Gem: nobody's got any identity. Liam: we're real. If you're passionate, nobody can touch you

BOCHUM - Even with a crackly phone line, 9,000 kilometres and a heavy Manchester accent between us, Liam Gallagher is making himself very clear indeed. Mind you, the 38-year-old Beady Eye frontman has always been an advocate of the direct-as-a-slap-in-the-chops approach – a reputation that’s repeatedly seen him labelled as the most outspoken man in music during his 20 year career. And what a career it’s been.

As a founding member of a little band called Oasis, by the turn of the century Liam had his name on the credits of some of the most iconic rock anthems of the modern era. The band claimed the UK number one spot with each and every one of their seven studio albums (1995 breakthrough record (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? remains the third biggest-selling album of all time in their home country) and hoovered up awards from anyone with balls enough to put Liam on the guest list.

But of course, the music has only ever been half the story. For every tabloid inch dedicated to gushing praise for Liam’s latest single, you could count on a good newspaper-and-a-half’s worth of snarky gossip columns chronicling his infamous off-stage exploits. Not that he’s ever been one to shy away from the press – after all, anyone who spars with the paparazzi on the streets of Soho, lets off a fire extinguisher in the face of footballer Paul Gascoigne and publicly baits members of rival bands should expect a little attention. Above all others though, the biggest spats – the ones that really got the showbiz writers rubbing their palms together with glee – involved band-mate and big brother Noel, with whom Liam fell out on a seemingly weekly basis.

As if it were ever in doubt, it was Liam’s fractious alliance with his own flesh and blood that eventually brought about Oasis’ demise. Following a backstage fight during Paris’ Rock en Seine festival on August 28, 2009, the brothers’ relationship – and the band – was over for good, with Noel announcing the same evening that he ‘simply could not go on working with Liam a day longer.’

While Noel took some time out, Liam’s response was more immediate, starting Beady Eye just two months later with former Oasis men Gem Archer and Andy Bell, with former Lightning Seeds sticksman Chris Sharrock handed drumming duties. An album followed in February this year, the very Oasis-y Different Gear, Still Speeding earning mostly positive praise from the critics.

In the words of one of Liam’s biggest icons, then, it’s been a long and winding road. Still, as he’s extremely keen to convey from his hotel room in the German city of Bochum – the launch pad for Beady Eye’s first ever world tour – rock’n’roll’s perma-swaggering, swear-happy superstar is feeling just as confident as ever...

Liam Gallagher: Yeah that’s right, I’ve got the confidence. And it’s not arrogance, it’s confidence. I’m glad you picked up on that. It’s not really even about confidence, it’s about passion. I’ll go toe-to-toe with John Lennon, Elvis Presley, any of the cunts, know what I mean? We’re just as passionate as what they were. And if you are, then no one can touch you, can they?

You played a benefit gig in London and released a Beatles cover for the Japanese earthquake relief fund. Do you feel a special connection with the country?

Liam: Yeah, love Japan, you know what I mean, I’ve always had a great time when I’ve gone there, the people are amazing, definitely made of the right stuff. And it’s not just because Oasis or Beady Eye have been successful over there, I just dig the people, know what I mean, everyone’s just cool. So being in a band when that stuff happened, we were ready to go and ready to help out. It was more than raising money, know what I mean, it was just showing people that we’re thinking of them. But that was one of the best nights, musically, for me, ever. I know it was under shit circumstances, but all the people there in that room. It was mega, man. Just a mega night, and I’m glad I was there and witnessed it and felt it and it was top.

Isn’t being on tour a bit draining?

Gem Archer: No way. It’s invigorating.

Liam: I tell you what you’re gonna see, you’re gonna see a bit of realism when you see Beady Eye. This is how we are, we don’t turn it on then become different people when we walk off the stage – this is how we are. No filler, straight in-yer-face rock’n’roll music, no jumping around the stage like bitches, you know what I mean – it is what it is.

Is there a different dynamic on stage, compared with the Oasis days?

Liam: There is a different vibe, but I wouldn’t want to be pointing it out, know what I mean, that’s for other people to do. But we’re equally as into it as we were when we were Oasis. Difference is that now we feel like the underdogs and I like that, know what I mean? With Oasis it got to a stage when we were always the main fuckin’ act. Now we’re the underdogs and it’s cool.

So you’re enjoying having something to prove?

Liam: Yep. Yyyep. Without a doubt. Without a doubt, I fuckin’ love it. If we could fuckin’ stay like that for the rest of my life I’d be fuckin’ happy as Larry man, know what I mean? But we move on, don’t we? So the new album will be better, it has to be and it will be, and I think we’ll move on and progress to be a headline act. Which will be great, but then all the fun goes out of it then, know what I mean? You have nowhere to go, know what I mean?

So you’re not looking forward to the success?

Gem: Well yeah, we are, but I mean we still did small gigs with Oasis. It wasn’t always stadiums, you know? We haven’t got that yearning, which a lot of bands have, for stadiums and arenas. It’s kind of like, we’ve done all that and we’re still here and we still get off on the same things.

Liam: When you’re a headline act it doesn’t matter who you are, you’re the main fuckin’ talking point. But I’ve seen some support acts that have absolute fuckin’ ripped them to pieces, and hopefully that’s what we’re doing.

And is the new album still on the cards for later this year?

Liam: Without a doubt, mate. That’s what we joined the band for, to keep making music. Without a fucking doubt mate. Without a doubt. And it’ll be a beauty. 

Are there any new influences for us to listen out for?

Gem: We’re getting the ideas together at the minute. We’ll see how it sounds when we get into the studio, but we’re not listening to anything out of the ordinary. It’s not gonna be a reggae album. And it certainly ain’t gonna be a dance record. It’s just gonna be great crafted rock’n’roll. It’s gonna be another great rock’n’roll album.

Any bands around at the moment that you’re taking inspiration from?

Liam: Not really, to be quite honest. I like Miles Kane, I think he’s doing a good job. He’s a young lad and I think he’s gonna be mega. But to be brutally honest, and I’m not being a bitch about this, but there isn’t anyone really. And if there was, believe you me I’d be shouting it from the rooftops, but there isn’t.
Gem: There’s no one really setting the world on fire, no one’s got any identity. The minute you start getting into a band, they start changing their whole bloody identity, you know what I mean? And that’s not what it’s about. Everyone’s just moving too fast, man.

What do you make of all these bands that are getting back together after years and years apart?

Gem: Initially I thought, ‘good for them.’ I suppose it’s when it all becomes not about the music and it’s all about quick fuckin’ smash-and-grab stuff.

Liam: It’s all about fuckin’ paying the bills and it’s taking the magic out of the music and what you joined the band for. They fucking shouldn’t have split up in the first place. I know people don’t get on and all that, but getting back together because one of them’s fuckin’ skint and one of them’s a DJ, it’s like giving fuckin’ music a bad fuckin’ name. Splitting up to get back together to make some fuckin’ money, it’s like fuckin’ sort it out man. It’s all bollocks in my book.

Gem: All very Machiavellian.

What about Noel – have you heard his new single, ‘The Death of You and Me’?

Liam: Heard it? I’ve fuckin’ sang on it. Not actually on that one, but on most of them. Noel Gallagher’s a great songwriter, there’s no questioning that he’s gonna make a great album and people will like it. Some people won’t like it. Same thing with us, you know what I mean. But I’d rather him make music than not make music.

Would you be worried releasing an album alongside your brother?

Liam: Listen mate, The Beatles get back to-fuckin’-gether tomorrow and I wouldn’t be worried. And Led Zeppelin. I know Beady Eye’s potential. Talk is cheap and all that bollocks, you know what I mean, but we know what we’ve got up our fuckin’ sleeves man. I wouldn’t put an album out if I didn’t think we could stand up against any cunt, let alone Noel Gallagher. So yeah, I’ll go toe-to-toe with anyone. Musically, physically, mentically... uh y’know... mentally – anything. Without a doubt yeah, fuckin’ right.

Fair enough. Music aside, we understand you’re also making a name for yourself as a fashion designer. How did you feel about the rioters in Manchester targeting Pretty Green – the label you design for? Did you take it personally?

Liam: I don’t think it was personal, no. Everyone got hit, didn’t they. The main thing is that no one got hurt, and that works for Pretty Green. The gaff didn’t get burnt down, we’re insured. They’re only clothes, know what I mean. I wouldn’t want it to be happening on a weekly basis, but yeah man, everything’s been taken care of.

You didn’t fancy trying to defend the place?

Liam: What, stand there with a baseball bat? I don’t think that would’ve been wise, would it? They only would’ve fuckin’ pinched it anyway and ran off!

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from Zani: interview with Liam

BOCHUM - Beady Eye roll into town, and with that...the frontman of our generation, Mr Liam Gallagher. The rest of the band are soundchecking, as I'm led into a small tent backstage. In the tent is Steve Allen, Liam's right hand man, and sitting on the black leather sofa, Mr Rock 'n' Roll...Liam Gallagher.
The guy just emits coolness, sits there strumming his guitar, Pretty Green camo coat zipped right up, despite the 30 degree heat. Cutler And Gross shades on and a Lennonesqe hat..."Alright man, how are you?" he says.
Oasis is over, Beady Eye are now.
I ask Liam, "What did you take from Oasis into Beady Eye, concerning everything to do with a band?" "Well, I didn't really get involved with Oasis; Noel had a vision, sometimes it worked, and sometimes it didn't...But with Beady Eye, we are all involved...and that's how all bands should be, man. Without a doubt. We had our three major songs that we wanted to go with – Bring the Light, Four Letter Word and The Roller. After that, it could have been anything. We could have put anything out, but that's it now. No other singles... done. An EP was planned for the end of the year, but that's been put back no, and something else has come up," he tells me. "So, we've got Reading and Leeds, and then I'm off to Canada for a few days with the wife, and then off to Japan, come back, tour mainland Europe, maybe do a small British tour, and then America, break over Christmas, and then straight into the studio to start on the second album.
The band started touring in March and have covered Europe, America and Japan in that time, but what about Abu Dhabi in September... was that a band or management decision?
"Well, we were asked to play there, and thought, 'fuck it, why not?' It's not the sort of place I would go to on my holidays, but it will be just like any other gig man, we get these offers, but it's not the management, they don't tell us what to do. The band have played at a number of festivals this summer with T In The Park being really good, proper gig that, and Belsonic being fuckin' mega, but T In the Park seems to be the Number One festival."
Being a music freak, I ask Liam: "What sort of stuff are you listening to at the moment?"… "Just the usual, man... John Lennon, The Beatles, The Kinks, The Who and The Stones... I don't really listen to anything new, I don't really listen to music to be quite fuckin' honest... too busy trying to fuckin' make it." he says laughing.
Oasis did some great covers, and so the questions, "What song would you love to wrap your vocals around?" had to be asked. "Well, nothing jumps out, but we did 'Across The Universe', and I've always wanted to do that."I then chucked, "We Love You" from The Stones into the mix, a song Oasis were rehearsing before the Dig Out Your Soul tour. "Yep, done that, done a cover version of that, that sounds fuckin' great, and is ready to go anything... God, forgot all about that... should have done it with Oasis, but shit happens."
We then talk about his children ("Gene, great drummer, in a little band at school, and Lennon, plays a bit of guitar, and thinks himself a bit of a singer, but they're both into it"), Pretty Green ("It's all go man, got some top stuff coming out"), and the Bochum Festival ("This seems to be the quietest festival ever, what are they doing out there?" I tell him, "mainly eating"..."Eating. Fuckin' hell.")
Now, any great rock star needs a great haircut, that's just part and parcel of being Mr Rock 'n' Roll, so.. the burning question: "Any tips on good hair?" "Nuts. Yeah, nuts apparently. Walnuts, shit like that – not geezers' nuts, not gonna put them in my mouth, but... anyway, you have good hair, nothing wrong with it." But with that thought, I think I will get some nuts anyway; you've got to have good hair.
8.25pm, and 'I Am The Resurrection' From The Stone Roses is blaring out. Liam does a bit of stretching, swaggers around a bit, all ready to rock and roll. 'Yellow Tail' then kicks in, and the band, led by Liam, move on to the stage, the crow erupts... Mr Rock 'n' Roll is here.
"Evening" Another swagger, he signals to the sound engineer to shove his vocals up to 11. "We're Beady Eye, and this is Four Letter Word". He then does the swagger to the mic, and then moves back again, swaggers forward and then attacks the mic, with a voice that just blows away any other rock star's voice out there... and there we have it, another night, another city, and Liam being Mr Rock 'n' Roll. The crowd's eyes are transfixed on his movements across the stage, and oblivious to the other members... Bring the Light and Wigwam are the two stand-out songs for the night, Wigwam sounding so much better live than on the record. And as quick as a flash, it's over, one hour and the band are off stage, ready for another day.

Liam Gallagher – A proper rock and roll star. And there are not many around.

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Kooks in London, Liam in Como

COMO - I have other passes, this time for the fooking Kooks (London, 28 September, special gig for Q Magazine anniversary). We used to hate them 2 years ago today on August 30 when Oasis had to perform their last gig ever (but at least there were also the good Kasabian and we had fun with them). Let me know if you're interested. 

1st September there's a friendly, Como vs AC Milan. Let's see if we can take Liam there, as he's at his beloved lake Como (and beloved restaurant), before leaving for Asia. Come to Como, Liam.

Lake of the biggest Italian love story, "the betrothed", with happy ending - unlike Romeo&Juliet in Italy, unhappy ending (that's for Noel's songs).

It seems that finally the Serie A league kicks off (after the footballers' STRIKE... incredible, they work too much...), the first game is good, AC Milan-Lazio on Friday 9 September (because they have to play in Barcelona on 13), the other games on 10 and 11.

Tomorrow 31 August at 7pm is the end of the transfers window. Probably nothing is gonna happen but tonight someone has seen Balotelli & Gattuso together... what a couple :)

If you click on Balotelli on the official site, tonight while I'm writing he's the only one with unavailable profile... hmm... (but then: available)

Noooo, breaking news: the great El Shaarawy on loan from AC Milan to Genoa (but then: he stays). Milan needed a player even before, now even more... Mario closer to Milan, it's a pity if he stays @ City without playing.

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Oasis haters, Liam says it's not over yet, slow Ireland with tv people as politicians

LONDON - Sorry for my mistakes in English, do I seem drunk? lol Then it's appropriate for Oasis :)
Beady Eye sweet fans sent me ons of messages telling me to "live forever" :)
Liam said he won't reform Oasis for haters and would rather continue with his new band Beady Eye. Some days ago I was writing about haters towards Pretty Green. Against Liam and Noel, Oasis in general, haters are really boring. Sometimes they are Noel's fans against Liam, who call their favourite the "more talented brother"... oh he's very talented in telling lies... Liam wouldn't insist as he's doing, if he wasn't sure he's telling the truth.

The NME poll I was posting yesterday, of course only stupid bands for little kids could win, saying a lot about how music got worse nowadays. They know so few about music, also because they're too young and missed a lot. I wasn't born at the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, etc. times, but bands like those were more important than Oasis in music history. Oasis were more important than these shitty bands of today. Just accept it.
All the people insult Liam (who is one of the very few real rockstars around) and idolise terrible bands because the Gallaghers slagged them in the past... When there are news about other bands on the websites, I don't go insulting them and their fans, I don't even care. Why should I give them importance if I'm not interested. If I don't like someone, I ignore them. But these people suffer from inferiority complexes. Talking about them I'm even making them more important than what they really are. They don't even know anything about the Gallaghers, they're gullible people who only read what tabloids write. I'd like to see all the people insulting Liam in front of him... they can only do it hidden behind a computer. Who would want to be those haters, it must be a really sad living...They continue, always repeating the same things.

Liam has confirmed that his dispute with Noel over the circumstances surrounding the break up of Oasis has yet to be resolved.
"It's not over yet. There are a few things which need to be sorted out. I didn't want this to happen. It's not nice suing your family but like I said, he was telling porkies for the sake of his mates and journalists to get a wise crack on me. If he listens to his lawyers and does the right thing then it'll be well and truly over. I never wanted it to happen but it has to happen."

About Beady Eye: "People are coming around to us slowly but surely. Some people are taking time to catch on. The Scottish got it, Ireland was a bit slow."

About Ireland, Noel said he’s prepared to enter the race for the Aras in October.
“Seven years living rent free in a big house in the park?” he reflects. “I’ll have a bit of fucking that!”
Well, we need somebody forthright and dynamic to run after Gay Byrne pulled out.
“What, the Late Late Show bloke? Seriously? That’s mad!”
Before throwing his hat into the ring, Noel ought to be aware that he might be up against Martin Sheen and his Dragon’s Den namesake Sean Gallagher.
“Do you have any proper politicians in Ireland or is just TV presenters and actors who get voted in? I was going to rehearse this afternoon, but I think I’ll work on my manifesto instead.”

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Button in Manchester

MANCHESTER - with Pirelli tyres from Milan :). "Really excited about Monza", -10 days to "still speeding" (by the way: Beady Eye's "Kill for a dream" says standing or staring at the deep blue sky? I think staring... standing wouldn't make a lot of sense. I used to write standing 'cause it was written everywhere)
photo from last weekend in Belgium

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2 years without Oasis

READING - August is time for anniversaries... 10-11 August, Knebworth 15 years ago. 18 August, first gig 20 years ago. 28 August, split 2 years ago. I got to know about the end from Alan The Discoverer :). The beginning is the end is the beginning. To me nothing really changed, and it seems just yesterday. The Gallaghers are still making music.

Liam Gallagher kept a Beady Eye on the crowd at Reading festival this weekend - as the audience rolled around in the mud.
The former Oasis singer and owner of clothing label Pretty Green took to the NME/Radio1 stage on Friday night to perform with his new band.
He wore an army print jacket complemented by his trademark hairdo.
His wife Nicole Appleton watched from the side of the stage with their son Gene, who wore huge headphones to protect his ears.
Welly-wearing revellers donned rain-macs to try and avoid the terrible weather.
But they didn't let the floods of water stop their fun.
Liam wrote on his Twitter: "Reading and Leeds, proper festivals, thanx to all the kids who stuck around to see beady eye you were amazing. Ps.... I want one of those tents... LG x

Vote 10 stars for Beady Eye and 1 star for the other bands lol, here
(of course only stupid bands for little kids can win, as they idolise musicians that the Gallaghers slagged in the past)

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Tottenham-Man City 1-5 five letter word

LONDON - And two weeks ago, the typical hater 'ipse dixit' said: "oh it's only Swansea". Quote to repeat 'ad libitum' during the season. Superbia in proelio (City fans speak Latin :).
City never played so well in 30 years.
FIVE letter word today ehehe...
Edin Dzeko hit FOUR goals as Manchester City led a stunning assault at White Hart Lane.
City humiliated Tottenham as Dzeko's super-show and Sergio Aguero's strike sealed a bumper away win.
Kaboul grabbed one back for Spurs (irregular goal) — but they were already four down. And it hardly mattered for the Eastlands men, who kept up their perfect start to the season.

Nasri made his debut with a great performance and was heavily booed with each touch by Tottenham fans as last season against AC Milan. Tottenham's are not very English fans... shame on them.
The Bosnian striker Dzeko said: "Last time I scored four goals was in Germany in a cup game against a Third Division side. To score four goals in the Premier League is fantastic." The first City player to score four in the Premier League.
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp reckoned City have a better squad than Champions League holders Barcelona (!)
-3 days to the end of the transfers window, Balotelli never playing could be for keeping him away from injuries 'cause they want to give him away. Same with Sneijder.

highlights videos

Belgium F1 race @ Spa: Hamilton crashed, oh that's new. As I repeat AGAIN and AGAIN: sack him.
Great race from Button as always, from 13th to 3rd, as he switches his overtaking mode: on.
Although Jenson had technical problems and team mistakes in some races, Hamilton is even behind him in the standings, so this says a lot about Lewis' disasters this season.

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Beady Eye @ Leeds festival

LEEDS - Beady Eye made their Leeds Festival debut, with fans coming out in praise for the show as soon as it was wrapped up. 

Liam Gallagher's band got a huge thumbs up from the big crowd, who turned out to see the former Oasis frontman make his first appearance at the festival in 11 years.
AJ Garthorpe, said: "It was a mega wasn't it? What did you expect though, it's Liam Gallagher. He's on the ball. I think he’s got more passion now and he's enjoying it more now than he was in Oasis.
Nick Daniel, 28, said: "I thought they were really good. They're quite similar to Oasis but I like their influences like Paul Weller. It's good to see Liam play on his own too. He's a good frontman and he carries the band. I'd rather go and see them than any other band here."
Some fans in the crowd said they thought Beady Eye's songs were better than Noel Gallagher's recent debut solo single The Death Of You And Me.
"I have to admit they’re better than what I’ve heard of Noel Gallagher so far. I'm not impressed with his single at all," said Adam Lea.
Becky Keoghan, 18, said she initially shunned Beady Eye because Noel wasn't in the band. But she changed her opinon after seeing them at Bramham Park tonight, saying: "I refused to listen to them at first because Noel wasn’t in the band but now that I've seen them I really like them."
Unlike during last night's gig in Reading, Liam kept quiet about his brother, keeping chat to a minimum as he rattled off songs from their debut album Different Gear, Still Speeding.
In a few days, Beady Eye begin their Asian tour (and in Japan again).

Other 10 photos from the Leeds&Reading festivals, as in the previous post.

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Beady Eye @ Reading festival: enthusiastic people

READING - You're looking good :), nice haircut. Some photos @ festivals, in the crowd there's also a very tall girl, lol. You can see more videos here (use an UK IP address), the people were enthusiastic. Haters/wankers/high flying turds at home on Twitter disliked. Tonight Leeds

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Formula 1 events

MONZA - Free practice on Friday, @ legendary Ascari. If it's the first time for you there, you'll be impressed by the noise and smell of fuel, food and suntan cream in the air.
Above is the usual party @ Hollywood Milano. There'll be also the usual "Formula One rocks Milan" (with Jamiroquai from Manchester playing at the stadium in Monza, last year Oasis' friends Stereophonics) and the afterparty @ Just Cavalli

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Noel: Oasis were macho, now love songs

LONDON - "I just never wanted to be a solo artist," he admits, stirring sugar into his Italian cappuccino. "I fucking loved being in Oasis. We were fucking great".
Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds is the Mancunian singer-songwriter's first solo album even though one was rumoured to be on the cards for years.
He explains: "I kept being asked by record labels about doing a solo album but I was happy in the band.
"Yes, I'd been writing songs because I am a songwriter but I didn't think they'd get heard. I thought about doing a solo project, y'know, bash out a few songs in the studio, do a few gigs but I wouldn't have done it at the expense of the group.
"Then at the end of the Dig Out Your Soul tour, I thought 'I'm going to do this solo thing' then go back to Oasis.

"But now it's not a band, it's my mates helping me out. I guess in a romantic vision of the future, I will gather together a solid line-up then drop the 'Noel Gallagher' to just be the High Flying Birds. But I might be 65 by then and I'll be more like a low-flying owl!"
"I guess this record is more in the spirit of what Oasis was in the beginning, on the first two albums, except it's me singing all the songs.
"Plus it's easier on your own. You get an idea, something happens, you book a studio, within a day you're in there. You can just get in there and think, 'Fuck I've made a dance tune.'" AKA... What A Life! a pounding dance track reminiscent of his collaborations with The Chemical Brothers.
"I asked Fatboy Slim to remix the song because I fucking love him," reveals Noel. "But he said he couldn't do anything with it as it's great.
"I was thinking of the piano from (classic dance track) Rhythim Is Rhythim's Strings Of Life. It was very acid house to begin with and so I was thinking of giving it to someone. I thought about Madonna then (Noel's wife) Sara said, "Don't be daft, Madonna won't sing it. When are you likely to see Madonna?" So that spoiled it.
"It took me back to the Hacienda where, for three years from 1988 to 1990, I practically lived. I loved it and I wanted something to remind me of it.
"But I still wasn't sure so I played it to our office and all the girls loved it. Once girls like it, you're on to a winner. The song's easily up there with the best things I've ever done." In Oasis, some of Noel's greatest songs were inspired by being young and going out, being on the dole then being a rock 'n' roll star.
He says: "It was amazing. I went from working with the Inspiral Carpets to Madchester then to Camden and Britpop. Then I'm at 10 Downing Street, thinking where the fuck is this going to end? Am I going to get a knighthood? Am I going to end up being the Pope? It was a relief when it all stopped.
"But fans grew up with us and inspirations changed. I was writing about being skint. I couldn't start writing about being wealthy or people would tell you to fuck off."
On the new album, Noel says his inspirations include love, hope and "finding your feet".
Noel says: "Oasis were a very macho rock band and you couldn't really sing songs about love [are you sure? Wonderwall, Songbird, She is love, etc. were love songs - Marco]. But I never shied away from writing those songs, they were just piling up. For If I Had a Gun, I'd like the listener to think about the person they love the most. It could be your mum, girlfriend or wife [one thing for sure: not your brother, and for me not my sister, lol - Marco].
"The only conscious decision I made to be different on this record was to release The Death Of You And Me first. People always expect you to come back with a bang and I wanted to come back with a whisper. I'm going to draw people in and go, 'Shhhh, yes, they really are trumpets.
"This album has a more human sound, whereas Oasis was about the primal energy. It was in-your-face, like a football match set to music. But this, I would really like people to stop and listen. That's why I'm playing all-seated venues because the lad swilling beer element has got to go." Proud of his solo effort, Noel says having a definitive narrative and feel all the way through adds to the flow of songs.
He says: "In a band with different writers and styles, the album will always be disjointed and never as coherent as Morning Glory where you can tell the same person has written all the songs.
And the story on this album?
"Well, it starts off with Everybody's On The Run where two people are saying 'Come on we've got to get out of here'.
"Then it goes through all the twists and turns to the middle and says, 'What a life, we are having such a great time'.
"But then you've been on this journey and you're thinking this is not where I want to be. (Stranded On) The Wrong Beach is saying the grass isn't always greener on the other side and maybe what you're running from isn't all that bad.
"That's where Stop The Clocks comes in. I'm saying 'Let's go back to the beginning'."
But Noel is very much looking forward. His album with Amorphous Androgynous duo Garry Cobain and Brian Dougans is due next year.
Noel says: "It's exciting working with these psychedelic wizards. I would send demos and in the studio they'd say, 'Yeah, forget it and play along to this drum loop for ten minutes and let's see what happens.'
"It's coming out next summer. It will be out for the festivals next year. That's if I get this tour right.
"I'm not a frontman. I've got nothing to say and I haven't got any moves. And I never will be as good as Liam. My whole life was Sideshow Bob and I was happy."

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Barcelona-Milan and wives deciding

MONACO - (Photo in Barcelona). Champions League draw: AC Milan vs Barcelona, in Spain on September 13, then in Milan in November. Quite impossible the first match... but it's the 18 international trophies team (Milan) vs 12 (Barça), dream on...
Group completed with Bate Borisov from Belarus and Czech Viktoria Plzen beer (cheers, lol).
Rumours say Kakà is coming back from Spain to Milan (as we announced time ago) in a few days, so the fans will be very excited. As always with footballers, it was the wife insisting to live in Milan. Wages: 40% paid by Real Madrid, 40% Milan, 20% reduced by himself, 'cause he can't stand Mourinho anymore (how rare lol).
Manchester City got Bayern Munich, Villareal and Italian Napoli, quite difficult group.
It's good how all the media are saying the team to avoid is Man City, they fear us.

this was around the time when I started to follow Oasis, spring 1994.
I remember their coach Cruyff was very arrogant and the day before the game he photographed himself with the Cup...yes yes... We were without defence (no Baresi&Costacurta) and they were the "Dream Team". But we had Capello, now England manager, of course 0-4... incredible 3rd goal...

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Noel: Beady Eye continuation of Oasis, Liam great voice

LONDON - Photo: Liam on holidays with Nicole, Kate (Moss), Meg (Mathews, Noel's ex wife) and Andy.
Just as the peacekeeping envoy from the UN was being briefed by the Home Office, peace has suddenly broken out in Burnage, Manchester.
Well, Henley and Maida Vale to be precise - the homes of the warring Gallagher brothers.
Liam has dropped his High Court writ against brother Noel after the older sibling offered an olive branch during a webchat for the launch of his new single The Death Of You And Me.
Beady Eye frontman Liam heard Noel admit his brother's doctor's note for Oasis's cancelled V Festival gig at Chelmsford in 2009 DID exist - and Liam decided it was time to move on.
Speaking on a recorded fan chat with pal Matt Morgan, Noel said: "For the record, it is a fact that he was diagnosed with laryngitis and it is a fact that he had a doctor's note to prove it. I'd just like to say that if he gets offended by my opinions on such things then I apologise."
That was enough for Liam and the word was sent to his legal firm to get in touch with Noel's lawyers to put an end to the whole ugly mess.
A source added: "Liam had spoken to his mum Peggy and she was upset by the whole episode.
"That was playing on his mind then he had a moment of realisation that Noel wasn't being vindictive - he was just being cheeky. It was an anger that had built up over two years because he was so angry Oasis was over.
"In the cold light of day he realised his brother was actually being quite calm about it all, and decided a legal battle was a bad idea. Hopefully that will draw a line under it all and everyone can move on."

To Clyde1 (Scottish radio) Noel 'Sotomayor' Gallagher said that Beady Eye are the continuation of Oasis. I was right on everything. He also paid Liam another compliment (after "Beady Eye cool guys", "they're all right", "Blue Moon is all right", "the Roller is a fucking number 1") on radio veteran Steve Lamacq's show on BBC 6 Music.
Talking about going on tour as a solo artist, Noel said: "I couldn't do Supersonic or Cigarettes and Alcohol or Lyla, that is a shame.
"I wouldn't attempt to do the more rock Oasis songs as Liam has such a great rock voice.
"That is a shame, that those songs will not be heard for the foreseeable future anyway. I think it's sad as they're great stadium anthems.
"We've all got to move on. I might do a jazz fusion version of them further down the line."

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Beady Eye @ Zeltfestival Ruhr Bochum

BOCHUM - Look at Liam look :) last night.
Tomorrow: Champions League draw, AC Milan-Man City would be nice

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Noel: sorry Liam

LONDON - Noel Gallagher has confirmed that his brother Liam has begun legal action against him after he claimed Oasis cancelled a festival date because the singer had a hangover.
In a statement last week, the now Beady Eye frontman said his brother had lied and he also endorsed the original line that Oasis dropped out of the V Festival in Chelmsford in 2009 because he had laryngitis.
Liam decided to take legal action at the High Court after Noel ignored a letter sent to his lawyers demanding an official apology, according to The Sun.
In a live webchat with fans last night, Noel admitted Liam did have a doctors note to prove he was ill and appeared to apologise to his younger brother.
''Yes there is truth in that story that Liam is suing me,” he said.
“For the record it is a fact that he was diagnosed with Laryngitis and it is a fact that he had a doctors note to prove it.”
He added: “I’d just like to say that if he gets offended by my opinions on such things then I apologise. It's all getting a little silly and out of hand and it's not very cool.''

Check what's not very cool here: the style in your clothes. You look like an 84 years old retired Westlife.

New album "Different year, still sleeping" from The Eye Flying Turds out soon (leaking).

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George Harrison documentary by Scorsese

NEW YORK — HBO has acquired the North American broadcast rights to Martin Scorsese's GEORGE HARRISON: LIVING IN THE MATERIAL WORLD, which will debut in two parts — on October 5 and October 6, 2011 — exclusively on HBO.

LONDON — Lionsgate Home Entertainment UK announced that it will be releasing the film in the UK on 10th October 2011 in three editions – and a beautifully package which includes an exclusive CD of previously unheard tracks from George Harrison, and a book of photography to accompany the film.

GEORGE HARRISON: LIVING IN THE MATERIAL WORLD focuses the imaginative and inspired eye of one of cinema's most pre-eminent filmmakers on one of the world's most influential men. The film takes viewers on the musical and spiritual voyage that was George Harrison’s life, much of it told in his own words. The result is deeply moving and touches each viewer in unique and individual ways.
Academy Award-winning director Martin Scorsese traces Harrison's life from his musical beginnings in Liverpool through his life as a musician, a seeker, a philanthropist, and filmmaker. Scorsese weaves together interviews with Harrison and his closest friends, performances, home movies, and photographs. Much of the material in the film has never been seen (or heard) before. The result is a rare glimpse into the mind and soul of one of the most talented artists of his generation and a profoundly intimate and affecting work of cinema.
The film includes interviews with Eric Clapton, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, George Martin, Paul McCartney, Yoko Ono, Tom Petty, Phil Spector, Ringo Starr and Formula 1 legend Jackie Stewart. They speak honestly and frankly about George's many talents and contradictions.

The film was produced by Scorsese (through his Sikelia Productions banner), Olivia Harrison (through her Grove Street Pictures banner) and Nigel Sinclair (through Exclusive’s documentary label, Spitfire Pictures). Margaret Bodde served as the film’s executive producer and the film was edited by David Tedeschi (who previously worked with Scorsese, Bodde and Sinclair on the Grammy Award-winning NO DIRECTION HOME: BOB DYLAN and with Scorsese and Bodde on the Rolling Stone concert film SHINE A LIGHT and PUBLIC SPEAKING). Scott Pascucci also served as an executive producer for Grove Street.

Scorsese comments, "Like so many millions of people, I first came to know George through the music, which was the soundtrack of our world. The Beatles' music, those beautifully lyrical guitar breaks and solos, those unforgettable songs of George's, like "I Me Mine" or "If I Needed Someone," and the images, in magazines, on album covers, the TV appearances, the newsreel footage, the Richard Lester movies; and then there was the world after the Beatles, when George and his music seemed to open up and flower. I will never forget the first time I heard All Things Must Pass, the overwhelming feeling of taking in all that glorious music for the first time. It was like walking into a cathedral. George was making spiritually awake music – we all heard and felt it – and I think that was the reason that he came to occupy a very special place in our lives. So when I was offered the chance to make this picture, I jumped at it. Spending time with Olivia, interviewing so many of George’s closest friends, reviewing all that footage, some of it never seen before, and listening to all of that magnificent music – it was a joy, and an experience I'll always treasure."

Olivia Harrison notes, "Martin Scorsese's intuition towards George was evident the first time we met to discuss this project. He sensed what George was about: his music, his strong beliefs, his art, his place in the Beatles story, and his extraordinary life afterwards. Marty’s wonderful film has found all of that and more."
"This film was an extraordinary journey for all involved and it has been a sheer pleasure working with Martin Scorsese and Olivia Harrison to bring the amazing story and legacy of George Harrison to life," adds Sinclair.
Additionally, in late September, Abrams Books will publish Olivia Harrison's George Harrison: Living in the Material World, a personal archive of photographs, letters, diaries, and memorabilia from George’s life that reveals the arc of his life, from his guitar-obsessed boyhood in Liverpool, to the astonishment of the Beatles years, to his days as an independent musician and bohemian squire. The book release is intended to coincide with the release of Scorsese’s film.

trailer

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Premier League most famous fans

LONDON - The best club in history, AC Milan, is supported by fans as Tom Cruise, Robbie Williams, Antonio Banderas, Melissa Satta, Jim Kerr, Dolce&Gabbana, Giorgio Armani, Mario Balotelli, you remember the long list. But here are the famous fans of Premiership clubs.
Everyone loves football. Just because you happen to be famous, it doesn't mean your weekends aren't defined by the performances of your chosen club.
And if you don't love football, sometimes it pays to at least fake an interest in the beautiful game, because apparently if football fans know you support the same team as you that helps you sell more movie tickets/get bigger ratings/sell more records—delete as applicable.
As we go through the most famous fans of each English Premier League club, you'll notice there is a mix of both categories. Then they'll be some you will probably never have heard of and maybe one or two you just won't believe. Like is it true that Mikhail Gorbachev is a Wigan Athletic fan?
Read on and find out.

Arsenal: Roger Daltrey

In England I've always liked Liverpool, Chelsea and Man City of course, but disliked Arsenal and Man Utd. To me Arsenal is the English version of Inter Milan, both playing with too many foreign players (more often: with foreign ones ONLY). Not very English. And both of them are now selling big players and becoming smaller teams.

One of the greatest rock 'n' roll frontmen of all time, Roger Daltrey of The Who is also an Arsenal fan. The 67-year-old London-born singer's links with the the Gunners go beyond supporting the club though.
Back during the 2008/2009 season, Arsenal raised money for the Teenage Cancer Trust, a foundation Daltrey has been instrumental in promoting with yearly concerts at the Royal Albert Hall and other events designed to raise money for the cause.
Between them, Arsenal's players, staff and supporters contributed £523,816 for their designated charity of the season. Daltrey told The Who's official website in 2009:
“As an Arsenal fan I am proud of how the Club and its fans from across the world got behind Teenage Cancer Trust last season. This incredible fundraising total is testament to the dedication and generosity of the Arsenal community. Their support will enable Teenage Cancer Trust to make a huge difference to many young people with cancer through our new, much needed day care cancer unit which will be built in London.”

Aston Villa: Prince William

Unfortunately for Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, Daltrey's fellow Gooners are not being quite so charitable in their patience for their beleaguered boss right now.
Tom Hanks was for a time classified as an Aston Villa fan, but in recent interviews he has all but confessed as to it being a casual comment that ended up with him holding a Villa scarf aloft for some photos at a film premiere.
No, Aston Villa's actual most famous fan is Prince William. This one is a bit tenuous too, stemming from him watching the club's 2000 FA Cup semifinal win before congratulating them in the changing room after. Well unlike Hanks, at least William has been to see a game or two.
Villa's official website also claims that when his father, Prince Charles, opened Villa Park's Trinity Road Stand in 2001, the first in line to the throne was under orders to bring his son back a pair of Villa socks.
As president of the Football Association it seems likely that the second in line to the throne at least has a little interest in football. Though apparently it isn't quite as exciting as polo and egg-chasing...

Blackburn Rovers: Matt Smith

When he is not busy travelling through time as the latest incarnation of Doctor Who, actor Matt Smith is busy watching Blackburn Rovers.
Smith, a former youth team player at Nottingham Forest and Leicester City, followed his dad in supporting Rovers. In a 2010 interview with the Manchester Evening News he described them as "the best team on the planet."

Bolton Wanderers: Amir Khan (Pretty Green fan too)

Amir Khan has made a point of staying true to his Bolton roots. The boxer's Gloves Community Centre Gym was purposely built in his hometown, so as well as being used for his own training, local kids and people could also make use of it in their efforts to stay fit too.
Since coming to the attention of the British public after winning a silver medal at the 2004 Olympics, Khan has also not been shy in professing his love for Bolton Wanderers.
The current IBF and WBA light welterweight champion is often seen at the Reebok Stadium to watch matches and the club are never far from his thoughts, as evident by Khan often bringing them up in interviews despite him not necessarily being in the country.
It is a reciprocal relationship too, with Bolton players and staff backing Khan in his big fight nights, often going to lend him their support too.

Chelsea: Lord Richard Attenborough

With Chelsea's trendy west London location, the King's Road and all that, it is perhaps not surprising their list of celebrity fans extends longer than many Premier League clubs.
Most of these may have gone to a game or two, but a genuinely famous and legitimate Chelsea supporter is Lord Richard Attenborough.
The Oscar-winning director of Gandhi and actor in such famous films as Jurassic Park and The Great Escape, Attenborough's involvement with the club extended beyond just cheering his team on however.
Attenborough served as a director of Chelsea from 1969 to 1982, and from 1993 to 2008 was a Life Vice-President with the club. Since 2008 he has carried the title of Life President.

Other famous Chelsea fans: Oasis discoverer Alan McGee and, I don't think she's a really big fan, but also the elected "most beautiful woman in the world", from South Africa, Charlize Theron, was showing a Chelsea shirt with her name on before a game vs Inter Milan.

Everton: Sylvester Stallone (Rocky Balboa the Italian Stallion ^_^)

Okay labelling Sylvester Stallone an Everton fan might be pushing it a bit, but arguably nobody as famous as the Hollywood star as displayed the Toffee's colours as he did on a cold January afternoon in 2007.
A friend of Planet Hollywood co-founder and Everton director Robert Earl, Stallone paraded around the pitch at Goodison Park wearing an Everton coat and holding aloft a club scarf before the team's 1-1 draw with Reading.
If you might of thought an American actor might have drew the ire of sharp-tongued Scouse football fans, well Stallone actually got quite a good reception. He is Rocky after all.

Fulham: Hugh Grant

If you didn't much about Hugh Grant or football, you might have thought he was Fulham's manager or chairman from the amount of times television directors switched to shots of the Notting Hill star during the club's Europa League run in 2010.
Born nearby in Hammersmith, Grant is a lifelong Fulham supporter and is supposed to have once worked for the club as a groundsman at Craven Cottage.
As mentioned, he was a regular visitor to the ground in the club's European campaign in 2010, witnessing famous wins over Juventus and Hamburg. Grant made the trip to the German city for the final, but his team were unable to beat Atletico Madrid.

Liverpool: Samuel L. Jackson

Samuel L. Jackson became a Liverpool fan while filming The 51st State in 2001, with the northwest-set film featuring scenes where his character went to watch a game between them and Manchester United.
In a January 2009 interview with The Word magazine, Jackson commented on the chances of then-manager Rafa Benitez taking the team to the Premier League title that season while later that year he was pictured at the ESPY Awards with a Liverpool shirt.
The Pulp Fiction actor was even asked by Liverpool fans in 2010 to participate in a protest film aimed at driving out then-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

Manchester City: Liam and Noel Gallagher

Oh really? :) The history of Oasis, and in particular its chief protagonists Noel and Liam Gallagher, is one entwined with that of Manchester City. In an early photo shoot for an interview with British music weekly New Musical Express (NME), the brothers were shot wearing the City kits they made hugely popular with its apt sponsor of Brother.
Of course they went on to play massive gigs at both Maine Road and the City of Manchester Stadium. For the former Liam and Noel along with bass guitarist Guigsy were shown in photos on the tickets wearing their City kits (notably minus rhythm guitarist Bonehead, a Manchester United fan who refused).
More recently, Liam's current band, Beady Eye, performed a version of club anthem Blue Moon to mark the launch of the new Man City home strip.

Manchester United: Mick Hucknall

Of course, Noel Gallagher hates him. Alan McGee about him: "He's an idiot. I actually think he is a good singer, but as a bloke he's a total cretin."
I've always considered Man Utd the English version of the Italian Juventus: both thieves (Juventus was, in the past, now I don't really hate them).
Mick Hucknall is the frontman for Simply Red, a band who have sold over 50 million albums worldwide, and an avid Manchester United fan.
Hucknall is often asked for comment on his favourite football team. In a November 1999 issue with British magazine Four Four Two he spoke about his idolising of United legend George Best, hanging out with Eric Cantona and even compares his job to Sir Alex Ferguson's.
"Alex is almost like a band leader," said Mick. "He’s the guy who has to be the bastard because he has to give the bad news as well as the good news to his team and I can relate to that."
In the same interview it is revealed that at a gig, at of all places Manchester, Simply Red delayed the start by 15 minutes so Hucknall could finish watching a United game.

(also Oasis' friends Paul Weller and Richard Ashcroft are Man Utd fans)

Newcastle United: Tony Blair

Tony Blair a Newcastle United fan? That always seemed a funny one to football fans, and it wasn't helped by the famous revelation from the ex-British Prime Minister that he used to watch club legend Jackie Milburn as a boy. This was despite it being worked out by some that when Milburn retired, Blair was only four and not even in the country.
To be fair to Mr. Blair, after much poking of fun at his expense, it was revealed years later that some wires had been crossed in the reporting that led to this being said as fact. Blair had merely commented that he believed Milburn to be the greatest footballer ever.

Norwich City: Delia Smith

Initially famous in England for being a BBC cook and television presenter, Delia Smith made herself known to a whole new audience when she became a majority shareholder at Norwich City.
Until this year she utilised her skills in charge of catering at Carrow Road, but visually has been a regular presence in the stands cheering her team on.
In a famous incident in 2005, during Norwich's last spell in the Premier League, Smith went (drunk) onto the pitch at halftime when the team were down against Manchester City and delivered an infamous call to arms to the Canaries faithful. They still went onto lose 3-2.

Queens Park Rangers: Bill Bailey

To be honest, QPR don't really have too many famous fans. Mick Jones from The Clash is apparently one, but there wasn't much information about that. So you have Bill Bailey, the much-loved comedian, musician and actor.
Bailey was originally a fan of non-league outfit Bath City but after moving to London's Shepherds Bush about 20 years ago, he adopted the local team there. His all-time favourite player is Clive Allen.

Stoke City: Dominic Cork

Stoke have even less famous fans than QPR. So here is Dominic Cork apparently he supports Stoke.
He currently plays for Hampshire and has played for England in the past. If you're from a test-playing nation, you may have heard of him. He is a pretty good cricketer, that is all.

Sunderland: Paul Colingwood

Another cricketer, who again, unless you're from a test-playing nation you probably haven't heard of. At least with the ever-dependable Paul Collingwood, we have some information about his supporting of Sunderland, thanks to an ever-so-helpful interview by the folks at Four Four Two.
Collingwood was there at St. James Park when Sunderland famously beat rivals Newcastle United 2-1 in 1999 on a night when it was absolutely hammering it down and Ruud Gullit all but lost his job as Newcastle boss.
"We were soaked but we didn’t care, Shearer was on the bench and we came back from a goal down to win 2-1. When Kevin Phillips scored the winner we went berserk.”
Collingwood's favourite player is goalscoring great and current chairman Niall Quinn.

Swansea City: Catherine Zeta-Jones

Oscar winner and Swansea native, the Welsh Catherine Zeta-Jones (also in the music film I was writing about recently, High Fidelity) is without doubt the most famous fan of the local team from Wales. She was unable to make it to the Championship playoff final in May that saw them promoted to the Premier League but lent a message of support beforehand before going onto reminisce about City's last time in the top-flight.
"Coming from a family of Swans fans from such a young age I wait with baited breath for the playoff final in Wembley," said Zeta-Jones.
"I vividly remember the Swans when they were last playing top-flight football in the early 1980s and loved every minute of it.

Tottenham Hotspur: Paul Whitehouse (kind of...)

Jude Law is actually Tottenham Hotspur's most famous fan, or maybe it's the King of Norway. But neither are nearly as interesting or funny as comedian Paul Whitehouse, who, in the legendary British sketch programme The Fast Show, played the hilarious football pundit spoof Ron Manager.
Now that is proper football credentials as far as I'm concerned. And rather than a picture of Jude Law, I think it's more fun getting a clip of Ron Manager instead, here.

West Bromwich Albion: Ronnie Wood

Ronnie Wood adopted West Bromwich Albion as his team back in the 1950s, even though as a Londoner he had the pick of the capital's big teams.
The Rolling Stones and Faces guitarist told JACK magazine in 2003: “West Bromwich Albion (were) very big in the Fifties. It’s a bit like my boys now supporting Arsenal and Chelsea.”

Wigan Athletic: the myth of Mikhail Gorbachev

Former Soviet Union leader Mikhail Gorbachev is a Wigan Athletic fan?! As unlikely pairings go, this was one of the craziest, but for a long time rumours persisted he was indeed a Latics fan.
Sadly, in 2005 the club's commercial director John Fillingham admitted the tale that Gorbachev would await Wigan results while sitting in the Kremlin in his club colours was made up. Back in the gloomy days when the club struggled at the bottom of the Football League it was hoped the story of this unlikely celebrity fan would drum up some interest.
It did so for a time, but Dave Whelan's massive investment rather than Gorbachev's alleged support is generally credited with the rise of Wigan Athletic.

Wolverhampton Wanderers: Robert Plant

Led Zeppelin frontman and renowned solo artist Robert Plant is a Wolverhampton Wanderers fan of over 50 years now.
A regular visitor to Molineux, a jubilant Plant was interviewed on television in the hours after his beloved team managed to avoid relegation last season, but his fanaticism extends beyond just watching.
His 1988 album Now And Zen features a wolf motif on the cover. On the end of a B-side, Oompah (Watery Bint), Plant used observations made by Wolves legend Steve Bull on telephone clubcall line.



I would add two outside the Premier League: West Ham United and Leicester City

Leicester most famous fans are Oasis' friends Kasabian.
Oh such a pity that West Ham United was relegated... I hate that team. Noel would say: them fucking communists, lol. Also Noel wished a relegation for them ("justice will be done with West Ham relegated"). West Ham hooligans still brought violence to the streets of London in the summer 2009 (against their biggest rivals, Millwall).
West Ham most famous fan: Barack Obama, of course. But also Noel's friend, the actor Russell Brand.
Strange that the funny Italian legend Paolo Di Canio played for them, as he's also famous for his fascist ideas (even making the fascist salute to his Lazio fans at the stadium in Rome).

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Noel: Mancini is the right manager. AC not interested in Balotelli

BOLTON - Carlos Tevez (today often smiling) returned to action as Manchester City went top with victory vs good Bolton at the Reebok.
Wantaway Argie Tevez replaced countryman Sergio Aguero in the second half with Manchester City leading 2-3. He received a warm welcome from the travelling City faithful and looked lively as Roberto Mancini's men moved above Wolves to reach the Premier League summit.
City played with the new red & black kit as AC Milan, and AC fan Dzeko scored.
By the way, tonight AC won the Trofeo Berlusconi trophy vs Juventus (in Italy it's terribly hot we can't even "hide out in the sun"), my "High Flying air hostess" sister (we're not speaking since 2009 just like the Gallaghers, but sending insults "in the air" :) like Noel&Liam), she was close to Berlusconi and he said "we're not interested in Balotelli"... usually, these are strategies to low the price or to have him on loan (he's not even playing anymore @ City). but more likely: English tabloids will enjoy Mario for another year, lol.

This is dedicated to the haters who think that City wins because of money... oh Real Madrid spent so much for years, and didn't win anything they wanted. It's necessary someone who makes a good use of money.
Manchester City celebrity fan Noel Gallagher says Roberto Mancini is the right manager for the club.
The ex Oasis guitarist is particularly impressed by Mancini's man-management.
Noel told Absolute Radio: "I think there’s a bit of both, you know, there’s a lot of money at Chelsea and they didn’t win anything last season, well they did the season before, but I think he’s spent really, really well, and I think he knows what he wants, and I think to have won the FA Cup last season, they had such a great season with a band of players who were, if you believe the press, at each other’s throats all the time, means he’s got some kind of man management skills, I like him."

website with highlights

lol @ Arab man speaking Italian. Noel's friend Del Piero got on the pitch (assist for the goal). 2:35 Del Piero hit the referee and he says: next time I send you off ^.^

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Beady Eye @ Belsonic in Belfast

BELFAST- Three (ring circus) pics from the festival. 

Beer throwers :) ...come on Noel you can rock like this... lol joking, dream on

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cement cemented my passion

MILAN – (Made it with a foreign friend of mine) First with an Irish-Englishman, then with a Scotsman also interested in English football, here’s the 3rd long football interview with similar questions, now with an Italian young man also interested in English football :)
But it’s not only football, ‘cause football says a lot about people… sometimes football can be a metaphor of life…
cement will appear through the whole interview.

Probably I sound as drunk one haha, sorry for my mistakes with the English language.

That makes you funny and different. Some English mother tongue speakers still have to learn how to spell their own words correctly.

The same here in Italy with our difficult language. Usually I write a simple English so everybody can understand.
I’m ready to confess my sins haha about football.

Let’s start. Noel’s father took them to his first game, City-Newcastle in 1974 when he was 7.
Alan is a Rangers fan but bizarrely the first game he went to, when he was about 7, was a Celtic game.
Can you remember the first game you went to?

It was the same for me, half Noel and half Alan: my father (Inter Milan huge fan) took me and it was to see a team that is our big rival, today. If I look at my collection of tickets, I find an Inter-Como (yes, the lake Liam loves, lol), season 1985-86, but I can’t remember anything about that (Altobelli hat-trick). Then I have another Inter-Como season 1988-89 and I remember well, the great Lothar Matthaus scored two, he was a force of nature, he was “the tank”, he was made of cement.

The San Siro stadium was having a big restyling for the Italia 90 World Cup (we took little pieces of cement from the parts they were building) and I remember we watched the game standing among a lot of people, there was no place to sit down. I was a kid, a short kid haha, and I almost couldn’t see anything. That season Inter won the league beating some records.

How often did you used to go to the games at the legendary San Siro?

With my father very rarely, he’s always been a very “home man”.
With our mates we had season tickets, but we went to the stadium for friendship, you know, to spend some time together even if some of us weren’t really Inter fans. I even had to “share” myself, sometimes joining our crazy mates and sometimes “the quiet ones” (as an Oasis song :) by Gem), in different parts of the stadium.
Alan “cleaned up” himself, I never used drugs but I can say I cleaned up myself when I stopped following Inter, becoming a huge AC Milan fan.
As Alan, he was a Rangers fan and then started to follow Chelsea. I think there’s nothing wrong, you know, people even change religion, woman, or sides in politics. And football is no religion.
Now again about the stadium, with season tickets we had to attend even on some freezing Saturday nights to watch some terrible Inter-Piacenza 0-0. Inter was shite and they spent a lot of money to be shite.
I remember there was a friend who was a Juventus fan, he had never been to San Siro, and we took him to see the derby Milan-Inter as his first match, among the people in the “curva” (a stand with the hottest fans, it doesn’t exist in England, they’re not allowed to be crazy). It was freezing and we had to stay there for hours even before the game, so we had to drink alcohol, Italian “grappa” (brandy). It was AC 1-0 and when Inter scored the people went crazy. We don’t know what really happened, if that boy hit the cement with his head or if he didn’t feel good because of alcohol, but we had to take him to the hospital and he spent the night there.

Who were your favourite players at the time?

I think this: Juventus is the team of naïve childhood, Inter of crazy youth, Milan of a mature young man :) who knows all about it…
When I was in kindergarten, I was a big fan of Paolo Rossi. There’s an interview with him on Zani, as Matteo Sedazzari is a big Juve fan. We won the World Cup 1982 with “Pablito” Rossi. I used to bring Juventus posters to “school” and the teacher was kind to hang them on the cemented blackboard. I felt like in heaven.
Some years passed and when I learnt to read haha, I left Juventus and my father influenced me with his Inter. My favourites were Rummenigge and Altobelli. Later, Matthaus and Berti. But meanwhile I admired the Englishman playing for AC Milan, Mark Hateley (recently @ a Pretty Green store), and then the legend Marco Van Basten.

You’re still young and you’re lucky enough to have seen Italy win even 2 World Cups. Some people in England are about 45 years old as Noel Gallagher and have never seen one.

Haha well I’m not happy that England didn’t win for so long, as I’m a big England fan, sometimes even more than Italy. But England reminds me of City without trophies for so long...soon or later we'll win.

It’s not me lucky, it was Italy made of good players.

Some time ago Noel talked about the first World Cup he remembers, 1974. Memories about the legendary World Cup 82?

I watched it on tv with my father, it was still a black&white tv (as Juventus :), my sister was born a few days before (today 21 August she’s working as High Flying hostess @ AC Milan-Juventus :) - again: not me, or not yet haha.

I was in the kitchen on the famous red table, hard as cement, we still have it today. I remember the caretaker (huge Juve fan) down in the courtyard shouting for every Italian goal to Germany. As first football memory, it’s not that bad.

Any other World Cups memories? Or any other memorable matches?

The biggest wins, if you’re an AC Milan fan as me, you have loads. As Noel, I have a great memory of our World Cup won in 2006.
The recent ones tend to be similar, even if 4 years pass every time and they play in very different parts of the world, while the old ones in the past sound as legendary.
Italians could never forget Italia 90 played at home. I have nice memories about the World Cup 94 in the Usa even if we unluckily lost the final on penalties, but I was in England so it’s good to remember. We were watching games at school making a lot of “casino” noise, as typical Italians (they say) or like Manchester City fans, “noisy neighbours” haha as Ferguson said.
Germany lost against Bulgaria and I was shocked that my German mate was crying alone at home. I was used to cold German people, he must have been some "Sturm und Drang" poet haha. The English father in the family was a huge football fan but couldn’t even be bothered about England, ‘cause they didn’t even qualify.
Roberto Baggio was extraordinary and I had just started to follow this (football-related) new band called Oasis…
But you already know all my experiences with that…

Noel once said he was a hooligan and Alan remembers being chased through the streets by Celtic fans. Great Britain had hooligans, but that big problem was solved. In Italy it was different but going to the stadium didn’t use to be safe. Any experience with violence?

I’ve never been a hooligan of course but I have some stories with their risks…

You know, some time ago there were those funny pictures with the brain of man and the brain of a woman, with all the things inside them. In the man's, close to the big part of football, there was the "research of dangers"... so true.

It all started when I was playing for the main Milan church team, red&white as England, wearing red shirts. Our “home” pitch was made of cement. So it wasn’t regular to play and for our home games we had to go to another team’s ground, made of synthetic grass, that is fake grass. In a friendly-but-not-very-friendly match before the season, even the referee was a fake. It was a derby against the real home team, the referee was the father of a player from that team haha. And of course there were some strange decisions… yeah just like Inter games… The man made the game end with a draw. I left the pitch saying “what a shitty referee”… another son of the referee heard me, yeah it seemed full of sons of the referee, and went to tell it to another son of the referee, but a big one. I was in the changing rooms with my mates and suddenly the big one appeared saying “who’s the number 9?” …lol… there was almost a fight, but nothing really happened because we were too many and he went away.
When we used to go to the stadium regularly, Inter fans rarely had a good behaviour and I was part of them. In 2001 they even threw a scooter down the stands. And a rocket on AC Milan goalkeeper Dida in a Champions League derby. Some say it even changed his career, as before that he was the best one in the world for some time, then he was crap.
I was a quiet supporter of football in general, there was just one day when I was angry because the referee unfairly (apparently) sent off Simeone in an Inter-Lazio, and it was even me throwing something: but only an innocent sandwich haha thinking it could reach the pitch. The people saw my sandwich spreading its wings in the air… the ham landed on one’s neck (behind, the nape), the cheese on another one, the two pieces of bread on other two people. Of course it didn’t hurt anyone, but made some laugh. The San Siro is huge and we were so far away from the red card scene. Of course when we came back home and watched it on tv, Simeone had clearly to be sent off. So it was just a wasted sandwich.
Another time I followed the craziest Inter fan and we went to see a Champions League AC Milan-Herta Berlin among the German fans… today it wouldn’t be really possible. He looked like a German and we were fans of Germany at those times, because we were going to drink in Germany, he was going to Oktoberfest in Munich, I was going to Berlin for a girl.
A policeman understood we were Italians but let us enter, laughing. Almost quoting Noel, in hindsight you look back and think, 'Fucking hell that was mad'. Because German fans were drunk, we were singing chants with them (A-O-E Herta B-S-C) and we had to stay inside the stadium for some time when the game was over and it was quite a risk when we had to go outside, ‘cause the German fans were accompanied by the police to the buses, but we had to choose the right moment to leave them, while some restless AC fans were making some noise around. It was a crazy situation, as leaving a Nazi lager.

Did you play football again? Any good?

Later I played with my work mates from the main sports tv channel in Italy at that time (Tele+). Usually this kind of games finish with big results as 9-8, 12-10, etc. but not these, there was a lot of "fighting" to win and they ended with a few goals as in real games, 2-0, 3-1, etc. with a decisive and devastating Zanella always scoring :) (also because girls were watching haha)

What position did you play?

I played them all. When I was a child, goalkeeper. But then I was short as a kid, became right defender and discovered to be a little Hassler [the German footballer], right winger. Playing with teams, I became halfback, then ending as striker. From goalkeeper to forward, I made all the journey.

Did your interest in football ever wane?

Yes in the early ‘90s, I was more interested in videogames and music, and we didn’t have much time for football because of school. But then I started to follow again thanks to a “new” team coming out: Parma, great surprise.

Liam Gallagher said, "Everything's different now. They've got it all haven't they? You don't see many out in the park playing, or in the streets, they're just all indoors staring at screens. I'd hate to be a kid growing up today. It's fucking soulless." And Ian Wright too, he said there are only a few home-grown talents.
Has the game lost its soul?

Definitely. Just hear what they say: sometimes I hear people and also footballers saying they're "going to football", as one of many activities or as a job where only money is important. When I was a child, a kid, we were thinking about football the whole day. We LIVED football. In our eyes, every little space was created to play football.
Some time ago a Czech girl came to visit Milan and while going around I was joking about all the places where we used to play football, even on the cement of the top of Milan cathedral.
We watched football cartoons as Captain Tsubasa (Holly & Benji) and then immediately out to play football.
We even used to play inside the classroom, with teachers very upset about it.
I even played alone making tournaments (really) as a mad one, playing for both "teams", in my very small bedroom, even making little balls with paper. It was so small that one day I hit a cemented wall with my face and broke my teeth (then repaired them :). Another example: we used to play everyday in a small yard (made of cement, not grass), with people passing and we were hitting them, so our house porter was always very angry with us, trying to steal our ball all the time. And we could play for hours, not just one or so.
I was also lucky 'cause we had a countryhouse and my father built a goal for us, with white posts, lines made of sawdust and all (is it any wonder why princes and kings are clowns that caper in their sawdust rings? :) -> on the cover of that Oasis single, "Go let it out", there were kids playing football on the cemented roof of a skyscraper…), but we also played on the cement of another pitch (I broke my finger, then repaired it :).
And as Noel, in the parks with jumpers for goalposts and all that.

And of course we also had our team, playing on cement, but it was just "one of many football activities" :). Our goalkeeper was great and totally crazy because, as all of us, used to play on the cement and he wasn’t afraid of anything, so when we played on the grass it was easier. If you don't fear cement, then you don't fear anyone.
Result of all this: my generation, some years ago, in 2007, AC Milan became the best team in football history, and still is. And some years ago, in 2006, Italy became the 1st European national team, and still is. We are 2nd in the world behind Brazil – even if they were lucky in 1994 and FIFA made them win in 2002, we could easily be the first ones. Brazil where they live football, the poor ones, playing especially on cement, they have only football on the streets, that's where great players come from.
Today I have a bigger room and a long corridor ("life’s endless corridor" :) - The Masterplan) and even today I still play football at home, now with my cat haha. My double Paul Weller (last album "Wake up the nation") said: "get your face off the Facebook and turn off your phone".
So today I say: wake up nations... do you even want to be World Champions?
I think that’s the problem of England national team: there’s something wrong in the way they learn to play when they’re very young. Try cement.

We know you organized some meetings with great AC Milan footballers. Any funny memory to tell?

I feel privileged, as a kid I wasn’t so lucky and I would have never thought I could have these chances.
The best moment was when we sit down on the same grass where they were playing, and an Oasis fan called Beckham was looking at me and sometimes threw the ball to me 'cause I had an England shirt and Liam’s sideburns haha
The biggest Italian football legend for decades was probably Franco Baresi, playing endlessly for AC Milan. There’s a nice photo of us somewhere, with some people around, all smiling ‘cause I made him a joke: I gave him a pennant to sign, on the white side, and while he was slowly writing his legendary name, I told him something like: you don’t mind if it’s an Inter Milan pennant? I think he had a sort of heart attack, but then smiled and joked, so I showed him it was an AC Milan one.

Any football plan for the future?

It’s some time we’re not playing, I should organize at least my last game for a goodbye to “played football”… sigh ;(
Recently I was very interested in watching English and Swedish girls haha playing football. So it wouldn’t be bad to “play” with them.
But the ideal “last game” would be “singles vs married” :)
I bet the singles would win. Married ones usually grow a big belly...

You told me you’d like to dedicate this little interview about football memories to someone?

Yes to a friend who is not with us anymore, because of drugs. Alessandro, AC Milan big fan.
The drugs don’t work. Play football, folks. On cement.

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"Noel refers to Italy as Oasis 'spiritual home' and anyone who has been to an Oasis gig in Italy will know why. It’s fitting they have chosen Milan to stage the final show..."
(from the official site)
"Italian boys are like me, very passionate.
4 elements mark them: football, music, family and love for elegance. My Italian friends are cool, they wear wonderful clothes & shoes, fabulous scarves, sunglasses even at night and have beautiful women by their side. Well, I'm considered quite a holy figure in Italy. It's Milan... Italy's great man, I fucking love going there".
Noel Gallagher

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