Gorillaz in the World
Seven, March 2001
Murdoc’s from Stoke on Trent. So is Slash. What is it about this pottery enclave that generates such immense talents? The drizzly weather, or the desire to escape them dark satanic mills?
Murdoc: As a kiddie, I used to play around in the old dark satanic mills. Those places fill me with nostalgia, they hold some of my happiest memories.
Murdoc’s influences are anything from Sabbath to Dennis Wilson. Your EP actually sounds like strung-out folk with turntables. By design or accident?
Murdoc: Dennis is more of a role model than an influence on my music. The strung-out folk will be down to 2D, the bleedin’ spaz, and Russel can’t stop fiddlin' with bloody turntables. There are some tracks on the album where I’ve shown them what it’s all about though, but you’ll just have to wait until next year for them.
Which branch of Organ Emporium does 2D work at? With a mind like a blank piece of paper, are you saying he’s Gorillaz's answer to David Beckham?
Murdoc: No! 2D is Gorillaz's answer to David Hasselhoff.
2D: I was the Saturday boy at Uncle Norm’s Organ Emporium in Crawley. I’d been employee of the month a couple of times. I had quite a rep for my keyboard demonstrations too, one time...
Murdoc: Leave it out! No one gives a monkey’s about your dribbly Saturday job at “Uncle Norm the Kid Fiddler’s”. Aren’t you late for your paper round?
2D, Phil Oakey is without a record deal. Surely you could help out?
2D: I’d like to do something with Phil Oakey, I think he’s a genius but Murdoc won’t let me.
Russel the drummer. Surely not Russell Simins from The John Spencer Blues Explosion? Since when did he work at Mr. Bongos? Russel, what would your reaction be if someone came into the shop asking for MC Hammer records?
Russel: I don’t know how long Russell Simins has been working at Mr. Bongos, but if somebody asked me for an MC Hammer record I’d tell them to piss off.
How do we know Noodle’s telling the truth?
Murdoc: We don’t know if she’s telling the truth ourselves. She’s a mystery to all of us.
Richie Sambora as an influence? Cool, so why no Bon Jovi sounds within Gorillaz?
Murdoc: I think she just fancies him.
Noodle (singing): “You promise me heaven, then put me through hell”.
Is it true you’re good pals with Dan the Automator and Damon Albarn, are they nice people?
Murdoc: Yeah, we’re all good mates.
Russel: They told me they thought you were a wanker.
What are your favourite cartoon characters? Is it feasible that cartoon characters should make records? Just look at the Simpsons.
Russel: I like Mr. Murgatroyd and Hardy Har Har! The Simpsons is a soap opera, you wouldn’t buy a record by Phil Mitchell, Robbie Jackson, and Wellard, would you?
Tell us about your album. On what planet was it conceived? Is it the future of folk? Or have we missed the point completely?
Murdoc: I don’t know what your point is, but I’ve missed it completely.
2D: It was conceived down the rabbit hole with Alice and the Queen of Hearts.
Murdoc: Shut up Stu-Pot, you muppet.
Murdoc: As a kiddie, I used to play around in the old dark satanic mills. Those places fill me with nostalgia, they hold some of my happiest memories.
Murdoc’s influences are anything from Sabbath to Dennis Wilson. Your EP actually sounds like strung-out folk with turntables. By design or accident?
Murdoc: Dennis is more of a role model than an influence on my music. The strung-out folk will be down to 2D, the bleedin’ spaz, and Russel can’t stop fiddlin' with bloody turntables. There are some tracks on the album where I’ve shown them what it’s all about though, but you’ll just have to wait until next year for them.
Which branch of Organ Emporium does 2D work at? With a mind like a blank piece of paper, are you saying he’s Gorillaz's answer to David Beckham?
Murdoc: No! 2D is Gorillaz's answer to David Hasselhoff.
2D: I was the Saturday boy at Uncle Norm’s Organ Emporium in Crawley. I’d been employee of the month a couple of times. I had quite a rep for my keyboard demonstrations too, one time...
Murdoc: Leave it out! No one gives a monkey’s about your dribbly Saturday job at “Uncle Norm the Kid Fiddler’s”. Aren’t you late for your paper round?
2D, Phil Oakey is without a record deal. Surely you could help out?
2D: I’d like to do something with Phil Oakey, I think he’s a genius but Murdoc won’t let me.
Russel the drummer. Surely not Russell Simins from The John Spencer Blues Explosion? Since when did he work at Mr. Bongos? Russel, what would your reaction be if someone came into the shop asking for MC Hammer records?
Russel: I don’t know how long Russell Simins has been working at Mr. Bongos, but if somebody asked me for an MC Hammer record I’d tell them to piss off.
How do we know Noodle’s telling the truth?
Murdoc: We don’t know if she’s telling the truth ourselves. She’s a mystery to all of us.
Richie Sambora as an influence? Cool, so why no Bon Jovi sounds within Gorillaz?
Murdoc: I think she just fancies him.
Noodle (singing): “You promise me heaven, then put me through hell”.
Is it true you’re good pals with Dan the Automator and Damon Albarn, are they nice people?
Murdoc: Yeah, we’re all good mates.
Russel: They told me they thought you were a wanker.
What are your favourite cartoon characters? Is it feasible that cartoon characters should make records? Just look at the Simpsons.
Russel: I like Mr. Murgatroyd and Hardy Har Har! The Simpsons is a soap opera, you wouldn’t buy a record by Phil Mitchell, Robbie Jackson, and Wellard, would you?
Tell us about your album. On what planet was it conceived? Is it the future of folk? Or have we missed the point completely?
Murdoc: I don’t know what your point is, but I’ve missed it completely.
2D: It was conceived down the rabbit hole with Alice and the Queen of Hearts.
Murdoc: Shut up Stu-Pot, you muppet.