Noel Gallagher, lead guitarist and primary songwriter of Oasis [ tickets ], quit the band just before a planned Friday (8/28) performance, saying he could no longer work with his brother, lead singer Liam Gallagher.

"It's with some sadness and great relief to tell you that I quit Oasis tonight," Gallagher said in a statement posted on the band's website. "People will write and say what they like, but I simply could not go on working with Liam a day longer."

The conflict between the Gallagher brothers, which has been inherent in the band throughout its 18-year run, reportedly came to a head backstage just prior to the band's scheduled Aug. 28 appearance at the Rock en Seine festival near Paris.

According to British media reports, Noel confronted Liam about his drinking when the singer showed up drunk to the Paris gig. The brothers reportedly began arguing, hurling insults both personal and professional. Liam reportedly exploded when confronted about his "unprofessional" behavior and threw his acoustic guitar at Noel, who then stomped it to pieces before refusing to perform.

The audience was told that the band would not be appearing because it did not exist anymore.

One day after Noel announced he was quitting the popular Brit-pop band, he posted a statement on the band's website saying he had been "forced to leave" because "the level of verbal and violent intimidation towards me, my family, friends and comrades has become intolerable." Noel went on to say "the lack of support and understanding from my management and band mates" left him with no other option.

Noel's departure has left the fate of Oasis in flux. A spokesperson for the group told the BBC that a decision is expected to be made as to how or if the band will continue.

Despite the blow-up and break-up, several people close to the brothers--including their mother--think they will eventually patch things up. "They've had fights before and got over it," their mother told the Mirror. "I hope this isn't the end of Oasis; I don't think it is," she said. The Gallagher matriarch said the two never fought until they started the band. "They are two very different characters and I think when you're with somebody 24/7 and you've got two different egos they are bound to clash at time."

Alan McGee, who is credited with discovering Oasis, said the band will probably get back together, even though this split is "the worst fallout that they've ever had, and they've had some pretty bad ones," according to MTV News. "I think you'll have a reunion tour in about five years' time," he said. "They love each other. When people love each other, they'll always make peace. You can't control Oasis--they do what they want to do. That's the beauty and the skill of the band."

For now, all scheduled Oasis gigs have been canceled.