Former Oasis Singer Liam Gallagher Is Still Every Bit Rock ‘N’ Roll

How has the music industry changed for you in recent years? 

I stay away from that. I don’t think I’ve ever used Spotify once in my life and I don’t think I intend to either. I don’t even know how to use it. I don’t have a clue. Part of it is, ignorance is bliss. All these new ways to listen to music have gone way over my head, and I’m quite happy with it. Call it that I’m stuck in the ’90s. I listen to tunes on the record player. 

I’ve been reading some of the reviews of your new album. One of them likens it to your Oasis glory days. How do you feel when you hear something like that?

I’m over the moon. A lot of people think I’m stuck in the ’90s. Well, I obviously am. I don’t mind about that. I’m certainly not desperate to run away from the sound that made me who I am. I’m quite happy with that. I could sing a fuckin’ reggae song and it would still sound like Oasis. Some people seem to think it’s all about Noel. Noel wrote the songs, but it was my voice on them songs. It’s always kind of going to remind you of Oasis. That’s my voice. I don’t have a problem with that. 

It’s like Mick Jagger could do something but it would still sound like The Rolling Stones … I know there’s a few people out there, “Well, the geezer’s still stuck in the ’90s”. I’m not stuck anywhere. I’m in 2019 and I’m standing out like a sore thumb and I’m proud of it. 

Why do you think you stand like a sore thumb?

Because I’m 47. I don’t give a fuck. I pretty much wear the same clothes as I did when I was in Oasis. I’m still sort of not joining the party. I’m still resisting to join in the bullshit … I’m still a bit punk. I’m not playing the game. 

I don’t think 47 is that old.

Neither is 60. So I’ve got another 13 years. You’re only as young as your outlook is, and I feel like I’m 18. I do like to look out for myself. I’m not obsessed with being super healthy. If I run, I run. If I go out to the pub, I go out to the pub. 

How do you stay true to yourself in your own day-to-day life and in your music?

It’s easy. I know who I am. I sleep at night … A lot of people seem to be still trying to find themselves. And the music thing, I wouldn’t sing anything that didn’t move me. I think I am kind of like the people who come and see me. 

To that end, what are your shows like these days? Do you see people there who are getting interested in your music for the first time? 

Yeah, with the Oasis stuff. You definitely see loads of young people coming to the gigs that are 16, lots of young faces. And they’re bringing a bit of a vibe. It’s nice to have the youth jumping up and down and making a bit of noise … Oasis was a big band and made a big impact, so I think we’re lucky to reap the benefits of a lot of different generations coming to the gigs. 

When you look back on that impact that you had, what do you think about? 

I don’t know, man. God knows. Good songs. Obviously the people in the band were characters. We weren’t wallflowers. We spoke out and we talked a lot of shit and we’re still talking a lot of shit. Good music. Good singing. We looked pretty cool. We said what was on our minds; I think that’s what’s lacking today. I don’t think there’s many good songs out there. And today, everyone is minding what they say, in case they get trolled. I think the more shit you talk, every now and then you’ll hit something that’s a bit genius.