At Home With Gorillaz
Maxim, November 2005
Maxim exclusive: The elusive band's first fashion story ever!
Noodle
This teenybopper's got a black belt in cute.
Describe your fashion style.
My style is Strictly Noodle! Playful, imaginative, bold, and sharp!
What's your favorite piece of clothing?
I go through shoes pretty fast when I work out, but my Onitsuka Tigers are pretty crucial. These shoes get you ready to kung fu anyone into hyperspace. Bruce Lee wore them in Game of Death. My second essential would be my ninja hood by Vexed Generation. Also anything by the Prps label. Prps stands for purpose, so you know they don't play.
So what's in your mini-refridgerator?
Mini-drinks and mini-food. Stuff like mini-milks, fun-size Mars bars, and bite-size foods. I also stock healthy stuff like Quorn, a meat substitute. I don't eat meat.
2-D
Getting into this lead singer's pants is easy.
You can wear only one designer for the rest of your life. What label do you pick?
That's tricky. I'm bang into Fila gear. Though I'm feeling the Lacoste label and Pringle. I like Primart, too. That's like Wal-Mart, but just in primary colors... for kids. But one for life? Probably Fila.
How do you dress when you know women will tear off your clothing?
Mate, it's all stuck together with Velcro. One good yank and this whole outfit comes off.
Do you feel like other cartoon characters have no sense of style?
Nah, man. Daffy Duck looks great. That big yellow beak's totally off the hook.
What should we look for in a switchblade?
It's all in the action. Once you pop the button, the blade should instantly appear. Fffft! Like that. Although, be careful, kids—flick-knives should only be used for, er... getting stones out of horses' shoes.
Murdoc
Likes? Black, skulls, capes. Dislikes? Puppies.
Who are your fashion heroes?
I'm kind of Jack the Ripper meets Vlad the Impaler. I like the young Keith Richards look around the Out of Our Heads period, like a little mod-biker-pillhead.
You spent some time in Mexico, getting arrested. How did jail change your style?
I got some tattoos—the seven deadly sins right across my back. LUST, PRIDE, and GLUTTONY are probably my favorites.
Who makes the best capes for fat guys?
Fat Ed's Big Guy Cape Shop. Definitely. Every time I pile on the pounds, that's where I go for a loose-fitting shawl. Oh, and Tommy Nutter. He did the costumes for the Batman film in '89, you know... Jack Nicholson's costumes.
Russel Hobbs
He don't rock ice, but this rapper's stone cold.
What's your all-time favorite pair of sneakers?
My Jam Master Jay shell toes by Adidas. They gotta be the originals, worn with no laces. These shoes are legends, worn by a legend. Jam Master Jay, RIP.
What music is playing before you go out for a night on the town?
It changes. For a Friday it's usually Funkadelic, Parliament, or Bootsy Collins. Maybe on Saturday, something upbeat by the Magic Numbers, De La Soul, or Roots Manuva. Maybe Talking Heads.
Why don't you wear more bling?
I might be a cartoon, but I have to keep it real. Covering yourself in paste jewelry doesn't make you look like you're getting paid. That kit just makes you look like someone saw you coming.
Noodle
This teenybopper's got a black belt in cute.
Describe your fashion style.
My style is Strictly Noodle! Playful, imaginative, bold, and sharp!
What's your favorite piece of clothing?
I go through shoes pretty fast when I work out, but my Onitsuka Tigers are pretty crucial. These shoes get you ready to kung fu anyone into hyperspace. Bruce Lee wore them in Game of Death. My second essential would be my ninja hood by Vexed Generation. Also anything by the Prps label. Prps stands for purpose, so you know they don't play.
So what's in your mini-refridgerator?
Mini-drinks and mini-food. Stuff like mini-milks, fun-size Mars bars, and bite-size foods. I also stock healthy stuff like Quorn, a meat substitute. I don't eat meat.
2-D
Getting into this lead singer's pants is easy.
You can wear only one designer for the rest of your life. What label do you pick?
That's tricky. I'm bang into Fila gear. Though I'm feeling the Lacoste label and Pringle. I like Primart, too. That's like Wal-Mart, but just in primary colors... for kids. But one for life? Probably Fila.
How do you dress when you know women will tear off your clothing?
Mate, it's all stuck together with Velcro. One good yank and this whole outfit comes off.
Do you feel like other cartoon characters have no sense of style?
Nah, man. Daffy Duck looks great. That big yellow beak's totally off the hook.
What should we look for in a switchblade?
It's all in the action. Once you pop the button, the blade should instantly appear. Fffft! Like that. Although, be careful, kids—flick-knives should only be used for, er... getting stones out of horses' shoes.
Murdoc
Likes? Black, skulls, capes. Dislikes? Puppies.
Who are your fashion heroes?
I'm kind of Jack the Ripper meets Vlad the Impaler. I like the young Keith Richards look around the Out of Our Heads period, like a little mod-biker-pillhead.
You spent some time in Mexico, getting arrested. How did jail change your style?
I got some tattoos—the seven deadly sins right across my back. LUST, PRIDE, and GLUTTONY are probably my favorites.
Who makes the best capes for fat guys?
Fat Ed's Big Guy Cape Shop. Definitely. Every time I pile on the pounds, that's where I go for a loose-fitting shawl. Oh, and Tommy Nutter. He did the costumes for the Batman film in '89, you know... Jack Nicholson's costumes.
Russel Hobbs
He don't rock ice, but this rapper's stone cold.
What's your all-time favorite pair of sneakers?
My Jam Master Jay shell toes by Adidas. They gotta be the originals, worn with no laces. These shoes are legends, worn by a legend. Jam Master Jay, RIP.
What music is playing before you go out for a night on the town?
It changes. For a Friday it's usually Funkadelic, Parliament, or Bootsy Collins. Maybe on Saturday, something upbeat by the Magic Numbers, De La Soul, or Roots Manuva. Maybe Talking Heads.
Why don't you wear more bling?
I might be a cartoon, but I have to keep it real. Covering yourself in paste jewelry doesn't make you look like you're getting paid. That kit just makes you look like someone saw you coming.