The Chief has quit, but should Liam carry on without him? In a word, no.
The walkout
“I will never leave Oasis”, stated Noel Gallagher in an interview only two months ago, shortly prior to the band’s gigs at Wembley Stadium. The media, clearly unable to stop recycling the same tired stories of an Oasis split, had been publishing rumours that the band were on the verge of doing just that – again. It would only take Liam to look at Noel the wrong way on stage for them to sensationalise it into being “the end”.
Then rumour became reality. Minutes before they were due on stage at a festival in Paris, a fracas broke out backstage between the Gallagher brothers which allegedly involved a punch up, a smashed guitar, and an ambulance. Thousands of fans waiting for the band’s arrival on stage were left absolutely gutted and shortly afterwards in a statement posted on the band’s web site Noel officially stated he had quit. Same shit, different tour, was my immediate thought, as any Oasis fan will know this was yet another case of deja vu. Then followed a second statement, which crushed any hope that this was going to blow over anytime soon. Noel cited “verbal and violent intimidation” and a “lack of support and understanding from management and bandmates” as his reasons for quitting. This sadly suggests that it is not only his relationship with Liam that has been damaged, but with others too, so it might take a lot more work to heal the wounds this time round.
That solo album
Noel is an intelligent man, he knows that quitting the band will hurt Liam more than any insult or punch ever could. Despite the fact they obviously do not get on, it’s obvious Liam deeply respects his brother and admires him greatly. How could you not have respect for a man that joined your band and wrote the songs that propelled the group to levels on par with the legends that inspired you? Not to mention making you a millionaire. Liam could never forge the type of successful solo career that Noel is more than capable of achieving. “When I grow up I want to be Paul Weller”, Noel once said in an interview. Well now is his chance. Whether or not Oasis did ‘split up’, it was likely he was going to do a solo album after this tour was complete regardless, and so he should as it is well overdue.
Noel had got that edge back on the last two Oasis albums, Don’t Believe The Truth and Dig Out Your Soul, more-so on the latter. Given the platform to record an album not under the Oasis name, I’m convinced Noel will feel more confident to expand his musical horizons and throw in a few curve balls, as well as deliver some acoustic gems which suit his voice so very well. Speaking of which, vocally, he has never sounded better, and if the new songs he’s been singing at sound checks that leaked online are anything to go by, there is a lot of potential for the album to be something very special. As a long term Oasis fan, the prospect of an album written entirely by Noel is exciting, as we haven’t had one of those in over 12 years since the cocaine fuelled Be Here Now.
Should Liam carry on with Oasis?
So with Noel more than likely out of action with Oasis for the foreseeable future, should Liam carry on the band without him? No, is the answer. Liam has an incredible voice and is probably the last great rock star left (and no, Bono is not a rock star). His snarling Mancunian delivery is both charismatic and distinctive. He has a voice that can turn a great song into an even better one. Would Some Might Say have been as brilliant with anyone else singing it? would it fuck. With that said, without his brother in the band, it’s simply not Oasis. It’s a car without a steering wheel, it would inevitably end up wrapped around a lamppost. Both Gallagher’s must be involved for Oasis to justify using that name, collectively they are the heart and soul of the band, but apart the glass is half-empty.
It was Noel who wrote the timeless songs that changed lives and inspired people to pick up a guitar, a talent demonstrated at its best on their debut album, Definitely Maybe. Rock n’ Roll Star is a glorious statement of intent. Live Forever is an epic anthem that still tops ‘greatest ever song’ polls on a regular basis. Supersonic’s swagger and attitude has not been matched by a single band since it’s release. Cigarettes and Alcohol is social commentary done in a way no one can anymore, and Slide Away is a truly great love song, probably the best Noel ever wrote. These songs, among countless others, mean a lot to people, in some respects they are bigger than the band.
Oasis’ greatest songs were born out of a hunger to break free from the confined trappings of limited opportunities in Manchester during the Conservative period, these songs are inspiring and uplifting. They document the hope, aspirations and determination of a young man wanting to make a better life for himself and live the dream. The theme on Definitely Maybe can be summed up in five words on Cigarettes and Alcohol – “you gotta make it happen”, and he did. Noel has been criticised for being creatively a spent force as of late, but he can still undoubtedly write a great song, if not as often as he used to.
Liam’s role in Oasis should also never be undervalued. They would not be the band they are today without that voice. He has also written a handful of decent songs, and a couple of very good ones, namely Guess God Thinks I’m Abel and I’m Outta Time. But let us not kid ourselves, neither he, Andy, nor Gem could ever write a song that would sit alongside any of Noel’s best. Gem and Andy between them have come up with a few solid tracks. Turn Up The Sun and To Be Where There’s life are great tunes. I’m sure it is healthy for the chemistry of the band to have everyone contributing to the song writing process, which has made for mixed results. What is important though, in this band at least, is that the man responsible for writing their best material and steering the ship for nearly two decades is involved. You can lose as many drummers, guitarists and keyboard players as you like because at the end of the day they are replaceable. Noel is not.
Entertaining the thought of Noel-less Oasis is ludicrous, especially if they toured. They would become an absolute joke. It’d be as awful as the remaining members of The Jam touring as From The Jam without Weller, its inexcusable and a disgrace. I’m hopeful enough that if Liam is actually keen on carrying on as Oasis without Noel, that Andy and Gem will persuade him not to and convince him that this is an absurd idea. There is no doubting that an album without Noel on board would be decent at least. Between Liam, Gem and Andy I’m sure they have enough songs good enough to put together a record that wouldn’t be substandard, but if that really has to happen, they need to change their name and not rely on the laurels of ‘Oasis’. It would be riding on the coattails of Noel’s hard work and talent. Alternatively, Liam should record a solo album and collaborate with Andy and Gem who can chip in as co-songwriters. If Liam’s motives for potentially continuing Oasis are based on proving a point to his brother, then he’s in it for the wrong reasons.
The future
Many critics have said Oasis should have quit at their peak in 1996 after the Knebworth gigs, with even former rhythm guitarist Bonehead agreeing that this would have been the best time to bow out. Two classic albums, a stack of great b-sides, the biggest gigs and most records sold by any band in a very long time, it would have been an impressive legacy to leave behind. Nobody could have predicted what would become of Oasis after that point, to say they have never been the most stable of bands would be an understatement. If this really is the end now though, 13 years after those gigs, as far as stories in rock n’ roll go, what a dramatic ending to the saga it would be. Given the choice between choosing this ending and having Liam soldier on and make a mockery of the band I love, it’s not a hard decision. At least there’s always the hope of a box set release with tonnes of unreleased tracks and demos at some point in the distant future.
Liam has allegedly said he’ll have news on Oasis in January 2010. What this means is anyone’s guess at the moment, but if it involves use of the words “carrying on without Noel” it will not be met with the warmest reception. In an interview with the Gallagher’s that featured on the DVD from the Stop The Clocks best of package, they were asked about the time Noel walked out of the band in 1994. “Who cares, he’s back now,” Liam said with a surprising demeanour of happiness and relief in front of his brother. Will we ever hear him say that again? who knows, but until then Oasis as a band should be put on the backburner until both parts that make up the puzzle are able to stand in the same room together without someone having to call an ambulance. Worst case scenario? Bonehead makes a comeback and takes over Noel’s place. Nevermind, as someone once said, it’s just rock n’ roll.
(Matt Humphrey)
It’s like you were reading my mind when you wrote this..
I couldn’t agree more with you!
I agree with most of what you’ve written up there, but strongly disagree with your assumption that “Andy… could ever write a song that would sit alongside any of Noel’s best” – I don’t know whether you’ve ever heard of, or listened to, any of the songs Andy wrote as a member of Ride, but many of them are arguably the equal of anything Noel G has ever written, certainly melodically, lyrically, musically and aesthetically. Like A Daydream, Vapour Trail, Seagull, Taste, Twisterella, to name only a few are truly great 60’s inflected guitar gems, imbued with a freshness that more often than not eluded Oasis. Similarly to Oasis, Ride made two near perfect albums (and a string of classic eps) before losing sight of what made them so great in the first place. Nowhere is an acknowledged classic of its genre, while Going Blank Again would give Oasis a lesson in how to meld 60s mod-psychpop influences with a modern sheen to much greater effect than anything the Gallaghers & co were ever capable of achieving. I would concede that Noel Gallagher hit upon a populist bent in his songs that clearly connects with people en mass beyond anything Ride evr managed, but that’s a whole other discussion about marketing, image, dumbing down, etc that I didn’t come here to enter into. Peace!
that is the biggest bunch of wank i’ve ever read. what do you know about the songs liam’s written? and also is anyone remembering that liam did pretty much an entire oasis tour the last time noel walked off. noone was complaining then. pffftt
Thanks for the feedback guys. Gareth, its always good to come across a Ride fan. I love them, and I’ve got all their albums, they’re a seriously underrated band. Andy wrote some great songs with them but none which I could ever compare to Oasis’ best.
Massive Oasis fan gutted that Noel walked but I think this is a temporary split or it maybe the end I hope not.But I don’t think Liam should carry on without Noel because yes I agree he has an incredible voice with the snarl and holding the notes eg sunshineeeeea and he is a true Rock n roll star but his songwriting abilities are not really up there with his brothers don’t get me wrong God thinks i’m abel,Little James,songbird I’m outta time are great songs but its not really up there with lyrics such as maybe I don’t really wanna know how your garden grows cos I just wanna fly lately did you ever feel the pain in the morning rain as it soaks you to the bone DO YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN? it wouldn’t be the same without Noel I mean you couldn’t replace Liam either hopefully they’ll be back best band ever.
LIVE FOREVER
Great article mate, agree with pretty much everything you said there, im a huge Oasis fan, but im more of a Noel fan, a solo album from him would be immense. Also if Liam does want to continue the band it should not be under the name Oasis, Noel made that band, and gave it the classic songs and albums, its his band, and now hes left, it should be put aside
once again, great article
I remember Noel saying that he thinks the members of Oasis should all do solo albums before Oasis’ next album is done. I do hope that this is indeed what is going on and that we will see Oasis reunited in the next couple of years. I just can’t imagine never hearing a new Oasis album and deep down inside I can’t help but think that Noel can’t imagine never making a new Oasis album. ‘Dig Out Your Soul’ is great, I love it, but it’s not the grand finale for Oasis. I know it, you know it and most importantly Noel knows it…
Boom! Heathen Chemist said exactly what im thinking, you know he wants to make another oasis album, but he wants to make a solo album now. This lets him do just that with extra press to boot. I say, RESPECT for playing the system…. and his brother
I’m a massive long time Oasis fan and was one of the thousands at Vfestival Chelmsford who were really disappointed when Liam was ill and they didn’t play just a week before the split.I agree with alot of the article but still hold out hope that with some space between them and time where they can do their own thing,they will eventually remember why they wanted to be in a band together in the first place.I’m just glad that I saw them in July at the Fuji Festival in Japan and each of the four times I’ve seen them has been special.Oasis without Noel -or Liam is just ludicrous but whatever happens they have been THE greatest truly British band of the last 20 years…Defintely..NOT Maybe.
My idea of the worst case scenario………
Imagine 15 years from now. Liam is still working under the banner of Oasis, trading off of Noels songs and dragging hired session musos from one demoralizing cabaret gig to another.
Noooooo!
Either they get it back together or knock it on the head.
Lets face it no Noel no Oasis.
Could any fan stomach an Oasis 2?
Liam should do a solo album with the likes of UNCLE producing and writing. I don’t rate Noel in the slightest and he will soon realise that he only sold records / tickets cos of his brother being so good. Yes Noel kick started Liam’s career with two excellent first albums but that was all Noel ever had to offer.
Well a perfect time for noel to record his solo album..who knws if everythin is planned.. the bros are two of the most clever celebrities ive seen..
whatever the case be.. noels gt to come back after some time..brothers dont split..especially wen u hav been in the most important band of your time..
Best article I’ve read about rock and roll. Seriously. I really enjoyed the reflection back on the spirit of Definitely Maybe.
I think Liam is fucked. Noel will do a good solo album, but he’s too soft, not enough edge. The best Liam can do is mess with some other band for a while, and hope that everyone reunites in a year or so.
Nice article, well worth the read. I think Liam should team up with John Squire and form a band. I’ve read in past interviews that John has mentioned to Liam about forming a band, but it was always in a joke way. Now would be a good time for them to work together.
liam shouldnt carry on without noel. he is a icon. i wouldnt be right at all. noel ought to do a solo album defo. hope he does.
liam should stick selling his pretty green stuff.
if it wasnt for him oasis would still be here now.
i shall miss them loads. lets hope they resurface one day.
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