The Real Big Brother
ROME – Saturday, December 5th, 2009
Paul Gallagher is the eldest and certainly the least well-known of the three Gallagher brothers. Born on January 11th, 1966, about a year and a half before Noel, he supports City and has always tried to find his place in the music world.At the end of the ’80s he began selecting records in some clubs in Manchester, only to abandon the scene with the arrival of the acid house music period.
He worked for Creation Records during the ’90s, also becoming the manager of a band.
Since 2006 he has returned to selecting records starting from the Hindu Nights in Ghent (in Belgium), where he is currently a resident DJ. Since then he has selected records in various parts of the world and now, for the first time and exclusively for Wonderwall, also in Italy.
Paul Gallagher interview
by Fabio D’Antonio (5 December 2009)This interview was originally published exclusively in Italian in issue 35 of Wonderwall fanzine (2010).
© Oasis Fans Club. All rights reserved.
We chat pleasantly while sipping tea in the lounge of an elegant hotel, surrounded by the greenery and quiet of the Roman countryside.
It’s the second day with Paul Gallagher, who arrived in Rome to participate in the Supersonic Night on December 4th at Stazione Birra. It’s a real pleasure to talk with the third brother on this sunny and warm Saturday afternoon (as much as possible in December).
We talk about music and the evening that has just passed, a great night, with a large turnout of mad-for-it fans that testifies (if there was ever any doubt) to the Oasis fever among Italian fans, far from extinguished despite Noel’s definitive departure and the band’s breakup. The quarrel between Noel and Liam has already been internalized by all the fans, but not their actual separation. The squabbles between the two brothers are no news to anyone, but Noel’s surrender with a brief press release on the eve of the Milan date (I-Day Festival on August 30th, 2009) still stings.
A bad nightmare from which we still have to wake up. Only three months have passed since the day of the ‘disaster,’ and Oasis fans still express mixed feelings on social networks: anger, disbelief, fatalism, gratitude, and discouragement…
Paul has just had the chance to experience the warm Italian audience and was delighted by the skill of the tribute bands. All things he will soon tell Liam, with whom he seems to currently have a more solid and genuine relationship. Perhaps it has always been that way.
Paul claims several traits of Liam’s character, tastes, and style as originally his own; passed on to his younger brother when he was a role model.
They will spend Christmas together. Without Noel.
In a few hours, Paul has his flight to Paris, where he will join his girlfriend, but he is happy to grant this interview, even though there isn’t enough time for all the questions…
Paul asks amused: Are those the questions?
I have just pulled out a disturbing sheet with notes for the questions, handwritten in tiny and undecipherable handwriting… Once the camera is ready, recording begins, and I ask him to say hello to the Italian fans. Paul looks amused and introduces himself in his own way: “Hello Italy, my name is Boris Karloff… no, I’m Paul Gallagher”
Where do you live and what do you mainly do?
I currently live in London. I work as a DJ and… other things.
Are you still musically involved in promoting any band?
No, I don’t promote any band anymore. That was ten years ago. All forgotten. Now I think about myself. I’m working on organizing a small music festival in Ireland for next September 2010.
What are your immediate commitments?
Christmas with Liam and maybe Kuala Lumpur as a DJ for New Year’s Eve…
So far away?
Kuala Lumpur or any other place, it’s not a problem as long as there are trains and planes.
Are you recognized on the street by Oasis fans as a Gallagher brother?
In Italy it doesn’t happen, not even in Belgium. In London it happens, in Manchester of course.
Do they always ask you the same questions…
By now I don’t even let them talk. Whoever tries to ask: ‘You…’ – I immediately answer ‘No’. Almost everyone just looks and passes by.
What’s the strangest or most unusual question a fan has asked you?
Paul (thinks for a moment): I couldn’t tell you… but I can tell you what happened to me in America. I was in the same hotel as the band that was supposed to play in Los Angeles. I think it was 1998. I had asked the reception not to put any calls through to me and not to disturb me because I wanted to rest… and then comes this weird phone call… (Paul changes voice and adopts a characteristic American accent): ‘Hey man, you don’t know me, I’m Jim Morrison’s son, you know, from The Doors… my band plays tonight and I was wondering if you’d like to come see us.’ And I said: ‘No, f*** off.’ It was nine in the morning and a guy claiming to be Jim Morrison’s son called me at the hotel to invite me to his band’s concert. A real nonsense… But I don’t think he was an Oasis fan.
Have Oasis changed your life?
They haven’t changed my life. It’s always the same, although maybe today I wouldn’t be in Rome if they weren’t so famous.
Do you feel comfortable having your brothers in a famous band like Oasis? Was it annoying at times?
It’s all ok, eighteen years have passed. It’s a long time. It’s not 1995 anymore when everything was really crazy and unexpected.
Which are the 5 albums that changed your life, excluding Oasis?
I can tell you some albums I like, but they didn’t change my life… the self-titled album by ‘The Specials,’ the album ‘In The City’ and also ‘Sound Affects’ by The Jam, the album ‘1st’ by the Bee Gees released in 1967… and ‘The Queen Is Dead’ by The Smiths.
What is your favorite Oasis album?
Definitely Maybe (answers confidently and smiles). It was the first. I don’t know if it’s the best, but it’s the one that changed things. At that time, American music was listened to. Things like Nirvana. In England, there were Blur, Suede. But there was a certain difference in popularity. Then suddenly Oasis arrived and boom! They swept away all the other bands in an instant. The period from 1995 to 1996 was insane.
What are the 5 Oasis songs you prefer?
Rockin’ Chair, Stay Young, To Be Where There’s Life, Don’t Go Away, and Supersonic.
You didn’t mention any Liam songs…
Songbird… Liam always improves, let’s give him time.
What can you tell us about Knebworth… were you backstage?
No, I wasn’t at Knebworth. I preferred to take a holiday in Tunisia. I missed Loch Lomond, Knebworth, Pairc Ui in Cork (Ireland). I didn’t attend these mega concerts at the time. I went to Tunisia to get away from Oasis-mania and relax. I enter a bar and the jukebox is playing Oasis music. I leave to the f***ing Tunisia, all the way to Africa, to get away from the hysteria of those days. And I realize at that moment that they were famous even in North Africa… aaargh!
Which were the best Oasis concerts you attended?
I’d say The Point in Dublin in 1996 [Oasis played at the Point Depot in Dublin on March 22nd and 23rd, 1996] it was a long time ago, many pints of beer ago… with ten thousand crazy fans inside the arena. Then also Wolverhampton in 1994 [Oasis played twice in Wolverhampton in 1994. At the Civic Hall on December 11 and at the Wulfrun Hall on August 11].
Can you try to describe in one word the people I’m going to name?
I’ll try…
Noel Gallagher
Paul (smiles and makes a grimace): Eeeeeh
But that’s not a word…
Eeeeeh, this is a word for me
Liam Gallagher
Paul (smiles again, it’s obvious he doesn’t want to express anything that could be used against his brothers, and repeats looking at us amused): Uuuuuh
Bonehead
Paul (speaks in Italian): Magnifico
Guigsy
Invisible
Tony McCarroll
Lost
Alan White
Cockney (‘Londoner’)
Gem Archer
Great
Andy Bell
Posh Boy (‘Elegant boy’)
Phil Smith
Genius (Obviously this very positive judgment was at least partly influenced by the fact that the two were the protagonists of the Supersonic Night the day before, spending most of the time before their performance drinking beer). Then he adds: A genius without a cellphone… he needs to buy one
Alan McGee
Ginger Joke
Paul Gallagher
Amazing We all laugh together.
You wrote a book about your childhood, ‘Brothers, from Childhood to Oasis’. Don’t you mind if I ask how Liam was as a kid? I imagine he was a real pest…
He wasn’t bad, he was very noisy, made a lot of racket.
Do you think you influenced Liam in some way?
Yes, he stole my clothes, my records, my tastes, my ideas, and my philosophy. Looks at the camera and points finger: Thief.
And now he’s selling all this with music and the clothing line…
Look, it’s obvious… Pretty Green, that is PG… (points to himself) then there’s Big Brother and who’s the older brother? Need more proof?
Paul Gallagher can be very funny when he wants. He has a sharp sense of irony, yet it is undeniable that he has been very influential on Liam’s character and tastes.
What do you think about Liam’s choice to produce his own clothing line?
It’s a nice thing. A good idea.
He couldn’t answer differently, considering that Paul is wearing a navy blue t-shirt with the clearly visible white Pretty Green logo. I then ask if he receives compensation from Liam for having inspired him years ago:
No and he owes me money… (smiles and looks at the camera) I’m waiting for my royalties… euros, pounds, zloty, yen, dollars… any way…”
Do you play any instrument?
No, no instrument except my mouth!
Did you ever think, in the early days of the band, about being part of Oasis in some way? There were already two of your brothers.
No, absolutely not. We’re not the Osmonds.
Did you ever make fun of them for the fact that they were part of the same band?
No, to tell the truth I didn’t really care. And it’s remained something that doesn’t belong to me. They created the band and they were also the ones who split up the band.
What’s the nicest gift you’ve received from Liam or Noel?
I’ve never received gifts (he has a mocking smile, so I point out that he’s wearing a Pretty Green t-shirt). I got this t-shirt, scarf, hat and coat as payment…
Paul previously told me (during lunch) that he had selected the records a few days earlier at the Pretty Green Launch Party in London and that he received clothing items and an iPod (Pretty Green customized) as payment.
You told me you were there the night in Paris, you were backstage. Many versions of what happened have been circulating…
Yes, I was in Paris, I was supposed to select the records for the aftershow party. The only thing I can tell you is that the band didn’t play that night.
Do you think they will get back together in the future…
I really wouldn’t know, but life is long
(Paul’s hermetic nature becomes even more evident when I ask if he has any impressions about what the near future might be for his brothers): I have no idea. Then he adds: Liam is taking care of his clothing line and has recorded some new demos in the studio with Andy and Gem. Noel should make his solo record. We’ll see what happens… I’m sure you’ll be the first to know.
This is not your first time in Italy
Yes, in 2006 I was in Italy for the Oasis concert at the Palalottomatica. I like Italy even though I’ve never had the time needed to visit it. I’ve never even been to Milan. And I have friends in Sicily, in Agrigento.
What kind of music do you select as a DJ?
I select music from the ’50s up to today, anything, but I usually don’t play Oasis music. Then, for example, last night there was no need for it after two Oasis tribute bands.
Which new bands are you listening to at the moment?
I hardly ever listen to new bands. My iPod has old albums in it. But I can point out three new bands that are excellent: Here Comes The Landed Gentry (Derry – Ireland), Exit Calm (Barnsley – UK), Free Peace (Liverpool – UK).
We talk about music and the evening that has just passed, a great night, with a large turnout of mad-for-it fans that testifies (if there was ever any doubt) to the Oasis fever among Italian fans, far from extinguished despite Noel’s definitive departure and the band’s breakup. The quarrel between Noel and Liam has already been internalized by all the fans, but not their actual separation. The squabbles between the two brothers are no news to anyone, but Noel’s surrender with a brief press release on the eve of the Milan date (I-Day Festival on August 30th, 2009) still stings.
A bad nightmare from which we still have to wake up. Only three months have passed since the day of the ‘disaster,’ and Oasis fans still express mixed feelings on social networks: anger, disbelief, fatalism, gratitude, and discouragement…
Paul has just had the chance to experience the warm Italian audience and was delighted by the skill of the tribute bands. All things he will soon tell Liam, with whom he seems to currently have a more solid and genuine relationship. Perhaps it has always been that way.
Paul claims several traits of Liam’s character, tastes, and style as originally his own; passed on to his younger brother when he was a role model.
They will spend Christmas together. Without Noel.
In a few hours, Paul has his flight to Paris, where he will join his girlfriend, but he is happy to grant this interview, even though there isn’t enough time for all the questions…
Paul asks amused: Are those the questions?
I have just pulled out a disturbing sheet with notes for the questions, handwritten in tiny and undecipherable handwriting… Once the camera is ready, recording begins, and I ask him to say hello to the Italian fans. Paul looks amused and introduces himself in his own way: “Hello Italy, my name is Boris Karloff… no, I’m Paul Gallagher”
Where do you live and what do you mainly do?
I currently live in London. I work as a DJ and… other things.
Are you still musically involved in promoting any band?
No, I don’t promote any band anymore. That was ten years ago. All forgotten. Now I think about myself. I’m working on organizing a small music festival in Ireland for next September 2010.
What are your immediate commitments?
Christmas with Liam and maybe Kuala Lumpur as a DJ for New Year’s Eve…
So far away?
Kuala Lumpur or any other place, it’s not a problem as long as there are trains and planes.
Are you recognized on the street by Oasis fans as a Gallagher brother?
In Italy it doesn’t happen, not even in Belgium. In London it happens, in Manchester of course.
Do they always ask you the same questions…
By now I don’t even let them talk. Whoever tries to ask: ‘You…’ – I immediately answer ‘No’. Almost everyone just looks and passes by.
What’s the strangest or most unusual question a fan has asked you?
Paul (thinks for a moment): I couldn’t tell you… but I can tell you what happened to me in America. I was in the same hotel as the band that was supposed to play in Los Angeles. I think it was 1998. I had asked the reception not to put any calls through to me and not to disturb me because I wanted to rest… and then comes this weird phone call… (Paul changes voice and adopts a characteristic American accent): ‘Hey man, you don’t know me, I’m Jim Morrison’s son, you know, from The Doors… my band plays tonight and I was wondering if you’d like to come see us.’ And I said: ‘No, f*** off.’ It was nine in the morning and a guy claiming to be Jim Morrison’s son called me at the hotel to invite me to his band’s concert. A real nonsense… But I don’t think he was an Oasis fan.
Have Oasis changed your life?
They haven’t changed my life. It’s always the same, although maybe today I wouldn’t be in Rome if they weren’t so famous.
Do you feel comfortable having your brothers in a famous band like Oasis? Was it annoying at times?
It’s all ok, eighteen years have passed. It’s a long time. It’s not 1995 anymore when everything was really crazy and unexpected.
Which are the 5 albums that changed your life, excluding Oasis?
I can tell you some albums I like, but they didn’t change my life… the self-titled album by ‘The Specials,’ the album ‘In The City’ and also ‘Sound Affects’ by The Jam, the album ‘1st’ by the Bee Gees released in 1967… and ‘The Queen Is Dead’ by The Smiths.
What is your favorite Oasis album?
Definitely Maybe (answers confidently and smiles). It was the first. I don’t know if it’s the best, but it’s the one that changed things. At that time, American music was listened to. Things like Nirvana. In England, there were Blur, Suede. But there was a certain difference in popularity. Then suddenly Oasis arrived and boom! They swept away all the other bands in an instant. The period from 1995 to 1996 was insane.
What are the 5 Oasis songs you prefer?
Rockin’ Chair, Stay Young, To Be Where There’s Life, Don’t Go Away, and Supersonic.
You didn’t mention any Liam songs…
Songbird… Liam always improves, let’s give him time.
What can you tell us about Knebworth… were you backstage?
No, I wasn’t at Knebworth. I preferred to take a holiday in Tunisia. I missed Loch Lomond, Knebworth, Pairc Ui in Cork (Ireland). I didn’t attend these mega concerts at the time. I went to Tunisia to get away from Oasis-mania and relax. I enter a bar and the jukebox is playing Oasis music. I leave to the f***ing Tunisia, all the way to Africa, to get away from the hysteria of those days. And I realize at that moment that they were famous even in North Africa… aaargh!
Which were the best Oasis concerts you attended?
I’d say The Point in Dublin in 1996 [Oasis played at the Point Depot in Dublin on March 22nd and 23rd, 1996] it was a long time ago, many pints of beer ago… with ten thousand crazy fans inside the arena. Then also Wolverhampton in 1994 [Oasis played twice in Wolverhampton in 1994. At the Civic Hall on December 11 and at the Wulfrun Hall on August 11].
Can you try to describe in one word the people I’m going to name?
I’ll try…
Noel Gallagher
Paul (smiles and makes a grimace): Eeeeeh
But that’s not a word…
Eeeeeh, this is a word for me
Liam Gallagher
Paul (smiles again, it’s obvious he doesn’t want to express anything that could be used against his brothers, and repeats looking at us amused): Uuuuuh
Bonehead
Paul (speaks in Italian): Magnifico
Guigsy
Invisible
Tony McCarroll
Lost
Alan White
Cockney (‘Londoner’)
Gem Archer
Great
Andy Bell
Posh Boy (‘Elegant boy’)
Phil Smith
Genius (Obviously this very positive judgment was at least partly influenced by the fact that the two were the protagonists of the Supersonic Night the day before, spending most of the time before their performance drinking beer). Then he adds: A genius without a cellphone… he needs to buy one
Alan McGee
Ginger Joke
Paul Gallagher
Amazing We all laugh together.
You wrote a book about your childhood, ‘Brothers, from Childhood to Oasis’. Don’t you mind if I ask how Liam was as a kid? I imagine he was a real pest…
He wasn’t bad, he was very noisy, made a lot of racket.
Do you think you influenced Liam in some way?
Yes, he stole my clothes, my records, my tastes, my ideas, and my philosophy. Looks at the camera and points finger: Thief.
And now he’s selling all this with music and the clothing line…
Look, it’s obvious… Pretty Green, that is PG… (points to himself) then there’s Big Brother and who’s the older brother? Need more proof?
Paul Gallagher can be very funny when he wants. He has a sharp sense of irony, yet it is undeniable that he has been very influential on Liam’s character and tastes.
What do you think about Liam’s choice to produce his own clothing line?
It’s a nice thing. A good idea.
He couldn’t answer differently, considering that Paul is wearing a navy blue t-shirt with the clearly visible white Pretty Green logo. I then ask if he receives compensation from Liam for having inspired him years ago:
No and he owes me money… (smiles and looks at the camera) I’m waiting for my royalties… euros, pounds, zloty, yen, dollars… any way…”
Do you play any instrument?
No, no instrument except my mouth!
Did you ever think, in the early days of the band, about being part of Oasis in some way? There were already two of your brothers.
No, absolutely not. We’re not the Osmonds.
Did you ever make fun of them for the fact that they were part of the same band?
No, to tell the truth I didn’t really care. And it’s remained something that doesn’t belong to me. They created the band and they were also the ones who split up the band.
What’s the nicest gift you’ve received from Liam or Noel?
I’ve never received gifts (he has a mocking smile, so I point out that he’s wearing a Pretty Green t-shirt). I got this t-shirt, scarf, hat and coat as payment…
Paul previously told me (during lunch) that he had selected the records a few days earlier at the Pretty Green Launch Party in London and that he received clothing items and an iPod (Pretty Green customized) as payment.
You told me you were there the night in Paris, you were backstage. Many versions of what happened have been circulating…
Yes, I was in Paris, I was supposed to select the records for the aftershow party. The only thing I can tell you is that the band didn’t play that night.
Do you think they will get back together in the future…
I really wouldn’t know, but life is long
(Paul’s hermetic nature becomes even more evident when I ask if he has any impressions about what the near future might be for his brothers): I have no idea. Then he adds: Liam is taking care of his clothing line and has recorded some new demos in the studio with Andy and Gem. Noel should make his solo record. We’ll see what happens… I’m sure you’ll be the first to know.
This is not your first time in Italy
Yes, in 2006 I was in Italy for the Oasis concert at the Palalottomatica. I like Italy even though I’ve never had the time needed to visit it. I’ve never even been to Milan. And I have friends in Sicily, in Agrigento.
What kind of music do you select as a DJ?
I select music from the ’50s up to today, anything, but I usually don’t play Oasis music. Then, for example, last night there was no need for it after two Oasis tribute bands.
Which new bands are you listening to at the moment?
I hardly ever listen to new bands. My iPod has old albums in it. But I can point out three new bands that are excellent: Here Comes The Landed Gentry (Derry – Ireland), Exit Calm (Barnsley – UK), Free Peace (Liverpool – UK).
Our time is up, we have to head to Ciampino airport. Although the official interview has ended, the conversation continues amicably all the way to the departures terminal, and we say goodbye practically at the same spot as the meeting the day before.
The last words, after talking about football (Paul is a fanatic of Manchester City and the Irish national team), were still about Oasis and the sadness they instilled in fans with their breakup: “No one has died and they will make music again” – exclaims Paul… and perhaps he’s right.
The last words, after talking about football (Paul is a fanatic of Manchester City and the Irish national team), were still about Oasis and the sadness they instilled in fans with their breakup: “No one has died and they will make music again” – exclaims Paul… and perhaps he’s right.