Twitter Is Bringing Band Rivalry Into The 21st Century

There were many (myself included) who expressed suspicion when Oasis’ Liam Gallagher became the latest Twitter convert.

His arrival last month was timed conveniently with the press launch of his new fashion label, Pretty Green. Consequently, a majority of the singer’s (presuming it was him, not a PR imposter) tweets were about fashion. Yes, fashion. “Desert boots will be available this summer,” he wrote on March 19th. Thanks Liam, I’ll make a note of that.

More of the same, including an update about the arrival of a dodgy Parka sample that he wasn’t “100% happy” with, followed. (Well, at least we know he’s a perfectionist.)

But more recently, Gallagher seems to have changed his tune on Twitter. Like many celebrities, he’s starting to use the micro-blogging service the way most of us do (and should): as a platform to say what we’re actually doing. His posts are now far more personal as a result. Earlier this month, for example, he painted us a wonderful image that, one presumes, was conjured up as he sat next to the pool sipping a Pina Colada. “In South Africa starting to look a bit like Des O’Connor, need to get out of the sun. Gig tonight.”

Most refreshingly, in becoming more potent on Twitter, Gallagher has also found a new way to mock his brother, Noel. The results are proving hilarious. In the last 24 hours alone, he’s called Noel and comedian Russell Brand “a pair of old housewife’s” (yes, his grammar is not quite perfect – but I’ll blame Twitteriffic’s spell checker) and also responded to direct and cutting criticism from his brother.

After Noel told a music magazine Liam was “rude, arrogant, intimidating and lazy”, the singer hit back – on Twitter. “Is it that time of month again rkid?” he wrote.

He might not realise it, but Liam Gallagher is helping to bring old-fashioned band rivalry into the 21st century.

I’ve been watching this brewing for a while on Twitter – not just with Liam, but a host of other musicians and celebrities as well. In telling fans and followers just what they are up to, they're often – maybe subconsciously – revealing a lot more. And, increasingly, it's these updates that are focussed on just which celebrity they're currently hating.

Last month, for example, a war of words erupted on Twitter between Nine Inch Nails’ Trent Reznor and singer Chris Cornell. After Reznor wrote: “Heard Chris Cornell's record? Jesus”, the singer responded with a Tweet of his own.

”What do you think Jesus would twitter?" Cornell pondered into his laptop. "‘Let he who is without sin cast the first stone’ or ‘Has anyone seen Judas? He was here a minute ago’.”

We’ve also seen public beef between Lily Allen and gossip blogger Perez Hilton, which, at one stage, ironically saw Allen write: "Oh, I'm sorry, we've already cast the jealous and bitter lonely old queen role.” And, speaking of the world of celebrity, there’s a nice Twitter bitching session going on right now between the recently separated Lindsay Lohan and Sam Ronson.

It all begs the question - do musicians and celebrities not realise we can all read their messages? Or, has it yet to dawn on them that once posted, their comments can’t be taken back? (Well, not without a groveling Twitter apology as well.)

In Gallagher’s case, it’s like the mid-90s again, when the singer spoke without abandon. Twitter appears to have finally given him free reign - and it’s fabulous to watch. I just wonder how long it will be until Noel joins?