Liam Gallagher Shares His Love of The Sex Pistols: “All Heaven Broke Loose” When He Heard Punk Legends
In a candid interview, Liam Gallagher, the iconic frontman of Oasis, revealed his deep admiration for one of the most influential bands in rock history—the Sex Pistols. Gallagher, known for his brash demeanor and sharp wit, openly discussed the impact the punk legends had on him and his musical journey. He shared how the Sex Pistols’ raw energy and rebellious spirit made an indelible mark on him, and how the first time he heard their music, “all heaven broke loose.”
Gallagher’s passion for punk music is well-documented, but his words about the Sex Pistols offer a fresh insight into how the band shaped his perspective on music. “Unless your guitars and your attitude resemble these nuggets then you can kiss my tubular bells,” Gallagher said, making clear that the Sex Pistols’ punk ethos was a defining influence on his career. His reference to “tubular bells,” a nod to the iconic Mike Oldfield album, emphasizes his belief that the authentic, gritty sound of punk far outweighed the polished productions that dominated mainstream music at the time.
For Gallagher, the Sex Pistols represented more than just a band; they were a revolution. He vividly recalled the moment he first encountered their music, describing it as a life-altering experience. “It was as if all heaven broke loose,” he said. “It was just pure chaos and energy, and I could feel it in my bones. That was it. I was hooked.” Gallagher’s love for the band stems from their unfiltered approach to music, a trait that resonated deeply with him during his formative years as a musician.
Born in Manchester, Gallagher grew up in an environment where the working-class ethos was deeply embedded in the cultural fabric. The Sex Pistols’ anti-establishment attitude and their defiance of societal norms spoke directly to Gallagher’s own rebellious nature. “They were angry, and they didn’t give a shit,” he explained, echoing the sentiment that made the Pistols so iconic in the 1970s. “I think that’s what grabbed me the most. It was about having an attitude and owning it.”
The rawness of the Sex Pistols’ music, exemplified in their landmark album Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols, had a profound effect on Gallagher’s musical sensibilities. The album’s brashness and refusal to conform to traditional rock conventions encouraged Gallagher to adopt a similar approach with Oasis. “We were never interested in being polished or perfect,” he admitted. “It was all about the attitude and the vibe. The Sex Pistols set that standard for us.”
Despite the passage of time since the Sex Pistols’ heyday, Gallagher remains adamant that their influence is still alive and well in today’s music scene. He pointed out that the band’s lasting legacy can be seen in how modern artists approach their craft with a sense of defiance and individuality. “You see it in bands today who don’t give a toss about trends or what the media say,” Gallagher noted. “That’s the spirit of the Pistols. It’s still out there.”
Gallagher’s words also serve as a reminder of the cultural significance of punk music, especially in the context of his own band, Oasis. Though Oasis’ sound was more rooted in rock and Britpop, the spirit of rebellion that Gallagher carries echoes the punk attitude. In fact, many fans have drawn parallels between Gallagher’s unapologetic approach to stardom and the punk ethos championed by the Sex Pistols.
As Gallagher continues to evolve as an artist, his reverence for the Sex Pistols remains a cornerstone of his identity. The punk legends provided him with the blueprint for how to approach both music and life with an unwavering sense of authenticity. And as he so passionately puts it, unless you can embody the same fiery attitude and raw energy as the Sex Pistols, then “you can kiss my tubular bells.”