The Gorrilaz-verse: The story of a band from another universe
Gorillaz began as a seemingly one-off project when Blur frontman Damon Albarn sought a change of pace. Throughout the 1990s, Blur had been a dominant force in the indie music scene, but Albarn noticed a glaring issue with MTV and the music industry while watching the program one night with his roommate, illustrator Jamie Hewlett—where was all the flavour?
Whether or not substance had anything to do with it, their revelation resulted in the two of them dreaming up the idea of a cartoon band, one which reinstated television’s mainstream appeal when it came to video music, complete with all of the colour and spice that made visual artistry appealing. Funny enough, Hewlett labelled Albarn “arsey” and a “wanker” when they first met, which happened when Hewlett interviewed Blur for a piece that would be published in Deadline.
However, living together in the following years revealed a shared artistic vision centred around the idea of a band that didn’t exist. Everything about Gorillaz seemed incongruous and intangible; even the “manifesto” they initially drafted fit onto a single sheet of paper, and they have since forgotten what it actually said.
Nonetheless, Hewlett soon designed four band members, all of whom were entirely fictional, and they go by the names of 2-D, Murdoc Niccals, Russel Hobbs, and Noodle. By borrowing inspiration from more than just the music industry because “we’re the generation whose stars come from Pop Idol and celebrity-wrestling shows”, Gorillaz revolutionised virtual art by turning it into a viable music format, creating a unique appeal through their seamless blend of rock and hip-hop, all while maintaining the intrigue of their enigmatic, animated band members.
Of course, these are all just facts—the actual Gorillaz story and lore are much more colourful and draw from various elements of storytelling to fabricate the immersive fantastical world. Unless you were there from the beginning, it’s quite difficult to understand in its entirety, so let’s go through some of the most pivotal moments in the band’s complex story.
A timeline of the Gorillaz story:
August, 1997
The birth of Gorillaz
Murdoc has a dream. He has been in bands before, but none compare to the name-in-neon-lights aspirations he has procured over the years. In a desperate attempt to get his hands on a taste of the big time, he needs more equipment: a synthesiser. That’ll help his sound. That’ll make it sound more delectable. Getting behind the wheel of his Vauxhall Astra, he rams the store window of Uncle Norm’s Organ Emporium, directly hitting 2-D in the process.
Community service from hitting a civilian isn’t great—in fact, Murdoc is faced with thousands of hours of it after putting 2-D into a coma, but not even the burden of harming another could stop Murdoc from doing it again, and he does just that not long after in a Tesco car park.
The reason? He wants to impress women and ends up knocking 2D so badly that he comes out of his coma. Sensing an opportunity, the pair form a musical duo with 2-D as the keyboardist and vocalist.
September, 1997
Time to find a home…
Murdoc buys the controversial Khong Mansion, located on a hill in Essex, renaming it Kong Studios after dubbing it the ideal home for Gorillaz’s headquarters. Nothing could prepare Murdoc for meeting Russel Hobbs, who seemed to be the answer to his musical prayers. Hobbs was the sole survivor during a shooting, but instead of survivor’s guilt, he was adorned with the burden of the deceased’s spirits, resulting in an incredible musical prowess.
Murdoc kidnaps Hobbs and takes him to Kong Studios, which initially seems frightening. However, after hearing the duo’s demos, he gets excited and chooses to stay. Needing a guitarist, the band incorporates Paula Cracker and a bongo-playing ape called Mr. Maggits. However, Cracker leaves the band after Hobbs catches her having an affair with Murdoc, and soon, they have a package arriving, from which Noodle spawns and proceeds to rip into an impressive guitar solo.
March, 2001
Success brings struggle
The debut album is released with immense success, but a number of things go awry in the first week and during the following tour. For starters, Murdoc’s Winnebago goes missing, which is later revealed to be due to someone giving away the keys with a copy of the album. After the events of 9/11, the band released ‘911’, with Terry Hall from The Specials contributing vocals.
Throughout the tour, which begins in 2002, issues appear from every angle, with Murdoc getting arrested, Noodle suffering from nightmares, 2-D getting diarrhoea, and Hobbs suffering a heart attack and needing a vitamin injection on stage. As a result of the drug abuse and fighting, they decide to go on hiatus, and each go their separate ways for the time being.
2004
Supernatural issues
Kong Studios is shut down by law enforcement due to strange paranormal activities, while Noodle returns to Japan to uncover some truths about her background. She returns to Kong Studios to learn zombies have overrun it but simultaneously starts to conceptualise their sophomore album, Demon Days.
Noodle urges the rest of the band to reunite, and they all come back to Kong Studios and record the album, releasing it on May 11th, 2005.
Murdoc attempts to stage Noodle’s death, which is shown during ‘El Mañana’, but she actually does go missing, causing widespread panic. The band then ends up going their separate ways, and Murdoc burns down Kong Studios for money.
2010
Plastic Beach
After transforming a remote island into ‘Plastic Beach’, Murdoc decides it’s time for a third album, but he needs to reassemble the band to realise his vision.
He found a DNA sample of noodles and created a scientific clone. He kidnaps 2-D, who had relocated to Beirut and forces him to record. The real Noodle is revealed to be alive in a pivotal moment during the ‘On Melancholy Hill’ music video.
2010
The fall-out…
Hobbs grows furious after hearing the new album and its incorporation of superimposed drums. He swims across the ocean towards Plastic Beach, ingesting so much pollution that he grows to a giant, radioactive size. He finds Noodle on a raft, and together, they journey towards the beach.
When they arrive, the beach is under attack by those Murdoc had unresolved issues with previously, and he has since escaped in a submarine while a whale has swallowed 2-D; he is found later by people nearby after washing up ashore. Hobbs is harpooned, and Noodle escapes. As a Godzilla entity, Hobbs is ushered to North Korea, while Noodle is rescued by a diver in Japan, who she recruits as her apprentice when fighting a shape-shifting demon.
Murdoc is then arrested for breaching contract legalities and is imprisoned beneath Abbey Road. In order to be released, he agrees to write a new album and move to West London. There, he reunites with Noodle, 2-D, and Hobbs.
2016
We Are Still Humanz
As the dystopian themes continue to expand and permeate Gorillaz’s sonic tapestry, societal collapse is rife during their next venture after Noodle returns as a young woman. Murdoc faces imprisonment, and in his absence, he is temporarily replaced by Ace from The Powerpuff Girls.
Things seem to calm somewhat following the release of We Are Still Humanz, particularly after the band launched G Magazine, a 34-page publication with editorials from each band member.
Throughout all of the trials and tribulations, success continues to be on the rise.
2018
Now now, a new way
Resilience is at an all-time high for the most famous rock band ever. After Murdoc escapes prison and re-joins the band, they work together to create The Now Now, leading to new challenges and adventures.
They soon release a promotional web series titled Mission M101 as they seek to launch a new line of watches throughout the galaxy.
2020
A machine world
Noodle expresses interest in making a machine to see the world before it dissipates due to climate change. The machine, titled ‘Song Machine’, activates in January 2020.
Hobbs describes it as a new way of creating music, one which will utilise external collaboration from various musicians around the world.
2021
New releases, same issues
Kong Studios is rendered inoperable by a demonic sinkhole, and the band goes on a road trip in Murdoc’s retrieved Winnebago.
After the Department of Musical Corrections leaks a series of documents about the band’s plans to replace them with Android clones, a 20th-anniversary deluxe box set is released, complete with exclusive LPs and documents.
2022
The emergence of a cult
After a break post-Song Machine, the band launches a world tour featuring new songs. Recording also starts in Los Angeles, while Kong Studios remains active. Murdoc, intrigued by the supernatural, creates a cult called The Last Cult, becoming ‘The Great Leader’ and designates 2-D as ‘The Chosen One’, who starts a podcast to document the cult’s beginnings.
Hobbs, as ‘Seeker of Truth’, is tasked with decoding mysterious TV transmissions that follow a 25-year cycle. The “main lady” next door is attracted to 2-D, but Murdoc, who might have started his cult to impress her, is also interested. Their investigation reveals a future news broadcast predicting a supernatural event called ‘The Rupture’, expected to happen under the Hollywood sign in 2023.
2022
Moon Flower
The woman next door is Moon Flower, the high priestess of The Forever Cult. She is unimpressed by Murdoc’s efforts but becomes fond of 2-D. Meanwhile, Noodle, ‘The Scholar’, learns that The Forever Cult, active since the early 20th century, conducts occult ceremonies every 25 years.
2-D grows closer to Moon Flower, who, exploiting his naivety, recruits him into The Forever Cult under the guise of affection. She plans to sacrifice him in a ritual. The band finds him under the Hollywood sign, disrupting the ritual. Murdoc’s explosion triggers The Rupture, and the band is arrested and sent to the hospital.
In a twist, Moon Flower reveals she never intended to sacrifice 2-D and had been leaving clues for the band to rescue him. Given a few days to live, she grows closer to Murdoc before turning to ash.
2023
Cracker Island
Following the release of Cracker Island, after a scheduled tour fails to come together, the Los Angeles Police Department issues a search warrant for the Silver Lake Mansion, where they have been recording.
This causes them to flee to New York to pick up face passports before journeying to Mumbai.
So, what’s the next phase for Gorillaz?
Many have speculated what’s next for our four animated heroes, but Hewlett and Albarn have been dropping hints over the last year or so, mostly about the next phase being something completely new. And that apparently means The Last Cult will be no more, but all other details remain a mystery.
During interviews, Murdoc has also hinted at the next phase, detailing his plans to move on once and for all. Last year, for instance, he revealed: “We’re actually in the process of disbanding.”
He added: “The Great Leader’s work is done, at least for now. I haven’t told 2-D yet, so he can get on with his backbreaking cult duties.”
According to Noodle, the future is uncertain, but that’s the beauty of it. Discussing her views with Dork, she explained: “If you look at what is next, you lose focus on what is now. But in time, I guess we will leave this town. Hopefully not in a high-speed chase, which unfortunately is usually how we leave places we’ve been in too long.”
Despite clearly having some ideas, Murdoc also seems relatively unphased by what might come next. In the same interview, he uttered the famous last words: “I have already massively over-achieved. Not much left, really. Immortality is in the bag”.
