"I'd Rather Be Me Than Him"

Just a few weeks ago, Oasis dropped one of their familiar bombshells, this time with the announcement that Noel Gallagher was leaving the current tour - though it was subsequently indicated that he would be back for scheduled concerts in Ireland and Britain.

Catching up with Liam Gallagher, just before last week's concert in Berlin, the question that had to be asked was: does he miss his brother?

"I do miss him, yeah. But he's gotta sort out what's going on in the band, you know what I mean. It's not HIS band. It's A band and that's it. And he has to sort out whether he wants to be in the band or not. Or he wants to be in the band sometimes. I want to be in the band all the time. And the rest of the people in the band want to be in the band also. You can't want to be in the band just for the weekends. You have to fucking commit to it. Or you don't. But yeah, I do miss him.

This must be a really difficult situation for Oasis, being on tour right now?

It's not difficult for me! It's difficult for him! I'd rather be me than him at the moment, you know, what I mean? Sitting in his house in Spain very nice you know what I mean? I'd rather be working.

It was announced that the tour will go on. The question is: are Oasis worth the ticket price without Noel, being the main songwriter and lead guitarist?

Yeah! But it will be different. But, yeah it's all about the songs, you know what I mean? And if they don't like it, they'll get their money back.

Have you yourself ever thought of leaving the band?

I don't know, mate. I think the songs are rockin'. And I would not quit no band. I love Oasis. I fucking love Oasis, you know? I wanna do a new fucking album.

Is there a chance of Noel coming back?

Definitely. He's coming back to play these gigs in Wembley. Then we're gonna have to sit down and talk about whether it's a long term thing or whether he wants to be in a band, you know? The people in the band wanna keep making music. We had two fucking years off. We've done a fucking new album and we're playing it. And I wanna keep doing music. I'm not doing a fucking tour and then having another fucking year off. That's rubbish, sittin' on your arse all day. I wanna make another album straight away! Because we've got the songs! So let's fuckin' do it! I don't wanna sit on my fuckin' ass all the fuckin' time, you know what I mean? That's what I do. That's what I get paid for. I'm in a band. I'm hungry for it. Obviously he's not.

So, what will the shows be like, then?

They'll see a good looking singer, fucking punk rock and lots of great tunes.

Is a good portion of anger in the belly good for a show?

Oh, I'm chilled, man! But I can go both ways! Regardless of anger, the shows will be fucking great! Regardless of it. Because we're a great band. Noel might not be there. But the others and me got it solved. Don't worry, it will be fine!

So this is not the end of Oasis?

No, we go into another fucking studio and make the next fucking album. And whether it's Noel's songs or whether it's my songs or whatever - there will be a new album getting done.

You are a big football fan - so who'll win Euro 2000?

We will not fucking win it. And Germany will not fucking win it either. I think fucking Holland will win it.