Gorillaz started off as a British music project in 1998 created by Damon Albert and Jaime Hewlett. Since then it has since grown to truly epic proportions. Few people could have imagined that a virtual band for all intents and purposes would become so widely known and popular.
The actual band itself consists of 2D (vocalist), Murdoc Niccals (bass guitar), Noodle (guitar and occasional backup vocals), and Russel Hobbs (drums). Collaboration between various music artists helps to create and define the Gorillaz sound which is a mix of hip hop, alternative rock, and electronic, and pop. Damon Albert has been the only consistent musical influence.
The fictional universe that the band members "live" in is explored through their songs and music videos as well as short cartoons. Their self titled debut album in 2001 sold over 7 million copies and also earned them the title of Most Successful Virtual Band according to the Guinness Book of World Records. In 2005 the second album Demon Days was released. Not only did it go 5 times platinum in the UK and double platinum in the United States, but the album also earned 5 Grammy Award Nominations and even won the award for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals.
By 2007 the combined sales for Gorillaz and Demon Days had exceeded 20 million copies with the third studio album Plastic Beach being released in March 2010 and the physical release of their fourth album The Fall being released in April 2011.
While they have done numerous concerts over the years and their first world tour entitled the Escape to Plastic Beach World Tour officially kicked off in October 2010 and ran until December 2010. They did release a live DVD. but the most famous performance is probably the one they did with Madonna at the Grammy's where hologram technology was employed to make the band members 2D, Murdoc, Noodle, and Russel appeared larger than life. Literally.
Whether the Gorillaz were intended to be a short term project or a long term idea there is no doubt that they have come farther than their creators could ever have imagined. Rumor has it that the Gorillaz will perform at London's 2012 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony alongside Coldplay, Muse, The Rolling Stones, but this is unconfirmed.
No matter what happens the Gorillaz have proven that a virtual band can not only be successful, but can actually be even more successful then some real life bands.
The video for their latest video On Melancholy Hill can be seen here.
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| The biggest virtual band ever. |
The actual band itself consists of 2D (vocalist), Murdoc Niccals (bass guitar), Noodle (guitar and occasional backup vocals), and Russel Hobbs (drums). Collaboration between various music artists helps to create and define the Gorillaz sound which is a mix of hip hop, alternative rock, and electronic, and pop. Damon Albert has been the only consistent musical influence.
The fictional universe that the band members "live" in is explored through their songs and music videos as well as short cartoons. Their self titled debut album in 2001 sold over 7 million copies and also earned them the title of Most Successful Virtual Band according to the Guinness Book of World Records. In 2005 the second album Demon Days was released. Not only did it go 5 times platinum in the UK and double platinum in the United States, but the album also earned 5 Grammy Award Nominations and even won the award for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals.
By 2007 the combined sales for Gorillaz and Demon Days had exceeded 20 million copies with the third studio album Plastic Beach being released in March 2010 and the physical release of their fourth album The Fall being released in April 2011.
While they have done numerous concerts over the years and their first world tour entitled the Escape to Plastic Beach World Tour officially kicked off in October 2010 and ran until December 2010. They did release a live DVD. but the most famous performance is probably the one they did with Madonna at the Grammy's where hologram technology was employed to make the band members 2D, Murdoc, Noodle, and Russel appeared larger than life. Literally.
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| Stylish and ready to rock. |
Whether the Gorillaz were intended to be a short term project or a long term idea there is no doubt that they have come farther than their creators could ever have imagined. Rumor has it that the Gorillaz will perform at London's 2012 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony alongside Coldplay, Muse, The Rolling Stones, but this is unconfirmed.
No matter what happens the Gorillaz have proven that a virtual band can not only be successful, but can actually be even more successful then some real life bands.
The video for their latest video On Melancholy Hill can be seen here.
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