GORILLAZ’ MERCURY FALLING

Virgin’s animated group Gorillaz are too busy playing video games to bother accepting their nomination for the U.K.’s prestigious Mercury Music Prize, announced today. The group, consisting of Blur’s Damon Albarn, Del the Funky Homosapien and rap auteur Dan the Automator, received the nod for its self-titled debut, featuring the animated characters Murdoc, Russel and Noodle.

Said bassist Murdoc: "Mercury Award? Sounds a bit heavy man! Y’know, sorta like carrying a dead albatross round your neck for eternity. Why don’t you nominate some other poor Muppet??!!" He then retreated to his celebrated website, www.gorillaz.com.

The other nominees include Radiohead ("Amnesiac"), Super Furry Animals ("Rings Around the World"), Basement Jaxx ("Rooty"), Ed Harcourt ("Here Be Monsters"), Elbow ("Asleep in the Back"), Goldfrapp ("Felt Mountain"), PJ Harvey ("Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea"), Susheela Raman ("Salt Rain"), Turin Brakes ("The Optimist LP"), Zero 7 ("Simple Things") and Tom McRae ("Tom McRae"). Notably absent was U2’s Grammy-winning "All That You Can’t Leave Behind." The past two years winners were Badly Drawn Boy and Talvin Singh. The awards will be announced Sept. 11, and will air for the first time on Channel 4 the following night as a 90-minute special.