2-D

Before the Japanese guitarist Noodle joined, Gorillaz consisted of four members: 2-D, Murdoc Niccals, Russel Hobbs, and Paula Cracker — who was the band’s original guitarist and the only female member at that time. This lineup represented the earliest stage of the band’s fictional history, before their official debut and transformation into the Gorillaz we know today.

Full Name: Stuart Harold Pot Stage Name: 2-D (short for “Two Dents”) Role: Lead vocals, keyboard Appearance: Tall, skinny, with black-blue hair, sunken black eyes (due to head injuries), and a somewhat dazed expression.

Background and Story: 2-D started out as an average young man from Crawley, England, who worked at his father’s amusement park. His life took a strange turn when Murdoc Niccals, while attempting to steal musical equipment, accidentally crashed a car into the shop 2-D was working at. This first crash gave Stuart his first head injury — one of the “dents” that earned him his nickname. Later, during another reckless stunt by Murdoc, 2-D was hit again, giving him his second dent and knocking out his normal eyes, turning them permanently black.

As part of his court punishment for injuring 2-D, Murdoc was ordered to take care of him. During this odd partnership, Murdoc realized 2-D had a unique, haunting singing voice, perfect for his new musical ambitions. 2-D’s injury left him spaced out but musically gifted — his dreamy, otherworldly tone became the band’s signature sound.

Personality: 2-D is kindhearted but often airheaded, innocent, and easily manipulated by Murdoc. Despite his lack of awareness at times, he’s deeply creative and intuitive about music. He’s the dreamer of the group — caught between reality and his own surreal, childlike world. Even in the early days, he was the face of Gorillaz, with his striking appearance and vulnerable personality capturing fans’ attention.

Musical Traits: He brought a soft melancholy to Gorillaz’s early sound. His vocals, often layered with emotion and ambiguity, gave the band’s dark satire and animated world a human touch. 2-D also played keyboards, often providing the melodic and harmonic base for their songs.

Full Name: Murdoc Alphonce Niccals Role: Bass guitar, founder, band leader Appearance: Greenish skin (due to later demonic themes), long nose, sharp features, and a crooked smile. Usually dressed like a punk rock occultist.

Background and Story: Murdoc was the self-proclaimed creator of Gorillaz. Born in Stoke-on-Trent, England, he grew up in a dysfunctional and abusive family, developing a bitter personality and twisted sense of humor. Fascinated by rock legends like Black Sabbath and The Clash, he dreamed of forming the ultimate band that would make him famous and rich.

Murdoc’s ambitions were darkly comical — he literally “recruited” his band members through crime, chaos, and manipulation. After crashing into 2-D’s workplace, he realized he had found a singer. He later stole Russel Hobbs’ drum kit and recruited him, too. Murdoc also brought in his then-girlfriend, Paula Cracker, to play guitar.

He was known to live in Kong Studios, the fictional haunted headquarters of the band, which reflected his gothic and rebellious energy.

Personality: Murdoc is egotistical, sleazy, and obsessed with fame and power. He constantly calls himself a genius, though his musical ability is genuine — he’s a skilled bassist and the driving force behind the band’s sound. He often bullies 2-D, taking credit for everything, but deep down he respects his bandmates’ talents.

Musical Traits: Murdoc’s basslines give Gorillaz their dark, gritty undertone — often funky, heavy, and dirty. He modeled his playing after punk and metal legends, bringing a sinister groove that balanced 2-D’s dreamy voice. Even in the early Paula Cracker era, Murdoc was the architect — writing songs, designing the band’s image, and controlling the chaos.

Full Name: Russel Hobbs Role: Drums and percussion Appearance: Large build, usually seen with a calm expression, wearing caps or hoodies. His eyes glow white due to spiritual possession.

Background and Story: Russel grew up in New York City, where he attended a private school until he was possessed by a demon — literally. After an incident in which his best friends were killed in a drive-by shooting, their souls entered his body. Among them was Del the Ghost Rapper (based on real-life rapper Del the Funky Homosapien), who later manifested as a ghostly presence in Gorillaz’s early songs.

Russel’s possession gave him a deep spiritual and musical power. He moved to England after being expelled from school for violent, possessed behavior. There, he was discovered by Murdoc, who was impressed by his rhythmic skills and supernatural story.

Personality: Russel is the wise and grounded member of the band. Despite his intimidating presence, he’s philosophical, thoughtful, and loyal to his friends. His spiritual connection gives him a mysterious air — he’s often portrayed as the moral compass of the group, especially compared to Murdoc’s chaos.

Musical Traits: As a drummer, Russel mixes hip-hop beats, funk rhythms, and live drum sounds. In the early Gorillaz period, his drumming was the glue that held the sound together — blending electronic loops with organic percussion. Through him, the band connected to hip-hop influences that would define much of their early identity.

Full Name: Paula Cracker Role: Guitarist, backing vocals Appearance: Blonde, punk-inspired girl with a rebellious attitude — typically drawn in casual clothes, sometimes with torn jeans and boots.

Background and Story: Paula Cracker was the first and original guitarist of Gorillaz before Noodle joined. She was also Murdoc’s girlfriend at the time and played a key role in the earliest formation of the band. Little is known about her background, but she was part of the initial experiments Murdoc was doing to form the “world’s greatest band.”

Her time in the band was short-lived. She was caught cheating on Murdoc with 2-D in the toilets of Kong Studios — an act that led to her being violently kicked out of the group. This incident became a crucial turning point in Gorillaz history: it left the band without a guitarist and paved the way for Noodle’s arrival, who would soon replace Paula and help transform Gorillaz into the iconic lineup known worldwide.

Personality: Paula is portrayed as rebellious, edgy, and flirtatious. She shared Murdoc’s punk energy but lacked his ambition. Her relationship with Murdoc was turbulent and built more on chaos than affection. After being kicked out, she disappeared from the Gorillaz storyline entirely, her fate left ambiguous.

Musical Traits: Paula’s guitar style was raw and garage-like, matching the early “rough” phase of the band. Though she didn’t appear on any official Gorillaz releases, she symbolized the band’s scrappy beginnings — a prelude to their later, more refined sound.

Even though Paula Cracker’s tenure in Gorillaz was brief, her presence is important in the band’s lore:

She represents the prototype era — the testing ground before the band became international icons.

Her departure triggered the arrival of Noodle, marking a new era of creative balance and musical sophistication.

Her relationship drama with Murdoc adds depth and dark humor to the Gorillaz mythology, fitting their satirical tone.

In-universe, Gorillaz members rarely mention Paula, but her influence lingers as part of the chaotic foundation that shaped who they became.

The Paula Cracker era represents Gorillaz’s “pre-evolution” — the chaotic laboratory phase before the band’s musical identity took shape. A few symbolic aspects stand out:

Chaos to Creation: Murdoc’s reckless behavior literally created the band, symbolizing that art can rise from destruction.

Accidental Genius: 2-D’s injuries and musical gift show the idea of beauty coming from brokenness.

Possession and Soul: Russel’s ghost-filled backstory blends horror with hip-hop, symbolizing the band’s blend of spiritual and cultural influences.

Rebellion and Failure: Paula represents impermanence and betrayal, showing that even within Gorillaz’s fiction, relationships and creativity can be unstable.

When Paula was still in the group, Gorillaz was more of a chaotic garage band than a polished virtual act. Their music and personalities clashed in humorous but volatile ways:

Murdoc acted as the self-proclaimed leader and visionary, forcing his wild ideas on everyone.

2-D served as the soft-spoken dreamer and face of the group, unintentionally charming audiences.

Russel was the rhythmic foundation and spiritual core, trying to maintain peace among the dysfunction.

Paula was the fiery wild card — her presence added sexual tension and a punk energy, but her fallout with Murdoc nearly destroyed the band before it truly began.

Their early days were full of reckless energy, violence, and strange coincidences — but also creativity. This messy origin is part of what made Gorillaz’s later success feel earned. When Paula left, the band needed a new guitarist — which led to one of the most iconic introductions in virtual band history: Noodle, a mysterious young guitarist from Japan who arrived in a FedEx box and completed the now-classic lineup.

Name: Noodle (real name unknown)

Role: Lead guitarist, occasional vocalist

Born: Osaka, Japan

Appearance: Small, childlike (around 10 years old in Phase 1), with short dark hair and often seen wearing a military cap and goggles

Backstory

Noodle’s arrival is one of the most mysterious and iconic moments in Gorillaz lore. After Paula Cracker (the original guitarist) left the band, Murdoc placed an ad for a new guitarist. Soon after, a large FedEx box arrived at Kong Studios from Japan.

When the box was opened, out jumped a young girl who simply said one word: “Noodle.” She immediately grabbed a guitar and played an incredible solo that blew everyone away. From that moment on, she became the new guitarist and the heart of Gorillaz’s musical evolution.

Personality

Noodle is quiet, intelligent, and mysterious. In Phase 1, she barely speaks (only in Japanese), but she expresses herself through her music and martial arts prowess. Though young, she’s extremely skilled and wise beyond her years.

Her innocence contrasts with the dark, dysfunctional world of the band, making her both their conscience and their hope. She’s the only member who seems genuinely pure, yet she’s also hiding secrets about her origin that wouldn’t be revealed until later phases.

Role in the Band

Noodle is the lead guitarist and the secret weapon of Gorillaz’s sound. Her riffs and melodies bring a sense of energy and precision to the music. Songs like “19-2000” and “Sound Check (Gravity)” feature her creative guitar work.

She also plays a vital role in the band’s development, symbolizing rebirth and internationalism—Gorillaz’s ability to transcend language, race, and borders through music.

In Phase 1

During Phase 1, Noodle is portrayed as mysterious but endearing. She rarely speaks but steals the show with her skill. In music videos, she often acts as the calm center of chaos—riding in the Jeep in “19-2000” or shredding guitar in “Clint Eastwood.”

She lives at Kong Studios with the rest of the band, sometimes venturing into its dark hallways. Her innocence and focus make her the band’s creative soul, contrasting sharply with Murdoc’s corruption and 2-D’s confusion.

She joins later when Paula gets kicked out.