Gorillaz is an pop/alternative rock/indie/hip hop ‘virtual band’ consisting of the comic book characters 2D on lead vocals and keyboard, Noodle on lead guitar and vocals, Murdoc Niccals on bass guitar and Russell Hobbs on drums and percussion.

The musical project was created in 1998 by Damon Albarn (known as the frontman of the British alternative rock band Blur) and Jamie Hewlett (known as the co-creator of the British comic book Tank Girl), when they were living together in London. After releasing the EP Tomorrow Comes Today in 2000, the duo decided to start work on their debut self-titled studio album.

Gorillaz was released in March 2001 and reached number three in the UK, as well as number fourteen in the US. Combining elements of rock, hip hop, punk, dub, acid and reggae, the release was critically acclaimed and went on to sell over seven million copies worldwide. It also produced four hit singles: the UK Top 20 hits Clint Eastwood and 19-2000, and the Top 40 singles Tomorrow Comes Today and Rock the House.

The group’s next release was 2005’s Demon Days. It shot to number one in the UK and number six in the US, selling over six million copies around the world. The lead single Feel Good Inc. reached number two in the UK and number fifteen in the US, while the follow-up DARE was the group’s first UK number one hit. The third single Dirty Harry also charted inside the UK Top 10.

The group’s third studio album Plastic Beach was released in March 2010. It debuted at number two in both the UK and the US, selling over 200,000 copies in its first week of release. It has produced two singles to date: Stylo and On Melancholy Hill. The album’s third single Superfast Jellyfish is due for release later in 2010.