Noisey has shared a new interview with Murdoc, the animated bassist and bandleader behind Gorillaz.
In it, Murdoc (full name Murdoc Niccals) said he "stage-dived into existence" outside a pub in Stoke-on-Trent, UK, where he also performed for the first time. "My old man made me sing in the monthly talent contest to win him beer money. First gig, I was 6 years old. Smashed out 'The Wheels on the Bus.' One of the most seminal gigs in pop history." His first kiss was a "bare-knuckle boxing champion" named Kelly O'Driscoll.
While Murdoc refused to give any new information about the impending fifth album from Gorillaz, he did discuss his opinions on music and modern politics. His favorite living musician — other than himself — is Ringo Starr. "While everyone else was coked out of their minds in the '80s, he did his career's finest work on Thomas the Tank Engine." Murdoc also chooses Oasis as the better band over Blur, the band fronted by Gorillaz co-creator Damon Albarn.
And, of course, Brexit came up. Murdoc spoke regretfully of Britain voting to leave the European Union, citing Lithuania's fast internet speeds as a benefit of staying. As for who should play James Bond in the next film, Murdoc vouches for Noodle, Gorillaz's bassist, because he's "a feminist now."
Read the entire interview here and check out Murdoc's multimedia story The Book of Murdoc below.
