LIFE’S A BEACH

Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett talk about their ’Toon Army take on life and music. Interview by Serge Simonart

A short European tour and a confirmed headliner slot at Glastonbury – replacing U2 – is a good enough reason to look up Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett at Gorillaz’s headquarters, Zombie Flesh Eaters, in a slightly dodgy neighourhood in North London. It’s exactly the sort of urban wasteland where Gorillaz bassist Murdoc Niccals and his friends might roam. The production firm of Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett is housed in a former paint factory.

Downstairs, in the jam-packed hallway, I spot an antique carousel and a 19th-century baby piano.

“Eighteen-eighty,” smiles Damon. “I bought it for my daughter in Barcelona. I had it restored to the tune of 3,000 quid, but it’s still out of tune.”

We move to the roof terrace, where we talk about their take on making music, trying to offer something different and original, contrary to the commercial artists who, according to Gorillaz, wrongly inspire the next generation of music lovers.

On the Making Of Plastic Beach DVD, Damon says to Bobby Womack: “Social realism plus love, that’s my thing, and I got it all from you.”

On the subject of social realism, I think Gorillaz should be shown in schools, because it’s a perfect example of how people from …

by Serge Simonart
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