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SFTW has spoken to some big names over the years . . . but none bigger than Murdoc Niccals of Gorillaz. We can’t meet him face to face due to his packed schedule running a band and the Last Cult. But thanks to Zoom, Murdoc talks to us from the “throne room” at his Silver Lake mansion. He’s wearing full high priest-style cult regalia, comprising long flowing robes and a ridiculous hat. Just before unveiling the video for new single Silent Running, he grants Simon Cosyns an audience.
GREAT Leader and “seeker of the truth”, what’s your best advice to all the lost lambs of the world?
Bravo mate, excellent question and solid effort with my cult titles, too. I’d also accept ‘He-who-shall-not-be-gazed-upon’. Well, Simon, my advice to you (as clearly you are the lost lamb of your question) is to embrace your cosmic smallness. Stop trying to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders. Waste of calories, mate. What will be will be. Ultimately you are powerless to prevent the imploding of the universe, so you might as well stop fretting and go to the pub.
Why did you move to Silver Lake, oh wise one?
Officially, this is Year One of the Last Cult, thus I have been presiding over my flock here at Silver Lake since the dawn of time. But, in the before-times, we upped sticks from Blighty after a demonic sinkhole opened under our West London studio. You should pop over some time. Just turn left at Greenland.
Why did you choose pink as cult colour of choice?
Some cultures believe that pink, being equal parts red and white, represents the coming together of humans and gods. Personally, I like it ’cos it doesn’t clash with my greenish pallor. I almost went for a maroon red, then I got a cease-and-desist letter from the Sunflower Apostles of Venus.
How’s 2D doing these days . . . still having cups of tea with your nemesis Moon Flower?
2D is a heretic and a non-believer, Simon. I’ve excommunicated him for indulging in precisely what you described. Just a little catch-up for your readers, turns out our next-door neighbours are also a cult. Lot of them about in LA. Anyway, 2D’s been fraternising with them, got pally with their head honchess Moon Flower and her acolytes, call themselves the Forever Cult. The lad is incredibly weak-minded and susceptible to techniques like hugs, kind platitudes, hot beverages and so forth.
What’s all this about him being sacrificed?
I know! I’m as furious as you are, pal. If anyone gets to sacrifice 2D it should be me, not those numpties next door. That’s why we’re staging an intervention. Russ reckons he’s figured out the time and the place of the sacrificial ceremony and is advocating a rescue mission. Originally I had a diary clash but I’ve managed to move Pilates to the following week.
Last year, Russel predicted the Great Rupture for New Year’s Eve, but there’s still no sign of it?
Yeah, Russ convinced himself that at midnight a crack would open above the Hollywood sign, revealing a pathway to paradise. He hiked up there by himself, even packed a suitcase. Obviously nothing happened. He came home with the right hump. It’s a shame really, people always expect too much from New Year’s Eve. Now Russ is saying he got his dates jumbled up, and the Rupture is actually happening some other time. But that time is most definitely ALMOST nigh, he assures me.
I hear Noodle’s been looking into the Forever Cult?
Our Noodle’s been digging into Moon Flower and her goons. Reckons the neighbours in the Forever Cult were an old movie studio back in the dark ages of Hollywood. Even found a review of one of their silent films, a real turkey.
Finally, what do you know about Cracker Island?
Ten tracks of era-defining sonic gold, mate, featuring Gorillaz, a load of our pals, and a big dose of LA sunshine. And a modicum of culty spiritual nourishment from yours truly. OK, ta Simon, always a pleasure. Better go prepare to cast my beneficence on that ungrateful blue-haired wretch. Praise be to Murdoc!
Thanks for your precious time, Your Magnificence!
GREAT Leader and “seeker of the truth”, what’s your best advice to all the lost lambs of the world?
Bravo mate, excellent question and solid effort with my cult titles, too. I’d also accept ‘He-who-shall-not-be-gazed-upon’. Well, Simon, my advice to you (as clearly you are the lost lamb of your question) is to embrace your cosmic smallness. Stop trying to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders. Waste of calories, mate. What will be will be. Ultimately you are powerless to prevent the imploding of the universe, so you might as well stop fretting and go to the pub.
Why did you move to Silver Lake, oh wise one?
Officially, this is Year One of the Last Cult, thus I have been presiding over my flock here at Silver Lake since the dawn of time. But, in the before-times, we upped sticks from Blighty after a demonic sinkhole opened under our West London studio. You should pop over some time. Just turn left at Greenland.
Why did you choose pink as cult colour of choice?
Some cultures believe that pink, being equal parts red and white, represents the coming together of humans and gods. Personally, I like it ’cos it doesn’t clash with my greenish pallor. I almost went for a maroon red, then I got a cease-and-desist letter from the Sunflower Apostles of Venus.
How’s 2D doing these days . . . still having cups of tea with your nemesis Moon Flower?
2D is a heretic and a non-believer, Simon. I’ve excommunicated him for indulging in precisely what you described. Just a little catch-up for your readers, turns out our next-door neighbours are also a cult. Lot of them about in LA. Anyway, 2D’s been fraternising with them, got pally with their head honchess Moon Flower and her acolytes, call themselves the Forever Cult. The lad is incredibly weak-minded and susceptible to techniques like hugs, kind platitudes, hot beverages and so forth.
What’s all this about him being sacrificed?
I know! I’m as furious as you are, pal. If anyone gets to sacrifice 2D it should be me, not those numpties next door. That’s why we’re staging an intervention. Russ reckons he’s figured out the time and the place of the sacrificial ceremony and is advocating a rescue mission. Originally I had a diary clash but I’ve managed to move Pilates to the following week.
Last year, Russel predicted the Great Rupture for New Year’s Eve, but there’s still no sign of it?
Yeah, Russ convinced himself that at midnight a crack would open above the Hollywood sign, revealing a pathway to paradise. He hiked up there by himself, even packed a suitcase. Obviously nothing happened. He came home with the right hump. It’s a shame really, people always expect too much from New Year’s Eve. Now Russ is saying he got his dates jumbled up, and the Rupture is actually happening some other time. But that time is most definitely ALMOST nigh, he assures me.
I hear Noodle’s been looking into the Forever Cult?
Our Noodle’s been digging into Moon Flower and her goons. Reckons the neighbours in the Forever Cult were an old movie studio back in the dark ages of Hollywood. Even found a review of one of their silent films, a real turkey.
Finally, what do you know about Cracker Island?
Ten tracks of era-defining sonic gold, mate, featuring Gorillaz, a load of our pals, and a big dose of LA sunshine. And a modicum of culty spiritual nourishment from yours truly. OK, ta Simon, always a pleasure. Better go prepare to cast my beneficence on that ungrateful blue-haired wretch. Praise be to Murdoc!
Thanks for your precious time, Your Magnificence!