Gorillaz (2001-2012)

Felt the need to post regarding virtual Britpop band Gorillaz demise. With co-creators Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett not seeing eye to eye at the moment, a pin has firmly been stuck in the whole cartoon band thing.

It's a sad thing because they've been with me throughout an important time of my life. Although I bang on about Madness, the Mondays, the Roses etc. they were all before my time. Oasis and Blur were closer but being young teenager when they were going head to head I couldn't get involved. So when hitting my peak in my late teens it was the Gorillaz who have been the background music taking me through the past decade, from invincible leary feck of an 18 year old to a settled 29 year old married dad. And the Gorillaz, like myself, have changed a lot over that time.

I first became aware of them, as everyone did, in 2001 with the thumping debut track 'Clint Eastwood'. Fuck knows where the title came from but the tune was banging. There we were freshi out of sixth form, on release for the weekend, a friday night starting off in the gloom of the Durham City Snooker Club - Cheap pints of Grolsch and bags of Seabrooks, a few frames, then off to chase the wanny. And then this song comes on. It's good. Bloody good. So we turn to the box to check out the accompanying video. But fucking hell these little cartoon men are singing it. What is this? This was the Gorillaz. (Strangely enough the next music vid after this was another animated one - Robbie Williams 'Let Love be Your Energy. We preferred the Gs).

The self titled album contained some great, albeit weirdly named, songs - classic pop tunes mixed with an angry edge, and also a hip-hop vibe provided by 'Del the ghost', counteracting 2D's melancholic voice. Bass provided by Stoke based sadist Murdoc, drums by big Russel and Japanese child Noodle played the other guitar. The perfect manufactured band.

By the time the massive 'Demon Days' came out in 2005 a few years had past. University education was coming to and end, and with it came a deep sorrow. I loved the lazy lifestyle and boozing it up with my pals from Leeds, Redcar and Sunderland. Now the end was nigh and it was time to grow up. Demon Days was like that too. Gorillaz had grown up. The album had a darker edge. It suited my mood. It was there as a chapter of my life was closed and a new one opened. Education gone, time to work. And whilst searching for work I bought Demon Days with the pennies gave to me by the DSS. It kept me going whilst on the dole for sixth months. The pick of the litter for me was 'Dare', mainly because Shaun Ryder was in it. My main memory about this LP was with being out with some old school pals on a student night in Lancaster, monged out of my brain and ad-libbing to Feel Good Inc. whilst trying to keep my guts down on the dance floor. Magic. When my passport to pleasure on the Rock and Roll was over and I finally got a job a few of the (swearwordless) songs were on the company's radio list. Along with this I met a girl...

And step forward to the third album half a decade later, Plastic Beach is unlike the two albums before it. Melancholic relaxed content electro. It almost isn't the Gorillaz. And to an extent it isn't. The cartoon holograms seen performing 'live' in 2005/06 have gone, it's now officially Albarn from Blur and 50% of the Clash in daft sailor hats. They'd changed. And I had too. 2010 and I'm happily married to said girl and expecting a child. He comes along and now I'm Plastic Beached. Content and reflective. I'm sat on Melancholy Hill. Now at 17 months old he loves the Gorillaz too. Bopping to 1999-2000.

But I can't help feeling a touch of sadness when I listen to the final single from Plazzy Beach, 'Doncamatic'. This is a reflective song with an underlying message. That it's finished. Daley sings the song, not Albarn, and it's about closing the book, someone stealing your face etc - something that has actually happened to the cartoon characters we love from the Gorillaz. And the most crushing lyric being that "we're all played out".

It's the end of them. It certainly isn't the end of me, but the me of 2001 and 2005 has certainly long gone. But I'm pleased the cartoony nuttiness of Gorillaz was with me providing the soundtrack to some of the most important and enjoyable times of my life...

The Sunderland Pub Guide

They're all rough as fuck.

Thats Entertainment

808 State. Black Grape. Blur. Ian Brown. The Charlatans. The Coral. The Enemy. The Farm. The Futureheads. Gorillaz. Happy Mondays. Housemartins. Inspiral Carpets. James. Kasabian. The La's. Madness. Manic Street Preachers. New Order. Oasis. The Seahorses. Shed Seven. Suede. Supergrass. What's this? Thats Entetainment.

That is just some of a few artists whose work I've picked up from the store that is That's Entertainment. Dealing in used CDS/DVDs and selling from 99p up, most £1.99 (or 3 for a fiver), it's enabled me to expand my CD collection dirt cheaply. Some from the list, like Kasabian, were important albums that I hadn't bought as I couldn't warrant spending a tenner on a CD brand new. So £1.99 each used? Bang on. Other artists like Blur, Mondays and Oasis I grew up with and already had several albums, but has enabled me to get 'lesser albums' (Oasis Be Here Now and Standing On...) or rarer ones (Mondays Rave On EP) rather than just the best sellers or greatest hits.

They seem to be situated in the North (Metro Centre, Newcastle, North Shields and York were about 60% of the companies stores last year) but with the likes of HMV struggling and the recession biting it wouldn't surprise me if they expand. Saying that I was gutted to visit the Metro the other day and find it closed. Was genuinely upset. I told the wife who kindly informed me that they've now branched out to on tinterweb. So had a look. Thousands of bargains there and free P&P. So Gorillaz Plastic Beach and Wonderstuff's Greatest are wending their merry way to me for £3.98.

Something Spezial

As promised here's a post on something spezial. A pair of Handball Spezial's in a very fetching grey/orange colourway from a nameless forum. Once upon a time I was a right trainer head but these could well be the first pair of kicks I've bought in over two years. I'm just not fussed on them anymore - except for a certain special design from Adidas. Not sure what it is with Spezial's that appeal so much. Perhaps it's the Z in the name because I used to have a real affinity with Gazelle's too. More than likely it's because they're suede, sleek and special.

Bits and Pieces (recent purchases)

Few scraps from the then and now. Odd bits picked up here and there, some from before Christmas and over the winter, though no posting until the numbers were right.

First up, even though we're having drought warnings and hosepipe bans, a nice bit of waterproofing by keep-you-dry specialists Kway. Nice low-key metallic grey - keeping head down, staying in the shadows and lurking about. However if losing three nil after 45 minutes at Southampton, I'll be looking to come back out wearing blue.

Next buy a classic bit of Ralph Lauren in granddad colours. Nice simple detailing with a smart little chest pocket, perfect for keeping those little chest pocket shaped nick-knacks.

Another scarf, and to think I've only got the one neck. Scott & Lyle with baby bum soft cashmere in fire engine red.

Luxury! What can't speak can't lie! And it's wrote in big FUCK OFF letters to tell you! Blue Harbour Luxury chino shorts. Smoother than silk, when you're wearing these it feels like you're wearing nothing at all. Oh, I'm not...

Pair of white soled boots from Davis and Squire. Sturdy and studenty. Would be right at home in a Parisian riot, because over here in Britain they do it in Reebook Classics and Nike Airmax. And Air Maccies are over a tonne and these were eight quid. Le Monde est a Nous. Now let's throw some stones...

And finally, a sneak peak of 'something spezial' that will be appearing in a post not too far away from here in the not too distant future...

One Spring Day...

JFT96

Durham City vs. Warrington Town

After a summeresque week away in Scotland, it was back to County Durham and back to typical chilly march weather. I decided to venture up to 'crisis club' Durham City AFC and was invited with other City supporters up to the executive lounge, where the chairman held a Q&A on the plight of the club - the overriding factor being that the extra travel costs of being in the national league for the past 3-4 years is killing the club. Reading between the lines City will be back in the regionalised Northern League next season.

It's a shame because it's a great little club with one of the best grounds you could have at that level. A few years ago they won the Northern League and got promoted to the Unibond 1st and duly won this. Two games into their Unibond Premier (now Evo-Stik) tenure the sponsors pulled out - the FA saying that City could progress no higher in the non-league pyramid because of their plastic pitch was seen as the reason. City, potless, were close to folding. The entire squad was sold but City bravely fulfilled their fixtures playing young lads but taking right hammerings off teams like Boston United and Halifax Town. The season after they were back in the 1st division and consolidated and have been there since.

However recent problems, non financial, is how the club is being managed by former Sunderland favourite Dickie Ord. He recently sacked his assistant manager leaving himself the sole chargehand. However when he was away last week, injured first choice keeper James Winter was forced to take charge - he's 26. The physio left as well leaving the only first aider a designated sub with a water bottle. Defender Ross Wilkinson had 8 stitches in his head after a clash and all they could do was rinse it clear. Shocking turn of events given the recent Fabrice Muamba incident. Finally the communication is poor. Players are not told about training day changes until the last minute so they can't reorganise their working week, leading to poor fitness levels. This lack of comms was highlighted at an away match when only 9 fit players turned up, leading to 2 injured ones having to start the game and to be subbed off and replaced by other injured players (one was player/manager/goalkeeper Jimmy Winter who brought himself on as an outfield player only to be sent off after 3 minutes).

So with all that bad feeling Winter once again lead Durham out in Ord's absence and took on Warrington Town. The game started openly with both teams having decent chances, particularly Town hitting the bar. City pounced first though super striker David Dowson (ex S'land & Darlo) when he coolly slotted home a one-on-one. The turning point came on half an hour when Town's Michael Jackson was dismissed for swearing at the ref. Shamone. Warrington suffered a collapse when three more goals were scored in first half stoppage time through Stephen Thompson, Johnny Davis and Andrew Stephenson. Four nil at half time? Crisis? What crisis?

Three minutes after the restart Thompo got his second, a beauty of a rasping drive from 20 yards right into the stanchion. Warrington got a consolation but City continued to press and make the advantage count. Connor Winter scored a sixth before Thompson completed his hat trick and made it a record breaking score for City at this level and stand in gaffer James Winter chuckling away to himself. 7-1 to City. A top mid table finish in the league beckons but will Durham be finished in the league come what May? Going from what the chairman said, or more importantly what he didn't say, I think there's going to be a sticky end to the Evo-Stik.