Gorillaz Interview
For Canada, March 2001
2D
What's life like in 2D? Do people in the biz not take you seriously, being 2D and all?
2D: I’ve always been me and people have never taken me seriously, even when my name wasn’t 2D.
How does this concept work? How much creative integrity are you allowed?
2D: If you have to be allowed it then you don’t have any integrity. I think other people think that Murdoc’s always horrible to me, I’m always getting asked about him being nasty to me, but when we are in the studio everything just flows. He gets really excited when I sing or lay down some cool keyboards, so I have all the creative freedom I could want I guess. The record company left us alone when we were recording because our animated state had them a bit confused, they're trying to stick their fingers in now that it looks like we might be successful. Hopefully, we’ll prove that you don’t have to be crap for people to like you.
Do anvils (or other related Acme cartoon weapons) ever come into play when you guys have creative differences?
2D: I remember sending off for ACME x-ray specs, from a DC Strange comic, when I was a kid and thinking that I would be able to spend the rest of my life looking at nudie girls. The pair I got must have been broken coz they just made everything go red and I couldn’t be bothered to save up my pocket money again for another pair. I’d never buy anything else from them.
General thoughts on the current state of the music industry?
2D: It’s the same as it's always been, there’s one load of soulless toadies trying to get rich off the back of music churned out for children’s parties, and another load of vermin trying to get as wasted at any price. Musicians are left to try and make art by hook or by crook.
Any solo plans?
2D: Nah! I like working with other people outside of Gorillaz, but I don’t want to do any embarrassing Roger Daltryesque albums with images of me as mythical beasts. I mean, was he trying to say that he was a horse's arse or did I miss the point?
You sound remarkably like Damon Albarn - any thoughts?
2D: Must be a bit weird for people trying to get their heads 'round who sings and does what with Gorillaz, especially as Damon and Jamie have done a few interviews about collaborating with us. I think people always try and compare you to someone else and we all have our heroes that inspire us, I just think mine and Damon’s inspirations are very close. I think that’s why he was so into working with us because we all are into things that he digs, but there’s loads of stuff that we like that he can’t stand.
Is he biting your styles?
2D: Err! That’s disgusting. I use cream for those.
What was it like working with the 3D folks?
2D: It was wicked working with 3D. I hung out with him and the rest of Massive Attack and we worked on a song for Horace Andy together.
Murdoc: Clang!
Murdoc
You seem to be the brains of the operation, and what was it that made you bring this group of misfits together?
Murdoc: May I just say it’s nice to finally talk with a journo’ of some class and distinction. I’ve been putting prats-with-pens straight all across the globe over these past few months. Never forget that this is my band! I am the brains, the cock, and the balls of this outfit! Nobody gets to the Gorillaz except through me! Here endeth the bloody lesson. Hail Satan! What was the question?
It seems as though some of your 3D counterparts are getting credit for the tunes, How's that make you feel?
Murdoc: If I open up one more magazine that says there’s an article about us inside only to find those gits Albarn and Hewlett piping up halfway through, there’s going to be some trouble. You do some washed-up old goats a favour and you can't get rid of them, honestly, it's worse than getting dog shit stuck in the tread of your trainers and just as stinky.
Okay, Gorillaz go #1, and you guys get scads of money. What's the dream celebration?
Murdoc: As we become a global sensation and I take up my birthright among the pantheon of rock gods, some heavy old plop will be set in motion. I’m not talking about the banal blend of drunken, drugged-up supergroup, supergroupie voyeurism, and group sex with a bit of mild sadism that everyone else plumps for. Well, maybe I am, but if you think of what Tom and Jerry can do with a frying pan, then just imagine what I can do with my veiny old love pump.
Russel
You got mad skills! Why hang out with this bunch?
Russel: Well, thanks very much for the props but I won’t have you disrespecting my band. You’ve heard the album, we kick ass!
I hear you got phantoms rolling around in your head, describe what it's like when they channel you.
Russel: Well, it’s like this; I’m possessed by the rapping phantom of my dead high-school pal, Del, who was gunned down at my side when we accidentally found ourselves in the path of some gangland fire. Del caught a cap in the toe, which must have sprung up around inside him like that magic bullet that offed Kennedy because he died right there in-front of me. Anyway, since that time it’s been like he’s the Genie and I’m the bottle, when I’m playing his spirit comes through me and lays down the finest undead rhymes. It’s left me knowing how it must feel to be a bitch, but there ain’t no other way anyone is getting inside me, I can tell you that for free.
And where'd you get the cool "Thing" t-shirt?
Russel: At last, somebody picked up on my fly style. Mr. Hewlett runs a damn fine clothing label, I can tell you that for nothing. I do want to take this opportunity to give proper respect that should be given to Stan the Man, Jack King Kirby, and my personal favourite, Mr. John Buscema. Excelsior!
Noodle
I hear you're the quiet one. Is that true? Anything you'd like to add?
Noodle: Kek-ko dess arigato.
What's life like in 2D? Do people in the biz not take you seriously, being 2D and all?
2D: I’ve always been me and people have never taken me seriously, even when my name wasn’t 2D.
How does this concept work? How much creative integrity are you allowed?
2D: If you have to be allowed it then you don’t have any integrity. I think other people think that Murdoc’s always horrible to me, I’m always getting asked about him being nasty to me, but when we are in the studio everything just flows. He gets really excited when I sing or lay down some cool keyboards, so I have all the creative freedom I could want I guess. The record company left us alone when we were recording because our animated state had them a bit confused, they're trying to stick their fingers in now that it looks like we might be successful. Hopefully, we’ll prove that you don’t have to be crap for people to like you.
Do anvils (or other related Acme cartoon weapons) ever come into play when you guys have creative differences?
2D: I remember sending off for ACME x-ray specs, from a DC Strange comic, when I was a kid and thinking that I would be able to spend the rest of my life looking at nudie girls. The pair I got must have been broken coz they just made everything go red and I couldn’t be bothered to save up my pocket money again for another pair. I’d never buy anything else from them.
General thoughts on the current state of the music industry?
2D: It’s the same as it's always been, there’s one load of soulless toadies trying to get rich off the back of music churned out for children’s parties, and another load of vermin trying to get as wasted at any price. Musicians are left to try and make art by hook or by crook.
Any solo plans?
2D: Nah! I like working with other people outside of Gorillaz, but I don’t want to do any embarrassing Roger Daltryesque albums with images of me as mythical beasts. I mean, was he trying to say that he was a horse's arse or did I miss the point?
You sound remarkably like Damon Albarn - any thoughts?
2D: Must be a bit weird for people trying to get their heads 'round who sings and does what with Gorillaz, especially as Damon and Jamie have done a few interviews about collaborating with us. I think people always try and compare you to someone else and we all have our heroes that inspire us, I just think mine and Damon’s inspirations are very close. I think that’s why he was so into working with us because we all are into things that he digs, but there’s loads of stuff that we like that he can’t stand.
Is he biting your styles?
2D: Err! That’s disgusting. I use cream for those.
What was it like working with the 3D folks?
2D: It was wicked working with 3D. I hung out with him and the rest of Massive Attack and we worked on a song for Horace Andy together.
Murdoc: Clang!
Murdoc
You seem to be the brains of the operation, and what was it that made you bring this group of misfits together?
Murdoc: May I just say it’s nice to finally talk with a journo’ of some class and distinction. I’ve been putting prats-with-pens straight all across the globe over these past few months. Never forget that this is my band! I am the brains, the cock, and the balls of this outfit! Nobody gets to the Gorillaz except through me! Here endeth the bloody lesson. Hail Satan! What was the question?
It seems as though some of your 3D counterparts are getting credit for the tunes, How's that make you feel?
Murdoc: If I open up one more magazine that says there’s an article about us inside only to find those gits Albarn and Hewlett piping up halfway through, there’s going to be some trouble. You do some washed-up old goats a favour and you can't get rid of them, honestly, it's worse than getting dog shit stuck in the tread of your trainers and just as stinky.
Okay, Gorillaz go #1, and you guys get scads of money. What's the dream celebration?
Murdoc: As we become a global sensation and I take up my birthright among the pantheon of rock gods, some heavy old plop will be set in motion. I’m not talking about the banal blend of drunken, drugged-up supergroup, supergroupie voyeurism, and group sex with a bit of mild sadism that everyone else plumps for. Well, maybe I am, but if you think of what Tom and Jerry can do with a frying pan, then just imagine what I can do with my veiny old love pump.
Russel
You got mad skills! Why hang out with this bunch?
Russel: Well, thanks very much for the props but I won’t have you disrespecting my band. You’ve heard the album, we kick ass!
I hear you got phantoms rolling around in your head, describe what it's like when they channel you.
Russel: Well, it’s like this; I’m possessed by the rapping phantom of my dead high-school pal, Del, who was gunned down at my side when we accidentally found ourselves in the path of some gangland fire. Del caught a cap in the toe, which must have sprung up around inside him like that magic bullet that offed Kennedy because he died right there in-front of me. Anyway, since that time it’s been like he’s the Genie and I’m the bottle, when I’m playing his spirit comes through me and lays down the finest undead rhymes. It’s left me knowing how it must feel to be a bitch, but there ain’t no other way anyone is getting inside me, I can tell you that for free.
And where'd you get the cool "Thing" t-shirt?
Russel: At last, somebody picked up on my fly style. Mr. Hewlett runs a damn fine clothing label, I can tell you that for nothing. I do want to take this opportunity to give proper respect that should be given to Stan the Man, Jack King Kirby, and my personal favourite, Mr. John Buscema. Excelsior!
Noodle
I hear you're the quiet one. Is that true? Anything you'd like to add?
Noodle: Kek-ko dess arigato.