Born: Stoke-on-Trent, 6.6.66
Age: 35
Influences: Black Sabbath, Dub, J Andrew Anderson, Dennis Wilson, Satan
Hobbie: Punching 2D
The snaggle toothed svengali of Gorillaz, his flop fringe disguises a mind like a rusty steel trap.
Self-taught bassist, wannabe frontman, he's the band's warped back seat driver who knows that good tunes aren't enough to succeed. You need good looks - which he hasn't got - and a twisted mind - which he has.
Murdoc likes to dominate interviews, a rent-a-quote misogynist who speaks without a taste filter.
Ex speed freak. Personal hygiene problem. Kiddie frightener. Shoplifter. Heavy smoker. Max power subscriber. Used to set fire to cats.
Vital Statistics: 5'9", chronically caucasian, false thumb, green teeth. What a catch! Physique of a man in his nineties. A man so eager for rock star recognition he doesn't even realise that he's made it. Strangely this foul smelling fella has an animal magnetism that girls find irrrrrresistible!
Born: Crawley
Age: 23
Influences: Butorphanoi, Tartrate, Phill Oakey, Lucio Fulci
Hit twice on the head when young, 2D is a sweetheart with a blank sheet of paper where a brain should be. He has really good hair. People think he's cool and enigmatic but he's just got a migraine.
2D idolises Murdoc, who, he feels, saved his life. Keyboard wizard, melodica maniac, graffiti compulsive and the perfect pin-up product. Voice like an angel, arse like a satsuma. Mind full of zombies and painkillers. Says nothing controversial. Says nothing much at all.
Loved by everyone (except the green eyed Murdoc), 2D has legions of lady followers and would make a good boyfriend if only he'd wake up.
2D is only vaguely aware of his incredible success. The blue-haired poster boy has describedthe tidal wave as "er... wicked." While his migraines, graffiti complusion and melodica mania may have given away to him becoming a "Cosmonaut of Inner Space," he's still navigating with a hand-sprayed map. His good work for the Free Tibet campaign must, 2D contests, prove his naysayers "wrong or something?" God help him if he ever had to get a proper job!
Born: New York State
Age: 25
Influences: Farrakhan, Chaka Khan
A hip-hop hard man from the US of A, Russel draws upon spooky spirit mates to help guide his beats. The funkyphantoms live within Russel's hunking frame and pop out every so often to provide some undead rapping.
Russel himself is well adjusted, with an enviable wardrobe. Beautifully spoken. Polite to his elders. Privately educated.
Proper musician. Without Russel, Gorillaz couldn't survive: he's the safety net, the linebacker, the true defender. Women love his solid safety, men his solid credentials.
Multiple trainer owner. Likes to eat.
Russel's journey from his homeland has brought him closer to the heart of the American people than geographic proximity might ever have done. Through Russel's funky-phantom fuelled flow, USA, the spiritual home of hip-hop, has accepted Gorillaz deep into its bosom. The beat goes on and keeps growing like the man himself, both spiritually and physically. "The way we've been received is pure love. We've made some great videos and they've been felt. People are feeling us. We're looking forward to breaking new ground for everyone. I'm even getting used to sharing myself with the phantoms inside me!"
Born: Osaka
Age: 11
Influences: Haiku poetry, Loa Zi, Richie Sambora
Noodle arrived in a crate. She's a kick ass riffmeister, the Asian axe princess. Doesn't speak more than a word of English, and that word is "Noodle."
Martial Arts expert, little ice maiden, she looks at the world through unfazed eyes.
Usually found with Russel. Special zen bond with 2D. Tickled by Murdoc's desperation.
Irrepressible. Inscrutable. Irresistable.
Likes: Power Puff Girls, Tomagatchi pets, Pokemon, Yo-yo's, her new radio headphone hat, rice and noodles
Always the most centred of the band, Noodle takes Gorillaz' success in her stride. For her, the world is the same big playground it always was, buying gadgets from around the globe and trading guitar licks with some of her biggest influences. Full of wise words and light actions she creates an atmosphere of childlike wonder in every new situation. Her joy is the moment but remember, "it is not wise to despise the snake for having no horns, for who is to say that it will not become a dragon?" With her burgeoning taste in lipstick, boob tubes, Justin Timberlake and Shaggy, she may well start breathing fire before our very eyes!