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When Liam Gallagher initially listened to the tracks written by John Squire for their upcoming joint album, two things crossed his mind: that they were “amazing” and that he had a natural ability to sing them. This is because he has been singing Squire’s songs since he was a young teenager.
“I want to remind you, I am a huge fan of Stone Roses,” says Gallagher from the other side of the table in a studio located in Kentish Town, north London. “They were the ones who inspired me to join a band, so I am familiar with their rhythms. It’s not like I’m trying to imitate Trent Reznor from Nine Inch Nails, you know? I’m not saying it was simple, I just have a way of making it seem that way.”
Recently released, the song “Just Another Rainbow” has a psychedelic feel and marks a collaboration between two popular musicians from Manchester: John Squire, the impressive guitarist from the Stone Roses, and Liam Gallagher, the Oasis frontman known for his confident persona that embodied the spirit of the 90s. Despite not fitting the image of a stylish man in Adidas Sambas, this partnership is significant as “Just Another Rainbow” has already reached number one on the midweek chart and may continue to hold that position.
The collaboration, titled after themselves, gained attention following the guitarist’s guest appearance at Gallagher’s two massive Knebworth shows in 2022. Excited to hear that Squire was back to songwriting, the singer was eager to join in (“When the call of rock’n’roll comes, you have to answer”), but under two conditions: the music had to be guitar-focused and Squire would write the lyrics. No other guidelines were set; there were no discussions around a record company table. “That’s how it should be,” Gallagher states. “Setting up meetings is too much like being a real estate agent, isn’t it?” This wasn’t the first time Gallagher and Squire collaborated – they had previously worked together on the song “Love Me and Leave Me” for Squire’s band after the Stone Roses, the Seahorses – although both parties cannot recall exactly how it came about.
Text messages were exchanged between Squire and Gallagher, with Squire sharing demos of his unfinished works and Gallagher responding with YouTube videos by various artists, such as Sex Pistols, Jimi Hendrix, Faces, and the Bee Gees. According to Squire, Gallagher sent a Bee Gees video shortly after receiving Squire’s first demo, “Love You Forever,” which was sung in a high register beyond his usual range. Squire spoke softly during our conversation in a separate room, as the publicist believed that Gallagher might dominate if they were interviewed together. Initially, Squire thought Gallagher was teasing him when he saw the Bee Gees video, assuming that it meant “I’m not into this, we need to reconsider.” However, it turned out that Gallagher had not actually received Squire’s demo and had sincerely sent the Bee Gees video (along with the others) as a reference for how he envisioned the album’s sound.
In May 2023, Gallagher traveled to Squire’s home studio in Macclesfield to record some initial vocals after several months of remote work. They then spent three weeks in Los Angeles recording 10 tracks, with the help of producer and musician Greg Kurstin, who also played bass and piano. Squire and Kurstin bonded over their mutual appreciation for artists like Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Paul McCartney, and Mitch Mitchell of the Jimi Hendrix Experience. Drummer Joey Waronker, known for his work with Beck, REM, and Roger Waters, also joined the recording sessions. Their goal was to avoid creating a mechanical-sounding album, as Squire believes perfection is subjective. He also shares his preference for slightly imperfect elements in music, citing examples from popular bands like The Rolling Stones and The Beatles.
The outcome is an incredibly lively and carefree psychedelic blues album, where Squire’s guitar melodies flow joyfully and Gallagher’s vocals often rise above his usual snarls or sneers. In his previous band, Stone Roses, Squire’s style of playing was more drawn out, exploring the spaciousness created by the band’s rhythms; however, in this album, he is more efficient and focused, allowing the songs to guide any improvisation. His playing sounds revitalized, while Gallagher has found a comfortable fit after Oasis. The final track, “Mother Nature’s Song,” is a wide-eyed tribute to the beauty of nature, accompanied by acoustic guitars and a George Harrison-esque slide guitar solo. It is one of the most emotionally powerful songs that either artist has ever recorded. Gallagher’s vocals even brought tears to Squire’s eyes upon first hearing it, which he says has never happened before with any of his own compositions.
I inquired about Gallagher’s authority in deciding the lyrics, and Squire claims it was never discussed. However, Gallagher reacts defensively to the same question, stating, “If there were any inappropriate actions happening, I would have addressed it. But I recall receiving the lyrics and feeling like it reflected my style.”
Dressed in the standard green parka and using colorful language, Gallagher remains true to himself. As we talk, I sometimes sense that his youthful bravado may be giving way to the wisdom of age, only to then see him revert back to his classic, swaggering attitude. He mentions that he would enjoy verbally attacking rival bands, but there are currently none around or at least none he deems worthy. “It’s a shame because they would definitely get a piece of my mind,” he adds reassuringly. “No one wants to be in a band and share success nowadays. It’s all about solo stars and ‘me me me’.”
Gallagher has released three solo albums, all of which have reached No. 1 in the UK charts. However, he seems to thrive most when working as part of a team. His first project after leaving Oasis was the band Beady Eye, and former Oasis member Bonehead has joined him on tour as part of his live band. This year, Gallagher will also be performing an arena tour and headlining at the Reading and Leeds festivals, where he plans to revisit Oasis’s debut album, Definitely Maybe. His goal is to keep the band’s music alive and relevant. He insists that he will not let Oasis become one of those bands that only releases new music every decade or so.
In the most literal sense, Oasis has been inactive since 2009 due to a fight backstage at the Rock en Seine festival in Paris. Noel Gallagher left the band and did not come back. If given the chance, would Liam have handled the situation differently 15 years ago? He responds with a scowl, saying he would physically fight both Noel and the band’s manager, Marcus Russell. He becomes agitated and stands up, gesturing and expressing his frustration with how they “threw him under the bus” and caused his life to fall apart.
According to Noel, he always planned to pursue a solo career, citing his solo acoustic performances during breaks from touring with Oasis. He admits that he may have wanted more attention, but he never intended to break up the band. He stated in a 2009 statement that he left the band due to excessive verbal and physical threats towards himself and those close to him. In 2021, he explained that the Paris incident was the final straw that led to his departure.
Liam argues that he was unfairly blamed for the group’s collapse and that his drinking was used as a scapegoat. To demonstrate the consistency of his behavior, he draws a straight line on the table. He believes that his and his brother’s behavior was what made Oasis successful. However, he feels that his brother has changed and become more concerned with appearances, unlike their early days. Liam is now passionately expressing his frustration, pointing out that his brother is touring with Tom Meighan, who has a history of assault. He finds it hypocritical that his brother won’t reconcile with him due to his supposed bad behavior, yet is willing to work with someone who has a similar past.
He refers to the five years after Oasis’s breakup as a “nightmare.” During that time, he lacked management, an office, and someone to confide in, while Noel, as the main songwriter and driving force behind Oasis, still had a team supporting him and behaving arrogantly towards others. In hindsight, it’s easy to say “you’re a big boy,” but after relying on that support for 20 years, he struggled to manage his business and personal life. All the help was suddenly gone, while Noel still had it all.
He continues to say that there were around 40 to 50 individuals employed by Oasis. Suddenly, all of them were left without a job. Meanwhile, the other member of the band is enjoying his time with his guitar and wife. Has he ever had a direct conversation with Noel about this? No, there has been no communication. They have not seen each other and will not in the future. He believes that they are all self-absorbed. The difference is that he has been humbled and is grateful for it as it has made him a better person. However, Noel has not experienced this and still carries himself as if he is superior, but time will tell.
After the downfall, Gallagher formed Beady Eye as a temporary solution for himself and the remaining members of the group. He explains that Gem Archer and Andy Bell had dedicated themselves to Oasis and were ultimately let go. The band’s main goal was to maintain their sanity, rather than achieving great success. They released two albums before disbanding in 2014. Gallagher’s solo career began in 2017 and reached its peak with three successful albums and sold-out shows at Knebworth, where Oasis had their biggest live performance in 1996. While he may no longer feel humbled, Gallagher admits to still being unsettled.
As soon as I enter the next room where Squire is, I can feel a change in the atmosphere. It seems like he carefully considers the impact of each syllable before speaking.
In June 2022, he joined Gallagher on stage at Knebworth, marking his first live performance since the Roses disbanded in 2017. The unexpected reunion lasted for five years, with the band playing in packed stadiums and headlining festivals. Doubts about their ability to maintain their volatile relationships were quieted. However, recording a new album proved to be too much.
Squire somberly acknowledges that it was clear the desired outcome would not come to fruition. Despite the release of two new songs, All for One and Beautiful Thing, in 2016, it was already evident that there was a lack of enthusiasm for the band as a whole and the prospect of creating a new album.
The Roses went their separate ways. Lead singer Ian Brown continued his solo career and used social media to express his criticism of the Covid vaccine. Meanwhile, Squire returned to his passion for visual art and even collaborated on the cover for Just Another Rainbow. He believes that any creative endeavor adds to his overall happiness and defines his personality, whether it be big or small, visual or auditory. What drives him is the act of creating.
He had not planned on pursuing music, but that changed in 2020 after a traumatic event. While playing basketball with his nine-year-old child, Squire fell and injured his dominant hand, specifically his thumb. “It was definitely a scary moment,” he recalls. “I was worried about whether I would fully recover.” With the help of physiotherapy and a dedicated schedule of playing guitar, he was able to regain full use of his hand and return to his previous level of skill.
The injury not only compelled him to resume playing, but also rekindled his passion for it. He admits, “I still have a weakness for a catchy melody, a chord progression, or clever lyrics. When I can create that, it’s truly thrilling.” When questioned about his lack of music releases in recent years, he carefully considers, “There would have been sacrifices. I might not have a spouse, or as many children – I have six – and I wouldn’t have spent as much time with them. But I don’t feel like I’ve made a huge mistake.”
Regarding their collaboration, Squire expresses that he had high expectations for working with Gallagher, but their chemistry exceeded what he had imagined. He explains that they were both pleasantly surprised by how well his guitar tone complemented Gallagher’s voice and how their songs fit together. However, Squire declines to interpret the meaning behind his lyrics, stating that it is up to the listener to decide. Some intriguing lines from his songs, such as “I know you’re content in your suburban trance / You should have engaged with me when you had the opportunity” (One Day at a Time), “This journey of self-discovery has left my sails ablaze” (Mars to Liverpool), and “Thank you for your thoughts and prayers / And also, screw you” (Make It Up As You Go Along), will remain a enigma.
Gallagher and Squire are optimistic that this marks the beginning of a lasting musical partnership. They have plans to go on tour later this year, and Squire alludes to the fact that he is already working on a follow-up album. “The guitar is fighting back,” he declares.
Gallagher acknowledges, “If John continues to produce more amazing songs, we’ll include them too.” He adds, “Squire still has a lot left in him. Although John is often seen as a guitar hero, he also has a talent for songwriting.” As I prepare to depart, I praise Gallagher for the album and suggest that while he has always been a rocker, Squire has added some flair to his sound.
One week later, I receive a call from Gallagher requesting that I return the call. He informs me, “I want to address something with you. You mentioned that John had given me some ‘roll’?” Feeling embarrassed, I confirm that I did say that. Gallagher responds, “I was annoyed by that when I left. I thought to myself, ‘Forget it.'”
“I have always been a combination of rock and roll,” he reflects. “But I must credit John for inspiring me to be in a band. So one could say he gave me both the rock and the roll.”
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The new album, “Just Another Rainbow,” by Liam Gallagher and John Squire, is now available. Their collaboration is set to be released in the upcoming spring season.
Source: theguardian.com
