Russel's Drum Circle
Cass Browne: The drummer behind Gorillaz from 2005 to 2012, contributing to live tours and recordings during that period.
During this period, he provided drums and drum machines on the album 'Demon Days' (2005), though the drums on the debut 'Gorillaz' (2001) were primarily performed by Damon Albarn and programmed by Dan the Automator.
- Leader
- None
- Base of Operations
- None
- Affiliation
- Gorillaz (Band Member)
- Status
- Active
- Primary Instrumentation
- Drums and Percussion
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Cass Browne joined the Gorillaz family around 2005, remaining an important member until his departure in 2012. He provided drums and drum machines for the band's second studio album 'Demon Days,' but not the first. His live contributions were significant, though he did not perform at all Gorillaz live shows from 2001 to 2010; the initial touring drummer was Roberto 'Rober' Frias, with Browne joining later around 2005. He is seen behind the drums during 'Demon Days Live' at the Manchester Opera House. In 2010, he performed on 'The Escape to Plastic Beach Tour,' which began on October 3 in Montreal, Canada, not at Coachella. The tour featured a rotating lineup of guests across different shows, including Lou Reed, Snoop Dogg, Bobby Womack, Neneh Cherry, Mark E. Smith, Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, De La Soul, Mos Def, Bootie Brown, Little Dragon, Shaun Ryder, Bashy, Kano, Gruff Rhys of Super Furry Animals, and the Syrian National Orchestra for Arabic Music, though no single show included all of them simultaneously.
In Their Own Story
However, the text describes specific real-world moments involving Cass Browne in Gorillaz contexts. He co-wrote and co-directed the 2001 mock-documentary 'Charts of Darkness' for Channel 4 with Dazed TV, hosted by Krishnan Guru-Murthy. He also wrote, voice-directed, and acted as musical supervisor for a 'MTV Cribs' episode aired on December 26, 2005, featuring the character Murdoc Niccals showing viewers around Kong Studio. Browne penned all dialogue for the band members, including the autobiography 'Rise of the Ogre' (2006) and MEL's website tour in Phase One: Celebrity Take Down (2002). He also wrote interviews for magazines as the characters Noodle, 2D, Russel, and Murdoc.
Reader's Guide
The source does detail Browne's other projects: he formed Delakota after Senseless Things split in 1995, releasing 'One Love' in 1998, which saw a Deluxe Digital Edition in 2022 with remixes by Fatboy Slim and others. He was part of Penguin Cafe from 2009 to 2019. In 2016, he joined Deadcuts but took an extended leave. In 2018, he formed Circle 60 with Morgan Nicholls, Des Murphy, and Ade Emsley, releasing 'Sawnoff ShotGold.' In 2019, he co-founded Loup GarouX with Ed Harcourt and Richard Jones, releasing their debut album 'Strangerlands' in October 2021.
Did You Know?
- Cass Browne's involvement with Gorillaz ended in 2012; he did not perform on the 2017 'Humanz' tour, where the live drummer was largely Karl Vanden Bossche.
- A visual for the Fatboy Slim remix of Delakota's 'C'mon Cincinnati' was assembled from footage of a fictionalized promotional event at the Hellfire Caves, not from an actual 1998 concert.
- The 2001 mock-documentary 'Charts of Darkness' was directed by David Barnard and written by Jamie Hewlett and Damon Albarn; Browne was not a co-writer or co-director.
- The Gorillaz album 'Demon Days' features Browne on drums, and he appears behind the kit in the live version recorded at the Manchester Opera House.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Russell Hobbs and what is his role in the band?
Russell Hobbs, often called Russel, is the fictional drummer for Gorillaz who has been a core member since their debut. He provides live drumming and percussion while also operating drum machines on albums like 'Gorillaz' and 'Demon Days'.
Is there an official group called 'Russell's Drum Circle'?
No, there is no canonical faction or separate organization known as 'Russell's Drum Circle' in the Gorillaz universe. Russell simply serves as the band's drummer alongside his fellow members Murdoc, 2-D, and Noodle.
What instruments does Russell play?
His primary instrumentation consists of acoustic drums and various forms of percussion. He also frequently utilizes drum machines to create electronic beats for the group's tracks.
How long has Russell been part of Gorillaz?
Russell has been an active member since the band's formation in 2001, contributing to their early albums and remaining a central figure throughout their history. His tenure spans over two decades of the band's fictional timeline.
Does Russell have any special powers or magical abilities?
Unlike some other characters in the Gorillaz lore who possess supernatural traits, Russell does not have documented magical powers or unique abilities. His significance comes from his musical talent and his role as the band's rhythmic foundation.
More in Guest Collaborators & Allies
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Elsewhere in the Gorillaz universe
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