Whisky gulpin’, Albarn baitin’, Mercury
In it for t
Prize stuffin’, America takin’, Zombie hip hop makin’, and finally . . . live performin’ dub punk Ioons. Is there no end to the talent bursting forth from GORILLAZ? Words: Mark Robertson
hat can we expect from the Gorilla: live experience? Russel Our shows work on a lot of levels. obviously we aim to give a liver-quivering
audio adventure. but we don’t stop there. We‘re developing a visual presentation that isn’t simply the standard four faceless dullards banging through their barely discernible repertoire. It's a culmination of genres that‘s in line with our diverse musical influences. While we’re the live band at the heart of the show. the projections, rap and Dls have their roots in a more club-orientated tradition. But those are just the parts to the experience; the sum itself is something else. something
much more.
How does it feel to be captured for your own TV
special? Will it be more in the spirit of the Elvis
68 Special or The Osmonds?
Russel It’s just another round of interviews as far as I’m aware. we’re not about to make a The All New Adventures Of. . . type thing. The 68 Special was a comeback show so that‘s hardly necessary and it was in Aloha From Hawaii that Elvis was looking more than a little worse for wear ifl remember correctly. I‘m not aware that the ()smonds ever hit the spirits that heavily either come to think of it. you must be getting
them confused with the Partridge Family.
What is zombie hip hop? Russel It‘s the sound we makes. Murdoc . . . yeah. it’s the future. Russel Word!
h e m ° " keys
Any chance of a nu metal twist from Gorillaz? Murdoc Now you’re talking. Hail Satan!
Does the proliferation of manufactured bands like
Hear’Say in the pop charts worry you? Russel Hardly a new phenomenon is it'.’ You could pick any chart from any week of any year and there would be any number of marketing-led. record and management company dross in there. What is worrying. as you point out. is their current proliferation. We‘re here to redress the balance.
Do you get a perverse thrill out of seeing your band nestling among these sinister corporate types in the charts? Murdoc Yeah. it's Wikka man. I love nestling up against Britney or Hear‘Say and rubbing them up the wrong way. I mean. who wouldn‘t? In liurope it‘s the same. we're topping the charts over there. They‘re not so bloody bing-banga-bang and housey housey now. are they? Heh!
I love nestling up agalnst Britney or Hear’Say and rubbing them up the
wrong way
Who would be a quality choice of support act for
Gorillaz?
Russel We were supposed to play on the same bill as Afrika Bambaataa earlier this year but I think the foot and mouth epidemic put a stop to that; that would have been pretty idea] though Murdoc Balls to them. I’ll only settle for The Clash re- forming or The Specials, a bit of true class or nothing. The stage is my turf and any DJ Jazzy Jizz or MC Git Face is gonna get chopped down if they even dream of stepping foot
on it.
Russel We have D.ls and rappers Murdoc. Murdoc Oh do shut up Russel. you’re such a nitpicker. who
Any problems with groupies?
Are Gorrilaz an attempt to subvert the charts/pop music?
Russel To say that we arejust attempting to subvert the charts or pop music would be to say that we are in some way not quite managing it. when I think it's clear that we are dragging this and other areas of popular culture kicking and screaming out of its
complacency.
Describe the contents of your average Gorillaz gig rider. Murdoc Headache pills for 21). our walking brain tumour of a front man. Polaroid film and Yo-yo‘s for Noodle and a couple of chickens: one for Russel to stuff in his face and another for me to sacrifice. ()h. and some sweets.
Murdoc I‘m sorry. I don't follow‘.’ What could possibly be the problem with having nubile young women whose only wish is to see my sweaty lecring face grirnacing hideously close to theirs while l drool and wheeze two-week—old ciggy
cares about the details? I’m just building a vibe for the people. setting the scene and creating an atmosphere. man. Don‘t forget that this is my hand. my band.
breath into their open. ecstatic mouths‘.’ Russel I‘ve said it before and I'll say it again: I can‘t warn all young women strongly enough to stay away from this sick >
LIVE HIGHLIGHTS 8 ocroun 6 0010.!!! When Marvin Ga 8 Mercury Rev Super Furry Animals Corn ked ‘What, , Glasgow. More Epic Exchange, Edinburgh. as 3 90'“ psychedelic sprawl from these Witness the magic of the on?’ all those years master space pop experts. ‘Rings Around The World' 890’ he obwous'y gram armhe Lush gm” . hadn’t 399" The Rollers King Tut's. Glasgow. Glasgow. These Britrock List’s guide to a" the Melancholic acoustic sounds stalwarts continue to strive on top five rock and pop girth stalwarts The wrth bouncy Crowd delights coming your Melt Banana 13m Note Jack Bruce Old Fruitmarket, way in the next few Club, Glasgow. Legendary Glasgow. Former Cream man nth mashed up veterans of prog rocks out in a solo stylee. "‘0 3- noise weirdness. All About Eve Cottier
14 THE LIST 20 Sap—4 Oct 2001
Theatre, Glasgow. Winsome old skool goth types return with an acoustic set. Cosmic Rough Riders OMU, Glasgow. Poptones' shining stars play their biggest hometown headliner to date.
7 ocroaan
New Order Barrow/and, Glasgow. Their first Scottish dates in eleven years reveal whether the mighty Manes have still got what it takes.
All About Eve Liquid Room, Edinburgh. See 16 Oct. Gorky's Zygotic Minci King Tut '3, Glasgow. These wayward Welsh wonders throw folk, rock and prog into the musical mixing bowl.
8 OCTOBER
New Order Barrow/and, Glasgow See 17 Oct. Thirteenz13, Sputniks Down and Namwan King Tut's, Glasgow Deft indie meanderings from
Thirteen: 13 and expansive
electro rock from Sputniks
f Down.
Acid Mothers Temple.
Circle and Telstar Ponies. 13th Note Club. Glasgow. Kraut-prog excitement from
Japanese experimentalists.
9 OCTOBER Faust Liquid Room. Edinburgh. Germany's
krautrock pioneers bring their
reconstructed rock
explorations to Scotland.