February 11, 2011

Site Upgrades

Hey everyone! I decided to upgrade to a custom domain (the one you are in right now) for this BlurBlog.


It's now officially called BlurBalls - with an "s" and the new link is www.blurballs.com !

Please bookmark this page and I look forward to many years of hosting this site!


February 10, 2011

Damon Albarn to sing with Snoop Dogg

Snoop Dogg's official site confirms that Gorillaz will feature on his new album "Doggumentary", due to be released on March 29th. The album art was unveiled a few days ago to fans. 



Guests on the album include Kanye, E-40, Gorillaz, R.Kelly, Wiz Khalifa, Jeezy, T-Pain and more. Below is the tracklist for Doggumentary.

01. Toys In The Hood (feat. Bootsy Collins) /Produced by Jake One
02. My Own Way /Produced by Denaun Porter
03. Eyes Closed (feat. Kanye West & John Legend) /Produced by Kanye West
04. Something Like This (feat. Gorillaz) /Produced by Gorillaz
05. Take You Home (feat. Too Short, Kokane & Daz Dillinger) /Produced by Meech Wells
06. El Jay (feat. Marty James) /Produced by Scoop Deville
07. Cold Game (feat. LaToya Williams) /Produced by Rick Rude
08. Don't It Feel Good (feat. Ne-Yo) /Produced by David Banner
09. Dirty Dancer (feat. Trey Songz) /Produced by Trylogy
10. Superman (feat. Willie Nelson) /Produced by Willie Nelson's Band
11. Raised In The Hood /Produced by Warren Campbell
12. Choose /Produced by Black Mob
13. This Weed Is Mine (feat. Wiz Khalifa) /Produced by Scoop Deville
14. Gangbang Rookie (feat. Pilot) /Produced by J-Kwon
15. New Year's Eve (feat. Marty James) /Produced by Scoop Deville
16. Wet /Produced by The Cataracs


Click here to check out Snoop Dogg's official website with the good news.

I'm glad - this means we will get to hear Damon sing again. One more of his fantastic collaborations with different bands can be added to our Blur collection!

Seeing as Snoop Dogg sang in Plastic Beach (Welcome to the World of the Plastic Beach, watch below), I wonder if Damon will even tour with him in 2011 ?




Guys, 2011 seems very promising so far. Damon's back on track, Gorillaz is not splitting up (yet), Graham, Dave and Alex seems optimistic and open about Blur doing some more tracks and jamming together and don't forget Damon's new opera and Graham's film soundtrack!

Oh, and don't forget, Alex James is hosting a music festival and Dave's running for politics again.

Now if only Jamie and Damon can just get along.... then we might even get to hear those Gorillaz B-sides that they never released.

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Gorillaz break up rumors quashed !

The on-again, off-again rumors can officially be put to a rest: Gorillaz are not breaking up, a publicist for the group says.

The rumors of a Gorillaz split go back to last year when the band was on tour. At that point, Damon Albarn told the Toronto Sun that the group may call it quits at the end of their tour. 

That rumor was “confirmed” last week in an article in People Magazine that said the group had “sensationally split.” Hold your horses, a band representative said. That’s not the case at all. When asked to confirm or deny the rumors of a breakup, the band’s rep said:
So, breathe easy everybody!

During a performance in New Zealand back in December, vocalist Damon Albarn gave a lengthy speech about how the show might end up being the band's last ever live performance. 
Well, the relationship between band members Jamie Hewlett and Damon is still on the rocks. Hewlett is said to be pissed at Damon over "how much time Albarn was giving to his many other projects." 
On the flipside, Albarn has been "less than impressed with Jamie's party lifestyle" lately.
And the two were the best of friends!
Jamie Hewlett's son Denholm has spoken up about the shaky friendship on Gorillaz-Unofficial. Denholm posted, "I just spoke to my dad... he said its rubbish, they have kinda fallen out... they're just taking time apart from each other to work on other projects. gorillaz are not gunna split up, its fine."

I sure hope Denholm's not messing around.  However, if it all turns out to be true and Jamie and Damon are really ready to call it quits, there better be some pretty damn good Blur projects in the works. 

Look what I found...

Either way, it's looking good for us fans. Gorillaz aren't splitting up (yet) and Blur seems to be tethering along in their studio.

Lets see what happens. Subscribe for more news and updates! 


February 9, 2011

Alex James on the possible Blur reunion

Blur bassist Alex James has refused to talk about rumours that the band are recording new material.

Last month, Blur's drummer Dave Rowntree told Gigwise the band would “definitely” do something together again in 2011.

The band were planning to reunite and gather in the studio together again at the end of January and into February. 




But when asked about the speculation, James told BBC Newsbeat: "Musician makes record, that's not news, but musician makes cheese and puts on festival that's news.

"Nothing to report from Blur, we're mates and we always will be. We'll always get together now and again."
 

James added that he was currently concentrating on his forthcoming musical festival, Harvest, which will take place at his home in Oxfordshire in September.

"Would Blur play? You should ask them. One day. Who knows? Could be good," he said. 


Just a little update on what's going on in the Blur world... Alex's keeping it positive and Dave and Graham have tweeted and facebook'd about this. All up to Damon now!

Read the original article: Gigwise


Plastic Beach goes Platinum in the UK

GuzziHero from Gorillaz-Unofficial sends the news that Plastic Beach has gone platinum in the UK (300,000 copies shipped).



It was certified Platinum on 4th February. You can search for Gorillaz certified awards in the UK, on the BPI searchable awards database here.

As for the US, it's reaching Gold. Not quite there yet though!


February 8, 2011

Vote for Gorillaz in the NME Awards 2011

Gorillaz are up for 3 awards at this year's NME Awards.

Damon doing Gorillaz

Stylo is up for best track, against Cee Lo Green - "Fuck You" -Foals - "Spanish Sahara" -Janelle Monae (feat. Big Boi) - "Tightrope" -Mark Ronson & the Business Intl - "Bang Bang Bang"

Stylo is also up for best video, up against -Arcade Fire - "We Used to Wait" -Brandon Flowers - "Crossfire" -Chase & Status - "Let You Go" -My Chemical Romance - "Na Na Na"



Plastic Beach is up for Best Album Artwork, up against -Foals - "Total Life Forever" -Klaxons - "Surfing the Void" -MGMT - "Congratulations" -My Chemical Romance - "Danger Days"

You can check out all the categories, and vote, here.



Hope Gorillaz sweep 3 awards up!


February 7, 2011

Gorillaz to split up ?

The future of Gorillaz has been thrown into doubt after Damon Albarn admitted 2005’s ‘Demon Days’ is “probably the last album we make”.

The star was speaking after the fourth show of the cartoon outfit’s five-night New York Harlem Apolloresidency last night (April 5).



Albarn told BBC 6 Music that although he was happy with the way things were going within the group, he thinks they’ve maybe taken the concept as far as it can go.

He admitted: "At the moment we're like, that's probably the last album we make, I don't think we could make a better album than ‘Demon Days’really, for what this is and how it works."

However, he left a door open by adding: "Last night we thought 'Surely this isn't the end', and I don't know we're saying it's the end again, but it's quite a hip-hop thing to retire and come back you know."

The issue has been clouded even further by the revelation earlier this week by Blur bass player Alex Jamesthat the band have reconvened recently to make new music, their first since the release of the 2003 LP‘Think Tank’.

The grand finale of Gorillaz’ NYCresidency takes place tonight (April 6). As was the case during theirManchester Opera House residency in late 2005, guests De La SoulIke TurnerNeneh CherryShaun RyderRoots Manuva and Martina Topley-Bird all joined the band to perform ‘Demon Days’ in full.

However, last night actor Dennis Hopper joined the band on stage to perform vocals on ‘Fire Coming Out Of The Monkey's Head’ live for the first time.

Different versions of the article makes out that:


  • The Gorillaz world tour 'became dogged with angry rows'


  • Things 'havent been great for a while' between Damon and Jamie


  • 'the other week', after the end of the tour, things came to a head and there was a 'massive argument' that 'basically ended things


  • Jamie was 'frustrated at how much time Damon was giving to his many other projects' and Damon was 'less than impressed with Jamie's party lifestyle'.


  • a band insider is quoted as saying 'it would take a lot to get Jamie and Damon back together'


  • Gorillaz will quit after appearing in a movie, to be directed by Terry Gilliam and scored by frontman Damon Albarn. Albarn has confirmed Gorillaz have released their last ever album and will go their separate ways when the film is released.



    The news comes after months of speculation about the future of the band – the Blur frontman’s side project. He says: “We’re trying to make a film next, starting in September hopefully. There won’t be another pop record.”

    If the thing reads like a tabloid piece, it’s because it is. That said, the news does come just weeks after Albarn delivered a lengthy speech during the band’s final scheduled concert in which he told the audience that this may be the final time the collective performs together.

    Currently, Albarn is said to be working with his other acclaimed outfit, Blur, as well as on an opera.

    Well, personally I think you can never take Damon seriously anymore after these few years (Blur are never going to make another album...then "Blur are back!"). Lets wait and see, but for the next year or so, I wouldn't expect anything Gorillaz.

    Aw.


    Graham Coxon - a Twit ?

    According to this Sun article, Graham Coxon is officially a Twit.

    I never knew the tweet got removed, but I can't help thinking, the two tweets are essentially the same thing! They both mean that Blur have gotten back together and have been jamming something up in their studio.


    Quote someone on the forums: Graham always brings good news, unlike that Damon!

    Perhaps Damon's telling him to keep it quiet and let another big surprise spring up on us?


    February 4, 2011

    Alex James turns into Festival host

    Blur bassist turned country squire Alex James once confessed that in the heady days of Britpop he had spent £1m on champagne in three years. He had no regrets, saying that "the road of excess leads to the palace of wisdom".

    Guests at the festival he is planning to host on his Oxfordshire estate can expect a slightly less debauched affair, with the event set to focus on James's new drug of choice – food.

    The four-day festival will, of course, also feature James's longest-standing addiction, with music from acts such as KT Tunstall.


    The Harvest festival, due to take place from 9 to 12 September, will showcase "the very best of the British food scene alongside a soundtrack of the finest bands around", according to organisers. It is more than likely that James's award-winning cheeses – such as Blue Monday, named after his favourite New Order song – will also feature.

    Since leaving Blur, James has exchanged his plane for a Volvo, and his London high life for a quieter existence in the country. But the star, now a broadcaster and writer as well as a cheesemaker, is expected to record with Blur again this year.

    Last year, lead singer Damon Albarn said the band would "probably do something in January" and had discussed getting together early this year to work on a small project.

    The band reunited in 2009 for a series of rapturously received concerts after a six-year break. They also released a new song, Fool's Day, as a limited edition 7-inch record that quickly sold out.

    For James, the festival seems to be as much about the fodder as the music. Notable foodies at the event will include Richard Corrigan, Mark Hix and Yotam Ottolenghi. As if any more proof of James's graduation into country living were needed, it was revealed that Gardeners' World host Monty Don will also take part.

    "We'll throw open the farm gates for Harvest this September," said James. "My family are looking forward to a celebration of all our favourite things – food, the farm and music. What more could we ask for?"

    At the farm in Kingham, Chipping Norton, there will be a range of pursuits on offer, including gardening workshops, cookery masterclasses, a children's field, pop-up restaurants and the obligatory farmers' market.

    A spokesman for festival organiser Big Wheel said: "Alex will bring his energy and personality to Harvest and help us celebrate the simple pleasures in life. As a food and music lover himself, we are ecstatic to be joining him for a weekend of mouth-watering treats and great tunes."

    The festival will be a sister event to the one launched by TV presenter Jimmy Doherty at his farm in Suffolk, which will take place on the same weekend.



    Source: Guardian


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