current_members website article_title landscape background genre image origin name
'' ` non-virtual : '' ' . gorillaz.com gorillaz
 yes group_or_band -lcb- -lcb- flatlist 240px essex , england gorillaz
gorillaz

gorillaz are an english virtual band created in 1998 by damon albarn and jamie hewlett .
the band consists of four animated members : 2d -lrb- lead vocals , keyboard -rrb- , murdoc niccals -lrb- bass guitar -rrb- , noodle -lrb- guitar , keyboard , and backing vocals -rrb- and russel hobbs -lrb- drums and percussion -rrb- .
these members are completely fictional and are not personas of any `` real life '' musicians involved in the project .
their fictional universe is explored through the band 's website and music videos , as well as a number of other media , such as short cartoons .
the music is a collaboration between various musicians , with albarn being the only permanent musical contributor .
their style is an amalgamation of genres , with influences including rock , alternative , britpop , trip hop , hip hop , electronica , indie , dub , reggae and pop .
the band 's 2001 debut album `` gorillaz '' sold over seven million copies and earned them an entry in the `` guinness book of world records '' as the most successful virtual band .
it was nominated for the mercury prize in 2001 , but the nomination was later withdrawn at the band 's request .
their second studio album , `` demon days '' , released in 2005 , went five times platinum in the uk , double platinum in the us , earned five grammy award nominations for 2006 and won one of them in the best pop collaboration with vocals category .
the band has won numerous other awards , including two mtv video music awards , an nme award , three mtv europe music awards , and have been nominated for nine brit awards .
the combined sales of the `` gorillaz '' and `` demon days '' albums had exceeded 15 million by 2007 .
the band 's third studio album , `` plastic beach '' , was released in march 2010 .
their latest album , `` the fall '' , was released in december 2010 as a free download for fan club members , then in april 2011 as a physical release .
the future of the project was once under speculation due to the status of albarn and hewlett 's friendship ; however , gorillaz plan to release new material in 2016 .
