Sibling Supernova
March 3, 2006 | 12:00am
Back in high school in the mid ’90s, one of the most influential bands in my so-called boring life was Oasis. The pioneers of Britpop rocked, rolled and ruled my world with albums such as "Definitely Maybe" and of course, "(What’s The Story) Morning Glory?" I still loved them after having album slumps (from "Be Here Now" to "Heathen Chemistry"). Their music just took me to a place where nobody knows and, ah, made me want to live forever.
I was absolutely crazy over the Gallagher brothers – from their sibling fights to tour cancellations and run-ins with the paparazzi. That is just part of being rock n’ roll stars. And yes, it was fun to watch the tabloids expose the war between Oasis, the true working class heroes, against their rivals/middle class gender benders, Blur.
Imagine this: without John Lennon or Paul McCartney, there won’t be The Beatles. Same goes for Oasis – without the Gallagher brothers, the band would cease to exist. I love Liam’s rowdy swaggers, Adidas outfits, killer shades and Kangol berets. However, my heart definitely belonged to my biggest crush, Noel. I love his soulful voice, guitar solos, and lyrics, which can make your bad mood go away, forever and a day, and just make things right. Enough said.
As a die-hard Oasis fan, I have been waiting patiently to watch them for years. Number one: I missed them in 1997 when they were the front act for U2 in Oakland, California. Mother dear told me to go home and start first day of college instead. My bro and Tito Mike were lucky enough to watch them. Number two: Oasis was set to play at the Araneta Coliseum in 2002. I bought a golden ticket, and guess what? Thanks to a bomb threat, the gig was cancelled. Now that is what I call, bloody hell.
But I kept the dream alive. Oasis was set to headline the Bangkok Rock Festival and I just had to make things happen. So, I packed my bags and hopped on a plane to Thailand…
Dig the aura of coolness – Liam, "Our Kid," was wearing his signature blue Adidas jacket khaki shorts, Adidas belt and trainers and super cool shades. Big brother Noel was wearing blue polo shirt, jeans and dark sunglasses. Newbies Gem Archer was in a plaid top and jeans while Andy Bell was in a royal-blue shirt, striped blazer and jeans. Drummer Zak Starkey was missing in action.
Oasis might have intimidated the Asian press for their arrogant, self-righteous reputation or for whatever reason. But the band-members turned out to be really witty, funny, smart and interesting individuals. I felt a kaleidoscope world of cosmic energies. Positive. Nervous. Happy. Shy. Excited. I was over the moon, about to pass out. Believe the truth baby, I am the ultimate numero uno Oasis fan.
The greatest part of this experience was asking them questions that they did not expect. Forgive me for saying this but it was just so funny how press con turned out to be like my one-on-one interview with the band. Another high point was going up to Liam to have a picture taken with him. "Sure," he said. Then, I grabbed Noel’s arm and said an incomplete sentence (You’re my dream…) because I was too star-struck. He looked at me and said, "Oh, really?" Just shoot me! At least I had a picture with him. Phew!
Reality-check: what the hell was I thinking? I don’t know. I don’t mind. As long as there’s a bed beneath the stars that shine. At least I have my very own Noel Gallagher who made this impossible dream come true. And it is not because of some pathetic, psychotic, stalker British ex-boyfriend who’s the only gay in the village. (Cheers to that, Igan!)
LIAM GALLAGHER: Two? (Laughs) Two questions?
Yes, please. Noel, I am a Q magazine fanatic. I read before that you said Oasis created Britpop and destroyed it. How do you feel about that now? And is Britpop Oasis’ legacy to rock n’ roll?
NOEL GALLAGHER: (Long pause and laughter from the press). I don’t feel anything about that. Britpop was not our legacy. It was something that was started by the NME (New Musical Express). Britpop and rock n’ roll don’t really mix. I don’t think so.
Liam, you called Chris Martin (of Coldplay) a "plant pot" at the Q awards. Who are the other rock stars you find annoying?
LG: All of them. And I’m one of them, too (smiles).
What do you think of the new bands right now? Who are the ones who stand out?
NG: Not a lot. Kasabian are pretty good.
LG: I like the Artic Monkey’s new song. They’re all right and Kings of Leon.
What songs are you particularly proud of in your latest album "Don’t Believe The Truth"?
NG: I think we are all proud of our own individual efforts. I’m most proud of The Importance of Being Idle. I think Liam is most proud of Let There Be Love. Andy is most proud of Lyla and Gem really likes Mucky Fingers. (Take note: All those songs were written by Noel. Funny ha ha.)
Can you explain the gap between your new album and "Heathen Chemistry"? What happened in between?
NG: When "Heathen Chemistry" came out, we were on the road for nine months. So, that’s almost a year right? And then it took 18 months to record this album because we f*cked up a couple of times. That’s it, really. We worked hard and sat doing nothing. But we will be doing much after this. If you ask me what, I’ll be getting a suntan.
You said that Let There Be Love is a defining moment in Oasis’ history? Why is that?
NG: Did I say that? (Laughs) Well, I think it’s one of the best things that you’ll ever be drawn to. And the fact that Liam and I are singing it’s kind of special, I think. I don’t know. Wouldn’t you think it’s one of the best things?
LG: I certainly would.
NG: I don’t know. I must have been in a very good mood that day.
Is there any artist you’d like to work with?
NG: No. Uh, 50 cent (smiles). I’d like to work with Jay Z, Eminem, what’s his name Snoop Doggy Dog. All those rappers. That will be f*cking great, wouldn’t it?
Who are your inspirations from music?
NG: The Beatles, the Rolling Stones, The Who, the Stone Roses… I mean there are too many to mention really.
LG: The Sex Pistols and all that.
If you want to remake an old song, what would that be?
NG: I’d like Liam and I to sing Unchained Melody or The Frog Chorus by Paul McCartney.
How has success changed your songwriting process?
LG: You write on better guitars.
NG: With our old records, I used to write the songs. I guess now we’ve become extremely successful.
LG: You write for money.
NG: You write at different times because of all the stuff going on. But it’s great.
What do you think of Ryan Adams’ cover of Wonderwall?
NG: I really, really like it. But then it’s a great song anyway (smiles).
Well, what can I say? I felt like a cheerleader. I screamed my ass off and jumped so high I gave the Thai woman beside me a dizzy spell. All I needed were pompoms. This, for me was the greatest Oasis gig in the sky. Absolutely phenomenal.
Until the next one, then.
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