Christmastime for heroes
NME, December 2005
Gorillaz in the mistletoe
What's been the best thing to happen to you during 2005?
Russell: “The Manchester International Festival. Without a doubt. To see all of the guests and collaborators from the ‘Demon Days‘ album re-create the music was just incredible. That concert was so much bigger than any one individual or group. So having Shaun Ryder, Ike Turner, Bootie Brown, Neneh Cherry, Roots Manuva, De La Soul... all these people playing alongside a kids' choir, a gospel chotr and a full orchestra! The impact was incredible.”
Murdoc: “Even though I was only a little bit tipsy, the visuals behind the band looked fantastic, really colourful. I mean, I dozed off for a while, but what I saw looked ingenious.”
Noodle: "The Chinese zither- playing added such a large amount visually and musically to the track ‘Hong Kong‘.”
What's your biggest regret of 2005?
Russell: "Not really a regret, but the death of Ibrahim Ferrer was a great sadness. A really wonderful soul, generous with his music and a shining light who's sorely missed. Having said that, I kind of feel that his spirit, his music... it's all out there now. When the musicians closed the set with ‘Latin Simone‘ at the Manchester shows, footage of Ibrahim singing was displayed in the background. It was such a perfect way to end the show with someone who musically really just shone. A very graceful and poignant way to put the message across of the lasting and positive impact of music.”
Which member of the band have you come closest to hitting this year and why?
Murdoc: “You know the answer to this one already. I'll smash anyone in the chops for 50p, but it's always good to lash out at our singer. Come rain or shine, I never seem to get bored of it. You can call me a bully, but fuck, I like it.”
Best new band you've heard in 2005?
2D: “Probably Arctic Monkeys. I know everyone's going to say this but they're a great band. Real energy, smart lyrics, greal tunes and a Number One debut single. What more could you ask for out of a band? Other than maybe some animation.”
Of the people you worked with on ‘Demon Days’, which one ‘would you most like to have around for Christmas dinner?
Murdoc: “Probably Ike Turner, or Dennis Hopper. You open the door to one of those two, your guests are just going to shit themselves. ‘Oh alright, Dennis. good of you to drop round.’ You've got to be all casual about it though. ‘Walnuts are over there, mate, just help yourself.’”
Anyone's going to be impressed by that, aren't they?
Murdoc: “‘Though, thinking about it, you'd probably get the same reaction if you opened the door, clocked who it was and then just went, ‘Oi! Hopper! It's Christmas Day! Sling your hook, you stalker. Can't you see I'm having dinner!’ Then just slam the door in his face, walk back to the table, roll your eyes and say, ‘I can't seem to get rid of that bloke.’ Same effect really.”
... And which one for your New Year's Eve Party?
Murdoc: “Gotta be Neneh Cherry! Straight up. She's wicked, man. Always got a smile on her face, she's got a great vibe to her. Also, I know from watching her at the Manchester shows that she can party all day and all night and then deliver a fantastic performance. So if you're looking for New Year's Eve party guests, she's the one. Deffo.”
Where will you be this Christmas?
Murdoc: “Probably slumped under a tree in some kind of alcoholic coma. Great ‘festive fun’, eh, readers? Either that or I'll be tucked up in bed with a couple of ‘Christmas presents’. When I say that, I don't really mean Christmas presents. I'm alluding to something far filthier. See, I worship Satan, so being smutty comes with the territory.
And anyway Christmas goes right over my head.”
What's been the best thing to happen to you during 2005?
Russell: “The Manchester International Festival. Without a doubt. To see all of the guests and collaborators from the ‘Demon Days‘ album re-create the music was just incredible. That concert was so much bigger than any one individual or group. So having Shaun Ryder, Ike Turner, Bootie Brown, Neneh Cherry, Roots Manuva, De La Soul... all these people playing alongside a kids' choir, a gospel chotr and a full orchestra! The impact was incredible.”
Murdoc: “Even though I was only a little bit tipsy, the visuals behind the band looked fantastic, really colourful. I mean, I dozed off for a while, but what I saw looked ingenious.”
Noodle: "The Chinese zither- playing added such a large amount visually and musically to the track ‘Hong Kong‘.”
What's your biggest regret of 2005?
Russell: "Not really a regret, but the death of Ibrahim Ferrer was a great sadness. A really wonderful soul, generous with his music and a shining light who's sorely missed. Having said that, I kind of feel that his spirit, his music... it's all out there now. When the musicians closed the set with ‘Latin Simone‘ at the Manchester shows, footage of Ibrahim singing was displayed in the background. It was such a perfect way to end the show with someone who musically really just shone. A very graceful and poignant way to put the message across of the lasting and positive impact of music.”
Which member of the band have you come closest to hitting this year and why?
Murdoc: “You know the answer to this one already. I'll smash anyone in the chops for 50p, but it's always good to lash out at our singer. Come rain or shine, I never seem to get bored of it. You can call me a bully, but fuck, I like it.”
Best new band you've heard in 2005?
2D: “Probably Arctic Monkeys. I know everyone's going to say this but they're a great band. Real energy, smart lyrics, greal tunes and a Number One debut single. What more could you ask for out of a band? Other than maybe some animation.”
Of the people you worked with on ‘Demon Days’, which one ‘would you most like to have around for Christmas dinner?
Murdoc: “Probably Ike Turner, or Dennis Hopper. You open the door to one of those two, your guests are just going to shit themselves. ‘Oh alright, Dennis. good of you to drop round.’ You've got to be all casual about it though. ‘Walnuts are over there, mate, just help yourself.’”
Anyone's going to be impressed by that, aren't they?
Murdoc: “‘Though, thinking about it, you'd probably get the same reaction if you opened the door, clocked who it was and then just went, ‘Oi! Hopper! It's Christmas Day! Sling your hook, you stalker. Can't you see I'm having dinner!’ Then just slam the door in his face, walk back to the table, roll your eyes and say, ‘I can't seem to get rid of that bloke.’ Same effect really.”
... And which one for your New Year's Eve Party?
Murdoc: “Gotta be Neneh Cherry! Straight up. She's wicked, man. Always got a smile on her face, she's got a great vibe to her. Also, I know from watching her at the Manchester shows that she can party all day and all night and then deliver a fantastic performance. So if you're looking for New Year's Eve party guests, she's the one. Deffo.”
Where will you be this Christmas?
Murdoc: “Probably slumped under a tree in some kind of alcoholic coma. Great ‘festive fun’, eh, readers? Either that or I'll be tucked up in bed with a couple of ‘Christmas presents’. When I say that, I don't really mean Christmas presents. I'm alluding to something far filthier. See, I worship Satan, so being smutty comes with the territory.
And anyway Christmas goes right over my head.”