I'm very excited to report that Damon Albarn's sartorial choices lately seem to be riffing on Modern Life Is Rubbish era Blur and less on "homeless man in a trucker hat".
In the video below Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett are being interviewed by Zane Lowe, and the most important topic is Damon's brogue boots (which are very impressive). Apparently we have Mos Def to thank for upping Damon's game. However, I think a bigger debt is owed to Graham Coxon, who's style is systematically being usurped. I've heard Damon mentioning that Paul Simonon is responsible for the Plastic Beach look, but the stripey t-shirts and classic British footwear are all quintessential Graham.
I suppose it doesn't matter where Damon's sudden penchant for fancy duds has come from, it's just nice to see, you know?
Here's the video featuring said boots, thanks to Gorillaz-Unofficial for the twitter-tip.
Now, the quest begins to find those boots. It's a matter of great importance that you all have the opportunity to spend exorbitant amounts of money emulating Damon Albarn's feet. You're welcome.
These Light Tan Stow Brogue boots by Trickers are pretty close, and for only $470 can be yours, there's even a view on the website showing them with turned up jeans, a la Damon.
Also a close contender, these Fred Brogues by Grenson could do the trick, and for a paltry $255, why not get two pairs?
I think these Country Brogues by John White are the closest, and "with Goodyear welted leather soles with storm welt in supple fine tan calf leather" they sound about right. They're also made by appointment to Her Majesty The Queen, so maybe Prince Phillip is throwing shapes about in these? $178...a bargain.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
The quest for Damon's boots.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
You Are Going To See Gorillaz
Twenty-Two (22!) shows in America says Damon. Embedded below is Damon and Jamie's interview with Zane Lowe. They mention the 22 US dates, as well as the fact that Coachella was one of Damon's top 3 shows ever. I WAS THERE, I was at one of Damon's top 3 shows people. ME. Me and 79,000 other people...but it's all about meeeee.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Gorillaz on The Colbert Report
Cute wee interview with Damon and Jamie, stomping performance of Stylo. It seems like Damon is very concerned that we all know he was hired by Murdoc. Maybe the people commenting about them not being cartoons at Coachella have got to him? After seeing Bananaz (the Gorillaz doc.) We all know that Damon likes to simplify things for Americans (and to be fair, sometimes it's needed). I wish that Murdoc would just be quiet now though...
-Susan Boyle.
| The Colbert Report | Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c | |||
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| The Colbert Report | Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c | |||
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Sunday, December 6, 2009
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Graphic novel God Alan Moore is writing the lyrics for Damon and Jamie's follow up to "Monkey: Journey To The West"
Huh? What? Yeah, I know. Crazy news from the Guardian this morning. The legendary author of such venerable novels as Watchmen and V For Vendetta is going to write the libretto for Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett's next opera. I'll start breathing now.
There's a wee interview with Moore in the Guardian, he also reveals that Gorillaz are to appear in an upcoming issue of Dodgem Logic, Moore's bi-monthly journal.
[Guardian]
In other Damon Albarn related comics news, it has been all but confirmed that Damon is to appear in the movie adaptation of "Buskers", a graphic novel by Jeymes Samuel, Sean Michael Wilson and artist Michiru Morikawa. I tweeted this a few days ago, but it's been blogged allover the place so I guess it's confirmed.
[On The Box]
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Punchdrunk's "It Felt Like A Kiss" sounds terrifying
The Manchester International Festival should be pretty familiar to Victorian Horror readers (and/or Damon Albarn fans). It is, of course the birthplace of his, and Jamie Hewlett's, Monkey: Journey To The West. This year, Damon's contribution is even more oblique than a Chinese opera. His score accompanies Punchdrunk and Adam Curtis' It Felt Like A Kiss.
Punchdrunk is a performance art theatre troupe (if I'm understanding it correctly). They've created a sort of haunted house in an abandoned Manchester building. It's not your normal haunted house though, instead of ghosts and monsters, you're haunted by the spectre of America's rise as a superpower...and the dark secrets hidden behind the happy pop culture.
I've read several reviews, and, well, it sounds terrifying. At one point I briefly flirted with the idea of flying to Manchester to see the Blur show, then staying on until July to catch this. After reading the reviews, I'm sort of glad I didn't get myself into that position! Not that I don't think it'll be amazing, it would be cool to hear Damon's score performed by the Kronos Quartet, but I'm not a fan of enclosed spaces...or being chased by a maniac with a chainsaw!
The Times' Review: It Felt Like a Kiss at the Quay House, Spinningfields, Manchester
The Guardian: Theatre reviews: It Felt Like a Kiss, Forbidden Broadway, Apologia
It Felt Like a Kiss
The Untied States of America
It Felt Like a Kiss scared me to death
Monday, April 20, 2009
BANANAZ!
FINALLY! I watched Bananaz. Don't listen to Murdoc, it's really good.
It's all your dreams answered as Damon vomits repeatedly, farts, and empties his bowels with an audience!
If there's one thing I've learned from this, it's that you can use the toilet with your friends cheering you on when you become as famous as Damon Albarn.
The film is styled in the same way as Ceri's Blur doc. Starshaped. So expect lots of quick edits and random footage.
It really is an amazingly detailed account of the genesis of Gorillaz. It's interesting to see how hard it was for Damon and Jamie to get a handle on what the band should be. Should Damon actually be 2-D, and Jamie Murdoc? In the end they detach themselves from the characters, which I think has worked out for the best.
The film seems to have two main purposes: to show the mundane and banal nature of dealing with the promotion of a band, and to show the various collaborations and performances of each record.
Damon and Jamie have an utter disdain for the music press and promotion. In the various radio and TV interviews they seem frustrated when people fail to grasp the Gorillaz concept. Behind the scenes at the VMA's they get asked "wait a minute who are you guys?" Sigh.
Jamie resorts to calling himself Jay Weasel, which doesn't help with the confusion.
He gets particularly upset at the NME, quite rightly, when they edit an interview they had with "Noodle". His exact words were along the lines of "The editor is a c**t. They're a bunch of d**kheads...being on the cover [of the NME] means f**k all...you might sell 5 extra copies to a bunch of f**king Razorlight fans" ha!
Damon seems in his element coordinating, and recording with the various collaborators. Ibrahim Ferrer has a fun time with baby Missy, Terry Hall helps Damon get a Middle Eastern flair, and Dennis Hopper has a minor freak out before the live Demon Days gigs.
One interesting roadblock occurs just before the Harlem performances of Demon Days when Damon has to explain to the choir director that the lyrics to Dirty Harry are actually pacifist. She doesn't seem convinced when she hears the album title.
Speaking of freak outs, it seems that poor Damon has to vomit before every performance...
If you thought Damon and Jamie were cool, collected guys, then this film will utterly shatter that idea...sorry, they're complete nerds... which to me is even better.
Damon has a fascination with stupid head gear; plastic bags, trucker hats, head bands, trilbys, wooly hats...if it's stupid, it's on his head.
I won't spoil the end of the film...but throughout, Damon has just one, all consuming goal: To catch a cigarette in his mouth. After six years of trying, you have to watch until the last minutes to see if he does it.
WATCH IT NOW.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
Bananaz Babelgum competition
Over at Bananaz central, there's a competition brewing. To enter, you must produce a video showing yourself going bananaz. This was a perfect opportunity for Ceri Levy to debut banana cricket, complete with Digestives wicket.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
if you were too lazy to click through....Bananaz trailer
If you couldn't be bothered to click through to babelgum on my previous posts here's the Bananaz trailer. Go to babelgum.com for the good stuff...The movie premieres April 20th online.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
New Gorillaz album info...featuring Kano
British rapper, and frequent Africa Express collaborator Kano, has spoken to the UK's Daily Star about the upcoming Gorillaz album. According to the musician, the album will be completed this spring before the Blur reunion shows. Kano appears on a few of the new tracks.
Now that I listen to the demos Damon played last month on Radio 1, I think that's Kano saying "bass" on "Electric Shock".
Hmmmm.
The picture I posted is an old one, Jamie Hewlett has said that the Gorillaz' return will see a new look for the band so who knows what changes have occurred since Murdoc and crew released Demon Days?
Monday, January 26, 2009
Pitchfork interviews Damon and Jamie
Pitchfork posted an interview with Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett today. There's not much new, but this snippet about Damon's activities at a Vampire Weekend show is quite funny:
"Pitchfork: I don't know if you've heard this, but there's a rumor that--
DA: I pulled the fire alarm.
Pitchfork: Yeah, that the fire alarm went off at their London show, and you had pulled the plug on them and took off.
DA: No, I did pull my trousers down, but that's because I had an altercation with the doorman. He wouldn't let me take my drink out. I did leave as the plug was pulled, but it wasn't me and it wasn't anything to do with me.
Pitchfork: Well, it's a good story, anyway."
Here's the full interview: Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett, Pitchfork.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Damon and Jamie interview on CBC's Q
Damon and Jamie sat down with the CBC's Jian Ghomeshi for an interview about Gorillaz and Monkey: Journey To The West. I'm not sure how long ago this was, but it was uploaded to youtube about a week ago. There's nothing new here, just another testament to Damon's love of music, and excitement over it.
At being called a "lead singer" Damon bristles ever so slightly, almost veering into a tantrum before checking himself. I can see his point, being known as a lead singer when you're a musical visionary must be a tad exacerbating. It's almost endearing that he thinks he has to qualify his genius by clarifying that he's a pianist. It's O.K Damon... no-one's going to confuse you with just another front man.
Jamie's in his usual laid back mood, while Damon gets all twinkly eyed and passionate.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
The Vinyl Factory releases an even more limited- limited edition Monkey box set.
Hey! Got a spare £255.00 ($393.00)?
The Vinyl Factory has released another Monkey: Journey To The West vinyl box set. This one includes:
• Black cloth-bound box foiled on cover and spine.
• Four exclusive Jamie Hewlett giclee art prints on Somerset archival paper, each stamped and numbered, one signed and dated. Housed in a red, gold-foiled folio.
• Black cloth-bound hardback 84-page art book containing exclusive Jamie Hewlett artwork, sketches and illustrations.
• Book also houses two super-heavyweight 200-gram vinyl LPs, containing six bonus tracks not available on the commercial release. Pressed on the classic EMI 1400, with one-side especially etched.
• When you purchase the Box Set you also receive a digital version of the album.
• The first 500 customers to pre-order/order the Box Set will also receive a custom-made special limited edition Monkey Om Box, with tones composed by Damon Albarn and artwork designed by Jamie Hewlett.
• This beautifully produced collectible edition is limited to just 2,000 copies worldwide.
Pretty snazzy eh? The tracklisting for the double vinyl and Om box is as follows:
Double Vinyl Album tracklisting:
1. 5 Point Star 6:02
2. Monkeys World 2.32
3. Monkey Travels 0.33
4. Into The Eastern Sea 0.34
5. Living Sea Introduction 0.49
6. The Living Sea 1.52
7. The Dragon King 1.54
8. Iron Rod 1.04
9. The Dragon Queen 1.34
10. Out of the Eastern Sea 0.56
11. Heavenly Peach Banquet 3.31
12. Battle In Heaven 3.25
13. O Mi To Fu 0.57
14. Buddha's Palm 1.17
15. Whisper 2.16
16. Tripitaka's Curse 1.21
17. Confessions of a Pig 3.19
18. Sandy the River Demon 2.16
19. March of the Volunteers 1.48
20. The White Skeleton Demon 1.33
21. Monks Funeral 1.39
22. Monks Song 1.43
23. I Love Buddha 2.07
24. March of the Iron Army 2.41
25. Volcano 1.09
26. Pigsy in Space 2.16
27. Monkey Bee 5.01
28. Disappearing Volcano 6.09
Monkey Om Box tracklisting:
1. Battle In Heaven
2. Drums at the Station
3. The Heavenly Peach
4. Into the Sea
5. The Living Sea Introduction
6. March of the Iron Army
7. Desire
8. Monkey Bee 1
9. Monkey Bee 2
10. Pigsy In Space
11. Time Travel
12. Siren
13. O Mi To Fu
The original box set is still available from the Vinyl Factory for £65.00 ($100.00)
The Vinyl Factory
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Monkey Translations
Just saw these on youtube... MirSomething has posted video translations of Heavenly Peach Banquet and Monkey Bee. Now you can read along while you listen. These are the same as you can find in the album insert...but now with added convenience!
HEAVENLY PEACH BANQUET
MONKEY BEE
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Monkey live on BBC Radio 2
From Music Week:
"Meanwhile, the BBC station is hosting an exclusive live performance of Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett’s Monkey: Journey To The West. The performance, which will feature Chinese and European musicians from the original theatre production, will be held this coming Tuesday at the Radio Theatre and will be broadcast on Saturday, November 29 from 7 to 8pm."
You can listen to BBC Radio 2 shows live HERE. So make sure and tune in (it's 5 hours ahead EST, and 6 hours CST, so around 1pm Chicago time.)
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Damon And Jamie discuss the new Gorillaz album, and the prospects of really touring this one!
An ITN video in which:
1. The new Gorillaz album is discussed...it includes orchestras from the Midlands, and Syria
2. They say they're going to tour....a lot
3. Monkey just needs to stop distracting them!!!!
Monday, November 10, 2008
Monkey performs on Jools Holland
A Monkey "band" assembled by Damon played songs from the album Monkey:Journey To The West. (Sponsored by Fred Perry??)
Monkey's World
Heavenly Peach Banquet
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Damon and Jamie take over youtube!
Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett have taken over youtube's homepage today. Go to the Monkey: Journey to the West channel to see all the videos on offer. The intro has Damon and Jamie exalting the wonders of youtube, and watching various Chinese themed videos. Check out their favorites for those vid's.
Monkey Bee music video
The short film for "Monkey Bee" was premiered on youtube today. Shot on 35mm film, the video has a cinematic quality which draws heavily from the 70's cult T.V. show "Monkey".
Taken from Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett's Chinese opera "Monkey: Journey To The West", and re-fashioned for the album, the song depicts the fight between Princess Iron Fan and Monkey. Monkey wants her fan to cool down a volcano, she thinks he's trouble and won't let him have it! There's some additions in here; Jamie of course had to add some zombies, in the form of Princess Iron Fan's army.
It looks amazing. Jamie really delved into that kitschy 70's B-movie look, complete with lip syncing that doesn't even try to match!
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