With the hit album “Demon Days” out in May, the cartoon band Gorillaz, made-up of the creative alter-egos Noodle, SD, Murdoc Nicals, and Russel Hobbs, is taking the act on the road, virtually. Starting August 24, 02005, Gorillaz will begin their tour online, dropping into 12 destinations via www.habbohotel.com, a hang-out for young people.

24 lucky fans will also receive backstage passes to interview the characters. As we wrote in June, “Grand Opening of Gorillaz Store in New York Draws Vinyl Fans,” creator Damon Albarn’s cartoon side project, a band called the Gorillaz, is taking the hip-hop scene (and urban vinyl toy industry) by storm. Now with a virtual tour, a store in downtown SoHo, urban vinyl toys of the band members, and a new album out (produced by DJ Dangermouse), the Gorillaz are introducing a completely new way to tour and of course, sell merch. It’s genius.

Check out the story in our Label Lab Archive, or go to www.gorillaz.com; or www.kidrobot.com, or www.Habbohotel.com.