Chris Martin IMO has been as guilty as Liam in that sense, whether it is aligning himself to 'worthy' political causes, playing up to the nice guy image in every interview certainly that I have seen or read, and as Liam with Lennon I still remember 02-05 when he wouldn't shut up about Ian McCulloch- not that there's anything wrong with praising Echo & The Bunnymen mind you! 

I think both Chris Martin and Liam Gallagher, especially now, are actually representing who they are, whether they were that initially or have become that person over time.I wouldn't say Liam is desperately living out someone else's idea of rock n' roll, in all honesty he reminds me of a few people I grew up with if they had access to the level of fame he has had and the money he has earned- The lad from the pub & work who left school, you saw him around the estate then all of a sudden he's a big deal but still the same geezer type underneath it all, just magnified by scrutiny and wealth. Likewise Chris Martin in all seriousness reminds me of the University Student who starts out in their late teens exploring political ideas and heroes, coming across as very earnest but lacking fully fleshed ideas before maturing in their studies and after graduation, and finding their own ideals from which they live and state their point of view. This is not an attack on either man, but more of a way of saying they are such completely different people IMO that it can be hard to judge one against the other in some respects.

For me a cautionary tale of a band who knew who they were and never sought acceptance would have been the Manic Street Preachers between 1992 and 1996. I accept they were a walking contradiction of "controversial" rock n' roll statement and imagery, yet the music they created during those first four albums was, in turn, a savage critique of modern life, introspective miserablism looking introspectively, and nihilistic politically charged songs of alienation before returning with a collection of life affirming anthems in the face of some of the most extreme adversity that a band in recent memory has had to deal with (BTW if it isn't clear, I quite like the Manics   ).

The point there is that the Manic Street Preachers at times could play up to that Rock n' Roll image but were certainly not brain dead, and equally (particularly Nicky Wire and Richey Edwards) were comfortable discussing political and social ideals whilst being acutely aware of who they were. This, whilst laudable in some aspects, did not allow for any change of heart or backing off, and attracted the kind of fans who make these threads look like casual weekend listeners. In Richey's case perhaps he was the most and far too honest. I don't wonder like alot of people did what happened to the man, I more wonder how on earth he lasted as long as he did inside that mind. For that reason alone perhaps if they do put on a front rather than be nakedly honest at all times maybe we should be happy for Chris and Liam that they can do so, rather than exposing at all times to a world that is quick to judge, and even quicker to condemn.

Anyway from this post we can determine that one should never compose thread replies whilst hungover- now bleak outlook off, I am going to relieve my youth with a MSP first 4 LPs marathon