Liam Gallagher’s candid interview after scoring solo chart high with new record

Liam Gallagher’s solo record wouldn’t be anywhere without his long term music success — but he doesn’t take it for granted.

The Gallagher musical dynasty seems assured. As former Oasis and Beady Eye frontman Liam Gallagher releases his third solo record C’mon You Know, his sons Lennon and Gene are following in his designer sneaker-clad footsteps.

Lennon fronts a rock band called Automotion, while drummer Gene made a guest appearance during his father’s set at a Royal Albert Hall charity concert in March and has “got some tunes on the go as well”.

The musical offspring also starred in a “documentary” that aired in the UK last week to launch Gallagher’s new album and was filmed at the famous Rockfield Studios in Wales where Oasis recorded their world-conquering second album (What’s The Story) Morning Glory?

Lennon Gallagher, Liam Gallagher, Molly Moorish and Gene Gallagher in 2019. Picture: Instagram

The proud dad sings the praises of the talents of his offspring.

“Gene comes on and does (2019 hit single) The River and he might do a bit on the new one Better Days, he just pops in and out, man. He’s a good little drummer,” Gallagher says from London.

“Lennon’s doing his own band, he’s a bit of a hipster king, he’s already got about nine bands and he’s started another one, he’s taking the piss.

“It’s nice having the kids about and they’re a lot more talented than me, which wouldn’t be much; they’re really good on the guitar and drums.”

Gallagher will play his new stuff at Splendour in The Grass next month. Picture: Supplied.

The rock survivor, who turns 50 this year, again linked with Los Angeles hitmaking producers Greg Kurstin (Adele, Halsey, Foo Fighters) and Andrew Wyatt for C’mon You Know.

They exploited their considerable contacts for some unexpected guests on the record, including Vampire Weekend’s Ezra Koenig and Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ Nick Zinner.

“With Ezra, I didn’t really know anything about Vampire Weekend, I heard probably a couple of tunes and that and seen ‘em on TV, never seen ‘em live, so that came from Andrew (Wyatt),” Gallagher says.

“They had this odd tune on the go and I was like ‘Bring it on’ and the next minute Ezra’s in the studio playing on it, and we hung out for a couple of hours and that’s it, I’ve not seen him again.

“I wouldn’t say he was someone on my bucket list but I’m down with working with anyone as long as the music’s good and they’re not annoying.”

Gallagher mate Dave Grohl co-wrote and plays drums on the album’s first single Everything’s Electric. The former Oasis frontman has been part of the Foo Fighters’ wider circle for years and dedicated his Royal Albert Hall for the Teenage Cancer Trust to drummer Taylor Hawkins the night after his death in Colombia.

“The album was finished in November, I was off to have a drink, and I get a phone call that Dave was with Greg and they got this tune on the go and if I wanted, we could do something with it. So I went back to the studio, had a listen to it and thought ‘yeah that’ll do’. Put a vocal on it, sent it back, and that was the last song for the record.”

Gallagher’s attitude to collaboration has mellowed in the 13 years since Oasis disbanded. He wants to make hits and is acutely aware he needs help to achieve that ambition.

And his gambles have paid off with C’mon You Know debuting at No. 5 on the ARIA album chart this week, a new solo peak for his Australian career.

Gallagher says it would be “justice” should he gets a statue in Manchester. Picture: Getty.

“In Oasis, we woulda thrown up at the thought … when you’re in your first band and all that, you sort of stay in-house and do what you do. It was me and Noel, and Noel did all the writing and that, and the thought of collaborating with anyone else was just blasphemy,” he says.

“We’re here to make hits and I need the help to do that. Music for me isn’t some f– king vanity project; if you’re not making hits and connecting with people what’s the f– king point.”

When he’s not making music, Gallagher – and his sons – are sought after by the fashion world. The singer recently launched a new range of Adidas sneakers.

The fashion brand and the rocker first partnered on a trainers design in 2019 ahead of releasing his second solo record Why Me? Why Not.

He jokes it wasn’t on his bucket list when he first embarked on his music career in his late teens having discounted “digging holes … or being a politician or shit.”

“As soon as I got into my music and started doing gigs in Oasis and the songs were good and all that I thought ‘Yeah man, this is what I’m meant to be doing,’” he says.

“And if there is a statue to be built one day in Manchester, like a f– king skyscraper, it will be righteous and it’ll be what’s meant to be done. It will be justice. You just don’t want the pigeons shitting all over you, do ya?”

C’mon You Know is out on May 27. Liam Gallagher will play Splendour In The Grass on July 24 with side shows at the Aware Super Theatre, Sydney on July 23, John Cain Arena, Melbourne on July 27 and HBF Stadium, Perth on July 30.