Gorillaz Preparing To Break Up?

The internet and gossip rags have lit up this morning after a series of tweets from one of Gorillaz’s fictional band members appeared to hint that the band were preparing to announce a break up shortly. Murdoc, the bands bassist, jumped on twitter a few hours ago and posted the message:

Something special has just floated up on my island. A small toy trumpet to herald a big announcement. Think I’ll be blowing that tomorrow.

— Murdoc Niccals (@MurdocGorillaz) October 4, 2011

Many fans were immediately excited, pointing out that it was the 10 year anniversary for the band, forming as the brainchild of former Blur bassist Damon Albarn and then-flatmate Jamie Hewlett. Further teasing out his fans, Murdoc continued:

It’s true! All of history has been leading up to this one magnificent, seismic point. From the Big Bang onwards…And now it’s here!

— Murdoc Niccals (@MurdocGorillaz) October 4, 2011

But a few minutes later joyous excitement amongst his followers turned to horror when the following message appeared:

Gorillaz are TEN. Ten years old, eh? T.E.N. What’s that stand for? The End is Nigh…!

— Murdoc Niccals (@MurdocGorillaz) October 4, 2011

This could be a cryptic way of signalling the end of the band but it could also be just a publicity stunt. Only a few months ago legendary Beatle Paul McCartney was talking about collaborating with the band saying “We have kind of talked. Nothing serious, but I like what they do. I have run into Damon at things and we have talked. It’s got near a couple of times but we never had the time, I suppose…”.

However in a recent interview with NME, Albarn revealed he’d like to work on a solo album next making any new material or collaboration with Gorillaz unlikely. “I’d like to do a record with my own name on it,” he said. “That’s the next one I want to make. I don’t know if I could bear to start a band from scratch again.”