Liam Gallagher Speaks About Rivalry With 'Pansies' Blur

Beady Eye frontman says he 'hated' them at the time – but insists it was really 'just good fun'.

Liam Gallagher has spoken out about the fierce rivalry his old band Oasis used to have with Blur in this week's 60th anniversary edition of NME.

The feud between the two bands helped make Britpop into a national obsession and originated in the magazine's pages but, in this week's special collectors issue, Gallagher – who now fronts Beady Eye – said that although had previously "hated" Damon Albarn and co, the war-of-words they exchanged in the media had been "just good fun".

When asked whether he thought the rivalry between the two bands had been manipulated by the music press, he replied: "I don't think so. At the time I hated Blur, I thought they were just pansies from London and we were a totally different thing. You might have done certain things, but no-one told me whether I liked someone or not. I thought it was just all good fun."

Gallagher is just one of the eight iconic cover stars on this week's special collectors issue, with his older brother Noel, Arctic Monkeys, Patti Smith, John Lydon, Manic Street Preachers, The Killers and Paul Weller completing the set.

Inside, all eight cover stars reflect on their relationship with NME over the last 60 years – the high times, low times and all the hilarious moments. It's also packed with interviews from Kasabian, Green Day, Biffy Clyro and Beth Ditto talking through their favourite ever NME covers.

It also includes a free copy of the first ever issue of the magazine. The issue, which was published in 1952, features all the biggest stars from the era, including Vera Lynn, Alan Dean and Heath and Hylton, plus the big debate on whether two-beat Dixieland music rules over four-beat Big Band.

It's also packed with timely news coverage – including an exclusive story announcing that the Government would soon introduce commercial radio in Britain for the first time. Plus the hottest new music tips – including a certain "sexy singer from America" – future Amy Winehouse collaborator Tony Bennett.

You can pick up this very special edition of the magazine on newsstands today (September 26), or digitally now.

Source: www.nme.com

Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds embark on a UK tour in September and will tour the US and Canada alongside Snow Patrol and Jake Bugg later this year.

More details on the above dates and more can be found by clicking here.