people would be thinking, “There’s something missing.” But I’m not — I’m only singing the songs I’m famous for singing. And if people do miss Liam, I’ll bring a little cardboard cut-out of him — a tiny, dwarf-sized one — put a spotlight on it and go, “There he is. Remember him?”
So an Oasis reunion is still the furthest thing from your mind right now?
“Liam has said he’d never do it, so I don’t need to add anything more to that.”
Have you been working on honing your ‘frontman’ skills?
“Well, I’m rooted to the spot because I play guitar. So I won’t be busting any moves on the mic [laughs]. And I hate audience participation in any form. I cringe when I see these bands doing all that “Everybody over here get your hands up!” sht. Fck off. I’m not arsed where I am or even why you lot [the audience] are here. I’ve made a record, you’ve come to see me play it live. The end. Now buy a T-shirt on the way out and fck off.”
Did you get other bands trying to recruit you after Oasis split? There were rumours that Kasabian asked you to join…
“No, that’s nonsense, and I would’ve joined that band in a heartbeat, by the way. But they never asked. I never really got calls off anyone. I never had Bono phoning me, saying, “I’ve always thought The Edge could do with some back-up.” [Laughs] So, if you’re reading this and you’re in a band that sells in excess of 15 to 20 million albums and you need a rhythm guitarist, then… [Coughs and points to himself]. I do interviews, the odd photoshoot, I’m a good laugh and I run a tight tour bus. There you go [laughs].”
Have you seen Beady Eye perform live yet?
“I’ve seen them on telly. I couldn’t walk into one of their gigs, though, could I? I’d just get fcking hassled.”
Do you feel that you’ve got more freedom to experiment now you’re on your own?
I don’t know. I mean, I’m not one for hearing a Trojan Records 7in and suddenly thinking, “Right, it’s reggae time.” I make music that comes from my soul. I’m not like Damon Albarn, who can seemingly turn his hand to any fcking thing he wants to. I have certain parameters.
You’re not planning a gangsta rap reinvention any time, then?
[Laughs] Well, you never know. I’ve always thought there was a bit of gangsta sht to my music, and what better time to go gangsta than when you’re 44 years old? [Laughs] I could give Dizzee Rascal a run for his fcking money.
You mentioned Damon Albarn — have you seen him since the days of your Britpop feud?
Funnily enough, when I was out last night, I bumped into him. I literally haven’t seen the guy for 15 fcking years and I bump into him in some club. We both went, “Hey! Fcking hell!” and then he said, “Come on, let’s go for a beer.” So, we’re sitting there, having a beer, just going, “What the fck was all that about 15 years ago? That was mental.” Then he said, “It was a great time, though,” and I was like, “Yeah, it was a fcking good laugh.” It was cool, man.
So, there was no animosity between you? You’ve exchanged some harsh words over the years…
Look, like I said to him last night, you can say that you respect someone as an artist a thousand times and it will never get reported. But you call someone a cnt once… you know? And it still rings true today. I lose count of the number of times I’ve had to say about Jay-Z, “Look, hang on a minute here…” and it never gets fcking printed. But I don’t mind. I can live with that.
What’s your wildest memory of those early years of fame?
Ewan McGregor was my neighbour, right, and he came round my house the night he got the part of Obi-Wan Kenobi. I just happened to have two of those lightsaber toys, so I said, “Come on — in the back garden.” And we had a fcking lightsaber fight. His first Jedi training session was with yours truly in my back garden at eight in the morning.
That’s brilliant. But we were expecting an answer about drugs and booze, rather than lightsabers…
“Oh, I can give you those anecdotes as well. But to me, having all those actors and fashion people round my house, hoofing up mountains of gear… I never took it seriously. I just thought, “This is a fcking ball.” I remember one night round mine, mountains of drugs everywhere, and a bloke came round to deliver a load of pizzas. We kept him there for hours [laughs]. We were like, “Come on, one more drink!” He had the fcking greatest night ever. I thoroughly enjoyed those days, but then, one day in 1998, I said, “Everybody out.” And that was it. It was a moment of clarity. You can’t keep having the same fcking conversation in your kitchen about the Pyramids and David Icke and all that sht. Imagine if I was 44and still turning up here like fcking Pete Doherty. I wouldn’t have much respect for myself.”
As a Manchester City fan, are you enjoying the antics of Mario Balotelli?
“I absolutely love him. Football needs players like him because most footballers are basically squares, and he’s not. He’s got something about him. He’s a total fcking rock’n’roller. His hairdo is unbelievable. I love him and if I ever meet him, I’ll kiss him. On the fcking face.”
Did you give Russell Brand some stick when West Ham got relegated last season?
“Of course. I’m good at kicking a man when he’s down [laughs]. I’m constantly on the phone to Russell, saying, “We’re away at Chelsea today. Who are you playing? Oh, yeah, that’s right — fcking Newport.”
You’ve just started getting the Tube in London — do you get hassled by fans?
“I see the odd cameraphone coming out. And I always get this: “Excuse me, mate, are you Liam Gallagher?” Fck’s sake. Sometimes, even when they ask me, I say no, and they’re like, “You don’t half look like him.” For all you budding famous people out there, the key is to keep a straight face. “Are you Noel Gallagher, mate?” “Nope.” “Are you sure?” “Yep.”
Do you ever get people pleading with you to reform Oasis?
“I get people who say, “You should really make up with your brother.” I go, “Why’s that?” “For your mother’s sake.” What the fck’s it got to do with her? You don’t know Liam, you don’t know me, so fck off.”
Liam’s got his Pretty Green clothing line — do you have any non-musical projects in the pipeline?
“No, because I really enjoy my spare time. And I’ve got three kids. I can’t be coming off tour after two years and then leaving again a week later, saying, “I’ve got to go to Sri Lanka to source material for some socks I’m designing.” There’s football to watch. I’ve got my first ever pet — a cat. I’ve got to get to know this cat.”
What’s the cat called?
“Well, I didn’t name him. Let’s get that straight. My four-year-old named him Boots. Not after the chemist, obviously. Although, if he’d named him Superdrug, that would’ve been fcking brilliant. Anyway, I don’t know why he’s called Boots and I didn’t think I’d like him, but I fcking love this cat. I fcking love him. I keep telling him, “I fcking love you.”
You famously visited 10 Downing Street in the Nineties. What are your thoughts on the coalition?
“This lot now — Labour, Conservatives, Lib Dems — they’re all the same, all full of sht. They’ve got nothing to offer any more. Particularly with this financial crisis that they oversaw and won’t do anything about. I wasn’t even going to vote in the last election, but I looked down the list [of candidates] and there was a guy standing for The Pirate Party. His manifesto was, “Everyone should dress like a pirate,” and I thought, “You know what? The world would be a better fcking place if everyone dressed like a pirate.” Because, really, is there anything cooler than a pirate? Keith Richards is one and that’ll fcking do me.”
You recently turned down the opportunity to be an X Factor judge. Was there any part of you that was a little bit tempted?
“If they’d asked me to do one show, I might have done it. Just so I could put everybody through — every midget, dwarf, obese fckwit, the lot — to the next round. “You’ve all got the fcking X Factor!” [Laughs] But they wanted me for the full series, and I was like, “You mean I’d have them coming round my house?” No way. I’d have people crying on my couch while I’m telling them, [adopts serious, sombre voice] “It’s been the toughest decision I’ve ever had to make — the Knebworth set list was nothing on this — but… [dramatic pause] You’re in my final four! Now, go and my mow my lawn, you fat cnt.” [Laughs]”
How did Simon Cowell try to sell the role to you?
“He called me up personally and said, “We need an alpha male.” But I just told him, “You do not want me on that fcking show, mate.” Simon’s all right, you know. I tell people that and they’re horrified, but it’s true. If the music business was full of people like him, it would be a better place because he’s real — he’s not a bullshtter. He’s not pretending he’s going home every night listening to The White Stripes. I know people in the music business who are pretending to do that, and it’s like, “You’re into fcking Hall & Oates. Fck off.”
Your 11-year-old daughter must have been mortified that you turned down Cowell’s offer…
“Oh, she went ballistic. “Why won’t you do it, Dad? Why?” We were watching it the other night, and some fcking idiot was on, crying and that, and I said, “She’s sht.” My daughter said, “Well, if you were on the panel, you could’ve told her that, couldn’t you? But no. Too cool for The X Factor, aren’t you, Dad?” [Laughs] I was like, “Aren’t you supposed to be in fcking bed?”
How do you think Gary Barlow’s doing?
“He’s all right. I’ve met him a few times, and he’s a good lad. And it is a good show. Anyone who says they don’t watch it is a bullshtter. I know for a fact that Paul Weller watches it.”
He told you that?
“We’ve never spoken about it, but his daughter told my daughter that he watches it with her. That’s fcking interesting, isn’t it? The ‘Modfather’ sitting around watching The X Factor. It’s an endearing image, that [laughs].”
Are you a fan of Lady Gaga?
“I’ve had her album on round my house. My 11-year-old daughter’s bang into her, but it’s not for me, is it? A bird dressed in a suit made of meat? I’m 44 — I’m not supposed to get that. I’m sure she’s not beavering away in a Manhattan loft right now, thinking, “I’ve got to fcking turn these 44-year-old dads on to some crazy sht.” I’ve got nothing against her, though. She’s not as good as Madonna, but then not many people are.”
Have you had any similar offers from other TV shows? You haven’t been asked on I’m A Celebrity… or anything?
“If I have, it hasn’t got back to me. But if I was a washed-up celebrity and I needed £60k in a hurry, I’d fcking do it. I wouldn’t be shy about it — I’d say, “I’m here because I’m fcking skint.” Luckily for me, I’m not skint. But if Oasis hadn’t been as successful — if we were the equivalent of Razorlight, or someone — I’d do it in a fcking heartbeat. If you can make £60k by hanging out in a jungle, why not?”
Well, you’d probably have to eat a kangaroo’s penis at some point…
“That’s all right. We’ve all had a kangaroo’s cck in our mouth. We’ve all been to that after-show party [laughs].”
Finally, did you apply for any 2012 Olympics tickets?
“No, my friends at adidas will sort me out. I wouldn’t mind taking the kids to the opening ceremony. That will be spectacular. Other than that, the 100m final could be good. Usain Bolt will smash it.”
Bolt’s a big Manchester United fan, of course…
“Yeah. Well, there’s a little bit of c*nt in everyone, I suppose [laughs].”

Sidney · October 20, 2011, 3:45pm

Next stop University Challenge.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBrETIgviR8