MANILA, Philippines - “I’m just a great rock and roll singer with a great rock and roll attitude. And I’m one of the best-looking rock stars in the world.”
That’s how British rock icon Liam Gallagher wants to be known by the Filipino millennials who are not yet familiar with his name but will later on fall for his and his former band’s (Oasis) string of hits from the ’90s to present.
Gallagher recently gave The Philippine STAR a phone interview from his hotel room in London in light of his upcoming Manila concert at the Mall of Asia Arena on Aug. 14, presented by Ovation Productions.
His world tour is also in time for the Oct. 6 release of his very first solo album As You Were, out from the shadows of Oasis, the mega-famous rock band he once fronted with his older brother Noel; and his post-Oasis band, Beady Eye.
“I cannot wait for the album’s release because it’s really good,” he excitedly told The STAR. “The songs in there are really, really good. You will like it.”
Concert fans will get a chance to hear cuts from Gallagher’s soon-to-be-released album like Wall of Glass and Greedy Soul, which he will perform along with the classic Oasis hits Wonderwall, Be Here Now, Morning Glory and Slide Away, among others.
“The concert is gonna be a mix of old and new,” he said. “Lots of loud music and good rock and roll music that’s what you gonna get for an hour and a half.”
Gallagher talked about just anything under the sun, from his music to his strained relationship with his brother. Surprisingly, the 44-year-old rock star managed to guard his tongue against swearing throughout the 15-minute chat. He was, in fact, warm, polite and friendly, definitely a far cry from his many previous interviews.
Here are excerpts from Gallagher’s interview:
Have you ever been to the Philippines before?
“Yeah, yeah. I’ve been there before but I can’t remember when. Maybe about 10 years ago, we just came from a gig. I do like it. It’s a beautiful, beautiful place with nice people.”
What do you know about the Philippines?
“Well, Manny Pacquiao is from the Philippines, isn’t he? I used to have a Filipino lady working for me and she’s a very nice lady.”
You also write songs, but you have teamed up with record producer and songwriter Greg Kurstin, who has worked with the likes of Adele, Sia and Kelly Clarkson, to write songs for you.
“Yes, he wrote a couple of songs in my new solo album, and we also wrote together. He’s a very good songwriter. I’m known to write a few songs, but I trust myself as a singer more than a songwriter.”
Is there any particular new artist that you admire and who may be following your footsteps?
“At the moment, I don’t see any. No one’s really standing out. But I’m sure someday there’ll be one.”
People are not giving up hope that you and your equally famous brother would one day reconcile which would make millions of your fans really, really happy.
“Maybe. Maybe one day, maybe one day.”
In your past interviews, you’ve been flatly rejecting the possibility of patching things up with Noel. It seems that you’re singing a different tune lately with reports saying how you wish Oasis will have a reunion eight years after you split up.
“At the moment, it’s impossible. But never say never. You know what I mean? We live in hope.”
And, life is too short that sometimes we don’t get second chances.
“I know all about that. But if it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be and you cannot force it. I know fans miss him (Noel) more than I miss him. Maybe if he bought me a nice Rolex I might invite him for a cup of tea right away.”
A fellow rock star, Linkin Park’s Chester Bennington took his own life. How did you feel about it? Was he a personal friend of yours?
“No, I never met him. But it was a terrible, terrible, terrible situation especially for the family. I won’t be taking my own life no matter what happens. Life is extremely precious and there is always hope.”
Any message for your Filipino fans?
“Please tell everyone in the Philippines I love them all and I cannot wait to see them. Tell them they won’t be able to miss me because I’m the best good-looking rock star on the planet. They will definitely have a great time at my concert in Manila.”