Gorillaz - The Complete Backstory (Phases 1-7)

Self-Titled Productions70 minutes read

Gorillaz has developed a complex narrative over two decades, with each album marking a distinct phase in their story and addressing themes such as trauma, conflict, and collaboration. Their journey, filled with creative chaos and personal struggles, culminates in the release of "Cracker Island," which explores themes of loneliness and social media as they navigate their evolving relationships and identities.

Insights

  • Gorillaz has developed a rich narrative over two decades, with each album marking a unique chapter in their story, starting from their debut in 2001, which quickly garnered significant commercial success.
  • The band's lore is intricately woven through various media formats, including music videos and social media, allowing fans to engage with their evolving narrative and explore specific story phases via time codes linked to the video series.
  • Each band member has a distinct and troubled backstory that shapes their character and musical journey, such as Murdoch Niccals’ abusive childhood and vow for independence, 2D’s head injury leading to addiction, and Russell Hobbs’ trauma from violence, reflecting deeper themes of personal struggle and transformation.
  • In recent years, Gorillaz has shifted focus towards contemporary issues, as seen in their 2023 album "Cracker Island," which explores themes of loneliness and social media, marking a departure from earlier cult-centric themes and showcasing their adaptability to the changing cultural landscape.

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Summary

00:00

Gorillaz: A Two Decade Musical Journey

  • Gorillaz, an animated band, has a complex narrative developed over two decades, with each album representing a distinct phase in their story, starting with their self-titled debut in 2001.
  • The band’s lore is conveyed through various media, including music videos, books, radio shows, and social media, with time codes available for specific phases in the video series.
  • Murdoch Niccals, born June 6, 1966, faced a troubled childhood, leading him to vow never to perform under someone else's direction after enduring abuse from his father.
  • Murdoch's musical influences included dub and punk, but his passion for black metal led to conflicts with his brother, resulting in multiple nose injuries.
  • Stuart "2D" Pot, born May 23, 1978, suffered a head injury that changed his hair color and led to a painkiller addiction, ultimately becoming Murdoch's frontman after a series of accidents.
  • Russell Hobbs, born June 3, 1975, experienced trauma from witnessing a friend's murder, which led to his possession by a demon and a transformative journey into hip-hop music.
  • Noodle, the band's guitarist, joined after responding to an ad for a guitarist, impressing the band with her unique style and vibrant personality, despite her amnesia.
  • The band was named Gorillaz by Murdoch, who aimed for world domination, and they quickly gained recognition after their first concert on November 5, 1998, leading to a record deal.
  • Their debut album, released on March 26, 2001, peaked at number three in the UK charts and sold 150,000 copies in its first week in the US, marking their breakthrough.
  • The band faced challenges in LA while attempting to create a film, leading to frustrations and conflicts, ultimately resulting in a shift back to music production and collaboration.

15:44

Chaos and Redemption in a Band's Journey

  • Murdoch attacked 2D after a suggestion about Jack Black playing him, leading to a fight where Russell knocked Murdoch down, humiliating him in front of the band.
  • Following the altercation, Murdoch left for Mexico, aiming to escape the chaos, but was stopped at the border for lacking his passport.
  • He bribed border patrol with Rock the House t-shirts and soon faced legal trouble for writing bad checks at a brothel, resulting in a 30-year prison sentence.
  • In prison, Murdoch befriended two criminals and a notorious figure named Cortez the Raven, adapting to his new life as inmate 3188 col 999.
  • Meanwhile, Russell remained in LA, feeling isolated as bandmates left; he experienced a decline in mental health and faced disturbances from a new housemate, Jimmy Manson.
  • Noodle traveled to Japan to uncover her past, recalling her training as part of a secret military project, where she was raised to be a weapon.
  • After a year of searching, Noodle remembered her mentor, Mr. Kuzo, who revealed her history and the catastrophic damage caused by her elite team.
  • Upon returning to Kong Studios on October 27, 2003, Noodle found the place overrun with chaos and began working on the album "Demon Days."
  • Russell, recovering at Mr. Turner's home, collaborated on a hip-hop album that turned dark, prompting him to return to Kong Studios to escape the negativity.
  • The band reunited on March 3, 2004, to record "Demon Days," enlisting producer Danger Mouse after persistent efforts, leading to the album's completion and critical acclaim.

29:26

Band's Turmoil and Triumph Amidst Chaos

  • The band faced turmoil when their tour bus was broken into, and they experienced assassination attempts, leading to the arrest of a suspect named Grassy Null.
  • During the tour, they traveled at 200 mph to ensure timely arrivals at radio stations, ultimately completing the tour despite the chaos surrounding them.
  • Upon returning to England, they began filming a music video for "Dirty Harry" and prepared for a performance at the European Music Awards (EMAs).
  • The Manchester International Festival invited them to perform on the same day as the EMAs, prompting them to hire top musicians, including Damon Albarn, for their EMAs performance.
  • The band performed "Feel Good Inc." live, gaining significant media attention as both the Manchester show and the EMAs occurred simultaneously.
  • On December 25, 2005, Murdoch delivered a speech for the Queen, marking a notable moment for the band as they entered 2006.
  • The Gorillaz performed at the 48th Grammy Awards on February 8, 2006, alongside Madonna and De La Soul, showcasing their rising popularity.
  • Murdoch faced financial struggles in the U.S. and resorted to creating a Motorola advertisement to fund their activities, highlighting the band's challenges.
  • After a series of events, Murdoch plotted to eliminate Jimmy Manson, who was targeting the band, leading to a disastrous video shoot that resulted in chaos.
  • Following a seven-month silence, a broadcast revealed Noodle's distress, indicating she was alive and warning the band of impending danger, while Russell and 2D distanced themselves from Murdoch.

44:46

Murdoch's Turbulent Journey in Music and Mayhem

  • Murdoch faced humiliation during a roundhouse show, overshadowed by five-star reviews for Damon Albarn and his crew, who performed Murdoch's songs but decided to cut their captain.
  • Footage of Murdoch being denied entry was used to promote future concerts, leading him to announce plans to kill off the band during a live broadcast on Xfm.
  • Despite initial setbacks, Murdoch and the band eventually went on tour, starting at a festival in Beirut, but spent most of their time locked in the dressing room.
  • Daily, an artist eager to collaborate, created a track for the album "Plastic Beach," leading to his single "Dtic," which was released as a bonus track.
  • 2D experimented with new music on his iPad, resulting in the album "The Fall," released for free on Christmas Day via gorillas.ca, featuring singles "Revolving Doors" and "Amarillo."
  • After the tour, Murdoch's pirate radio show alerted the black clouds to his location, culminating in an attack on Plastic Beach, where the Boogeyman sought revenge.
  • During the assault, Cyborg Noodle gathered collaborators to fight back but was shot, while 2D remained trapped, leading to a dramatic rescue by Russell.
  • Russell, mistaken for a whale, was harpooned and later washed up in North Korea, where he was exhibited as a monster before returning to England.
  • Noodle, recovering in Japan, trained under a pearl diver and eventually confronted the shape-shifting demon Mazu, successfully defeating him after years of tracking.
  • Murdoch, imprisoned for three years, agreed to write a new album, "Humanz," released on April 28, 2017, leading to a successful world tour and the creation of new singles.

59:17

Band's Journey Through Chaos and Creativity

  • The band took a hiatus to travel before working on the "Song Machine," with members in various locations: Noodle in Lake Iria, 2D in Beirut, and Russell in Mexico.
  • Noodle sent a postcard expressing urgency to see the world before it disappears, asking if the "machine" is ready, while 2D inquired about its parts.
  • The band reunited at Studio 13, rebranded as New Kong Studios, where they activated the "machine," which was a new creative process based on chaos and unpredictability.
  • A portal opened, allowing the band to collaborate globally, including with artists like Slowthai and Fatoumata Diawara, while Murdoch was left behind, feeling jealous and depressed.
  • Murdoch attempted to drug 2D during a motorcycle ride, leading to a fight among the band members, resulting in their disheveled appearance in the "Friday 13th" video.
  • Murdoch locked himself in the basement, working on an "argon accumulator" requiring 500 lbs of wood and a blowup doll, revealed in the "Pac-Man" music video.
  • The band converted a Winnebago into a spaceship, the "SS Winnie Bago Humility 3," which flew them to the moon, while Noodle destroyed a billboard referencing "Magic City."
  • The band returned to Plastic Beach, confronting past traumas, with Russell, Noodle, and 2D escaping through a portal, while Murdoch was left behind but later saved by 2D.
  • In October, the band launched "Song Machine Radio," sharing music and interviews, and performed a live-streamed show from Kong Studios, marking their first live performance of "Song Machine" music.
  • After being evicted due to a sinkhole, the band went on a road trip, releasing the "Meanwhile" EP on August 26, 2021, and later moved to Silver Lake to record a new album.

01:13:56

Cracker Island Explores Loneliness and Escape

  • The album "Cracker Island" was released on February 24, 2023, focusing on themes of loneliness and social media, diverging from the previous cult theme of the lore.
  • Elanor Hollowdown, formerly known as Moonflower, revealed her backstory involving a film production company and a cycle of sacrifices every 25 years to appease a monster.
  • After disbanding the cult, 2D, Murdoch, Russell, and Noodle escape to Mumbai with fake passports, while Russell finds peace off-grid in the California desert.
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