The group provides diverse sounds: art-rock, heavy-metal, acoustic folk-ballads, industrial riffs, etc, and Bill Gage continuously refines and re-works his vocal improvisations.
BILL's approach to songwriting is always in flux. The first album BEATLES CHINESE was shaped by a series of challenges the band gave Bill Gage: first to name the songs he wanted to do, and then to sing them, as the band figured out what to play, and each song was quickly recorded. The backing tracks for BILL's second record BAT MAN were recorded in advance. Bill Gage listened to the tracks, sang over them, and then named the songs (and the record).
Live, the BILL show presents a sonic kaleidoscope of punk, psychedelia, pop, and hard rock, Bill Gage tying it all together using his incredible voice and edge-of-the-seat performance (with theatrical touches like the cape he wears for "STEVE PEPPER"). Between songs Mr. Gage chats with the crowd, announcing the next song and letting the audience know they're about to hear something "REALLY GREAT". While some of his words are not always clear, his intentions are obvious and the crowd stays right with him. Bill Gage is a mild-mannered gentleman, until he has a mic in his hand: "LET'S ROCK AND ROLL!"
The band includes Daren Follower (drums), Gaylen Moore (bass), and guitarists Eric Morin, Greg Ansin, and Mr. Gage's brother, john. Past members include Paul Desjarlais of Pseudonym (1987-91), Stephin Merritt of The Magnetic Fields (1987), and David M. Curry of Empty House Coöperative (1996-2000). BILL are working on a new record.
A jazz-pop band called "bill" is from San Diego, California and was possibly started in the 1990s (information about this bands history is scarce). The albums of the San Diego "bill" are called "End of the Hits" and "Birthday Suit."
Another band called "Bill", this one playing "alternative rock", are from Mexico City, Mexico. Even fewer pieces of information can be found about this group, but they have professional studio recordings and are playing regularly.
Also there is a Leamington, UK based 3 piece punk band under the name of Bill.
16
Bill Lyrics
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großen Namen.
Gott, ewig bist du deines Volkes Zuversicht!
Wir, die wir jüngst aus großen Nöthen
kamen,
wir rühmen deines Armes macht.
Uns, uns deckte des Verderbens Nacht:
begraben waren wir mit unsrer Kinder
Doch du hast Gnadenvoll an uns gedacht.
Nun komm in schwarzen Ungewittern
Tod und Verderben auf uns her!
Wir werden nicht erzittern!
The lyrics above are in German and are from the song "Bill's Song 16". When translated to English, the lyrics mean "Lord, Lord! Your Israel trusts your great name. God, you are forever the people's confidence! We, who recently came out of great distress, we praise your arm's strength. We, we were covered by the night of destruction: we were buried with our children. But you graciously remembered us. Now, come death and destruction upon us in black storms! We will not tremble."
The lyrics are a passage from the Bible, specifically from Psalm 91:1-7, which speaks about the security and protection provided by God. In the song, the lyrics reflect the faith in God's protection and comfort amidst challenging circumstances. The lyrics also express gratitude towards God for remembering and saving them.
The song "Bill's Song 16" is from the musical "The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny" by Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht. The musical premiered in 1930 in Leipzig, Germany, and it satirizes the capitalist society and the corruption and decay that result from it. The song is performed by Bill, one of the main characters, who is sentenced to death for not being able to pay for the services of the city.
Line by Line Meaning
Herr, Herr! dein Israel traut deinem großen Namen.
Lord, Lord! Your Israel trusts in your great name.
Gott, ewig bist du deines Volkes Zuversicht!
God, forever you are your people's confidence!
Wir, die wir jüngst aus großen Nöthen kamen,
We, who recently came from great distress,
wir rühmen deines Armes macht.
we boast of your arm's strength.
Uns, uns deckte des Verderbens Nacht:
We, we were covered by the night of destruction:
begraben waren wir mit unsrer Kinder Saamen.
buried were we with our children's seeds.
Doch du hast Gnadenvoll an uns gedacht.
But you have mercifully remembered us.
Nun komm in schwarzen Ungewittern Tod und Verderben auf uns her!
Now come death and destruction upon us in the black thunderstorms!
Wir werden nicht erzittern!
We will not tremble!
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Christoph Christian Sturm, Justus Friedrich Wilhelm Zachariae
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind