The Story of Wolf Chapter6

Before the three-week tour of North America, the Gorillaz were nominated for six categories for the Brit Awards 2002. To make this happen, they would have to do something exceptional. February 20th 2002 Gorillaz perform at the Brit Awards 2002, Earls Court, London.

Murdoc: So, for this get, we needed to do something bigger and better this time. Playing behind a screen was just not gonna cut it.

To solve this problem, the visual producers got together and came up with a solution. With new cutting-edge technology, they decided to use a system of towering 18ft tall screens that would make the Gorillaz appear in a giant, larger-than-life size.

Wolf- You know those packages of food you get at the store that say 'Family Size'? Well, think of that but like 100 times bigger! I mean sure, I'm small but, seriously! These screens were huge!

Murdoc: I…er…we were like Gods! Big, huge band members playing right in there little faces.

There were a number of moments where the Passion Pictures crew had to test and test the visuals to see if they would actually work. For this futuristic show to work, they had to make it spectacular that history textbooks would have to put it in! That would actually be really cool. I mean, I'm always bored in history class so a Gorillaz reference here and there wouldn't be such a bad thing, you know?

Murdoc: Uh, can you, like, get on with the story?

During the nerve-wracking set up was hectic as ever. Everyone was all like "what if something goes wrong? Then the show would be a bust". Wolf just calmly rehearsed, along with some others, as everyone else was freaking out just to get the show ready.

Wolf- It's best just to keep your cool in those kinds of situations. So that's basically what I did.

Noodle: I agree. Sure, you can't just be lazy and not do the task at hand, but staying calm and thinking positive is the best path to follow.   

However, once the stage help told the band to take their places, Wolf got very nervous. "It's alright Wolf, you'll be great." Russel assured her as he took his place behind 2D. Noodle got into position on the far left of the stage, Murdoc the right, and Wolf behind 2D across from Russel. As the four cymbal crashes rang, Wolf saw the lights light up on her and she started playing. Throughout the performance, Wolf got a little more comfortable and started bouncing around the stage along with Noodle and perfectly beat-boxing when the stand-ins for Del started to rap their own tune.  Despite the amazing performance, the Gorillaz left the award show empty handed.

Russ: Sure, six categories and not a single award, but the fact that we made all those people cheering was the only award we really needed.

Murdoc: Russel, that's the cheesiest thing I've ever heard you say. True though, because I don't think even the rats under the building were quiet.

After the show, they had to get at least a few hours of sleep because the Gorillaz were due to fly to America the next day. It was still dark outside when they piled into the car to drive to the airport. Wolf and Noodle were sleeping on each other's shoulders the whole ride there. February 21st 2002 Gorillaz depart for America. The North American Tour had been planned to unveil the Gorillaz live show to the US and also ran alongside the Stateside release of Gorillaz 'G-Sides' album. The excitement was building as they edged closer to America. Other than Russel, the band members have never been to the States. (Of course there is the matter in which no one knows if Wolf has ever been there or not but we cannot be sure of that due to her amnesia) The plane touched down in good old Canadia eh and the thrilling, last minute settle in's commenced before the show that night. February 23rd 2002 Toronto Docks, Canada was the first stop of this amazing three-week tour.

2D: To be honest, when we first pulled into that town, I thought the sign said Toronto Ducks.

With the first performance hours away, everyone was still unsure about the idea of the band playing behind the screens. They felt it cut off the band members from the audience who are asking for a genuine live experience. Although they wanted to kick off the tour with a monstrous start, the performance went a little edgy. It was so bad and time-consuming that the Gorillaz refused to perform an encore.

Wolf- Sure people deserve a proper encore, but they had to understand where we were coming from. The visuals wigged out a few times and we were all still tired from the plane ride over. But I'm sure if I had a few sodas, I would've been able to play another song.

The bad reviews started to pile in. But these minor set-backs didn't break their spirits. Russel seemed pretty proud returning to his homeland.

Russ: Yeah, to be back in the States was like comin home, ya know? On the second night in Boston, I felt such a proud feeling that I played like I've never played before.

Even this wasn't the only good news. The show in Boston was an improvement compared to Toronto and everyone could see it. But, even then was another set-back that all bands had to endure on the road: the dreaded tour bus. Within a few moments of getting settled, the place was like the afterward product of a kid's party at a pizza arcade! And not the clean kind, I mean the sugar-crazed, snotty brats that take your coins and steal your well-deserved tickets!

Wolf- I think they should invent some kind of tour bus robot to clean up the mess.

2D: Even then, I think the robot with self-destruct at the stench. Speaking of which, Murdoc always seems to pop an egg in the microwave and within minutes it has already exploded and stinkin up the whole place!

Murdoc: I never, ever, put an egg in the microwave.

Noodle: You lie.

Then there is the matter of stench. And not just Murdoc's exploded egg, but flatulence is always a problem when faced with fast food and hours in a mobile stench wagon.

Noodle: It can be a truly unpleasant existence.

2D: Shut up Noodle. You're the worst!

Wolf- Hate to break it to ya Noodle, but he's right.

Despite this, the Gorillaz were having the time of their lives and by the third performance, they were feeling like the top dogs and even the audience could notice.

Murdoc (smirking): I've always said, third times the charm.

Wolf- You've never said that until now.

The tour bus became the stereo on wheels as the band cut through the night-time deserts of America. Wolf enjoyed herself immensely.

Wolf- You try sticking your head out the window of a bus going 60 down the highway! A total rush.

I'll try that sometime. Anyway, arguments still broke out on occasion. Whether it was fighting over the PlayStation or the stereo getting thrown out the window, they happened. Some nights at the hotel were long and restless due to Murdoc's loud music and occasional chanting. Sure they were having a great time with invites to post-gig parties and meet ups with some respected US bands, but dark clouds started to roll in. With Murdoc's…uh… rituals, hotel management complained constantly of having to clean up the residue.

2D: The things that Murdoc conjured up were scary. I was so afraid to close my eyes and wake up to a smiling demon on my bed.

Noodle had now become a virtual recluse, walling herself up in her room at the hotel, or choosing to remain in her bunk when the band travelled by bus. Russ, 2D, and Murdoc put it down to a combination of her young age and road fatigue. Even that wasn't the truth as to seeing Wolf, four years younger than Noodle, bouncing off the walls and ecstatic as ever. But what really was that Noodle, suffering in silence, was experiencing odd flashbacks, snapshots of her forgotten past. It would seem that her suppressed memories were beginning to erupt from her subconscious mind.

Wolf, seeing Noodle down, wanted to help as always but Russel told her to leave Noodle alone. Seeing as the two share a hotel room, leaving Noodle alone would be hard. Sitting on the couch in the moving vehicle, Wolf constantly glances at the depressed-ridden guitarist. Failed attempts of wanting to play a friendly game or just talk were treated with a shrug or just being ignored. Wolf was getting upset about the fact that the rest of the members brushed it aside. Even a knock on the back door to the bus was left with Noodle shouting at her best friend. "Told you not to bother her." Russ says as he passes by the hurt Wolf.

But, this was not all doom and gloom when they pulled up to the Big Apple! Next stop, New York Hammerstein Ballroom, USA!          

-That's all I gots for now. Next, chapter 7 comin up-