How the times change. Once upon a time – well, the 90s – it was all Oasis vs Blur round these parts. Now, in the opening overs of the 21st century, not only are Damon Albarn and Noel Gallagher working together, they’ve also teamed up to have a swipe at Liam Gallagher. Who’d-a thunk?
The older Gallagher is set to appear on the track ‘We Got The Power’ on Gorillaz’s new album, Humanz, which is out this Friday. The song also features the vocal talents of Savages’ singer Jehnny Beth.
Speaking to New York magazine (via Vulture), Damon Albarn explained how the previously unimaginable collaboration came about.
“In a sort of lighthearted way, I’d promised Noel he could be on this record,” said Albarn.
“He was always like, ‘I want to be on the next Gorillaz record,’ and I was like, ‘Sure.’ I thought it might be cute, the idea of us singing about the power to love each other.”
Pondering what the younger might think of them working together, Albarn joked: “Of course, no one’s asked Liam what he thinks about the song yet. No doubt he’d have a fantastic one-liner about what a bunch of fucking knobheads we are.”
On the other hand, Noel was a bit more forthright. In the first instance, he revealed how he’d wanted Albarn to play on his album: “Well, he was supposed to play on my new record, but at the time I was recording, he was finishing the Gorillaz record and didn’t have the time.
”Hopefully next time. I’d like to get him to play melodica on something, which is what he was going to do for me on this record.”
And as for what Liam thinks?
“Listen, nobody gives a fuck what Liam thinks about anything.”
Although there’s still no release date for Liam’s album, As You Were, he will be appearing at this year’s Reading And Leeds Festival as well as festivals across Europe. We can also expect a barrage wit and wisdom from the younger Gallagher brother in the coming months.
