Gorillaz

View comments (2) Comment on this artist

Gorillaz Biography

Gorillaz (formed 1998)

Gorillaz is a music & animation project, created by Damon Albarn of the band Blur and cartoonist Jamie Hewlett, the creator of Tank Girl. In addition to the music itself, Gorillaz also consists of a 'virtual' band of 2-D members, named 2D (vocalist and keyboardist), Murdoc Niccals (bass), Noodle (guitar and vocals) and Russel Hobbs (drums and percussion).

Musically, Albarn is the primary contributor, with a rotating cast of musicians feeding in to the music.

Gorillaz: Creation

The Gorillaz project was created in 1998 when Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett shared a flat in Westbourne Grove, London. The first song that they wrote together was 'Ghost Train', which was eventually released as the B-side to 'Rock the House'. The original trio of musicians consisted of Albarn, Dan the Automator and Del the Funkee Homosapien. Albarn and Dan the Automator had previously worked together on Deltron 3030's debut album.

Gorillaz: Career

The debut release from Gorillaz was their Tomorrow Comes Today EP, released in 2000. This was followed by the single 'Clint Eastwood', released the following year. In March 2001, Gorillaz's debut, self-titled album was released. The band also created a half-hour mockumentary, entitled Charts of Darkness, which featured Krishnan Guru-Murthy.

Later in 2001, Gorillaz's collaboration with D12 (minus Eminem) and Terry Hall was released. '911' was a track about the September 11th attacks.

At the 2002 BRIT awards, Gorillaz performed via 3D animation, accompanied by Phi Life Cypher. Despite being nominated for six awards, they finished the evening empty-handed.

Laika Come Home, a dub remix album courtesy of Spacemonkeyz, was released in 2002. Later that year, Gorillaz released a DVD entitled Phase One: Celebrity Take Down. It contained the Charts of Darkness mockumentary, as well as the band's promotional videos.

2004 saw Gorillaz release a video entitled 'Rock It', as well as announcing the release of a new album, to be produced by Danger Mouse. The lead single from the album was 'Feel Good Inc.' and the album, Demon Days, was released in May 2005. The album reached number one in the UK and although it began to drop down the charts, the release of the next single, 'DARE', featuring Shaun Ryder of Happy Mondays. The third single was 'Dirty Harry' and the last single from Demon Days was 'Kids with Guns' / 'El Manana'.

A planned tour in which 3D holograms of the band would be employed was eventually called off due to the expense. In October 2006, a DVD entitled Phase Two: Slowboat to Hades. A few months later, Gorillaz' illustrated autobiography was released, entitled Rise of the Ogre. Another documentary film about Gorillaz - Bananaz - was released on the Babelgum website in April 2009.

Plastic Beach was the title for Gorillaz's next studio album, which hit the shops in March 2010.The album featured a number of guest performers, including Snoop Dogg, Mick Jones and Paul Simonon of The Clash, De La Soul, Lou Reed, Mark E. Smith and Bobby Womack.

Back to top

Gorillaz Picture Gallery

Gorillaz picture 2905353
Gorillaz picture 2903832
Gorillaz picture 2813384
Gorillaz picture 2905357
Gorillaz picture 2903840

More Gorillaz Pictures

Back to top

The Latest Gorillaz News

Gorillaz Releasing Track With Andre3000

9th February 2012

Gorillaz are releasing a new single with Andre3000. The cartoon band have joined with the....

Blur Singer And Guitarist To Play Charity Show Ahead Of Brit Awards

2nd February 2012

Blur's Damon Albarn and Graham Coxon will play a charity show ahead of this year's BRIT Awards.....

Blur To Work With William Orbit

23rd January 2012

William Orbit has sparked speculation he is working with Blur. The producer - who....

Blur To Be Honored At Brits As New Album Rumors Swirl

8th December 2011

Blur are set to be awarded with the Outstanding Contribution to Music award at next year's BriTs....

Albarn Forgets Gorillaz Lyrics Onstage

3rd December 2011

Damon Albarn was left red-faced at a 10th anniversary celebration of his band Gorillaz after....

More Gorillaz News

Back to top

Gorillaz Video and Audio

Gorillaz - Doncamatic feat. Daley Video

Gorillaz - Doncamatic Feat. Daley Video

Gorillaz, Rock It Video and Information

Gorillaz, Rock It Video And Information

Gorillaz, Rock It Video

Gorillaz, Rock It Video

Gorillaz DVD, Demon Days, DVD and Information

Gorillaz Dvd, Demon Days, Dvd And Information

Gorillaz DVD, Demon Days, DVD

Gorillaz Dvd, Demon Days, Dvd

More Gorillaz Video and Audio

Back to top

Gorillaz Reviews

Gorillaz, The Singles Collection 2001 - 2011 Album Review

28th November 2011

Hard to believe that ten years have passed really, makes you question where that time went. When you think about...

Gorillaz, The Fall Album Review

12th April 2011

It would be hyperbolic to describe The Fall as Damon Albarn's Kid A moment. Albarn's work tends to inspire grudging...

Gorillaz, Doncamatic Single Review

2nd December 2010

Who would have thought that four animated figures could sell over 20 million records worldwide? The musical project...

Gorillaz, Stylo Single Review

10th March 2010

I'm not saying the world is about to end (maybe it is) but there's something a tad apocalyptic about new Gorillaz...

Gorillaz, Plastic Beach Album Review

8th March 2010

In the ensuing 5 years since their last triumphant release, 'Demon Days', the world's biggest virtual band have...

More Gorillaz Reviews

Back to top

Gorillaz Press Releases

Gorillaz First World Tour

21st September 2010

Gorillaz are set to take their Plastic Beach around the world later this year. The band have....

Gorillaz Launch Ipad And Iphone Game: 'Escape To Plastic Beach' And Announce Us 2010 Tour

28th July 2010

Matmi and Gorillaz join forces to bring "Escape to Plastic Beach", the latest Gorillaz game, to....

Back to top

Gorillaz Related Artists

Silhouette

Damon Albarn

Silhouette

Mark E Smith

       

Back to top

Links

These are the best links to Gorillaz Sites on the web:

Back to top

Newsletter

Subscribe to this news alert service to receive news and reviews on

Unsubscribe

Comments View All Comments (2)

2nd July 2006   01:15

gema (1)

THEY I CONGRATULATE THEY ARE ONE OH THE BEST BANDS AND TO MY ESPECIALLY THEY ARE CHARMED WITH TO ME AND I WISH THEM THE BEST SUCCESSES A BIG KISS FOR YOU MURDOC

23rd March 2006   02:45

oggystoop (1)

WOT A FAB BAND OF MUSICAL ANIMATION!!!
Breaking News: Anderson Cooper Defends Adele On 'Fat' Comments Made By Karl LagerfeldAlex Morgan Wears Bodypaint In Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition'The Vow' Aiming To Woo Valentines Day RomanticsPaul Mccartney Gets Hollywood Walk Of Fame Star Finally'Embarrassing' Designer Stella Mccartney Jennifer Lopez's 'Clean' Fragrance Fergie Becomes Face Of Wet 'N' Wild Blake Lively Already Has Louboutin's Spring CollectionKim Kardashian's Exercise TipsPsychotic Madonna Stalker Escapes From Mental HospitalHenry Cavill's Great Wall?Ridley Scott To Direct The CounselorAmber Riley Holds School Contests For Black History MonthCharlotte Rampling Rules Out FaceliftZooey Deschanel 'Horrified' By Accidental Beauty PageantDustin Hoffman Planned Prank To Liven Up 'Boring' OscarsJulianne Moore Shocked By Sarah Palin's Lack Of Control Over ImageNo Paradise Lost For CooperMinnelli Axes Hot In Cleveland ShootStars Line Up For Mccartney Tribute AlbumRonnie Wood Snubbed Led Zeppelin OfferSteven Tyler Auctions Oscars Party InvitationIll Fan Pays Online Tribute To Selena Gomez After Hospital VisitBlige Performs At Aids FundraiserBjork Falls IllAdele Shows Off Post Surgery Voice On U.S. TvChris Brown To Remain On Probation For Rihanna AttackJoely Richardson Wants To Grow Old 'Gracefully'Demi Lovato's Mother Is Her 'Anchor' Chris O'dowd's 'Wedding Planner' FianceeHulk Hogan Will Shave Moustache For 'Couple Million Bucks'Kelly Rowland Lands Music AwardLabrinth's Classical Electro Punk SingleLeann Rimes Confronts Chelsea Handler Live On AirStar Wars Returns In 3D But Does Anybody Care?Baby Girl Delight For Marla SokoloffJourney 2: The Mysterious Island Branded 'Blithely Idiotic'Macaulay Culkin Is In Perfectly Good Health, Says RepHackney Riots Heroine Pauline Pearce Stuns Britain's Got TalentEmma Roberts Never' Serious' About Chord OverstreetEscaped Madonna Stalker Roaming The Streets Of Los AngelesFlu Strikes Down American Idol Hopefuls In HollywoodThe Beach Boys To Perform With Maroon 5 And Foster The People At Grammy AwardsAdele To Sweep Grammys? History Of Upsets Suggests OtherwiseNaomi Watts Playing Princess Diana In Biopic About Her Last DaysMadonna Ends Triumphant Week With World RecordDanielle Lloyd Hospitalised Courteney Cox To Direct Tv MovieKourtney Kardashian Has Fun At Disneyland Jennifer Lopez Feels 'Picked On'Daniel Radcliffe Pestered By Fan At Urinal Demi Moore Seeking Spiritual AdviceRonnie Wood Turned Down Led ZeppelinJustin Bieber Too Humble To Give Advice Morgan Freeman Joins Sci Fi Movie OblivionParadise Lost Has Been AxedJennifer Lopez's Daughter Loves PerformingLindsay Lohan Requested Gift At AuctionM.I.A. Has Bizarre Tour RiderNicolas Cage Wore Ghostly Voodoo 'Mask'Elton John Fears Son Will Be 'Stigmatised'Chris O'dowd Not Hopeful About Bafta Chances David Cronenberg's Spanking Worries Symone Black Fully Recovers After American Idol CollapseAmfar New York Gala Pulls In Heidi Klum, Cindy CrawfordThe Rock Wrestles Life Out Of 'Journey 2: The Mysterious Island'Foo Fighters Announce These DaysKyle Dyer, Television Host, Bitten By Dog Live On AirGlade Festival Returns: Sven Vath And Andy C To Headline Main StageBourne Legacy Trailer Sees Jeremy Renner Step Into Damon's ShoesStormtroopers Share Popcorn At Star Wars 3D ScreeningShakira Awarded Prestigious French Government HonourColeen Rooney's Blackmailers Jailed For 'Despicable' Act