Gorillaz Interview
Entertainment Today, July 2001
Murdoc
Besides being the bassist, what do you see as your role in the group?
Murdoc: It’s my band! Without me, nothing would happen.
How does it feel being part of essentially the first virtual Hip-Hop band?
Murdoc: Virtual Hip-Hop? Is that something that appears to be Hip-Hop but in reality isn’t? I’m sorry, I really don’t have a clue what you’re on about.
What makes good music?
Murdoc: An epileptic in the bath with lots of pots and pans and a penny whistle.
Also, if I were to name a few musicians, could you tell me which one you relate to the most? These are: Damon Albarn, Miho Hatori, Dan the Automator, Tina Weymouth, Chris Frantz, Kid Koala, and Del tha Funkee Homosapien.
Murdoc: We used them to get the record company and MTV interested but that’s about as far as it goes. What most people don’t understand is that Gorillaz isn’t about that lot, it's about us! If you really want to get into "The World of Gorillaz", then you have to cut that lot out of the equation.
Noodle
I know you don't really speak English (I speak a little Japanese), but I'll ask you anyway: besides being a band guitarist, what do you feel your role is in the group?
Noodle (Translated from Japanese): Do you mean like in The Monkees? Funny Monkee, Fuzzy Monkee, Little Monkee, and Country Monkee? I guess I’m the funny little Gorilla. I use a Fuzz Box sometimes too, but I draw a line at Country. Although Mike Nesmith is my favourite Monkee, funnily enough.
Also, how does it feel to be part of the first virtual Hip-Hop band?
Noodle: I think Paul Stanley was right when he said “They try to tell us we don't belong, that's alright, we're millions strong. This is my music, it makes me proud, these are my people and this is my crowd... we love it loud.”
Also, would you answer question 4 above?
Noodle: I met Miho in a dream. I was standing on the platform waiting for the next Bullet train to take me to Kingston Jamaica, and she was there with a ticket for the same trip.
2D
Besides being a singer and keyboardist of Gorillaz, what is your role in the group?
2D: I can burp the entire national anthem, that always goes down well on the tour bus. I think I see a pattern appearing in your line of questioning! Is keyboardist a real word or an Americanism?
How do you feel being part of the first virtual group?
2D: Are you going to ask me who of the musicians you listed I relate to?
Also, question number 4 above (which of those musicians do you relate to?)
2D: Ha! You did! Do I win a prize?
Russel
Besides being a drummer, what do you feel your role is in the band?
Russel: You are one lazy ass mother! Listen, if you can’t be bothered to do more than cut and paste your first three questions, then I’m not going to think of anything to say either! Y’with me?
How does it feel to be part of what is essentially the first virtual group?
Russel: At least you didn’t say it was virtual Hip-Hop this time, I guess by your standards that should score as originality.
Also, number 4 above...
Russel: Hmmmm.
Besides being the bassist, what do you see as your role in the group?
Murdoc: It’s my band! Without me, nothing would happen.
How does it feel being part of essentially the first virtual Hip-Hop band?
Murdoc: Virtual Hip-Hop? Is that something that appears to be Hip-Hop but in reality isn’t? I’m sorry, I really don’t have a clue what you’re on about.
What makes good music?
Murdoc: An epileptic in the bath with lots of pots and pans and a penny whistle.
Also, if I were to name a few musicians, could you tell me which one you relate to the most? These are: Damon Albarn, Miho Hatori, Dan the Automator, Tina Weymouth, Chris Frantz, Kid Koala, and Del tha Funkee Homosapien.
Murdoc: We used them to get the record company and MTV interested but that’s about as far as it goes. What most people don’t understand is that Gorillaz isn’t about that lot, it's about us! If you really want to get into "The World of Gorillaz", then you have to cut that lot out of the equation.
Noodle
I know you don't really speak English (I speak a little Japanese), but I'll ask you anyway: besides being a band guitarist, what do you feel your role is in the group?
Noodle (Translated from Japanese): Do you mean like in The Monkees? Funny Monkee, Fuzzy Monkee, Little Monkee, and Country Monkee? I guess I’m the funny little Gorilla. I use a Fuzz Box sometimes too, but I draw a line at Country. Although Mike Nesmith is my favourite Monkee, funnily enough.
Also, how does it feel to be part of the first virtual Hip-Hop band?
Noodle: I think Paul Stanley was right when he said “They try to tell us we don't belong, that's alright, we're millions strong. This is my music, it makes me proud, these are my people and this is my crowd... we love it loud.”
Also, would you answer question 4 above?
Noodle: I met Miho in a dream. I was standing on the platform waiting for the next Bullet train to take me to Kingston Jamaica, and she was there with a ticket for the same trip.
2D
Besides being a singer and keyboardist of Gorillaz, what is your role in the group?
2D: I can burp the entire national anthem, that always goes down well on the tour bus. I think I see a pattern appearing in your line of questioning! Is keyboardist a real word or an Americanism?
How do you feel being part of the first virtual group?
2D: Are you going to ask me who of the musicians you listed I relate to?
Also, question number 4 above (which of those musicians do you relate to?)
2D: Ha! You did! Do I win a prize?
Russel
Besides being a drummer, what do you feel your role is in the band?
Russel: You are one lazy ass mother! Listen, if you can’t be bothered to do more than cut and paste your first three questions, then I’m not going to think of anything to say either! Y’with me?
How does it feel to be part of what is essentially the first virtual group?
Russel: At least you didn’t say it was virtual Hip-Hop this time, I guess by your standards that should score as originality.
Also, number 4 above...
Russel: Hmmmm.