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Back to: Archive · 2002

from the NME, 21 September 2002.

Noel Gallagher has taken his revenge on Damon Albarn for the Britpop battle of 1995 by publicly siding with estranged Blur member Graham Coxon - and NME can exclusively reveal that Noel and Graham have already met to discuss the former Blur guitarist's future.

The Oasis songwriter has long harboured resentment against Albarn, following Blur's victory in the fight for Number One between 'Roll With It' and 'Country House' back in 1995. Now Noel has told NME that he recently met up with Graham, who he believes simply "snapped" at Damon's attitude towards Blur.

In NME last week, Damon refused to deny that Graham was out of Blur. Since then, he has refused to discuss Graham, commenting only to NME: "I think there's more important things to consider at the moment - like imminent war." But last week, Noel was outspoken about the Blur split. He told NME: "I bumped into him (Graham) the other day. But it's not for me to say, 'cos I've got a lot of time for Graham and it should come from him, not me. If it was the other c***, I'd tell you everything he said 'cos he's a knob. You've got to say this, in Damon Albarn's last couple of interviews he was saying that Blur should be grateful to have him in and it's good for them that he's in Gorillaz and stuff like that. Well, it's only gonna go one way, innit? You can't be saying things like that to your bandmates you've grown up with. Saying, "Well, not that I've done all these things, I'm doing you a favour being in this band.'"

Liam added: "They should've split up a long time ago. Are they gonna get another guitarist?"

Noel showed his admiration for Graham, telling NME: "They ain't gonna get another guitarist like him, he's a one-off. You've got to be strong to be in a band, it takes a lot of tolerance. And I'm sure Graham Coxon's tolerance has just snapped. Because if your singer's saying stuff like he was... unbelievable. If I ever came into the rehearsal rooms and said to this lot, 'Look, it's in your interests I'm in this group', they'd just laugh at me. You'd get an amp on yer 'ead, a kick up the arse and 'see yer later'. Damon Albarn always wanted to be a solo artist anyway, he was always very quick to say, 'It's all me, all this is me, Gorillaz is all me.'

"Graham's got his own label, he'll be all right. He was fine the other day, pretty together, got a f***ing lovely daughter, he was out buying trainers in Camden market, we both were. And he said what he said and I was, 'Well, best of luck to yer.'"

When NME pointed out to the Gallaghers that it looked like they'd finally seen off their old rivals, Noel commented: "They were saying to us in 1994, 'This lot'll last six months, you'll be lucky to get an album', 'cos of the way we were fighting and stuff. And we were like, 'We'll be around for 20 years.' We might not be performing onstage for 20 years but we'll be making records for 20 years."

Explaining Oasis' victory over Blur, Liam told NME: "We said it from day one, we were the ones who were real, man. We're just honest, man, and we're not a bunch of women."

Blur stand by Norman...
The remaining members of Blur have stood by Norman Cook and will continue to work with him on their new album, despite speculation that his remarks about Graham Coxon would force him off the project.

Blur are currently working on their seventh studio album in London and Morocco without Coxon, and plan to release the record at the start of next year.

Last week Cook, aka Fatboy Slim, who is working as a producer, claimed the guitarist had left, had not recorded with the band at all, and that he felt "relieved" because of personal differences between the pair. This went against an official statement at the time which claimed that Coxon still had a future in the band. "Blur and Graham are contemplating and deciding among themselves what the future arrangements will be," the statement concluded.

Many observers suggested that after his comments the band would be forced to ditch Cook, but a spokesperson for Blur told NME this week that Cook will continue to work on the album. NME understands that Cook and the three remaining members of the group will fly to Morocco for the final sessions soon. Coxon will not travel with them.

Speaking to the "Evening Session" in Northern Ireland, Cook made it clear that the two could never have worked together on the album. He said: "He was the only one that I didn't feel comfortable with. And when I went into the studio and he wasn't there, I was basically quite relieved... When we were talking about the album, he was very suspicious of why I'd be working on it. He was like, 'So you're going to come in and turn us into an awful pop dance band are ya?'"

Over the last week, Blur have gone to ground and remained mute on the issue of Graham's position. NME tracked Coxon down in Camden but he fiercely declined to be interviewed.

One thing that appears constant, however, is the three other bandmembers' love of the new record. Writing to fans on the band's website, drummer Dave Rowntree admitted that there's been "some big changes" in the way they're working, obliquely referring to Graham's absence. He added that he remains "wildly optimistic" about their future.

Five tracks are currently circulating among a small group of music industry executives. NME understands the new songs at times show a darker, dance direction more reminiscent of Albarn's Gorillaz. William Orbit, the producer of Blur's '13' and Madonna's "Ray Of Light' albums, and The Chemical Brothers are also involved in the project.

...but fans want Coxon back
Blur fans want Graham Coxon back in the band - and some blame Norman Cook for the guitarist's departure. Judging from postings on fansites and the NME.COM message board, fans of Blur find it hard to imagine the band without their guitarist and founder.

The Cooper Temple Clause's frontman Ben Gautrey has added his voice to the calls for Coxon to return. He told NME: "It would be a shame if he doesn't go back because we're big fans of Blur and Graham's a big influence on our guitar player, Dan Fisher. The situation all sounds a bit political. We play Graham Coxon albums on our tourbus. We're big fans of Blur and when the four of them make music it's special. They're one of the bands of the last ten years. They've done something different - they make you want to be part of a band or just get excited about music."

Dave from Worthing wrote to NMEmail this week: "If Graham goes, Blur will be just like Oasis, a dismal facsimile of what used to be a great band, that just happens to have the same name."

Blurfreak posted this to NME.COM's Angst board: "Graham is a great guitarist, Damon is stupid if he lets a talent like Graham go. Maybe they should get rid of Norman - it's because of him Graham's leaving..."

Another fan posted: "Graham has more talent in his little finger than Fatboy Slim has at all! How can the band stand for this?"

Blur fan Tes wrote: "I fear the worst for their new album after hearing Coxon, who was the tunesmith, has not worked on it."

Who could replace Coxon?
Bernard Butler - Has Britpop pedigree having been with Suede during their early glory years. Also scores points with Damon as they share impassioned hatred of Brett Anderson. Damon may be jealous of his full head of hair, though.

Justine Frischmann - Has intimate knowledge of Damon's working practices as Albarn 'helped' write first Elastica album. By ending relationship with Damon, she became muse for Blur's last album '13', so bringing her in now would make for a lovely symmetry. Would be available for a knock-down rate as she has nothing better to do. Hair would not be an issue.

Bonehead - Since his departure from Oasis, has done little but look after the garden in his Manchester mansion. Knows four chords, which with introduction of Fatboy Slim to Blur camp, may prove more than enough. Will tell Damon stories about Noel Gallagher which Damon will love. He and Noel don't get on, you see. Has so little hair, he makes Damon look like Samson.

Roy Keane - Due to surgery, the Manchester United star is at a loose end. Could bring steel to Blur and would certainly make sure recording sessions are completed in a whip-crack efficient manner. There is absolutely no evidence to suggest that he either likes Blur or can play a musical instrument - but this never held Alex James back. Damon would be too scared to mention hair.

Steve Lamacq - Fellow Colchester lad. As the 'Evening Session' winds down, he will have an increasing amount of time on his hands. Championed Blur in the early days and will know much of back catalogue by heart - useful for live shows. May not be fond of new dance-pop direction, though. Damon will like his hair.

Dave Grohl - Could bring new metal edge to Blur that will help boost profile in that tricky, never-before-broken US market. Has no problem moving seamlessly between bands and can play a wide variety of instruments - well, guitar and drums. And probably bass if needed. A very polite man, he would not chin Damon when Albarn makes jealous quip about 'girl's hair' - though would probably find him later and deliver damage with a smile.