May 3, 2012

Damon Albarn clarifies that Blur are not ending

Damon Albarn has spoken out finally about The Guardian interview a while ago, when he deemed the 'end of Blur' and possibly Gorillaz, his successful virtual band. The good news? He dismissed the rumours surrounding the comments he made in the article, which definitely helped clear up many of the things he said previously.

In the latest issue of ShortList, Damon seemed quite unhappy about how some of the comments he made got distorted - and even got to correct some of it.


When asked whether Blur will make a new record in the future, he stated that there are no concerete plans as of right now, but that the band will see how it is after their massive Olympics Hyde Park 2012 gigs-  "It would be interesting to see where it would arrive, because it would be very different, I'd imagine."

He also said that "there could be another Gorillaz album", as he was willing to make the music as long as Jamie Hewlett wanted to collaborate and do the illustration.


It seems that the article implied Damon is not saying Blur's over, The Guardian article exaggerated his comments and that the four boys are on good terms. It also seems that the Hyde Park gig this summer will be the make-or-break gig which may just determine the band's future prospect.


Albarn also said he was willing to collaborate with Noel Gallagher "if he [came] on the African Express train this September". The African Express Train will be Damon Albarn's new musical tour, set inside a train, travelling around Britain (click here to read more).

Scroll down for the scans for Damon's ShortList interview below (credits to JackS for the scans).




















It's brilliant news that Damon Albarn, the frontman, finally clears up the rumours and mixed messages so prevalent in recent media about Blur. Now, it all boils down to Hyde Park and whether the gig for the London Closing Ceremony will be a success, or a disaster.



Read Damon's full Guardian interview deeming the end of Blur HERE

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May 2, 2012

Graham Coxon narrowly escapes death from burning hotel

In the 90s, the media reported Graham Coxon's narrow escape from death - Graham was photographed getting hit by a car during an evening out. Here at BlurBalls, we dug up from his archive interviews what Graham said on his first near death experience:

Jamie: Have you ever been in a car crash?
Graham: I was run over when we signed our first record deal - it was almost the shortest career in the world. I was around Notting Hill Gate and I found myself bashed up into the sky and landing on the road.
Alan: Were you driving?
Graham: No, I was just drunk - walking in the road and this copper said 'Hey sonny, wake up' and I said 'Am I dead?' and he said 'No, but you've had a nasty knock, son. We're taking you to hospital.'
Jamie: Were you alright?
Graham: I had huge concussion - this Irish nurse was wheeling me around the hospital for hours doing tests. I just kept asking her to marry me all the time. There's nothing so good when you're drunk and concussed as an Irish voice. Not one of the harsh ones, but the soft ones.

Now, in 2012, he has done it again. A huge fire destroyed the seafront Best Western Hotel in Falmouth, Cornwall yesterday, and Graham Coxon narrowly got away, yet again. Staff and guests, including the Blur guitarist, was evacuated and no one was hurt.



On Coxon's official twitter page, he, who is performing at Princess Pavilion in the town, wrote: "We have rooms at the beach hotel and had to leave."
He later tweeted: "We watched it... We had to leave the foyer and then watch it get worse and worse... rather sad."
Watch the video clip, and listen to an appropriate Graham Coxon song below. Graham Coxon's luckily unscathed!  
Read Damon's full Guardian interview deeming the end of Blur HERE

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April 26, 2012

Gorillaz to make a new album - Damon Albarn on the future of his bands

BLUR NEWS: It's official - Blur is not over! Furthermore, Gorillaz will record another record in the future, even though the date is not announced yet; Jamie Hewlett and Damon Albarn has repaired their relationship and amended differences and all seems bright and well. 


The Metro featured a plain, no-nonsense interview with Damon Albarn, frontman of Blur and Gorillaz (amongst other projects) and it seems very positive. The interview is printed with little authorial intervention, and is in a question/answer format.

Albarn spoke out about Blur and Gorillaz's future, stating (quote from Metro) :



Are Blur and Gorillaz both finished?

No. That comes from an article which was an interesting take on a very long conversation. I don’t know how we’ll feel when we play Hyde Park. Some days I feel one way and other days I feel the other. If you don’t see something as a career but as an important part of your life, you don’t know how you’re going to feel about it. We want to put on a great performance but nothing’s been said between us about the beginning or the end. 

What about Gorillaz? 

When Jamie  [Hewlett] and I have worked out our differences, I’m sure we’ll make another record. 

Will that be difficult? 

I don’t think so. We’ve been through too much together for it to be that big of a mountain to climb. We’ve just fallen out like mates do sometimes. I’m not the only person to fall out with mates and then make up again – everyone does it. 

Are you looking forward to the Hyde Park gig in August? 

Very much so. I love playing with Blur – it’s one of the best feelings I’ve ever had. At the same time, though, I don’t want to cock it all up by staying around too long and making a fool of myself. At 44, there’s a little trepidation about jumping around on stage but I love it. 

Were you happy with your  performance at the Brits? 

Yes. I went there to thank our manager, Chris Morrison, and to have a laugh. I enjoyed myself. We take ourselves a lot less seriously now in the context of things like awards. 

What’s the worst gig you’ve done?

There have been a few but when things did go wrong we immediately rectified them for the next night. One stage in Spain was blown away in a storm but we werent on it, thankfully. 

What are you proudest of achieving?

Pride isn’t something I indulge in. I think everything could have been better. I could definitely improve on my interview technique. 

Have you visited Alex James’s cheese farm? 

Yes I have. I’ve tasted his cheese. It’s very good. What can I say? I’m not a 
cheese expert but it tasted like cheese to me. 

What are people’s misconceptions of you? 

That everything that comes out of my mouth is serious. 

What’s been your most extravagant purchase?

I’ve bought a lot of bicycles over the years but mainly because they keep getting nicked. I don’t go too high-end, just keep it basic. I usually buy them from a shop on Golborne Road [west London] and they’ve seen a few of my bikes cycling down the road with someone else on them. Every time they see it happen, they say: ‘Damon will be in again to buy another one.’

His new interview with the Metro is quite a positive for Blur and Gorillaz fans. It offers a bit more hope amidst the recent rumours that Blur are splitting up again. These rumours were fuelled by myriad of comments from Damon, Graham, Dave and Alex about the uncertain future of Blur and the group’s “last’ gigs.

The Band, all together, with a fan
Plus, Gorillaz is not over...yet. Is Damon saying that there will be a new Gorillaz album? Then he and Jamie Hewlett’s arguments are over? Or will Damon continue to change his mind, in each separate interview he does? It seems all positive here, yet again.

The thing is, Damon seems insecure in recent interviews. He has to stop thinking Blur's all about jumping around and making a racket on stage - it's about the music. Sure, stage antics are fun to watch, and jumping around does show energy. But Damon, it's ok if you just sing, and play "music for the ears".

Maybe it all depends on Damon’s mood – feeling low? No more Blur. Feeling alright? Blur and Gorillaz are back. Or perhaps the “Blur’s future” response “hat” that Graham talked about recently exists. Pick and choose your answer.

Feeling moody, Damon ? 
However, this interview definitely sparked new hope in fans, who thought that the band’s over for good after Hyde Park 2012. It’s a much more hopeful piece of evidence that Blur’s still going strong. 

It just goes to show that, with Damon, anything really, really could happen.

Download and listen to the full Damon Albarn / Stuart Maconie interview by CLICKING HERE (credits to Gorillaz Unofficial). Damon talks about Blur and Dr Dee.

Click HERE to read the full Metro interview, where Damon speaks more on Dr. Dee 

Leave a comment below and vote in our poll - what do you think of Blur's return - is it truly "to the end", or will they remain musically "young and lovely" ?
Read Damon's full Guardian interview deeming the end of Blur HERE

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April 24, 2012

Tickets for the African Express Train ? Damon Albarn reveals new tour plans

The London Olympics start in less than 100 days, and one of the key players in the event, Damon Albarn, has revealed that there will be a third London 2012 Olympic related project.

Damon Albarn has stated in a BBC 4 interview that his new project after the summer Hyde Park gigs will be called the "African Express Train". The ensemble of African musicians, along with Albarn and others, will "travel across the UK" and play music in places including Doncaster and Bradford. They will be playing "concerts in the evening" and be visiting schools.


African Express is Albarn's side projects, and its noted for it's diverse mix of Western and African talents. It's the epitome of Albarn's collaborative spirits, and love of African music which grew after the last Blur album Think Tank, in 2003.

So, it seems that Damon is getting on with Dr Dee and it's album release, playing with Blur this summer and then start touring with African Express - it seems 2012 will be, as usual, a varied year for Damon's many projects.

If the African Express Train tour is in place, it is likely that Blur, Albarn's first commercially successful band, may not be making any new material for a long time.

Where's the Blur train heading too? Has it already reached it's final destination, the Olympics 2012 ?

Listen to his interview HERE (from 9:00 - 13:00 mins)

Read Damon's full Guardian interview deeming the end of Blur HERE
Read all about Blur being BASHED AT THE BRITS (Adele!) HERE
Read all about Blur talking about their bleak future HERE
New "tear jerker" song HERE and check out their newest track Under the Westway HERE and read our REVIEW HERE.
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