Liam Gallagher has ruled out calling his new band Oasis, describing the name as “shit”.

In December, the singer suggested that he would retain his former band's name if he failed to come up with anything better.

However, in an interview with XFM, Gallagher said there was no chance his new group would be called Oasis.

"No, it’s not Oasis. That was a shit name anyway. I’m glad to see the back of it,” he said.

The singer went on to reveal that the band, which features former Oasis bandmates Gem Archer and Andy Bell, had nearly settled on a new name.

“There’s one that we're digging at the moment, but we’re going to get on with the music and see how it goes,” Galalgher said.

“If we haven’t got a better one by then, we’ll go with the one we’re into".

The singer also assured fans that he would return to the stage this year and that work on their debut album was progressing steadily.

“We’ll be on stage this year, mate. Without a doubt. We’re half way through the record – the demos, that is,” he said.

“We’re in the studio this April to see if this producer works out. If he does, we’ll crack on with the album through June and July”.

Meanwhile, Liam's brother, Noel, will play his first two shows since leaving Oasis in London next month.

(by Jason Gregory)