Spacemonkeyz are a cartoon band who were created to exist within the Gorillaz lore. The band (in real life) is made up of Darren Galea, Richie Stevens & Gavin Dodds, a trio who got their start as Spacemonkeyz with the Gorillaz B-side, Tomorrow Dub. This soon led to the group getting a remix album, Laika Come Home. A remix album for Demon Days was also planned, but it was eventually scrapped.
LORE
The Spacemonkeyz (D-Zire, Dubversive & Gavva) were 3 chimps from the second generation of mutated offspring, descended from the monkeys sent into space during the Cold War. The trio consider Laika their god and have been searching for her across all of space. During their search, they stumbled across Kong Studios whilst Gorillaz were touring America in 2002; 2D had left the studio unlocked, allowing the trio to break in, steal the Gorillaz master tapes & create a remix album. Its release behind the band’s back infuriated Murdoc, regardless of the positive reviews the album received.
MUSIC
Laika Come Home [versus Gorillaz]
Release date: 1st July 2002
Formats: Enhanced CD / CD / 12″ Vinyl
A remix album of tracks from Gorillaz.
Tracklist:
- Jungle Fresh
- Strictly Rubbadub
- Bañana Baby
- Monkey Racket
- De-Punked
- P.45
- Dub Ø9
- Crooked Dub
- Mutant Genius
- Come Again
- A Fistful of Peanuts
- Lil’ Dub Chefin’ / Strictly Rubbadub (Extended)
Mensch [vs. Grönemeyer]
Release date: 3rd September 2002
Formats: 12″ Vinyl
Released only in Germany, this EP contains various remixes of Herbert Grönemeyer’s single, Mensch; from the album of the same name.
Tracklist:
Side A –
- Mensch (Master Remix)
- Mensch (Instrumental)*
Side B –
- Mensch (Dub)
- Mensch (St Entienne)
*An instrumental of Mensch (Master Remix).
Lil’ Dub Chefin’ [versus Gorillaz]
Release date: 22nd July 2002
Formats: Enhanced CD / 10″ Vinyl
Released only in the UK, this was the only single from Laika Come Home.
B-sides:
- Lil’ Dub Chefin’ (Radio Edit)
- Space Monkeyz Theme [Spacemonkeyz]
Virgin Souls – Snakes and Ladders (Spacemonkeyz Mix)
Release date: 2010
Formats: Digital
This release isn’t classed as a major single; it was released on Spacemonkeyz’ MySpace account.
Strictly Rubbadub (Live on Radio 1)
Release date: 10th February 2012
Formats: Digital
This release isn’t classed as a major single, it’s a live performance of Slow Country (Strictly Rubbadub) from 2002; released via Gavin Dodds’ SoundCloud account.
Lil’ Dub Chefin’ (Live at Radio 1)
Release date: 13th February 2012
Formats: Digital
This release isn’t classed as a major single, it’s a live performance of M1 A1 (Lil’ Dub Chefin’) from 2002; released via Gavin Dodds’ SoundCloud account.
Gorillaz – Tomorrow Comes Today
Release date: 25th February 2002
Formats: DVD / CD / 12″ Vinyl
A remix of Gorillaz – Tomorrow Comes Today by Spacemonkeyz; notably their debut track.
Track: 3. (DVD & CD) / A2. (Vinyl) Tomorrow Dub*
*Later retitled “Bañana Baby” on Laika Come Home.
Herbert Grönemeyer – Mensch
Release date: 5th August 2002
Formats: CD
Released only in Germany, this is another remix of Herbert Grönemeyer – Mensch by Spacemonkeyz; a B-side to the single (again, from the album of the same name).
Track: 4. Mensch (Spacemonkeyz vs. Gronemeyer Remix)
Gorillaz feat. Bootie Brown – Dirty Harry
Release date: 21st November 2005
Formats: CD
A remix of Gorillaz feat. Bootie Brown – Dirty Harry by Darren Galea & Stuart Zender; co-mixed by Dubversive.
Track: 3. Dirty Harry (Chopper Remix) [feat. Bootie Brown]
Gorillaz for Beginners 