A Special Record: Gorillaz – Demon Days (20 Year Anniversary)

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Co-written by Thomas Atkinson & Emily Teague

Many people refer to certain albums as having a big influence on their musical taste. It could be something their parents loved, their friends loved, or even something popular at the time. With ‘Demon Days‘ by Gorillaz, all three of these boxes were ticked. An album of great and memorable songs, alongside impactful and insightful commentary on the politics of the time and unfortunately still today. This release has certainly left its mark then and now.

Before Demon Days

While we now live in an age where cartoon bands are no longer a rarity with AI and Hatsune Miku, Gorillaz was a rarity back in the 2000s. The project was created by Blur frontman Damon Albarn and comic illustrator Jamie Hewlett. It was a critique of the boy bands craze and MTV. However, it eventually became a place for Damon to experiment musically, as shown by the band’s self-titled debut.

Released in 2001, the music moved away from the Brit-pop that Albarn was known for. Instead, it used trip-hop, dub, and Latin music instead. With only two featured guests in the form of Del The Funky Homosapien and Ibrahim Ferrer, Damon and the other musicians created a record that emphasised variety and finding a hit. While it had some of the band’s most beloved tunes like ‘Clint Eastwood‘ and ‘Tomorrow Comes Today‘, it lacked synergy.

Although, what this did do was introduce us and familiarise ourselves with the band’s members. Through the songs, artwork, music videos, and more, we got to know 2-D, Murdoc Niccals, Noodle, and Russel Hobbs. These characters and their backstories are what sold Gorillaz and made the band iconic. The album did get attention including 6 BRIT Award nominations and a Grammy nomination. It even got a Mercury Prize nomination that the band asked to be withdrawn.

Further to this, it was also a sales success reaching no. 3 in the U.K. charts (going 3x Platinum). It also charted worldwide including receiving Platinum certifications in Australia, Argentina, and the U.S.

Unlike with Blur, Albarn had found worldwide success, and therefore, a follow-up was inevitable.

The Narrative

Coming off the back of their iconic first album, the band had to follow it up with something incredible. The documentary ‘Bananaz‘, which follows the band from their conception to the end of the ‘Demon Days‘ tour, is an enjoyable way to see what it was like being in the studio and backstage at this time. It doesn’t shy away from political discussions or the tension that comes with creating a great record.

For the animated band members, ‘Demon Days‘ takes a darker turn than its predecessor. Kong Studios comes across in disrepair, comparing it from their first interactive DVD, Phase One: Celebrity Take Down, to their second, Slowboat To Hades. Murdoc’s idiocy leads to Noodles’ presumed death, which carries through a series of music videos. The ability to tell such an intricate, fictional narrative on top of creating the record itself is impressive. I always enjoyed the way you can watch as ‘Feel Good Inc.‘ ends with the helicopters flying towards Noodles’ island, which is where the ‘El Mañana‘ video picks up.

War and Climate Change

As well as the central theme of climate change, the political sphere of the world, specifically America, is felt here. ‘Kids with Guns‘ is a blatant example of Damon considering the gun violence that was, and still is, a major issue in the States. 

‘Dirty Harry‘ is an anti-war anthem that caused some controversy during the American leg of the tour. An insightful scene in the documentary shows a concerned parent of a child in the tour’s choir who questioned whether the lyrics were appropriate for young, predominantly black, children in the Bronx to be singing. After Damon realises a lyrical error had been printed, the issue is resolved. However, I think the concern is a clear example of how troubling this issue is for Americans. It is a daily worry for those parents raising their children. Whilst this was taking place a little under twenty years ago, it is most definitely still relevant within today’s world.

Albarn’s anti-war views came from his family, including a grandfather who was a conscientious objector during World War 2. Prior to this record, he worked with the Stop The War Coalition in regards to the U.K. government’s decision to help in the invasion of Iraq.

While climate change became a prominent issue on ‘Plastic Beach‘ and further releases, it was first relayed as a theme on this record. ‘O Green World‘ sees 2-D beg for a return to the green planet we once inhabited in an age of pollution. Meanwhile, ‘Every Planet We Reach Is Dead‘ references a lost love in relation to mother nature.

However, this topic is most common in ‘Fire Coming out of the Monkey’s Head‘. Narrated by Dennis Hopper, it tells a tale of a town cut off from the rest of the world, that is entered by outsiders. These outsiders then abuse the mountain and mine it for its minerals which causes unrest and leads to the mountain erupting. Not only does this kill the outsiders, but also the townsfolk, with the instrumental leaving a chilling feeling as the song concludes.

The Music and Its Influence on Taste

Tom: The album continued some of the influences from the previous record like trip-hop and alternative rock. However, art pop was also an influence and there were much more guests than the debut LP. As someone who was around 7 years old at the time, my music taste was very much being defined. While I loved the catchy singles like ‘Feel Good Inc.‘ and ‘DARE‘, the album’s deep cuts had a big impact.

The influence of hip-hop certainly helped develop my love for the genre. The likes of De La Soul, MF Doom, and Roots Manuva appear on this record. While my love of rap music and hip-hop didn’t fully take hold till college, this album laid the foundations of that love alongside grime and some of the pop-rap stuff of the early 2010s. In particular, I remember loving the energy De La Soul brought to ‘Feel Good Inc.‘, making for a nice contrast to Damon’s melancholic tones. And when it came to Doom, I wouldn’t find out who he truly was till later. But, his calm delivery and punchy rhymes fit the more laid-back beat. I grew to love Doom with releases like ‘Madvillainy‘ and ‘Operation: Doomsday‘, but this introduced me to his unique abilities.

One thing that maybe goes under the radar is the use of choirs on this record. The San Fernandez Youth Chorus is a huge part of the appeal of the earworm of a chorus on ‘Dirty Harry‘. Their youthful voices are in stark contrast to the bleak undertones of the lyrics. But, it is on the final tracks ‘Don’t Get Lost in Heaven‘ and ‘Demon Days‘, where The London Community Gospel Choir shines. These final tracks use gospel and pop elements to wrap up the album’s message. It introduced me to a side of music that focused on sound and words, over individuals or pop appeal.

This group would continue to influence my taste and introduce me to new artists with subsequent releases. Nevertheless, ‘Demon Days‘ was a huge part of my musical journey.

Emily: Gorillaz has always been a band close to my heart. I also got the pleasure of attending their ‘Humanz‘ tour back in 2017. Here, I fell in love with live music and realised this is something I need to keep a part of my life. Considering the gig was in Birmingham, they did an exceptional job at ensuring many featured artists were in attendance, including Little Simz as the opener.

‘Demon Days‘ began my love of dark narratives and a dystopian feel in records. I’ve always found the art style of this LP to be my favourite of any Gorillaz phase. Seeing it at such a young age, I found it in equal parts disturbing and captivating. This is apparent now in my enjoyment of bands like The Cramps, who are able to have such a distinct and jarring aesthetic.

This record was also my first introduction to many artists that have pulled my interest in years prior to their guest appearance. Most notably, I discovered Shaun Ryder and have since had a keen interest in the Happy Mondays and Factory Records as a music movement. I’ve also got to give it credit for showing me De La Soul and MF Doom.

A Roaring Success

The album received a lot of love critically and commercially. This included more BRIT Award nominations including ‘Best Album’, and awards from NME and MTV. The album’s lead single ‘Feel Good Inc.‘ would also win a Grammy for ‘Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals’.

The album also topped the charts in several countries including their native U.K., while reaching the top 10 in the States, Japan, Australia, and several other places. Its success continues to this day, being certified 6x Platinum in the U.K. where it is their most successful album. Further to this, ‘Feel Good Inc.‘, ‘Dare‘, and ‘Dirty Harry‘ charted at 2, 1, and 6 respectively in the U.K. The second track remains the group’s only U.K. no. 1, while at 4x Platinum, the former is the group’s best selling track this side of the Atlantic.

Outro

Emily: This album will forever remain one of my favourites. It has layers to unpack both fictionally and in the real world. Damon and Jamie both helped to pull this masterpiece together, creating a piece of art in its own right. The record, and the band in a wider sense, have definitely defined a lot of my music taste and my life ever since. They’ve made me realise my love of bands who are able to bring to life a whole new world whilst not straying too far from our own. 

Tom: This album had had a profound impact on my musical taste, back in the days when music on the radio or from my parents largely dictated my taste. Looking back on this release as an adult is also an intriguing experience. I’m now able to see the messaging in the lyrics, that match some of my own views. While I still love the hit singles and the great cameos, this opened my mind to the importance of storytelling and themes. To me, this remains a classic and a record I will love till the day I die.

Gorillaz is on Instagram, X, and TikTok. You can stream the album below or buy it here. Furthermore, you can read more anniversary pieces here.

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