Monkey Magic!
TVHits!, June 2005
That crazy bunch of cartoon characters, the Gorillaz, are back with an ace new album...
It's been a while since your last album - what have you been up to?
2D: I hooked up with Shane Lynch from Boyzone and we took Eastbourne over. We were both working at my old man's fairground. A couple of free rides on the Waltzer and girls would be all over you, so I had a brilliant time.
Noodle: Having returned to Japan to find my past, I now speak English fluently. And now I understand what western culture is all about... you are in deep trouble.
Murdoc: I've been banged up in a Mexican jail for 18 months for passing dud cheques...
Russel: He got a couple of the other inmates to help him break out, by promising them a combination of money and free Gorillaz stuff. One of them plays guitar on the album. On the track White Light.
Hmm... Has life changed since you became part of the band?
Murdoc: Yeah. People keep asking, "Has life changed since you became part of a band?"
Russel: In a funny way, being in the band has made me realize that I'm still happy just kicking it back home with my friends.
You must have made a fair bit of cash - so what's the flashiest thing you bought?
Russel: 2D spent the last cheque he got on a triple plasma screen entertainment system that cost, like £37,5000. And it only plays one game, which was that old Atari game Pong across all three screens.
2D: I already lost all the balls for it as well.
There are lots of guests on the album, like retro hip hop crew De La Soul, and Shaun Ryder. How did that come about?
Russel: We asked our friends De La Soul to lend a rap to the song Feel Good Inc, so they came over to the studio and hung out for a day. In the evening they delivered this great rap, which is built around them laughing their heads off.
Noodle: We were very surprised at how many excellent musicians were willing to work with us.
There's a lot of competition around since your last release. Who are your fave band right now?
Noodle: We all like Bloc Party and I'm a massive fan of Queens of the Stone Age.
Russel: Lightning Bolt are pretty fierce.
Murdoc: If you think any of the new bands coming out are competition, you're off your rocker.
Are you happy that guitar-based tunes are back?
Murdoc: Come round my way, love. They never went away.
Seeing as you are all cartoons, you could potentially appear on The Simpsons. Any plans to?
2D: The Simpsons? What the hell's that. Some sort of cooking show?
Are you hoping to tour this year?
Murdoc: We're hoping to. Whether it happens or not that's another thing, cos I don't get out of bed for anything under £50k.
Demon Days is out now
It's been a while since your last album - what have you been up to?
2D: I hooked up with Shane Lynch from Boyzone and we took Eastbourne over. We were both working at my old man's fairground. A couple of free rides on the Waltzer and girls would be all over you, so I had a brilliant time.
Noodle: Having returned to Japan to find my past, I now speak English fluently. And now I understand what western culture is all about... you are in deep trouble.
Murdoc: I've been banged up in a Mexican jail for 18 months for passing dud cheques...
Russel: He got a couple of the other inmates to help him break out, by promising them a combination of money and free Gorillaz stuff. One of them plays guitar on the album. On the track White Light.
Hmm... Has life changed since you became part of the band?
Murdoc: Yeah. People keep asking, "Has life changed since you became part of a band?"
Russel: In a funny way, being in the band has made me realize that I'm still happy just kicking it back home with my friends.
You must have made a fair bit of cash - so what's the flashiest thing you bought?
Russel: 2D spent the last cheque he got on a triple plasma screen entertainment system that cost, like £37,5000. And it only plays one game, which was that old Atari game Pong across all three screens.
2D: I already lost all the balls for it as well.
There are lots of guests on the album, like retro hip hop crew De La Soul, and Shaun Ryder. How did that come about?
Russel: We asked our friends De La Soul to lend a rap to the song Feel Good Inc, so they came over to the studio and hung out for a day. In the evening they delivered this great rap, which is built around them laughing their heads off.
Noodle: We were very surprised at how many excellent musicians were willing to work with us.
There's a lot of competition around since your last release. Who are your fave band right now?
Noodle: We all like Bloc Party and I'm a massive fan of Queens of the Stone Age.
Russel: Lightning Bolt are pretty fierce.
Murdoc: If you think any of the new bands coming out are competition, you're off your rocker.
Are you happy that guitar-based tunes are back?
Murdoc: Come round my way, love. They never went away.
Seeing as you are all cartoons, you could potentially appear on The Simpsons. Any plans to?
2D: The Simpsons? What the hell's that. Some sort of cooking show?
Are you hoping to tour this year?
Murdoc: We're hoping to. Whether it happens or not that's another thing, cos I don't get out of bed for anything under £50k.
Demon Days is out now