The former Oasis singer partners with another Manchester rock legend, guitarist John Squire, in an album wrapped in nostalgia.
He’s one of the few rock stars still active, a generational hero and irreverent. Although he has toned down some of the cockiness he displayed in the wild years of Oasis, he remains an unpredictable figure who says he has never listened to reggaeton and does not identify with Britpop. The voice behind Live Forever and Wonderwall continues with his psychedelic parka and respect for the classics, especially for John Squire, the former guitarist of Stone Roses, with whom he is releasing a new album today: Liam Gallagher & John Squire.
Oasis burst onto the scene in the ’90s, competing with bands like Blur, with some of the most celebrated albums in rock history and songs that became generational anthems. Controversy followed brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher from the beginning. The band’s level and its releases declined as the two brothers drifted apart. Now, 30 years after their debut release, fans can still enjoy them separately.
This is their first album together, but not their first collaboration. What has this experience been like and what do you expect from this work?
The experience has been very, very incredible. Very pleasant, endearing and I hope people really enjoy the album. It’s uplifting. It’s a good record. I think people are going to love it, really like it a lot.
You’ve said the first Stone Roses concert changed your life. What was it like working with an idol?
Yes, it’s incredible. I’m really a big fan of John, so making an album with John is amazing. Seeing Stone Roses changed my life, put me on the right path. Without them, I think I wouldn’t be here today, wouldn’t have been in Oasis, wouldn’t have had this life. Music changed my life and gave me a purpose. I went to that concert not really knowing who I was and came out knowing who I was and what I wanted to do in life. So, eternal respect.
You’ve said this album is the best since the Beatles’ Revolver…
Yes, I’ll tell you something, it’s better than all of the Beatles’ songs put together and all their albums. Just kidding. What I meant was, obviously that day I was being arrogant, is that it’s the fucking business. What I mean is that it’s up there. Right up there.
John Squire. Well, I don’t have as much confidence as Liam and I’m much more self-critical. I love the statement because I think it’s a great quote, but I don’t agree.
Do you consider yourselves legends or icons of Britpop?
I actually don’t buy into the whole Britpop thing. Although we were lumped into it, I don’t think we were, unlike Blur, Pulp, and many of the bands from Camden. Maybe we’re wrong, but I always felt we had a more classic sound, not as frenetic as the Britpop crowd. I think we were on the edge. We saw it from a different perspective, we were more in line with the Roses, the Stones, the Kinks, the Who…
Do you have a concert planned in Spain on your tour?
I think we’re going to do something towards the end of the year.
Are you going to play Oasis or Stone Roses songs together?
I think it would be a bit schizophrenic to jump from Oasis to this new album and then to the Roses and back. I’m sure people would love it, but it would be fucking crazy.
Do you think with this album you can attract a younger audience than your old fans?
Yes, definitely. I know because I talk to people on social media and it’s young people, and there are many who like this type of music. This is necessary, for the energy of the concert. Because we’re older, and the audience our age doesn’t bring anything to the front rows. We’re at the back drinking and eating fish and chips. So what you want is for the young ones down there to have a fucking great time and then hang out with the older ones at the back.
