Gallagher Blues

It was all kicking off at the Cathedral Quarter in Belfast yesterday. Charles and Camilla were doing lunch at Nick's Warehouse on Hill Street, and the tiny thoroughfares were lined with outriders and police cars and some tension. Guys with serious faces were patting their guns and looking alert. It was almost like the old days.

A few yards away, Paul Gallagher was ambling around. The older brother of Liam and Noel, he's in town to DJ with another veteran Manc, Phil Smith, who has served with the Stone Roses and Oasis and worked at the legendary Hacienda. They both have a bit of rock and roll swagger about them, but it goes with the territory.

Paul grew up in an abusive household, watched his two brothers go supernova, co-wrote a slender book about his part in the story and landed a job at Creation Records, just as the company was going collectively mad with the excesses of Britpop. I met Paul a few times at the Chalk Farm offices where few people were making any sense. Rather, they were all gasping about how 18 Wheeler, Heavy Stereo and One Lady Owner were going to go mega. And of course, they didn't.

He's survived, but looks a little battered by the times. Paul's not been as fortunate as Liam with the genetic material, but he's got the blue eyes, glinting with arrogance and soul and hurt. He's not got much of the extra charisma but then again that's a very rare thing. If Liam and Noel were the Emily and Charlotte Bronte of their day, then Paul is the wayward sibling Branwell.