Formed:
2000 from the minds of Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett.
Quote From Damon Albarn About Gorillaz:
"Gorillaz shouldn't be denied any of the affectations of genuine rock stars just because they're cartoons. They've been very successful, so now they have more money and they can make bigger, more grandiose videos."
Gorillaz Trivia Fact:
Listed in the Guinness Book Of World Records as the world's most successful virtual band.
Origin:
Gorillaz emerged in the U.K. in 2000 with the release of a single "Tomorrow Comes Today." The primary creative talents behind the project were Damon Albarn from the rock group Blur and visual artist Jamie Hewlett. The animated cartoon band made their first appearance in the accompanying video and a website devoted to a virtual tour of the band's Kong Studios.
Gorillaz Who's Who:
The Gorillaz personnel are 4 animated characters:
- 2D - Vocals and Keyboards
- Murdoc Niccals - Bass
- Noodle - Guitars
- Russell Hobbs - Drums and Percussion
First Album:
The next release from Gorillaz was the "Clint Eastwood" single released in the U.K. March, 2001. Less than a month later the album Gorillaz was released. The album reached #3 on the pop album chart in the U.K. and "Clint Eastwood" reached the top 5 on the singles chart. 2 months later the album was released in the U.S. and became a major underground hit.
Gorillaz Shutdown?:
In the wake of the group's success, G-Sides, a compilation of single B-sides, and Laika Come Home, a dub remix album created by Spacemonkeyz, were released. In late October 2002 online word appeared that the virtual only Kong Studios was closed by the police and the cartoon band had fled to Hollywood. Phase One: Celebrity Takedown, a DVD featuring the abandoned Kong Studios, was released in November.
The Animated World Of Gorillaz:
Although flesh and blood musicians perform all of Gorillaz music, they perform anonymously and the 'real' world of the band is a virtual one. Kong Studios and the four members of Gorillaz are animated creations, but the drama developed by Damon Albarn, Jamie Hewlett, and the Gorillaz fan network makes the band's world seem nearly as real as that of any other pop-rock group.
Demon Days:
On December 8, 2004, the Gorillaz web site reopened with word that a new album was on the way. DJ Danger Mouse signed on as primary producer for the new collection. Initial reports were that the album would be released in March 2005, but that was delayed until May. Much of the album, titled Demon Days, was leaked out early over the Internet in April.
"Feel Good, Inc.," the official first single from Demon Days hit the U.K. pop charts based on digital download sales prior to the release of the CD single. When the single finally appeared on May 9, 2005 it landed at #2 on the U.K. singles chart, the band's best performance to date. The official release of Demon Days followed 2 weeks later. It reached the top of the U.K. album chart and #6 on the U.S. album chart. Gorillaz were once again a worldwide sensation. "Feel Good, Inc." has turned into a sleeper summer hit in the U.S. and is nearing the pop singles top 10. The video for "Feel Good, Inc." was nominated for 2 2005 MTV Video Music Awards.
