Noel and Liam | Rock 'n' Roll Star | 1

As Oasis embark on their highly-anticipated reunion tour, Alice Levine and Matt Forde revisit one of the rockiest relationships in music history. The story of two brothers who went from sharing a bedroom at their mum's house to becoming one of the world's most successful bands. But their feud was almost as famous as their talent. Welcome to Manchester in the rock 'n' roll 1990s, where a manager is just trying to keep his latest group from self-imploding. Listen to British Scandal on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen early and ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting https://wondery.com/links/british-scandal/ now. Do you have a suggestion for a scandal you would like us to cover? Or perhaps you have a question you would like to ask our hosts? Email us at [email protected] See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Speaker names marked ? are inferred from speaking time and the show’s known hosts — they are not voice-verified.

• 0:00Alice Levine?

  Audible subscribers can listen to all episodes of British Scandal ad-free right now. Join Audible today by downloading the Audible app.

• 0:07Matt Forde?

  Just to warn you, there's about as much swearing as you'd expect from the topic of this series. In fact, as much swearing as we've ever had, ever. And if that wasn't bad enough, this episode features scenes of drug-taking. Please be advised.

• 0:26Matt Forde?

  Unless it's summertime and that can only mean one thing. Oasis are back and they are on tour.

• 0:32Alice Levine?

  Oh my god, how excited are you?

• 0:34Matt Forde?

  Oh, very excited. I'm more excited than when Forest got into Europe last season, when England got to the Euros final. My wedding.

• 0:41Alice Levine?

  We won't dwell on that. And how many times are you going to see them?

• 0:45Matt Forde?

  Um, well, more than three times, more than four.

• 0:47Alice Levine?

  Holy hell, are you for real?

• 0:50Matt Forde?

  Yeah, a few times, yeah. Five.

• 0:53Alice Levine?

  That is quite, quite mad.

• 0:55Matt Forde?

  I know, I should be going to more.

• 0:56Alice Levine?

  I am speechless, which has actually never happened. So what am I gonna do while you're swanning off with the Gallagher brothers, essentially on the entire tour with them?

• 1:03Matt Forde?

  Well, don't worry, our kid, because I haven't forgotten about you. You're not missing out on the fun, no, no, no, because my gift to you and the listeners, to the world, is an encore of our brilliant Oasis season. This was my first series back after I was in hospital. It's my all-time favourite band. You're gonna love this. This is Noel and Liam.

• 1:23Matt Forde?

  Noel Gallagher stares at the bedside clock. It's 6am but he's been awake for hours. He can't shake the scenes from last night's disastrous gig. He's on the cusp of achieving everything he's ever wanted. Fame, fortune, an endless stream of groupies, and finally, recognition for his talent. He should be on cloud nine, but all he feels is rage. Music was supposed to be his escape, but there is no escape, not while Liam is around. Last night was meant to be the biggest gig of their career, and a drug-fuelled Liam ruined it by forgetting the songs, the setlist, and throwing a tambourine at his head. Noel kicks off the sheets and staggers out of bed.

• 2:09Matt Forde?

  He wishes his brother was here in the room, so he could punch him. Noel stands still, breathing heavily. Years of dealing with Liam flash through his mind. "You're just a stupid dog", Noel says aloud. He walks over to the floor-to-ceiling windows, peers out at the sea of lights on the Hollywood Hills. He nods to himself. The thing about Liam is, he is like a fucking dog. So needy all the time. He stares back at the mirror. "I'm like a cat. I don't give a fuck what anyone thinks." He smiles. "I'm a right bastard."

• 2:47Alice Levine?

  "What's going on here?"

• 2:48Matt Forde?

  This is a genuine Noel Gallagher quote to describe the differences between him and Liam.

• 2:54Matt Forde?

  Noel picks a cigarette up off his bedside table, pleased with his metaphor. Then he heads for the door, throws it open, and strides into the hallway. He heads to their tour manager's room. "Jesus Noel, what time is it?" "I need my passport." Noel watches her, rubber eyes. "At 6am?" He feels frustration rise in his throat. He's sick of being treated like a child. But he keeps his voice steady. "For ID." His tour manager eyes him skeptically, then chuckles. "Bit early for drinking, isn't it?" "Not in this fucking band it isn't."

• 3:38Matt Forde?

  Clutching the passport, he marches back to collect his bags. A few minutes later, he crouches outside Liam's room, looks at the scrawled note in his hands. "We cannot go on as bandmates or brothers." He folds the paper and pushes it under the door, then stands up. He hears Liam padding across the room, then belch. A few seconds of silence, then he hears his muffled voice. "Oh, fuck off." Noel stands up and walks away. He's decided. He's the cat. He's going to disappear, get as far away from Liam as he can, and leave Oasis behind for good.

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• 4:55Speaker 03

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• 5:27Alice Levine?

  From Wondery, I'm Alice Levine.

• 5:29Matt Forde?

  And I'm Matt Ford.

• 5:31Alice Levine?

  And this is British Scandal, the show where we bring you the murkier stories that ever happened on these odd little isles.

• 5:37Matt Forde?

  British scandals come in many shapes and sizes. Some are about money, some are about sex. They're all about power.

• 5:44Alice Levine?

  But when we look at scandals a little bit closer, they turn out to be stranger, wilder, just plain weirder than we remember.

• 5:52Matt Forde?

  So we're journeying back to ask who's to blame for what happened?

• 5:55Alice Levine?

  And when the dust settled, did anything really change?

• 6:07Matt Forde?

  Alice, it is so good to be back.

• 6:12Alice Levine?

  I don't want to lay it on too thick, so I will try and hold back, also because we're both emotional people, but it has been a very sad and empty time and I've missed you every day.

• 6:23Matt Forde?

  Well firstly hello to all of you listening as well. It's just such a pleasure to be back. I obviously missed making the show a great deal. But I'm very lucky that throughout my time in hospital, you did come and visit me regularly. You even had a British Scandal Christmas party where you, Millie and Joe came to see me. And I don't think it's an exaggeration to say, I think it really deepened our friendship. And one of the real highlights of being in there was you being such a thoughtful and good friend. So thank you.

• 6:50Alice Levine?

  I'm waiting for the punchline.

• 6:52Matt Forde?

  There is none.

• 6:53Alice Levine?

  Psych. Okay, well, in summary, never leave me again. What are you bringing for your big return?

• 6:59Matt Forde?

  Well, I am bringing a big story of sibling rivalry.

• 7:06Alice Levine?

  Okay, let me get my head in the game. So kind of Harry and Will's style.

• 7:09Matt Forde?

  Uh, think a bit more... Well, normal in one way, abnormal in another.

• 7:17Alice Levine?

  Oh, I know. I know, I know, I know, I know. This is such a good one to start back with. You love the Olsen's, don't you?

• 7:24Matt Forde?

  I don't not love them, but...

• 7:26Alice Levine?

  Tread carefully.

• 7:27Matt Forde?

  You're kind of getting closer, but you're not quite there yet.

• 7:29Alice Levine?

  Okay, so sister, bronty sisters.

• 7:31Matt Forde?

  Okay, I'll give you a clue. Some might say that with British Scandal, we just roll with it. But not this series. In fact, I've got something supersonic for you. Don't go away, Alice. This scandal is in fact music themed, so listen up.

• 7:46Alice Levine?

  You've been away so long, you're just sort of talking in riddles, but I do get it. I understand. Beyonce and Solange Knowles, because obviously there's the lift moment. What happened there? They've got the CCTV. Who's Becky with the good hair?

• 7:59Matt Forde?

  It's Oasis.

• 8:01Alice Levine?

  Oh, oh, okay. Well, you could have made that clearer.

• 8:05Matt Forde?

  Seriously, though, I'm so excited because this is the story of my favourite band and they're amazing people. Two brothers who went from sharing a bedroom in their mum's house in Manchester to becoming one of the most successful British bands of all time. But their feud was almost as famous as their talent. They are the one, the only Nolan Liam Gallagher.

• 8:25Alice Levine?

  The crowd goes wild. And not just because of that, but also because we have some exciting news on the show. As if you coming back wasn't a celebration enough, we now have, three years into British Scandal, our own email address. So if you have ever felt like you want to complain about our voices, suggest a story.

• 8:47Alice Levine?

  Get some advice about how to make the perfect ham sandwich. [email protected] will come direct to our door.

• 8:54Matt Forde?

  Management would like us to stress that we can't reply to every email individually, but we will, of course, read them all.

• 9:00Alice Levine?

  Oh, I thought that you would reply to them all individually.

• 9:04Matt Forde?

  Right, let's just get on with it. This is episode one, Rock and Roll Star.

• 9:12Matt Forde?

  April 1988, Burnage, Manchester, 10pm. Twenty-year-old Noel Gallagher dims the lights in his bedroom, crouches down on the floor, adjusts the dials of his brand-new Panasonic RXDT 401. His job digging pits for British gas doesn't stretch far, and it's taken weeks to save up for this hi-fi. He lines up his Beatles cassettes, straightens his poster of Paul McCartney on the wall, then carefully takes out his pouch of tobacco from his pocket. He works the rolling paper between his fingers, sprinkles in some hash. Everything he's ever wanted in life is right in front of him.

• 9:56Matt Forde?

  He's about to hit play on Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band when there's a bang on the door. He hears his brother's heavy breathing in the dark. "Damn it, where's the fucking switch?" Noel reaches for his guitar, but Liam crashes into it and it clatters to the floor. "Christ, you stink!" Noel's eyes adjust as Liam flicks the light on, takes a can of lager from his pocket, cracks it and hands it to him. "Oh, come on, you bellend, can't sit alone in here with your records every fucking night."

• 10:32Matt Forde?

  Liam's only 15, and Noel suspects this might be the first time he's gotten drunk. He watches as Liam collapses on the bed. In a matter of minutes, he's fast asleep, snoring heavily. Noel takes a blanket and throws it over him. He eyes his new Panasonic Stereo. It will have to wait. It's best he lets Liam sleep it off. He doesn't want his mum finding him like this. He climbs into his own bed, kills the lights.

• 11:01Alice Levine?

  Mate, you mind up?

• 11:02Matt Forde?

  This is the yin and yang, isn't it? Noel's a cat, they like it dark. Liam's a dog, they like it light.

• 11:09Matt Forde?

  In the darkness, he runs the chord progressions for I Am The Walrus until he feels his mind relax. He's just dozing off when a crash wakes him. What the hell are you doing? Noel stares into the darkness, sits up. He can hear running water, then a loud sizzle. His eyes widen in shock and fury.

• 11:32Alice Levine?

  No!

• 11:33Matt Forde?

  You're pissing on my stereo! I thought brothers and sisters were meant to borrow each other's stuff, not piss on them.

• 11:39Alice Levine?

  I mean, it's just an absolute free-for-all in this house.

• 11:42Matt Forde?

  That old childhood cliché, pissing on each other's stuff.

• 11:45Alice Levine?

  You've pissed on our Sylvanian family again!

• 11:48Matt Forde?

  So what? It's just a stupid piece of junk! It's not junk, it's brand new! Liam finishes and zips up his jeans, stumbling towards the bed where Noel sits. Well now it's a piece of piss-soaked junk! Noel jumps to his feet, looks in horror at the mess in the corner. He wants to knock his brother out. Instead, he storms out of the bedroom and downstairs to the kitchen. He stares out of the window at the broken fences and litter-strewn hedgerows. In a few months, he'll turn 21. He can't keep sharing a room with his idiot 15-year-old brother. If he wants to be like his hero Paul McCartney, he knows he needs to get out, to find people who share his passion.

• 12:34Matt Forde?

  For songwriting, for music. He needs to join a band.

• 12:42Matt Forde?

  One month later, May 1988, Burnage, Manchester.

• 12:49Matt Forde?

  Liam stretches out on the sofa, plumps the cushion behind his head. Since being expelled for truancy, he spends every afternoon in front of the television.

• 12:58Alice Levine?

  Which, let's be honest, was everyone's dream.

• 13:01Matt Forde?

  For one day, watching daytime telly as a kid is phenomenal.

• 13:05Alice Levine?

  It's like a red-letter day for an adult, you know, when they get to go and like, go go-karting or jump out of an aeroplane. It's like, I get to watch this morning? Are you joking me?

• 13:15Matt Forde?

  Liam hops to his feet. Can I have a sausage as well, ma'am? He follows the smell of frying meat. His ma'am nods at a stack of unbutted toast as the doorbell goes. Make yourself useful then. Outside, a school friend pulls on a cigarette. It's kicking off in town, the Roses are doing a protest gig. I'd rather drink petrol from the nozzle than go to a fucking rally rave. His friend points to the television. So what, you're gonna sit in here watching that muppet all day? Liam looks at Robert Kilroy Silk's thick, dark eyebrows and grinning mug fill the screen.

• 13:53Speaker 04

  A ban introduced today could ban Oscar Wilde from theatres and libraries. Clause twenty-eight is intended to outlaw the promotion of homosexuality.

• 14:04Matt Forde?

  Liam turns to his mate, then grabs his parka.

• 14:09Matt Forde?

  An hour later, he's pushing through a large crowd of protesters. To his right, two activists hold up banners. Voices raised.

• 14:18Speaker 05

  No hate, no fear, clause twenty-eight is not welcome here. Love is love, we won't be silenced.

• 14:26Matt Forde?

  Liam hasn't been to a rally before, and the atmosphere is electric.

• 14:31Alice Levine?

  I'll be honest, I'm surprised that this is the cause that Ian Brown is coming out for, or that is kind of part of this movement. I didn't associate those two things.

• 14:42Matt Forde?

  No, I mean, it's fascinating this because section twenty-eight of the Local Government Act banned the teaching of homosexuality in schools. And it became a huge, as you would expect, controversial piece of legislation that was then overturned by Labour when they came in in nineteen ninety-seven. And really symbolised a lot of people's problems with Tory Britain at the time, not just the economic situation that they'd presided over, but their moral attitude towards things like gay people. You contrast that with Oasis and the impression that people have with them, and you would think that actually is effectively the vanguard of lad culture, they wouldn't be interested in this sort of thing. But I think that underestimates a lot of the influences on Oasis and the Stone Roses and a lot of the other bands,

• 15:26Matt Forde?

  was that they were basically hippies. So they liked beer and they liked football, but that doesn't mean that they're homophobic. The influence of the Beatles on them was very much peace and love.

• 15:38Matt Forde?

  Liam spots his brother at the bar. He hesitates. Noel hasn't spoken to him since he pissed on his hi-fi. It wasn't like it was intentional. It dried out in a day.

• 15:49Alice Levine?

  A day? How much piss was there?

• 15:51Matt Forde?

  He decides to walk over. So what the fuck is this all about? Liam can't hear Noel's reply, as the lights dim and the crowd erupts. He knows The Roses are one of Noel's favourite bands. Liam can't even name one of their songs. He's caught off guard as the crowd surges forward towards the stage. Liam loses his footing, but Noel is at his side. Catches him, as the mass of bodies lifts him off his feet as the crowd moves as one. He shouts excitedly. This is fucking madness!

• 16:25Matt Forde?

  He catches the eye of a girl in a bucket hat to his right. He stares at her enormous dilated pupils. She grins back. He's about to try his luck, when the crowd erupts into cheers. He turns. Watches as the silhouette of The Roses appears on stage in an ethereal glow.

• 16:45Speaker 05

  Manchester, are you ready to rock against injustice?

• 16:50Matt Forde?

  Liam is delighted, as a heckler shouts from the crowd.

• 16:54Speaker 05

  Buncha bloody puffs!

• 16:57Matt Forde?

  Ian Brown stares down at the man.

• 17:00Speaker 05

  Haters hate, and lovers love.

• 17:05Matt Forde?

  Liam is taken aback at Brown's defiance. His total control of the crowd, which roars in response. Liam feels a shiver run down his spine. Listens as Brown breaks into his first song.

• 17:17Speaker 05

  Law spreads her arms, wakes their father nails.

• 17:22Alice Levine?

  Where have you been hiding those pipes?

• 17:25Matt Forde?

  Liam feels the pounding bassline in his bones. Hypnotic riffs and reverb fill the room. But it's Brown's complete command of the stage that captivates him. He watches his every move, transfixed, as he prowls the stage. At once magnetic, defiant. It's the first time Liam has felt a deep connection with music. It's the energy, it's the attitude. He looks up at Brown, his grinning face. Then he peers around at the crowd. Everyone there is watching Brown, spellbound. And in that moment Liam knows, that's it. That's what he wants, to be loved, to be adored,

• 18:09Matt Forde?

  to be the greatest frontman Manchester has ever known.

• 18:16Matt Forde?

  Eighteen months later, August fourteenth, nineteen ninety-one. Burnage, Manchester. Noel drops a hold-all onto his bed. He's been away for three years, working as a roadie for local band in Spiral Carpets. He stares around at his old room, frustration rising in his chest. His record collection is spread out in piles across the floor. He storms downstairs to find his mum in the kitchen. If Liam's flogged any my albums, he's fucking dead.

• 18:50Speaker 04

  Also, hi mum.

• 18:52Matt Forde?

  She hands him a cup of tea. Oh, don't worry, ever since he joined that band, he's become obsessed with your records. Noel nearly chokes on his tea. Liam, in a band? As what, a fucking dancer? Noel stares, as his mum begins folding a mound of washing. Don't be silly, he's a singer. The band's called Rain or Drizzle or something. They were short tonight at the boardwalk, he's been rehearsing all week.

• 19:19Matt Forde?

  Noel puts down his mug and heads for the door. This, he has to see.

• 19:25Matt Forde?

  An hour later, he watches Liam and his band take to the stage. He wincers, as the guitarist begins playing an out-of-tune riff to accompany an off-time drumbeat. He considers leaving, but then Liam steps up to the microphone. Even before he opens his mouth, Noel's shocked at how effortless he looks. Then, his brother starts to sing. Noel looks on as the small crowd leans in. He sounds... Good. He realises with a start that after years of dreaming about being in a band, his little brother has beaten him to the punch. After the show, Noel finds Liam in the club's back room, passing around cans of cheap lager.

• 20:10Matt Forde?

  I assume you called rain because you're in an absolute shower. Liam spins round, beaming. Who the fuck let you in, our kid? Who told you you could sing? This music, malarkey, it's a piece of piss. Liam introduces him to the band. Noel's back from a world tour with the Inspire O Carpets.

• 20:28Alice Levine?

  This is blood boiling, isn't it, for Noel?

• 20:30Matt Forde?

  The guitarist looks impressed. What instrument do you play? Noel feels himself flinch.

• 20:37Speaker 04

  I'm actually a rowdy.

• 20:39Matt Forde?

  The guitarist looks at him blankly. Liam breaks the awkward silence. I was telling this lot maybe you could help us out, be a sort of manager. His jaw tightens. He's a musician, not a manager. He's about to reply when Liam cuts in. All come jam with us. I know you've got the chords, because I was born with a fucking charm.

• 21:02Alice Levine?

  Sort of with one handy givers and the other he take it away, right?

• 21:05Matt Forde?

  Someone turns the radio on.

• 21:10Matt Forde?

  Noel sees Liam's face darken.

• 21:12Speaker 04

  Christ, I'd rather eat my own shit than listen to Phil Collins. We got in a charts with stampede soft rock fuckers out.

• 21:20Matt Forde?

  Liam throws his empty can on the floor. Come on, man, let's make some proper fucking music. Noel weighs his options.

• 21:30Matt Forde?

  If he joins, he'll finally have a chance to perform his songs in front of an audience. He takes another look at his brother's grinning mug.

• 21:38Speaker 04

  Okay. Count me in.

• 21:42Matt Forde?

  It might even be fun.

• 21:47Alice Levine?

  Not how I thought that was going to go down.

• 21:48Matt Forde?

  No, what's fascinating about them both is Noel has always really complimented Liam's singing and you can see that that means the world to him. So if you're not a fan of them, they basically look like two yobs, but if you understand that a lot of Liam's acting up over the years is basically just wanting his brother to look at him and give him a bit of attention, at the heart of it actually was a genuine level of mutual respect. Liam does know that Noel's written some really good songs and Noel in return, as much as it drives him mad to maybe admit it, thinks Liam's a really good singer.

• 22:22Alice Levine?

  And extending that offer to join the band, that so easily could not have happened.

• 22:27Matt Forde?

  Also, you can't believe that it was Liam that formed the band.

• 22:30Alice Levine?

  Right.

• 22:31Matt Forde?

  Because everyone else in that band is Oasis and you just presume, because Noel felt like the leader by the time we got to know them, that Noel must have set this thing up. So that again explains some of the politics between them is even though Noel was seen by the public as the leader, Liam always felt, well, this was my band and you joined it, mate.

• 22:48Matt Forde?

  August 21st, 1991, the boardwalk, Manchester. Liam struts around the dressing room rattling a tambourine. In a few hours, Rain will play their first show with Noel. Excitement burns in Liam's belly. He shares a grin with the band's guitarist, Bonehead. He looks up as Noel walks in and pulls his guitar from its case.

• 23:14Speaker 04

  Right, listen up, I've got a new song and I think we should open with it tonight.

• 23:18Matt Forde?

  Liam scowls. Are you mad? There's no time.

• 23:23Matt Forde?

  Noel hands him a sheet of paper covered in slanted lines of scribbled lyrics.

• 23:28Speaker 04

  Trust me, right? It's the best thing I've ever written. The carpets are coming and it's going to blow them away.

• 23:35Matt Forde?

  Liam feels a wave of anxiety pass through him. He was only expecting friends and family tonight. He slumps down on a plastic chair and watches his brother Ben to switch on his amp.

• 23:46Alice Levine?

  Is this naive of me, but I just didn't imagine that Liam Gallagher ever felt anxiety about anything.

• 23:51Matt Forde?

  Growing up, I didn't. The more I became an absolute super fan of them both, you can see actually that Liam has a lot of nervous energy. He clearly does worry about what people think of him and in a way that's part of the sweetness and the vulnerability of him. I'm not excusing the fact that he pissed on a hi-fi and did all those other things.

• 24:11Alice Levine?

  No, of course not.

• 24:12Matt Forde?

  What I'm saying is, he urinated... Actually, out of love.

• 24:16Alice Levine?

  Out of love, yeah.

• 24:19Matt Forde?

  As Noel strums the first chords, Liam feels his hair stand on end. The rest of the room falls silent. Bonehead stares at Noel. There's no fucking way you wrote that! Noel laughs. You don't have to believe it, just learn it. Quick! Two hours later, Liam stands at the bar. He takes a sip of his lager to calm his nerves. Peggy waves him over. Her friends shoot him admiring glances. Your mum hasn't stopped talking about her songs and their band? Liam glares at Peggy. Mam, it's my band! Noel just likes the songs! He returns backstage and finds the others.

• 25:00Matt Forde?

  He needs to remind them, remind Noel, that this is his band. I've decided to change our name! Noel shoots him a confused look. What are you on about? We're not Rain anymore, we're now called Oasis. He saw the name on an Inspiral Carpets tour poster and thought it sounded edgy and enigmatic. Noel takes a step towards his brother. You can't just... But Liam cuts him off. You can decide on the songs, I'll decide on the name of my band! He juts out his jaw. He's not going to let his brother push him around. He watches as Noel hesitates, then relents. Whatever.

• 25:43Matt Forde?

  I know I don't need to prove my superfan credentials, but we used whatever at our wedding.

• 25:48Alice Levine?

  Did you?

• 25:49Matt Forde?

  Because, you know the string start of it?

• 25:53Alice Levine?

  I mean, I'd know if I was invited, but...

• 25:55Matt Forde?

  I don't know if this means anything to you, but if we were getting married now...

• 26:00Alice Levine?

  Yeah.

• 26:00Matt Forde?

  You would be invited.

• 26:01Alice Levine?

  Oh my goodness, would I?

• 26:02Matt Forde?

  Yeah.

• 26:02Alice Levine?

  It was also a very small affair, which is what I thought you were going to say, not that I hadn't made the cut when it happened.

• 26:07Matt Forde?

  It wasn't an affair.

• 26:09Alice Levine?

  It was actually a very small, eight-year-long, exclusive affair.

• 26:14Alice Levine?

  Can I come to the vow renewal?

• 26:15Matt Forde?

  Uh.

• 26:16Alice Levine?

  Wait a second, you just said I'd be invited if the wedding happened now and now you're saying I can't come to a hypothetical vow renewal.

• 26:21Matt Forde?

  I just don't think with a vow renewal type.

• 26:24Alice Levine?

  Well, just say yes, if it happens, I can come.

• 26:27Matt Forde?

  Yes, if it happens, you can come.

• 26:29Alice Levine?

  Well, good, because I've already asked Laura and she said yeah.

• 26:32Speaker 05

  I'm Liam Gallagher and we are Oasis.

• 26:36Matt Forde?

  Dozens of faces stare back as the opening riffs send a shock of electricity through the air. Liam feels all his nerves fall away. He widens his stance, tucks his hands behind his back and raises his head to the microphone. He hears his raspy voice ring out across the room.

• 26:55Speaker 05

  Maybe, I don't really wanna know.

• 27:00Matt Forde?

  He stares out at the crowd. He can't believe Noel wrote this. He turns, catches his brother's eye, sees him grin before he turns his concentration back to his guitar. Liam thinks of his mum in the audience. He tries to catch her eye too, but all he can see are the front two rows, a series of girls looking up at him adoringly. As he belts out "You and I are gonna live forever", he finally gets it. He doesn't need to be Noel's enemy. They work in harmony. Noel will write the songs and he will be the frontman. Two brothers together and together they'll change the face of British rock and roll.

• 27:45Alice Levine?

  This sort of seems like a parallel dimension, so idyllic. Because we're so used to hearing about the hostility and the discord. This is just wonderful.

• 27:56Matt Forde?

  When you read any of their interviews, they do talk about how much they love each other, it's just Noel can't bear to be in a band with him anymore.

• 28:02Alice Levine?

  It's almost like the two things that made them an electric presence are seeded from the very beginning. Them being really, really different characters who butt heads all the time and them having this incredibly strong bond.

• 28:17Matt Forde?

  I mean, you could be talking about us.

• 28:19Alice Levine?

  It's toxic, it's loving, it's toxic, it's loving.

• 28:24Speaker 06

  By 1779, Benedict Arnold had sacrificed more for the revolution than almost any other man in America. One of George Washington's most effective commanders, he had nearly lost a leg in the Second Battle of Saratoga. But in return, Arnold believed he had been humiliated by Congress and cheated of his glory by lesser men. So he decided to make them pay. Hi, I'm Lindsey Graham, the host of the podcast American Scandal. We bring to life some of the biggest controversies in US history: presidential lies, environmental disasters, corporate fraud. In our latest series, Benedict Arnold turns his back on his comrades in the Continental Army and secretly defects to the British. With the help of his wife, he plots to hand over the most important colonial fortress to the enemy and doom

• 29:09Speaker 06

  the revolution he once served. Follow American Scandal wherever you get your podcasts. Audible subscribers can binge all episodes of American Scandal early and ad-free right now. Join Audible in the Audible app or by subscribing on Apple Podcasts.

• 29:24Speaker 07

  Hi, I'm Kenya Barris.

• 29:26Speaker 08

  And I'm Malcolm Gladwell. We're back for season two of our Audible original podcast, The Unusual Suspects.

• 29:31Speaker 07

  We're bringing you fresh, new conversations from guests like Anderson Paak, David Zedars, Ryan Howard, Rich Roll, Amy Sheldon, and many more.

• 29:38Speaker 08

  Sign up for a free trial to Audible to listen to season two in the Audible app or by subscribing on Apple Podcasts.

• 29:52Matt Forde?

  Two years later, May 31, 1993, King Tut's Wawa Hut, Glasgow. Creation Records boss Alan McGee taps his empty glass, beckons to the barman. He's come to watch one of his bands, but he's arrived early. A lone technician tests a lighting rig on stage. McGee has spent years in grimy gig venues, discovering the next big artist. But it's been a long time since he signed a band of note. With debts mounting, he recently sold part of his company. If he doesn't find a new act soon, he'll be forced to sell the rest. He nods as the bored barman offers a refill.

• 30:35Speaker 05

  Hold on till I've had a slash, will you?

• 30:39Matt Forde?

  Heading to the gents, he spots a commotion near the entrance. A dozen men with mod-style haircuts are jostling the doorman with guitar cases. "I don't give a shit what your list says, we're going on." McGee draws nearer. "Here he is." A tall lad in a blue Adidas tracksuit steps towards him. "Only the best rock and roll band in the world, man. You're gonna let us play or what?" McGee tuts. He hasn't got time for acts like this. He sighs, tells the promoter to give them four songs, and then they're off. An hour later, he's telling the barman a dirty joke, when a heavy wall of sound crashes over him.

• 31:22Matt Forde?

  He turns, stares at the stage, sees the young singer from earlier, hands locked behind his back, sneering into the microphone.

• 31:31Speaker 05

  "You're the outcast, you're the underclass."

• 31:38Matt Forde?

  McGee is struck by the filthy sound and the gritty lyrics. After the show, he strides over to introduce himself, but finds the singer and guitarist in a face-off. "Course I know the words, it's my fucking song." The two men's faces are close, spit flying. "Why you getting it wrong then? How can it be wrong when I wrote it?" McGee takes in the matching dark, thick eyebrows. The frowns. He can see that they're brothers. God, he's sharp, isn't he, McGee?

• 32:08Alice Levine?

  "The police has lost his music scheme."

• 32:11Matt Forde?

  McGee shoots a grin at the singer. "All right, you weren't lying, you're fucking great." The brothers' eyes remain locked, their faces centimetres from one another. McGee takes a step closer, holds out his hand. "And that solo is too fucking long." Noel takes a step forward. "I'm not taking songwriting advice from you, you've never written anything longer than your name." McGee can't hide his delight. These guys are the real deal. He tries again. "Lads, are you sane?" Now the singer snaps his head around. "Who the fuck are you?" McGee starts to answer. "Alan McGee, creation." But the singer turns to leave before he can finish.

• 32:56Matt Forde?

  McGee feels a jolt of panic. He can't afford to lose them. He starts going after him, and then a hand taps his shoulder. He turns to see the guitarist's cocky grin.

• 33:08Speaker 04

  I'm in charge. First things first, how much you offering?

• 33:14Alice Levine?

  I am inspired by this negotiation technique.

• 33:17Matt Forde?

  It gets even better, because Alan asks him how much material he's got, and he says six albums worth. And that night, they signed for six albums, even though at that point, he probably had only got an albums worth.

• 33:33Alice Levine?

  So it was just a lie?

• 33:35Matt Forde?

  Yeah, he probably thought, I'll probably write six albums. But what an amazing brain.

• 33:41Alice Levine?

  And the bravado, the confidence, phenomenal.

• 33:45Matt Forde?

  December 1993, Pink Museum Recording Studios, Liverpool. Noel yanks a pair of headphones from his head, glares at the mixing desk, then at the producer beside him. It's been months, and they've not made anything worth releasing.

• 34:03Alice Levine?

  Do you know what they would have been recording then, and was it worth releasing, and have you heard it?

• 34:08Matt Forde?

  Yeah, so when you hear the first recordings of Definitely Maybe, it's flat. Because that first album, I think whether you like it or not, has like a real energy and volume to it. And when you hear the early recordings of those songs, they're just insipid, it just doesn't have that excitement about them. So obviously, there's a live band there, this amazing energy, how do you transfer that into the studio? And at this point, it is not working. The producer runs his hand through his hair. Look, we just need to get over this hurdle. Noel ignores him. In the next room, you can hear Liam and Bonehead debating the existence of aliens. Noel feels his patience finally run out.

• 34:50Speaker 04

  Fuck this, I need to work with someone who can actually do what I ask.

• 34:55Matt Forde?

  He stalks into the next room. Liam raises his bloodshot eyes.

• 35:00Speaker 05

  Can I do my fucking vocals yet?

• 35:04Matt Forde?

  Noel grits his teeth and stares at the floor. He knows Liam is gonna be pissed off.

• 35:10Speaker 04

  I just fired the producer.

• 35:13Matt Forde?

  He sees Liam's body stiffen.

• 35:16Speaker 05

  Who the fuck said you could do that?

• 35:19Speaker 04

  He's no good. Am I the only one who gives a shit?

• 35:23Matt Forde?

  Liam stands up.

• 35:25Speaker 05

  I'm sick of waiting while you dick around, innit? Sounds top. Fucking leave it alone.

• 35:31Matt Forde?

  Liam takes a wobbly step towards him. Seems to reconsider, then grabs his jacket.

• 35:39Alice Levine?

  Can you imagine being in a band with your brother? Number one, quite a lot to get your head around. Having a tumultuous relationship? Number two, quite tricky. Number three, always being on the brink of him maybe starting a fight?

• 35:50Matt Forde?

  But that is part of the magic of them, because whenever you saw them live, there was this mad energy to them. And friends of mine who saw them more often than I did, often the gigs would just stop halfway through, they'd have a round and that was it. So when you went, there was this crackle in the air, because you were never sure what mood those two were in, whether they were getting on or not. That adds an insane atmosphere to a live performance.

• 36:13Speaker 05

  Who's coming down the pub? Let this mardy arse twiddle knobs on his own.

• 36:19Matt Forde?

  He storms out, leaving Noel with the others. One by one, they follow Liam out of the door.

• 36:26Matt Forde?

  Noel lets out a sigh. He picks up his guitar and plucks at the strings. In the corner, the studio manager's rottweiler, Elsa, is sniffing empty takeaway cartons. Two days ago, she licked up a line of cocaine before anyone could stop her. Noel calls her over.

• 36:44Alice Levine?

  You owe me twenty quid.

• 36:46Speaker 04

  Elsa! Here, girl. Elsa!

• 36:50Matt Forde?

  He stops. Replays the riff he just picked out. Sings the words over the top. A girl called Elsa, she's into... He feels a tingle of excitement. The melody is electric. He feels inspiration rise up inside him as he adds another line to the song. Two hours later, he gathers the others. He plays the rising and falling intro, then the driving guitar of the verses. He sings the anthemic chorus. It's the quickest song he's ever written, like McCartney on Speed. Like Elsa on Speed. It's called Supersonic. Bonehead's face is plastered with an incredulous grin. It's trippy! I'm a walrus, except the eggman is a rottweiler!

• 37:33Matt Forde?

  Noel tells the engineer to record everyone playing at once, like they'd sound at a gig. Ten minutes later, they play it back through the studio speakers. Finally, Noel can hear energy he hasn't been able to capture for weeks. He knows he was right to keep going, to ignore those who told him to stop. Now he's sure he's written a hit, and if he's proven right, he'll never doubt himself again.

• 38:02Matt Forde?

  Two months later, February 1994. A ferry in the English Channel. Liam races across the deck of the ferry. He can hardly contain his excitement. He grips the handrail as a burst of cold spray peppers his face. He tightens his tan sheepskin coat against the wind. It's the band's first European tour, and they're on the way to Amsterdam to support the Verve. He spots Noel through the ferry window, still out on deck, in his buttoned-up Fred Perry polo shirt. Liam shouts out to Noel to come inside, but his brother ignores him. Fine, you watch the fucking sunset! He turns to the barman, orders a bottle of champagne and four Double Jack Daniels.

• 38:48Matt Forde?

  pours the champagne directly into the whiskies. He takes the drinks over to Bonehead, who's sitting near a group of football supporters.

• 38:55Speaker 05

  Irons, irons, irons! Come on, irons!

• 39:01Matt Forde?

  The group erupts into a West Ham chant. Liam turns as Noel finally appears. Gonna get some kip! His brother turns to Bonehead. Make sure this dickhead doesn't fall overboard! Liam snipes back. Enjoy your books, you fucking librarian! Liam takes out a little baggie from his pocket, dips a key into it and snorts the white powder up his nose. He feels the adrenaline course through him. He looks at Bonehead. Liam, don't! But he's already strutting over to the group of football fans.

• 39:35Speaker 05

  Irons, Irons, Irons!

• 39:39Matt Forde?

  He's about to have a crack when a man in a suit appears and tells them to keep it down. Suddenly, the West Ham fans have leapt on top of the man.

• 39:49Matt Forde?

  Liam looks on in shock and then delight as the man being hit drops his pint and falls to the floor.

• 39:57Matt Forde?

  In a matter of seconds, the entire group erupts into a fight. It's mayhem. Liam steps forward, takes a swing, misses but catches himself on the table. He looks up to see three West Ham fans behuse with rage. He turns and starts to run the three men in pursuit. He races across the deck and down the stairs into the casino. He speeds around a corner, grabs some chips from a roulette table and flings them behind him.

• 40:25Matt Forde?

  Silence. He glances behind. The men have disappeared. But then to his horror, he sees a policeman.

• 40:34Matt Forde?

  He charges forward, climbs through one of the windows and out onto the deck. He feels the cold air hit his face. He's running as fast as he can down the deck of a ferry, a policeman chasing him, and he has never felt happier. He ducks behind a life raft, listens, nothing. He takes out his raft, does another line. He catches a glimpse of his reflection in the side of the boat, his face fixed with a grin. He can't remember having so much fun. He howls into the night. Let the mayhem begin.

• 41:12Matt Forde?

  A few hours later, the English Channel. Noel wakes to a knocking at his cabin door. He stumbles from his bed.

• 41:21Speaker 04

  Oh, fuck off and get to bed Liam.

• 41:25Matt Forde?

  He opens the door to find a man with a grave expression fixed on his face.

• 41:30Speaker 04

  Mr Gallagher?

• 41:32Matt Forde?

  Noel nods, rubs his eyes.

• 41:36Speaker 04

  There's been a disturbance involving your party. Please follow me.

• 41:41Matt Forde?

  Noel stares at him, then pads after the man, half asleep along the narrow corridor. His mind races through possible scenarios. He hopes Liam hasn't damaged the ship.

• 41:51Alice Levine?

  I love that in the mix. Imagine waking up and being like, okay, knock at the door, my first thought is, it's my absolutely smashed brother. Then it's, has my absolutely smashed brother smashed up the ship?

• 42:03Matt Forde?

  He descends a metal staircase to the ship's lower decks. Passes through a staff-only area and finally stops at a heavy iron door. Outside, two Dutch policemen are standing guard. Noel's chest suddenly feels tight. He follows the officer into the holding cell, and to his shock, finds not just Liam, but the entire band.

• 42:26Speaker 05

  Fucking hell lads. I'm afraid none of them will be permitted to enter the Netherlands.

• 42:33Matt Forde?

  He turns, stares at the officer.

• 42:35Speaker 04

  Fuck off, we've got a gig to play.

• 42:39Matt Forde?

  He glances at his watch.

• 42:40Speaker 04

  In fourteen hours.

• 42:43Matt Forde?

  Liam staggers to his feet.

• 42:45Speaker 04

  You lot should be out catching proper criminals, not harassing innocents like us.

• 42:51Matt Forde?

  Noel looks at his brother. He has a purple bruise under one eye. Noel's about to ask the officer if there's any alternative, when Liam cuts in again. This time, he directs his anger at Noel.

• 43:03Speaker 05

  Where are you eh? Tucked up in bed with a cup of fucking cocoa.

• 43:08Matt Forde?

  Noel feels anger explode through his body.

• 43:11Speaker 04

  One fucking night. You're left alone for one night and everything goes to shit, some leader you are.

• 43:18Matt Forde?

  He lunges at Liam, pins him to the wall until the others drag him off.

• 43:23Speaker 04

  You're an embarrassment, all of you, fucking amateurs.

• 43:27Matt Forde?

  A few minutes later, he hears a sleepy Alan McGee on the other end of the line. He explains that everyone's been arrested. He waits a beat before McGee starts to laugh.

• 43:42Alice Levine?

  Okay, not the response I was expecting.

• 43:45Matt Forde?

  No, but this genuinely happened. And Alan McGee, quite similar to Malcolm McLaren from our previous series about the Sex Pistols, really understood the value of fights and controversy for the PR of the band. So it's not just Liam's voice that is partially influenced by the Pistols. Even his behaviour and Alan McGee's take on it is exactly the same.

• 44:09Alice Levine?

  So both of their touchstones for people that are kind of emulating with this band are dysfunctional, disorderly, chaotic.

• 44:17Matt Forde?

  Yeah, and that's the contradiction at the heart of the whole thing. They've got the kind of peace and love of the Beatles with the anarchy and the violence of the Sex Pistols. Noel can't understand what he's hearing. Is he the only sane person in this outfit? He listens as McGee tells him to embrace all this. It's his songwriting and Liam's antics that make them great. McGee might be right, that Liam's behaviour is making it impossible for him to do his work. It's time he takes control of this band. Because if he doesn't, he risks it all ending before it's even begun.

• 45:00Speaker 09

  A trucker merges onto the I-10 in New Orleans. He checks his mirrors, the lane is clear, and then boom, impact. A pickup truck, seemingly out of nowhere, scrapes down the side of his 18-wheeler, multiple passengers inside. One man flees the scene, and the driver of the pickup, he doesn't seem all that upset. It didn't feel like a regular accident, because it wasn't. Across the city, truckers are getting sideswiped, all on the same stretch of the same freeway. And behind many of the cases is one person, a Hollywood stunt woman turned personal injury lawyer, named Vanessa Moda. This podcast is a story about fake accidents that lead to real consequences, and a scheme that ends in betrayal and murder.

• 45:45Speaker 09

  Listen to Over My Dead Body: Operation Sideswipe wherever you get your podcasts. Audible subscribers can binge all episodes early and ad-free right now. Join Audible in the Audible app, or by subscribing on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

• 46:01Speaker 10

  There are books that change how you see the world, and there are books that change how you see yourself. In a new podcast series, A Great Book with Barack Obama, President Obama sits down with a series of surprising and sharp guests to explore six books that have shaped his life and perspective on the world. From Song of Solomon and The Fire Next Time, to All the Pretty Horses and Gilead, the president is joined by guests like Tom Hanks and Ta-Nehisi Coates to reflect on how these timeless stories shaped his thinking on everything from fatherhood to leadership, and discover together what they tell us about the world we live in and the world we want to create.

• 46:44Speaker 10

  Audible subscribers can listen to all episodes of A Great Book with Barack Obama ad-free right now, plus access each audiobook discussed in the series. Download the Audible app today.

• 47:06Matt Forde?

  Six months later, the Devonshire Arms, Camden.

• 47:11Matt Forde?

  Noel stares at the journalist's tape recorder. He can't believe the press are still asking about the Amsterdam ferry incident.

• 47:20Matt Forde?

  Liam, however, is still loving it. His son West Ham prick thinks he can step up. I'm fucking having it. I'm not backing down. Oasis's album Definitely Maybe went straight to number one. It has become the fastest-selling debut in British history. But it's clear Q Magazine isn't interested in the music. All they've asked about is Liam's off-stage behaviour. Noel rolls his eyes. Basically, these lot think it's rock and roll to get thrown off a fucking pleasure cruise. The reporter chuckles. Well, you didn't get deported, though. Before he can answer, Liam jumps in. Yeah, because he was in bed with his fucking books. Noel drains his pint.

• 48:06Matt Forde?

  If you get bored with Chuck Norris, want to talk about our record-breaking album, give me a shout.

• 48:12Matt Forde?

  He walks outside and hails a taxi. Fifteen minutes later, he's on a leafy boulevard in St John's Wood. He knocks on the front door of a large red brick house. His producer invited him to a party, and right now, he could do with a distraction. Inside, his friend greets him. Don't freak out, but there's someone I want you to meet. He nods towards a man with shaggy salt and pepper hair. The man is facing the other way, but there's something familiar about his posture. As his profile comes into view, Noel gasps. With a toothy grin, Paul McCartney extends his hand.

• 48:51Speaker 04

  Hey Noel, I love the album. Supersonic is great.

• 48:55Alice Levine?

  Stop it, stop it!

• 48:58Matt Forde?

  Noel can't believe what he's hearing.

• 49:01Speaker 04

  This is your house? I'm in Paul fucking McCartney's house!

• 49:07Matt Forde?

  Soon, Noel is telling Paul about growing up in Manchester, how The Beatles inspired him to write music. Paul shoots him an earnest look.

• 49:17Speaker 04

  Would you like to see my meditation bubble?

• 49:19Matt Forde?

  Noel wonders if he's misheard him. Paul points out the window at a large Perspex igloo, filled with colourful pillows.

• 49:28Speaker 04

  I got it in the sixties for stargazing.

• 49:33Matt Forde?

  A few minutes later, they're crawling inside. Paul lights a joint and hands it to Noel. Through the domed glass ceiling, he can see the darkening night sky. Spots twinkling overhead. He lets his mind wander to the upcoming tour. McGee has arranged a showcase for Oasis at LA's world famous Whisky Agogo. He's eager to capitalise on their success in the UK. But, it will mean weeks of listening to Liam's hogwash.

• 50:01Alice Levine?

  Oh yikes.

• 50:02Speaker 04

  Me and John spent days in here working on Magical Mystery Tour.

• 50:06Alice Levine?

  Can you imagine being trapped in a Perspex igloo with Liam Gallagher?

• 50:11Matt Forde?

  But also, it gets so hot in there.

• 50:13Alice Levine?

  Sweaty, he'll be bouncing off the walls, literally.

• 50:16Matt Forde?

  How often are you washing these cushions, Paul?

• 50:19Alice Levine?

  It'd be like a cage fight.

• 50:22Matt Forde?

  Yeah, me and John used to do MMA. Noel wishes he had a writing partner. All Liam does is create problems for him. He turns to Paul. "How did you find it going solo?" Paul holds his gaze with raised eyebrows. "Well, it was scary, but at some point you gotta believe in yourself." He stares up at the night sky. Takes another drag of his joint as Paul points out the North Star. He's been like a dog with a bone these past two years. Chasing success with Liam. But perhaps it's time to branch out. Go it alone. Chart a new course. After all, if Paul McCartney believes in him, what's he got to lose?

• 51:07Matt Forde?

  The following week. Whisky Agogo, Los Angeles. Liam stands in the wings of the Whisky Agogo as he watches the compere in a black suit introduce Oasis to a packed crowd. McGee's told him if they want to crack the US, this gig will be key.

• 51:26Speaker 05

  "I present the best band in Britain, no, the best band in the world, none other than Oasis."

• 51:34Matt Forde?

  He taps his foot anxiously as he peers out at the audience. Liam's heart sinks as he scans the room. He's read about the Dawes and Led Zeppelin wreaking havoc here, but all he can see are men in suits sipping light beer. He takes a glug of his drink. Shouts at Bonehead.

• 51:52Speaker 04

  "It's like a fucking insurance conference in here."

• 51:55Matt Forde?

  "You've done those corporates." "Insurance guys can be fun." "Okay, okay." Liam chops out lines of white powder and is about to snort the lot when Noel appears at his side.

• 52:07Speaker 04

  "It's not coke. That fucking fixer got us the wrong stuff. It's crystal meth."

• 52:13Matt Forde?

  Liam looks at Noel, confused. He's been taking this stuff all day. The whole band has. He feels great. It's like ninja speed. He pushes his brother out of the way. Fuck if I care. He snorts his lines, struts out on stage, shouts at the audience.

• 52:35Matt Forde?

  The fucking band aren't coming, you just got me tonight. He hears the audience stutter, unsure how to respond. He feels something hit him on the arm. He turns but then spots a bottle of water hit the stage. Realises it's come from the audience. Get up here and I'll slap ya. He stares into the blackness. I'm not a fucking coconut store. Liam's about to jump into the crowd when he hears Noel's guitar kick into life. But it's not the song he was expecting. He glances at the set this taped to the floor at his feet. He's playing the wrong goddamn song.

• 53:13Matt Forde?

  He turns and glares at his brother, but Noel is turned away from him. He crouches down next to an amp, snorts another line of meth off the floor. Then stands and staggers to the microphone. Screams. Maybe I don't really wanna know, I pick your nose.

• 53:36Matt Forde?

  A few seconds later, he feels Noel at his side. You're singing the wrong song, you fucking dickhead.

• 53:42Alice Levine?

  Oh god, so is Noel on it too?

• 53:44Matt Forde?

  He'd done a bit, but the dealer that was meant to get them coke had got them crystal meth and they'd been doing it for days. So, they haven't slept, they're delirious. I mean, it's hard enough to sleep on cocaine, you cannot sleep on crystal meth.

• 53:58Alice Levine?

  They are strung out.

• 54:00Matt Forde?

  Liam pumps out his chest, fronts up to his brother, but as he takes in a lungful of air, his head starts to spin. His heart pounds in his chest. He glances at Bonehead. It looks like he's grinning into his amp. He looks out at the crowd, but now all he can see is a blinding white light. He can taste copper in his mouth. He raises his fists to push him away, but instead realises he's hurling his tambourine at him. He hears the crowd gasp. The music stops. He watches the tambourine smash into Noel's head before he blacks out and crashes to the stage floor. The next morning, Liam rubs his aching jaw as he limps to the bathroom. He spots a piece of paper on the ground.

• 54:45Matt Forde?

  Girls often slip notes under his door. He grins. He opens it and instantly recognizes Noel's writing. He stares at the words on the page.

• 54:56Speaker 04

  "We cannot go on as bandmates or brothers."

• 55:01Matt Forde?

  Liam flings open the door, charges into Noel's room, finds a cleaner vacuuming it. He squeezes his eyes closed, fights against the rush of anger crashing through him. He returns to his room, rolls up Noel's note and snorts the rest of the meth, collapses onto the end of the bed. He doesn't need Noel. He's the boss. He has never felt better. He's a rock and roll star, and his critics, his haters, and his brother can all get fucked.

• 55:38Speaker 11

  You stepped out for your morning jog. Except it's not your usual morning jog. You started listening to an epic sci-fi book on Audible. Thirty chapters later, you've accidentally run a half marathon. You've lost track of how far you've run, somewhere just past the city limits. You can't stop. You have to find out what happens next. Then it's over. The universe seems bigger. You feel different. You feel like you have no idea where you are. Audible. Stories that speak to you.

• 56:08Speaker 12

  Dr. Seuss's Cat in the Hat and Fish are back for a whole lot of wonderfully whimsical fun. What happens when you switch bodies with your best friend? Discover a caveman frozen in ice? Or make an alien so angry he threatens to destroy the planet? Find out in season two of the Cat in the Hat podcast. The Cat and Fish are traveling the world in the great catastrophic Cockafany Cruiser, meeting genies, clown professors, cave trolls, and extraordinary characters along the way. With clever wordplay, imaginative rhymes, original songs, and stories celebrating curiosity, empathy, and creative problem solving, every adventure brings something new to discover.

• 56:51Speaker 12

  It's a world of wonderful words, big imaginations, and plenty of heart for the whole family. Listen to the Cat in the Hat podcast wherever you get your podcast. Audible subscribers can binge all 20 episodes early and ad-free right now.

• 57:13Matt Forde?

  From Wondery and Samistat Audio, this is the first episode in our series, Nolan Liam.

• 57:18Alice Levine?

  A quick note about our dialogue. In most cases, we can't know exactly what was said, but all our dramatizations are based on historical research.

• 57:26Matt Forde?

  If you'd like to know more about this story, you can read Some Might Say: The Definitive Story of Oasis by Richard Bowes, The Last Party by John Harris, Creation Stories by Alan McGee, and watch the Supersonic Documentary directed by Matt Whitecross. British Scandal is hosted by me, Matt Ford.

• 57:44Alice Levine?

  And me, Alice Levine.

• 57:46Matt Forde?

  British Scandal is a production of Wondery and Samistat Audio. Written by Jack McKay. Additional writing by Matt Ford and Alice Levine. Our story editor is James Maniak. Sound design by Jay Rothman. For Samistat, our producer is Chika Ayers. Our senior producer is Joe Sykes. For Wondery, our series producer is Theodora LaLudis, and our managing producer is Rachel Sibley. Executive producers for Wondery are Estelle Doyle, Jessica Radburn, and Marshall Louie.

• 58:31Speaker 13

  I'm Gemma Whelan, and in the new season of The Spy Who, we tell the story of the original femme fatale, the spy who was Mata Hari. A famous dancer turned World War I secret agent, accused of seducing Allied officers to uncover their plans. But was she a temptress or a scapegoat for French failures? Follow The Spy Who now, wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also listen to the full season of The Spy Who Was Mata Hari early and ad-free on Audible.

• 59:01Speaker 11

  Imagine you're reading Pride and Prejudice, except you're not reading it. Harris Dickinson and Marissa Abella are reading it to you on Audible. Her barbs sting you. His coldness sends a shiver up your spine. Your heart aches. Your ears burn. You yearn for Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy to profess their undying love for one another. You can't bear it any longer. Well, maybe a chapter longer. Performance is so good, you'll give love a second chance. Audible. Stories that speak to you.