Entertainment

MONKEY BIZ – GORILLAZ DELIVER ANIMATED HIP-POP

ANIMATED pop act Gorillaz exist in a two-dimensional world, coming to life on the stereo and on the Internet, but its four manufactured members insist on being taken seriously in the real world.

Damon Albarn, the frontman of Blur, and Jamie Hewlett, an artist best known for creating the cult-classic comic “Tank Girl,” invented the Gorillaz as a side project in 2001.

The hip-hop, funked-up groove-meisters, which scored two hits on their self-titled debut with “Clint Eastwood” and “19-2000,” will unveil its sophomore disc, “Demon Days,” on Tuesday. It’s produced by popular DJ Danger Mouse, who replaces Dan The Automator.

The super-catchy first single, “Feel Good Inc.,” featuring De La Soul, is already familiar to millions, as it’s used in the latest dance-happy iPod ad.

Though Hewlett directs the band’s videos, and Albarn sounds suspiciously like 2D, only the virtual members – which include 2D, guitarist Noodle, drummer Russel and bassist Murdoc – will step up to chat.

Rumors are swirling that Murdoc, who spent 18 months in a Mexican jail for passing bad checks to hookers, took part in a sex tape, which is floating around the Internet. But he didn’t seem too ashamed when The Post caught up with him in his Winnebago as Slayer’s “Reign in Blood” played in the background.

On “Demon Days,” the band worked with many outsiders, including Dennis Hopper. How did he get into the picture?

Noodle ran into him at some awards show. He’s always stood for a certain “element of society” and free speech that suited the track we were working on. And, right, also he’s got some killer bikes.

Who was the most surprising collaborator, and why?

I would probably have to say Damon Albarn. His voice sounds really similar to our singer 2D’s, and I think on one song, they just switched places, for a joke. Not particularly funny, as I can’t really spot the difference.

How has the band changed musically?

This record sounds less youthful. Everything’s stopped bouncing around, which is not a put down on the first record, but the songs are in less of a hurry to impress this time, therefore they last longer.

“Feel Good Inc.” is already a hit, partly due to being featured in the iPod TV ad. Would you consider this a sell-out?

You know the whole idea of ‘selling out’ is sooooo dated. Yeah, obviously don’t stick your tracks on a nuclear arms commercial, but some products are perfectly valid. Anyway, corporate ‘whore-mongering’ aside, I wouldn’t endorse a product I wouldn’t use. And y’know I-pods rock!

(Suspicious sound of money changing hands in the background)

Do you have an iPod?

Yeah. It’s 2D’s. I stole it out of his room.

What’s the upside of existing in a two-dimensional world?

I can stay awake longer than Keith Richards. I can be as mouthy as I want and no one seems to get bothered. And paternity suits don’t stick ’cause I don’t have any DNA.

Which bands do you prefer: Josie and the Pussycats or the Archies?

Hmm … Gwar.

The Bravery or The Killers?

Well, you can flush them both down the pan.

Oasis or Blur?

Er. . . Das Kuntzen Bottz.

Did you release a sex video on the Internet?

I’m not confessing to anything, but … look at everyone who’s ever released a sex tape. It never seems to harm their career. Even the most ‘Z’ list celebs seem to get a rocket put right under their profile as soon as their smutty little sex shots come out.

Were you inspired by Paris Hilton?

Ha. Ha. Ha. Inspired by Paris Hilton? That’s certainly a phrase you don’t hear very often. Inspired by Paris Hilton. Sounds like a particularly noxious perfume.

Are you going to have your own reality show next?

Listen mate, I’m already living my own reality show everyday? What, d’you think this is scripted?

What kind of band infighting has there been?

Usual nonsense. 2D pouncing around like a frontman, and me pulling rank, putting him in his place. I sold his liver on eBay a month ago, just to teach him a lesson. You don’t wanna mess with me, sunshine. I’m ruthless.

CD REVIEW

GORILLAZ

“Demon days”

* * * (three stars)

Virgin Records

After being caged for the past four years, Blur’s Damon Albarn releases the second edition of his cartoon band Gorillaz.

I could do without the anime gimmick and the “resurrection” concept because the music is enough – a very good collection that mixes up elements of hip-hop and pop with Beck-like skill.

The reason this disc might be more hip-pop than the old school beats of the 2001 Gorillaz debut is Albarn’s producer switch. Dan Nakamura is history, replaced by Danger Mouse – famous for his smashup of Jay-Z and The Beatles.

On this disc, Mister Mouse shows how fond he is of lusher sounds created with acoustic instruments, but he isn’t afraid to twirl the electronic knobs. As for Albarn’s vocal contributions to the music, he’s OK, but Blur fans should be warned that he’s not the reason to snag this disc.

This disc’s power is gleaned from tracks like the iPod-ready single “Feel Good, Inc.” that features De La Soul and the bizarre spoken, story track “Fire Coming Out Of A Monkey’s Head” that features actor Dennis Hopper.

Download this: “Dirty Harry”

– Dan Aquilante