1988-2004, 2008-Damon AlbarnVocals, keyboards
Graham CoxonGuitar1988-2002, 2009-
Alex JamesBass
Dave RowntreeDrums
Blur was formed in 1988 by Damon Albarn, Graham Coxon, Alex James, and Dave Rowntree at Goldsmiths College in London. Originally named Seymour after a character by J.D. Salinger, they changed their name to Blur in 1990 because their label, Food, didn't like the name Seymour. Their new name came from a list provided by Food - they band liked its brevity and impact.
Their 1992 US tour was a disaster, as they struggled to win over American audiences who were more inclined toward the grunge sound. Additionally, they faced management issues, financial difficulties, and alcohol-related problems. Disillusioned with America and longing for their roots, they returned to England.
Their second album, Modern Life Is Rubbish (1993), marked a shift toward British guitar-pop inspired by influential bands such as The Kinks and The Small Faces. The album has since gained recognition as a Britpop classic.
Albarn's father Keith managed the '60s experimental rock group Soft Machine. He later taught art at North East London Polytechnic, where his pupils included
Ian Dury and
Adam Ant.
In the mid-'90s, Blur and Oasis emerged as the leaders of the Britpop movement, with their competitive nature captivating both the media and fans. Blur was viewed as artsy and intelligent, while Oasis was seen as more working-class and defiant.
The peak of their rivalry occurred in 1995 when they released singles on the same day. Blur's "
Country House" surpassed Oasis' "
Wonderwall" to claim the #1 spot, although Oasis' album
(What's the Story) Morning Glory? ultimately outsold Blur's
The Great Escape.
In time, the band members reconciled and even collaborated. Noel Gallagher and Albarn recorded "
We Got the Power" for the virtual band Gorillaz. They have also performed live together and said nice things about each other in interviews.
Alex James developed a second career as a cheesemaker. His 200-acre farm in Kingham, Oxfordshire, produces a range of cheeses including a Stilton called "
Blue Monday," named after his
favorite New Order song.
"
Song 2" made a significant impact on American alternative radio, reaching #6 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. The song originated as a prank on their label but went on to become Blur's most iconic single in the US. The title of the song is quite literal, with a duration of two minutes and two seconds, two verses, two choruses, and it occupies the second position on the band's fifth album,
Blur (1997).
In 1998, Albarn created
Gorillaz, a virtual band comprised of four animated characters: 2-D, Murdoc, Noodle, and Russel. Collaborating with comic book artist Jamie Hewlett, Albarn brought Gorillaz' visuals and universe to life. The band's self-titled debut album was released in 2001 and achieved huge success both commercially and critically. Since then, Gorillaz has released seven additional albums, garnered numerous awards, and even secured a place in the Guinness World Records as the most successful virtual band.
Damon Albarn used to go out with Justine Frischmann, who was in the band
Suede, one of Blur's rivals. Frischmann later went on to form Elastica. The Blur songs "
Tender" and "
No Distance Left To Run" were both inspired by Albarn and Frischmann's breakup.
Albarn's daughter, Missy, was named after the hip-hop artist
Missy Elliott.
Graham Coxon faced personal challenges during the '90s, battling depression and alcoholism. In 2001, he decided to seek help and entered rehab. He contributed to just one song on Think Tank (2003) before leaving the band in 2002. The album showcases a unique blend of dub, dance, and African music. The cover art is by the renowned British graffiti artist Banksy, depicting a couple in diving suits sharing a kiss.
In 2003, Blur recorded an instrumental song, "Beagle 2." It was named after a British Mars lander, a component of the Mars Express mission conducted by the European Space Agency. The song was supposed to be played by the lander when it arrived on Mars, serving as a confirmation of its successful landing. Unfortunately, the lander lost communication with Earth and was believed to be lost for 12 years. In 2015, the lander was discovered on the Martian surface, although it's not clear if "Beagle 2" was ever played.
Dave Rowntree was involved in a physical altercation with the Canadian music journalist and "human serviette" Nardwuar during a recorded interview back in 2003. The drummer later expressed remorse for his actions and explained that his cocaine addiction was to blame for the outburst. He stated: "These days I keep a clip of the interview on my phone. I don't drink, smoke or take drugs, and if from time to time I wonder if I'm doing the right thing treading this (sometimes rather lonely) path I play it, and have the answer."
In late October 2016, Alex James washed his hair for the first time in a decade. He revealed to Living Magazine a couple of days afterwards: "My hair isn't really something I've ever particularly thought about or fussed over. Other than this week when both my daughters were keen to give me a Halloween makeover and emptied a whole can of grey-colored hairspray into it and it set solid, I haven't washed it for 10 years."
Following Blur's hiatus in 2003, Rowntree's interest in politics grew, leading him to become a member of the Labour Party. In 2010, he ran as a parliamentary candidate for the Cities of London and Westminster, although he was unable to defeat the Conservative incumbent. Rowntree later served as a Norfolk County councilor from 2017 to 2021. Alongside his political pursuits, Rowntree also pursued a legal career and became a qualified solicitor in 2012.
Albarn described himself as a "nine-to-five musician" in the book Isle of Noises by Daniel Rachel. He said: "I like being with my family at weekends and during the school holidays. If an idea comes to me during those periods of not-work, then I'll sneak away in between roasting the potatoes, satisfy my compulsion and put it away again."
Blur surprised fans by announcing their comeback in 2009 with a series of concerts in the UK and Europe. However, it wasn't until 2015 that they finally released The Magic Whip. The album was heavily influenced by the band's time in Hong Kong, where they found themselves stranded due to a canceled tour. The Magic Whip received high praise from critics and topped the UK chart, making it Blur's sixth album to achieve this feat.
Blur released their ninth album, The Ballad of Darren, in 2023. Produced by James Ford, the album pays tribute to the band's bodyguard, Darren "Smoggy" Evans. If you examine the inner sleeve of The Ballad of Darren closely, you'll discover a hidden photo of Evans.
Despite retreating to his 200-acre farm and dabbling in cheesemaking, Alex James insists the rock star spirit never really left him. "So many people say, 'Cheese and music, isn't that a bit weird?'" he told The Metro. "But monks sing in the morning and make cheese in the afternoon. I've started making booze, too. I've realized festivals were originally religious festivals. So basically, I'm a monk."
