The Good, The Bad & The Queen

Formed in the summer of 2006, The Good, The Bad and The Queen is another band to add to Damon Albarn’s increasing list of ‘side-projects.’ Although it was initially reported to be a solo pseudonym, Albarn surprised many by drafting in a prolific line up which immediately saw the band labelled as a “super group” of past greats. Along with Albarn, the group consists of Simon Tong (Guitarist - The Verve), Paul Simonon (Bass – The Clash) and Tony Allen (Drums – Africa 70).

While they made the collaboration public in 2006 - Albarn, Tong and Allen started recording together in 2003 - although Albarn later scrapped their initial recordings which were recorded in Nigeria. After completing his work with The Gorillaz, the three re-united in 2005 and drafted in Simonon on bass - along with the American producer Danger Mouse (Gnarls Barkley), who Albarn had worked with in The Gorillaz, to oversee the project.

After spending 2005 and the beginning of 2006 in the Studio, The Good, The Bad and The Queen’s first release was the single ‘Herculean’ in October 2006. Inspired by Albarn’s West-London backdrop it was his most English sounding record since Blur’s ‘Parklife.’

Following three intimate warm-up shows, the group made their high profile live debut at The BBC Electric Proms at The Roundhouse in Camden in October 2006, where they played the entire (then unreleased) album in track-list order.

Although they officially have no band name, their debut album, The Good, The Bad and The Queen, was released in January 2007 and received wide-spread critical acclaim for its unique synthesis of each members trademark sound.

Discography

The Good, The Bad and The Queen (2007)