At the apex of Oasis’ glory, Noel Gallagher made a bold proclamation: “We’re not arrogant, we just think we’re the best band in the world.”
With this mindset, it’s unsurprising that he views other bands as beneath him. Coupled with his infamous prickly demeanor and a knack for backhanded compliments rivaling a pre-caffeinated Simon Cowell, Gallagher’s commentary forms a potent cocktail of scathing critiques.
Over time, he’s taken aim at Blur, dismissed Coldplay, and declared that Harry Styles lacks any noteworthy contribution to the music world.
However, he saved a unique level of contempt for one band in particular. Gallagher went so far as to say that he feels fortunate to live in a time when he can confidently say that he’s experienced the absolute nadir of musical talent.
In his trademark biting style, Gallagher quipped: “Do you ever look at the sky and think, ‘I’m glad I’m alive’? After hearing System of a Down, I realized I’ve had the dubious honor of hearing the most dreadful band of all time. It’s quite remarkable, considering the countless bands of the past and the infinite ones to come. Yet, here I am, living in the era of the worst.”
The heavy metal band System of a Down was birthed concurrently with Oasis in 1994. While Oasis was basking in their irreverent weekend festivities, these mustached American rockers were casting a critical eye on the mechanical grind of modern society.
Their approach, while sometimes questionable, was undeniably distinctive.
While many have reveled in headbanging to ‘Toxicity’ at indie gatherings, Gallagher’s critique of lead singer Serj Tankian’s poetic attempts rings true for some.
Tankian’s anthology includes lines like: “I feel I’ve become the victim of countless manipulations… In the name of business, art, music, freedom, country, and other meaningless jargon.”
With an absence of rhyme, rhythm or metre, it’s a stretch to label it as poetry.
Given Gallagher’s outspoken aversion to pretension, it’s not surprising that he finds Tankian’s existential musings hard to swallow.
Regardless of whether you’re a fan of System of a Down or share Gallagher’s disdain, there’s a certain admiration to be had for his creative articulation of hatred.
As the saying goes, practice makes perfect, and few have mastered the art of the insult quite as expertly as the ever-acerbic Noel Gallagher.
