dear damon
June 2005
WOW! What a grand ending to the month of May and a fantastic beginning to the latter-half of the year. The Gorillaz event at Virgin Megastore in Union Square, New York City, was totally off-the-hook! It was so great to have been able to be there and to see you looking ever so well. The night before was dreary on the East Coast. I was worried that maybe you would not be able to get to New York from Atlanta as scheduled because of the bad weather. I was going to chance it anyway and believe that you would be there.
Cut to the event...tada! 1:20 pm rolls around and there you are, coming up to the stage with your buddies, Jamie Hewlett and Dangermouse. You all sat on high stools. Jamie to your right, Dangermouse to your immediate left and the store guy (DJ?) to Dangermouse's left. The Virgin t-shirt wearing guy started the event by announcing that he will be asking some questions in the beginning. They were mostly moot questions as evidenced by your replies and body language. Then finally he announced that it was time for the assembled people to ask questions and that he would select the questioners. The arms shot up immediately and the first few questions were asked in an orderly manner with the store guy picking the people. The questions continued in a spontaneous manner with questions flying from all corners of the crowd. There was not a moment left for silence as we were all brimming with questions.
Some of the questions asked were: Had Noodle taught the other members of the Gorillaz any Japanese curse words. The answer from Jamie was "no." What is it about Clint Eastwood that makes 2D's day? You said, apart from his politics, that he is cool. Is 2D a geek in zombie's clothing? I thought it was cute when this question was prefaced with the remark that 2D has a Napoleon Dynamite poster in his room that you made the gesture that Napoleon did in the movie and said, "sweet!" Jamie answered this question, "yes, he is a geek in zombie's clothing." Any other plans for collaboration between you all? To which you replied, you and Jamie will be making a kung-fu movie (that just rocks) and that you will be doing a R&B CD and hoped that maybe Beyonce could join up and an Afro-centric project with Dangermouse. Any plans for a blur record? Not for awhile. Are we the last living souls? You hoped not. A girl volunteered her artistic services to Jamie and a guy said he wanted to join the Gorillaz and could he? To which you asked, do you play any instruments? No. Well, can you dance? Yes! Well, then maybe something could be worked out (that was nice). First record bought was Squeeze then you corrected yourself and I didn't quite get the name of the artist. *sniff sniff* There was another question about Bob Dylan and someone or another (totally lost on this one) and you replied, "well, they are two voices aren't they?" There were probably other questions as well, but I was in such a stupor that I cannot recollect what they might have been. I knew I just needed to gather myself for the signing.
The Q&A session came to a close after about 40 minutes and we were all told to line up at the right so that we could get our autographs. The crowd moved in and angled for a position to be the next in line. You, Jamie and Dangermouse sat down at a long table and the signing began. We were told only one item per person due to time limitations. I decided to forgo the autograph and just ask for a photo to be taken with you. My turn came, I asked the security guy to take the shot to which he replied "you're not allowed," to which I replied, "yes, we are, others have had their's taken." I decided to ask Jamie as he is the artist to take our picture. He was very obliging and I got ready to say hello to you as I positioned myself between yourself and Jamie and waited for you to finish signing the previous person's CD. You were done and I knelt down and said, "good to see you again, damon. Would you mind having a picture taken with me?" to which you smiled most brilliantly at me, put your left arm around my shoulder, brought me closer to you and smiled at the camera. "One, two, nice shot," said Jamie as he took the picture. I thanked Jamie and you and slipped my namecard in your left jacket pocket and said, "I do pro bono work, too," to which you smiled and Jamie chuckled and I wished you all a bon voyage and waved bye-bye as I left the Virgin Megastore.
blissfully,
frances
P.S. BTW, have a fab time on Flight 5065! Bon Voyage indeed!
On the bedside table this month:
WWW.MakePovertyHistory.Org: MakePovertyHistory
Simon Reynolds: Rip it Up and Start Again: Post Punk 1978-1984
On the turntable this month:
Gorillaz: Demon Days
KNOCK, KNOCK. WHO'S THERE?
Enter the dragon...Say What?!
Name that tune!
Educate Me!
BRITGIRL's gig report
Ravenous for "Ravenous?"
The archives c'est arrive'!
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