Liam confirms ‘Oasis is no longer’

Liam Gallagher has confirmed that Oasis will not continue as a band following his brother Noel’s departure.

He told the Times: “We’ve always had a lot of fun. That’s why it was never hard work for me. It was a joy and it was always a bit of a bummer when the tour ended. You know, it was great. Obviously you’ve got to get back and see the missus and the kids and all that. Nothing lasts for ever. But it was never, ‘Uh, fuck, I need to get off the tour because my head’s up my arse’.” (A reference to Noel? Most probably.)

“Oasis is no longer. I think we all know that. So that’s done. It’s a shame but that’s life. We had a good run at it. The thing about Oasis is, no one … we ended Oasis. No one ended it for us. Which was pretty, kind of … cool. I’m thinking of what the next step is musically, which is all my mind’s on.”

Whether Liam’s future includes an Ian Brown style solo career or forming a new band is not clear, but it is obvious that in his mind, he has already moved on from Oasis. Whatever happens next, it will be fascinating to compare the futures of Noel and Liam; always inextricably linked through Oasis, and now thrown apart to find their own way.

This article was written for TMM.

Noel Gallagher quits Oasis.

Noel Gallagher has quit Oasis.

The lead guitarist has walked, citing rows with his brother Liam, the band’s singer, as the reason.

Noel announced his decision via the band’s website. He wrote. in a brief statement that will devastate fans: “It’s with some sadness and great relief to tell you that I quit Oasis tonight. People will write and say what they like, but I simply could not go on working with Liam a day longer.

“Apologies to all the people who bought tickets for the shows in Paris, Konstanz and Milan.”

The band were due to headline a show in Paris after pulling out of V festival, reportedly due to Liam’s throat problems, but after another row between the pair, Noel decided to leave the band.

Of course Liam and Noel have had their rows before, with both brothers threatening to quit, but this latest step is the furthest they have ever gone.

Just two days ago we wrote that Oasis would ‘go on forever’ after Liam’s sister-in-law Natalie Appleton backed up a band statement saying the band were not set to call it a day.

But it seems that the pressure of working with his famously volatile younger brother has finally become too much for Noel, who may now turn his attentions to a long-rumoured solo album.

Critics will point to the statement as a publicity stunt, citing previous examples of Liam and Noel’s rows almost destroying the band. But there’s a finality about Noel’s words that suggests this time, it really is over.

We thought they’d live forever, but despite Liam’s pleas to Noel for him to stand by me and don’t go away, Noel has decided to be where there’s life and considered that to keep the dream alive and to find the meaning of soul, he must go let it out all around the world and become a rock ‘n’ roll star half the world away.

(Sorry.)

This article was written for TMM.

Oasis will go on ‘forever’

Oasis’ late cancellation of their V festival headlining slot led to rumours that the band were set to call it a day.

But the band have released a statement to the contrary, after Liam Gallagher appeared to suggest via his Twitter page that the band would not play live in the UK again.

He later Tweeted, about his throat problems: “The voice may of [sic] disappeared but I’m still here.1st things first V I’m gutted your gutted,I’m sorry what can I say fuck all at the moment.”

Keane, Snow Patrol and MGMT all played Oasis covers at Chelmsford in tribute to the Manchester band and Gallagher was big enough to thank them. He wrote: “Respect to those bands who covered Oasis last night, even though I might of given some of you shit in the past.”

A band statement then appeared at Oasisinet.com denying a split.

“V Festival was always scheduled as the last UK gig for this Dig Out Your Soul world tour,” they explained. “Oasis will complete the rest of the world tour in Europe and then take some well-earned time off before they begin to think about the next album and tour.”

And Liam’s sister-in-law Natalie Appleton added to the denial, saying the band were devastated about having to pull the show. She said: “Oasis will die before they split up… they’re going to go on forever until they are old men. The rumours are absolute rubbish. Even in his sick bed Liam was vowing to get back on stage.”

This article was written for TMM.