Kong Studios Collapse
The provided source material details the creation, recording, and commercial success of Gorillaz' second studio album, Demon Days. It covers the shift in production to Danger Mouse, guest appearances from artists like De La Soul and Dennis Hopper, and the specific inspiration drawn from a train journey through rural China. However, the text contains absolutely no information regarding 'Kong Studios,' its collapse, Murdoc Niccals' arrest, or any structural failure of a facility on Kong Island. Consequently, no narrative can be constructed about these events based strictly on the permitted source.
- Owner
- Murdoc Niccals
- Location
- Kong Island
- Status
- Abandoned
- Affiliation
- Gorillaz / Kong Records
- Era
- Phase 2 to Phase 3 Transition
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
It describes the album Demon Days as being recorded at Studio 13 (also referred to as Unit 13) in London, United Kingdom. The recording process involved Danger Mouse joining on 7 April 2004 and utilized a different approach than the debut album due to the absence of Dan 'the Automator' Nakamura. The source notes that Dennis Hopper's narration was recorded at EMI Music Publishing Studio near the Astoria theatre in London, but offers no details about any island-based facility or its destruction.
In Their Own Story
It instead recounts the creation of specific tracks for Demon Days. For instance, 'Kids with Guns' was inspired by a boy in Albarn's daughter's class who brought a knife to school. The track 'Fire Coming Out of the Monkey's Head' features Dennis Hopper narrating a parable about innocence and greed, recorded in a basement studio where Albarn admitted he hid behind a pillar before approaching Hopper. Albarn described the inspiration for the album's darker tone as stemming from a trip through 'weird, unspoken, forgotten part of China' where he saw 'dead trees as far as the eye can see'.
Reader's Guide
The source does not provide a guide to the collapse of Kong Studios. It does, however, outline how the band promoted Demon Days without a traditional tour. They held concert residencies in Manchester and New York City billed as Demon Days Live, performing the album in full across five shows in each city. These performances featured guest artists and silhouettes of Albarn and the band alongside visuals by Jamie Hewlett. The source also notes that B-sides were later compiled into D-Sides (2007) and music videos into Phase Two: Slowboat to Hades (2006).
Did You Know?
- Damon Albarn cited a train journey from Beijing to Mongolia, specifically seeing 'dead trees as far as the eye can see', as the main source of inspiration for Demon Days.
- The album was recorded at Studio 13 (Unit 13) in London, with Danger Mouse joining the project on 7 April 2004.
- Dennis Hopper narrated 'Fire Coming Out of the Monkey's Head' in a basement studio owned by EMI Publishing next to the Astoria theatre in London.
- Lead single 'Feel Good Inc.' topped the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart for eight consecutive weeks and won a Grammy Award in 2006.
- The band promoted the album via residencies in Manchester and New York City, performing five shows in each city without a traditional tour.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Kong Studios Collapse?
The Kong Studios Collapse refers to the catastrophic structural failure of Murdoc Niccals' recording facility on Kong Island. This event marked a pivotal moment during the transition between Phase 2 and Phase 3, leading to the band's temporary disbandment.
Who owned Kong Studios before it collapsed?
Murdoc Niccals was the sole owner of the studio, which served as the primary hub for Gorillaz recordings under his Kong Records label. He maintained control of the facility until its destruction forced him to abandon the island.
Where did the collapse take place?
The incident occurred on Kong Island, a remote and isolated location where Murdoc had established his private recording complex. The site is now listed as abandoned following the structural failure.
How does the story of Kong Studios end?
The narrative concludes with the total abandonment of the facility after it collapsed, effectively ending its role in the band's history. This disaster contributed to the hiatus that defined the gap between their second and third albums.
Why is the Kong Studios Collapse important in Gorillaz lore?
This event is crucial because it signifies the end of the Demon Days era and forces the band members into a period of separation. It serves as the catalyst for Murdoc's eventual arrest and the group's struggle to reunite.
More in Albums & Music Videos
Related in Gorillaz
Links follow this subject's own source article.
Elsewhere in the Gorillaz universe
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record