Gorillaz
Biography
Gorillaz is a British virtual band created in 1998 by musician Damon Albarn and artist Jamie Hewlett. The band is composed of four animated members: 2-D (lead vocals, keyboards), Murdoc Niccals (bass guitar), Noodle (guitar, keyboards, and vocals), and Russel Hobbs (drums and percussion). Their fictional universe is presented through music videos, interviews, and short cartoons. In reality, Albarn is the only permanent musical contributor, and Gorillaz' music often features collaborations with a wide range of other artists.
Creation and Formation
The idea for Gorillaz came about when Albarn and Hewlett were living together in 1997 and were watching MTV, which they found to be lacking substance. This sparked the idea of creating a "virtual band" as a commentary on the manufactured nature of many pop acts at the time. Albarn, already famous as the frontman of the Britpop band Blur, and Hewlett, the co-creator of the comic book "Tank Girl," combined their talents to bring this concept to life. Albarn handles the music, while Hewlett is responsible for the visual design of the characters and their world.
The Virtual Band Members
The band consists of four distinct fictional characters, each with their own backstory created by Albarn and Hewlett. These characters are not alter-egos of real people.
2-D
Stuart "2-D" Pot is the lead vocalist and keyboardist. His singing voice is provided by Damon Albarn.
Murdoc Niccals
Murdoc Niccals is the band's bassist and self-proclaimed leader who, according to the band's lore, formed the group.
Noodle
Noodle is the guitarist and provides occasional vocals. She arrived at the band's doorstep in a FedEx crate at the age of ten, speaking only Japanese.
Russel Hobbs
Russel Hobbs is the American drummer who is possessed by the spirits of his deceased friends, which contributes to his musical talents.
Musical Style and Albums
Gorillaz' music is known for its genre-bending nature, blending alternative rock, hip hop, electronica, trip hop, and pop. They have released eight studio albums to date.
Gorillaz (2001)
The band's debut self-titled album was released in 2001 and was an immediate success, selling over seven million copies worldwide. The lead single, "Clint Eastwood," became a massive hit and propelled the band to international fame.
Demon Days (2005)
Their second album, "Demon Days," released in 2005, was also a critical and commercial success, going six times platinum in the UK. It featured the hit single "Feel Good Inc.," which won a Grammy Award for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals.
Plastic Beach (2010)
Released in 2010, "Plastic Beach" is a concept album with environmental themes, featuring a large number of guest artists. Singles from this album include "Stylo" and "On Melancholy Hill."
The Fall (2010)
Recorded on an iPad during the American leg of the "Plastic Beach World Tour," "The Fall" was released on Christmas Day in 2010.
Humanz (2017)
After a seven-year hiatus, Gorillaz returned with "Humanz" in 2017. The album features a wide array of guest artists and debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200 chart.
The Now Now (2018)
"The Now Now" was released in 2018 and featured a more stripped-back sound with a greater focus on Albarn's vocals. It was written and recorded while the band was on tour for "Humanz."
Song Machine, Season One: Strange Timez (2020)
In 2020, Gorillaz launched the "Song Machine" project, a web series of songs and music videos released as "episodes," which culminated in the album "Song Machine, Season One: Strange Timez."
Cracker Island (2023)
The band's eighth studio album, "Cracker Island," was released in 2023 and became their first UK number-one album since "Demon Days." The album features collaborations with artists such as Thundercat, Stevie Nicks, and Bad Bunny.