''Rise of the Ogre'' is an autobiography about the virtual band Gorillaz, ostensibly written by the four band-members in collaboration with (actual) Gorillaz musician and official scribe

Cass Browne Cass Browne (born 27 September 1971 in Wimbledon, Surrey) is an English musician and writer. He was a member of the band The Psychotics who became Senseless Things in 1986. Senseless Things made four studio albums, achieved two UK Top 20 ...

. It was released in the UK on 26 October 2006 by Michael Joseph Ltd. and in the US on 2 November 2006 by Riverhead Books. A

paperback A paperback (softcover, softback) book is one with a thick paper or paperboard cover, and often held together with glue rather than stitches or staples. In contrast, hardcover (hardback) books are bound with cardboard covered with cloth, ...

edition of the book was released in the US on 6 November 2007. ''Rise of the Ogre'' has also been released as the world's first

audiobook An audiobook (or a talking book) is a recording of a book or other work being read out loud. A reading of the complete text is described as "unabridged", while readings of shorter versions are abridgements. Spoken audio has been available in sc ...

singles. The four part audiobook was narrated by Joss Ackland. Initially an iTunes exclusive, one part was released every week for four weeks beginning 4 December 2006. However, the audiobook on iTunes remains incomplete.

The book details the life-stories of the band-members:

Murdoc Niccals Murdoc Faust Niccals (born Murdoc Alphonce Niccals) is the fictional British bassist for the virtual band Gorillaz. He is voiced by Phil Cornwell and was created by Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett. In the Gorillaz universe, Murdoc was respon ...

, 2-D,

Russel Hobbs Russel Hobbs is a fictional American musician and member of the British virtual band Gorillaz. He provides the drums and percussion for the band. Like all the other Gorillaz band members, he was created by Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett in 1998 ...

, and

Noodle Noodles are a type of food made from unleavened dough which is either rolled flat and cut, stretched, or extruded, into long strips or strings. Noodles are a staple food in many cultures (for example, Chinese noodles, Filipino noodles, In ...

. It covers the band from 2000 and their first EP, ''

Tomorrow Comes Today "Tomorrow Comes Today" is a song from British alternative rock virtual band Gorillaz's self-titled debut album '' Gorillaz'' and was their first release when issued as an EP in November 2000. The first three songs from the EP ended up on th ...

'' through their 2006 tour ending at the Apollo Theater. It contains previously unknown secrets of the band, such as future plans of the movie, new and rare art by Gorillaz co-creator

Jamie Hewlett Jamie Christopher Hewlett (born 3 April 1968) is an English comic book creator, illustrator, music video director, and songwriter. He is the co-creator of the comic book '' Tank Girl'' with Alan Martin and co-creator of the virtual band Gorilla ...

, the "low down" on Kong Studios, their headquarters, and the story of the truth behind the " El Mañana" video. The book blends fact and fiction throughout, interspersing commentary from the band members with actual quotes from their creators, collaborators and critics. The front cover of the book, when flipped sideways, is a silhouette of

' pet raven 'Cortez'.

References

External links

''Rise of the Ogre'' preview trailer
{{Gorillaz Music autobiographies Fictional history Gorillaz Riverhead Books books

Contents

References

External links