You're all I see in the afterglow

liam genre of the day:

This is all I've got 😫

From The Rise and Fall of Madchester (BBC):

"Hulme during the eighties was economically broken but socially mixed, and The Kitchen became its heart and its soul. Ravers, students, punks, artists, musicians, gangsters, men, women — gay and straight — they learned to disappear into the music together."

Noel: "When we used to go to the Haçienda in the eighties back in Manchester, afterwards there used to be, if you were brave enough to go, there used to be an afterhours kind of— what was it? ‘Cause they used to have DJs in there and it was very very shifty, y’know, and it would go on till seven-eight o’clock in the morning. And they would play kind of acid house music. But as the night would draw to a close, the older DJs would get on at like six o’clock in the morning and they’d start playing old, kind of soul stuff that you’d never heard. And I remember the sun coming up, and I was just stood beside a guy, and we were kinda dancing, and it was Mani from The Stone Roses, who I’d never met, but I was a massive fan! [...] That was the first night I met him, in 1988 at seven o’clock in the morning."

Daily Star - Thursday 08 August 1996

Noel says that the inspiration for the title Who Built the Moon? was taken from a chapter in a book of conspiracies that he read in the 90s.

While I couldn't find anything with that specific chapter title, I think it's likely that Noel read Jim Marrs' Alien Agenda that was published in 1997 and became hugely popular.

The first chapter in that book addresses the Spaceship/Hollow Moon theory.

Guy Pratt mentions Who Built the Moon? by Christopher Knight and Alan Butler, but that book was published in 2005, so Noel may have seen or heard the title somewhere and gotten it mixed up. However, there are so many books on conspiracies it's entirely possible there is a book out there with a chapter titled Who Built the Moon?

Dublin Evening Herald - Thursday 13 February 1997

The Uncle joke 💀💀💀

This screenshot remains a mystery. (Liam posted the text exchange between Noel and Anais on 20 April 2018, then deleted it.)

Who sent it to Liam, and why he posted it a year later, remain unknown.

From 1994 to 2024. Liam's important comments about Weller are highlighted with red and Weller's with blue

Both Liam and Noel were both fans of Weller, though Noel was obviously more into The Jam and had deep admiration for him. For example, Liam and Noel went to a Paul Weller gig together back in 1990 when Liam was 18 years old, and according to Noel the two of them were surprised by his single "Into Tomorrow".

Liam and Paul Weller met in 1994 (allegedly, in Glastonbury) and used to see eachother from time to time.

Inside, I see Liam Gallagher leaning against the doorway of the main party room. He's on typically cryptic form.

"I love Paul Weller,' he tells me. 'But I was too young to be really into The Jam. I preferred The Beatles.'"

— The Observer magazine, October 1999

In 1998, Steve Craddock invited Liam to record a cover of Carnation, his favourite song by The Jam. In the end, the rest of Oasis also collaborated on the song, along with Weller who played keyboard.

In 1999 Liam and Steve Craddock performed (mimed) the cover in Top of the Pops. In November it was released as part of the album "Fire and skill", a record in homage to The Jam.

Q: I never thought of you as a massive Jam fan.

Liam: No, I'm not. But I like some of the tracks, and I like Weller now. So we were speakin' about The Jam and mods and all this nonsense, so I went, 'oh, "Carnation" is the fucking best tune,' and Steve goes, 'Oh, that's my favourite tune. I'd love to do a cover of it one day.'

— Liam for UNCUT Magazine, April 2000

During the recordings of Standing on the Shoulders of Giants, Liam showed "Little James" to several people, including Paul Weller, who was the one to tell Noel it was a good song and convinced him to put it on the album. Noel has also said he believes Weller played on the song.

— Liam on The Big Breakfast, 2000

Noel: Apparently [Liam'd] already… I don’t know if this is true or not, but apparently he’d already demoed it before. And he never played it to me. So I was probably the last person ever to hear it (...) And I think Paul Weller played on it or something like that.

During the early 2000s, both Gallaghers and Weller hang out fairly regularly, assisting to each others' gigs (pic by Jill Furmanovsky, 2001)

However, according to Noel, Paul and Liam would somtimes get into arguments if they both had something to drink:

— Noel on The Big Issue, 2019

In 2008, Oasis attended a Paul Weller gig in New York. On "That's Entertainment", Liam walked on stage and kissed (?) Weller:

Noel was not at the gig because he was recovering from the stage attack in Toronto. More info here!

In 2009, Liam founded Pretty Green, his own clothing label, which takes its name from a The Jam song (written by Weller, ofc) of the same title.

That same year Liam was supposed to go on stage with Weller at the Benicassim festival but the gig had to be stopped due to a fire.

In 2010, Weller was asked for his opinion on the Oasis split:

"I don't want to talk out of turn because I love Noel and Liam, but I thought there was a bit of going through the motions by the end. You can see when someone's not happy. But I guess when you get to that sort of level and there's big business involved, it's harder to stop. I think ultimately it'll be better for music and for their own creativity."

— Paul Weller for The Independent, 24 April 2010

Despite the split, they maintained a good relationship during the Beady Eye years:

Who are the legends you’ve met and not been disappointed by?

Liam: Paul Weller. He’ll never let you down, man. Lee Mavers, he’s a fucking dude. Johnny Marr. Ian Brown – he’s absolute fucking dynamite.

— Beady Eye for Hot Press, 22 February 2011

On April 2011, both Beady Eye and Paul Weller played at the Japan Disaster Benefit. Liam organised the event along with Weller.

On June of that same year, Pretty Green announced a autumn/winter collection designed by Paul Weller (x) and he actually modeled for it!

In 2013, there were rumours of another charity gig spearheaded by Weller, in which Beady Eye would be invited, but Liam and Gem denied it. Although he jokingly said he would be down for it if Weller got all "freshman with his big strong arms" and roped him into doing the gig.

In 2015, amidst Oasis reunion rumours, Noel mentioned that Weller told him that he would break his legs/put his windows in if he got Oasis back together. Later, Weller confirmed this:

““I know it went around that I said I’d break Noel Gallagher’s legs or whatever if he even considered reforming Oasis, but it’s true. It’s unseemly. I have no interest in it and I honestly have no idea why anyone would. For me it’s always about moving forward. I couldn’t give a fuck if Oasis got back together again because I like what [Noel] does now,” Weller told NME, just weeks after Gallagher said the former Jam man would put his “fucking windows in” if that happened.

— The Daily Beast, 26 May 2015

In 2017 is when things get a bit complicated:

In September of 2017, Liam said the Oasis break up was planned and that Weller and Johnny Marr had chats with Noel about leaving Oasis, giving him advice on how to leave the band:

Asked if he feels like he ‘walked into’ Noel’s plan, Liam replied: “Without a fucking doubt, mate. They knew what they were doing. Our Kid having little meetings with Paul Weller. ‘How did you get out of The Jam?’ And with Johnny Marr. ‘How did you get out of one of the biggest bands in the country?’ It was all marked out and dickhead here walked right into it, which is fine. There’s no time limit on the truth coming out. People are clocking it now anyway.”

— NME, 3 September 2017

However, a month later Weller denied ever advising Noel to leave the band:

Q: Liam Gallagher said recently that you and Noel met to discuss breaking up Oasis. What do you make of their thing, where they snipe at each other in the press?

PW: [Laughs.] I don’t know man. It’s like a sort of comedy duo, isn’t it? It’s like a comedy duo, but with no straight man.

Q: Did Noel talk to you about that?

PW: Obviously not, man, of course not. Absolutely not. I mean, he’s not the sort of person that would ever do that. And I wouldn’t fucking want to be the person to have to give him advice anyway. But, they’re both, how should I put this…sort of liberal with the truth at times, bless them.

— Gothamist, 3 October 2017

On the 23rd of that same month, an interview with Weller was released in which he talked about Liam's "As You Were":

PW: I'm glad for [Liam], I’m glad he’s got his own thing together and he’s out there doing it. I’m really pleased on that level. Musically, it just sounds like Beady Eye – which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it wasn’t a massive surprise or anything. But I think I’m more pleased that he’s out there doing that. The lyrics are pretty pony I thought, a little bit sub-standard.

— Weller for Northern Transmissions, 23 October 2017

Three days later Liam tweeted this in retaliation:

In November of 2017 however, Liam spoke highly of Weller to NME:

Liam: I really like The Jam as well, but I remember when [Weller] came out with his solo stuff, that was what I really got into, when he was doing 'Into Tomorrow' and things like that. After that I was into a lot of his stuff. I remember I went to see him at the Apollo with Steve Cradock around 'Wild Wood' and it was amazing. Amazing voice, amazing songs. He ooked like an honorary Manc at the time. I thought he looked really cool. I liked him then, I still like him now. All his new stuff is great: that thing he did for that boxing film recently (Jawbone), mega. We hung around him a lot, obviously, when Oasis kicked off.

— NME Gold, November 2017

Then in 2018, Liam went after Weller again (and Johnny Marr)

On February, after going on a rant he stated that Weller and Noel had been slagging him off behind his back for years:

In 2019, with the release of NGHFB'S Black Star Dancing, Liam criticized (slagged off, more accurately) the song and wondered what 'Noel's bit on the side' — referring to Weller— would think of it:

“It’d be interesting to hear what [Noel's] fucking bit on the side thinks about it. You know who his bit on the side is, don’t you? Weller. It'd be interesting what he fucking thinks about it, 'cos he's put out some questionable shit over the fucking years, but I don't think he's ever gone down the Leo Sayer route, so it'll be interesting to see what marks out of 10 he gives it.”

— Q Magazine presents "The Making of..." May 2019

In a 2020 interview, however, Weller denied again that he had given advice to Noel and decided to stay out of Liam and Noel's "spat":

Asked what he thinks of the latest controversy between the Gallagher brothers, Weller said: “I’ve got better things to think about. I love both of them, anyway… I think they’re both brilliant characters.”

— Weller for NME, 23rd June 2020

Finally in August of 2024, Weller was asked about his opinion on the Oasis reunion:

PW: I’ve not been to see them, no (...) I’m not a big fan of big gigs, I said to Noel, a few weeks or months ago: ‘Are you going to do any warm-ups?’ which he wasn’t, but, I’d go and see something like that in a smaller venue, but I just don’t like big gigs*.

Q: When did you know the gigs were happening?

PW: uh, when I read about it in the Daily Trumpet or whatever.

Q: Did you not know upfront? Noel hadn't told you?

PW: No, but I wouldn't expect him to, y'know? It's not of my interest to be honest, but I bet everyone else knew about it.

*Weller did go to Blur's Wembley gigs and even played support for one of the shows.

A while back I made a general timeline of Liam and Weller's relationship, but considering that I've found more information and that quite a few things happened during the Beady Eye period, I thought I'd make one that encompasses the events from 2010 to 2014.

An important clarification is that Weller was happy with the fact that Oasis had split up, he thought it'd be good for both Liam and Noel:

Creatively, I think the Oasis split is going to be good thing. There’s going to be some great things to come from both of them in the future. I’d definitely be up for collaborating with Liam and with Noel. I love them both equally, and think they’re both extremely talented in their own ways.

— Paul Weller with NME. December 23, 2009

In 2010 Weller did a residency at the Royal Albert Hall in which he wore a tailored suit, the first ever Pretty Green suit:

The former Jam and Style Council front man wore the first ever Pretty Green suit, bespoke to the Modfathers own specifications, for his triumphant five-night run at the Royal Albert Hall this week.

"I've got designs for suits, jackets, shoes - I've been talking to Liam about them," revealed Paul. "It's the same principle as what he's doing, really - stuff I'd wear myself."

Paul Weller's designs will compliment the Pretty Green range perfectly. "I certainly admire Northern style; I've got a fantastic white Parka from Pretty Green. Mind you, up there they have to wear big coats, being so cold!

— Pretty Green Site, May 2010

(the custom made suit and the white parka he mentioned, designed by Liam)

In April of 2011 Weller helped Liam organise the Japan Disaster Benefit:

Liam: I just thought, maybe ring around a few people some we could get some more on, d'you know what I mean? Rang Paul Weller first and he come back immediately, said he'd be up for it. So then he went off asking a couple of his friends (x)

— Liam and Paul backstage at the benefit gig

A month later Liam also went to Weller perform at the Victoria Hall in Stoke.*

Later that same year Weller's Pretty Green collection was officially released and he modelled for it!

Q: You’ve got a new collection on Liam’s label. Does that make him your boss?

Paul: [Laughs] Yeah, I’m working for Liam. Working for the man. Nah, he hasn’t really been involved, but I showed him the stuff and he likes it. He made a suit for me last year when I was playing the Royal Albert Hall and it all went from there.

— Paul Weller Shortlist interview. November 6, 2011

Paul: Liam and I always talk about clothes whenever we meet. I don't see him that often but whenever we do it's "Where's that from?" I would never give him advice on clothes, other than to say, "Where did you get them shoes from?" You can't tell Liam Gallagher what to wear.

Opening a clothes shop is something I've thought about from time to time but I don't know about the reality of it. It's something that's always interested me. I've been into clothes as long as I can remember. It's great with this thing with Pretty Green - I can do my designs but I don't have the headaches of manufacturing.

— Paul Weller for GQ, November 2011

The following year Liam was seen at a few Weller gigs by himself:

We were ushered through the VIP curtain to a private bar to be ambushed by Liam Gallagher who decided he was watching the gig with us, and that apparently he had the best fooking socks in this gaff. They were canny socks mind, I must say.

As me, Dave and Liam stand side by side in the dark corner of the VIP bar the ‘modfather’ himself bowls on. Dressed in an impeccable suit (his own Pretty Green design if I’m not mistaken), he plays the whole of his new album in the first part of his sett (...) as the new stuff went on Liam looked a bit unimpressed “not having that, got no fucking balls, man” he quoted during one slower new number. Liam went on to declare to me that he has written a song called ‘After the break’ which is better than the Beatles and the Roses and it will “blow my fucking mind".

— Paul Weller gig review. March 19, 2012

A few months later he appeared at another Weller gig two days after he came back from doing a gig in South Korea:

"Liam Gallagher made a surprise appearance at Paul Weller's gig at London's 100 Club last night (August 1).

Weller was headlining the intimate venue as part of the Converse Represent series of shows and the Beady Eye man, who had just returned from South Korea, was down at the front."

— NME, August 2, 2012

Also funny enough during this era Liam looked a bit similar to Weller, given he got a mod haircut and wore this type of suits. A few people mentioned it on the original post and it's true, and maybe a bit weird.

Finally in October of that same year they both made an appearance at the Magical Mystery Tour gala screening in London:

(I can't fit any more pics but there's a few of that day)

In 2013 both Paul Weller and Beady Eye were on tour so there aren't any interactions from that year. There was a rumour of another charity gig but Liam denied it was in the works:

Q: I thought you were doing a charity gig. Gem: that Paul Weller's doing... In Japan? Q: Yeah, I thought [Weller] was roping you into doing a charity gig. Liam: If he wants to get all freshman with them big strong arms of his, then I'm in! Q: He has got strong arms, that is true. I did notice that. Liam: Yeah, yeah, yeah. Q: I have to say Paul Weller and Steve Craddock are very big fans of playing in Stoke, so are you gonna come to the Victorian Hall? It's a nice venue if you've not been. Liam: Yep. I've been. I've seen Weller there actually, a couple of years ago.

(*the Weller gig he mentions was in May of 2011 as stated earlier in the post. )

After the Beady Eye break up Liam sort of disappeared, especially given his very public scandal regarding his divorce from Nicole. When he reappeared in the public eye, the relationship between him and Weller started deteriorating around 2017 — more info on that on the full post.

Q: Who are the legends you’ve met and not been disappointed by? Liam: Paul Weller. He’ll never let you down, man.