ConverseIf Damon Albarn's cartoon band Gorillaz decide they're not breaking up after all, we all have sneakers to thank for it. There were the break-up rumors, then just last month, when the animated group announced they were releasing a greatest hits disc just three albums (and a free iPad LP) into their career, many perceived that the decision to drop a best-of collection meant that the band created by Albarn and his artist-in-crime Jamie Hewlett would stop drawing Gorillaz and focus on other projects. It didn't help that the Gorillaz own site proclaimed that, "Gorillaz are TEN. Ten years old, eh? T.E.N. What's that stand for? The End is Nigh...!" Regardless of what the future holds, Gorillaz have been handed a temporary stay of execution… thanks to Converse Chuck Taylor All-Stars.
Pitchfork reports that Hewlett has created four original designs for the iconic Chuck Taylor brand. The kicks will come out next February, but before that, Converse will team up with the cartoon group on December 1st for a "Gorillaz Sound System" event at London's 100 Club. Additionally, and this is the best part, Gorillaz will also participate in the shoe company's ongoing "Three Artists. One Song" campaign, which as the title suggests, will pair Gorillaz with two other artists to create a new song. No word yet who Albarn will be collaborating with this time, but "Three Artists. One Song" is a pretty good descriptor for the entire Gorillaz catalog. (Gorillaz, Mos Def, and Bobby Womack on "Stylo," Gorillaz, Gruff Rhys, and De La Soul on "Superfast Jellyfish," etc.)
If this is the next-to-last chapter for the Gorillaz, at least they're going out with an awesome pair of sneakers, and only $60! It's just too bad every heavily worn pair of Chucks have only a three-month lifespan before the heel of the shoe separates from the sole.