Gorillaz – 19-2000 (Soulchild Remix)

Gorillaz is a virtual band created in 1998 by Damon Albarn of Britpop band Blur, and Jamie Hewlett, co-creator of the comic book Tank Girl. The band is composed of four animated band members: 2-D (vocals, keyboard), Murdoc Niccals (bass), Noodle (guitar, vocals) and Russel Hobbs (drums). These characters are fictional and are not alter-egos of real people, as is often mistakenly assumed. The autobiographical story behind these characters and the band as a whole can be found in their book Rise Of The Ogre. Their style is broad, with a large number of influences.

They have released two studio albums Gorillaz (2001) and Demon Days (2005), two b-sides collections G-Sides (2001) and D-Sides (2007) and a reggae remix of the Gorillaz album called Laika Come Home (2002). They have also released three DVDs, “Phase One: Celebrity Takedown”, “Demon Days Live at Manchester Opera House” and “Phase Two: Slow Boat To Hades”. Damon Albarn has recently stated that he is currently working on the Third Gorillaz Album, and three demos from the new album were aired on BBC Radio 1 on the 14th of January.

The band’s first album, 2001’s Gorillaz, sold over 6.5 million copies and earned them an entry in the Guinness Book of Records as the Most Successful Virtual Band. It was nominated for the Mercury Prize, but the nomination was later withdrawn at the band’s request. Their second studio album, Demon Days, was released in 2005 and included the hit singles “Feel Good Inc.”, “DARE”, “Dirty Harry” and “Kids With Guns / El Mañana”.