BILL are a rock band, started in 1987 in New England and fronted by Bill Ga… Read Full Bio ↴BILL are a rock band, started in 1987 in New England and fronted by Bill Gage, a charismatic performer who sings surreal, ever-changing lyrics in a wide variety of styles. He also has Ds (Down syndrome). The band name is one of the words Mr. Gage can write.

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.

Sound Scientist
Bill Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Coming in so loud and clear
A voice calling tryin' to steal my ear
Stoppin me suddenly in my tracks
And I appreciate the facts of why Im here
Cause I am a sound scientist
Came to evaluate the evidence
On a closed case, highly classified,
Confidential in a race against the clock

You look like you could use a break,
She says, as I lift my head
And I'm awoken from a daydream
Not sure how long I was out for,
Looking for the cure thought
I saw her on the shore
But when I looked again and found
I had been mistaken, looking in the wrong
Direction hanging questions take me closer
To the answer, I care to chance
Her cause when I hit the wall
Im stumbling backwards setting me up for the
Fall of a lifetime

All dressed up with somewhere to go
But I know I'd rather stay here

Mix it up
Mix it up
Stir it in a cup
It's an elixir, a quick fixer open to
The public free sample, supplies ample catching on quick so you better act
Now and I'll think youll find it might just do the trick
Trade your chips in waiting for the medicine, craving a little something to
Take the edge off while youre waiting, don't come in a bottle but it's
Kicking full throttle so open up your hands and let me hit you with some

All dressed up with somewhere to go
But I know I'd rather stay here

In search of truth that lasts forever better stand clear

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Bill's song "Sound Scientist" describe the singer as someone who is deeply interested in the science behind the music. Coming in "loud and clear", the voice they are hearing serves as a reminder of why they are "here" - to evaluate the evidence of music and sound. However, the singer seems to be struggling with some sort of internal conflict. They are stuck between wanting a break from their current situation and knowing that they need to push themselves to find answers. This isn't helped by the fact that the questions they have are "hanging" and taking them closer to an answer they may not want to hear. The elixir described in the lyrics is a metaphor for a quick fix for the issues that plague the singer, but they know that they need to keep searching for something that lasts forever.

The repetition of "all dressed up with somewhere to go, but I know I'd rather stay here" suggests that the singer is comfortable in their current situation but has a larger goal in mind. They want to find truth that "lasts forever" but are struggling to do so. The metaphor of the "sound scientist" implies that the singer is someone who is dedicated to finding the deeper meaning behind music and sound, not just enjoying it on a surface level.

Line by Line Meaning

Coming in so loud and clear
Receiving a message that is clearly and loudly conveyed

A voice calling tryin' to steal my ear
A persuasive voice trying to influence my opinion

Stoppin me suddenly in my tracks
Pausing or interrupting my train of thought abruptly

And I appreciate the facts of why Im here
Acknowledging the reasons for my existence

Cause I am a sound scientist
Acting as a specialist in sound

Came to evaluate the evidence
Examining collected proof to reach a conclusion

On a closed case, highly classified,
Dealing with a confidential and completed investigation

Confidential in a race against the clock
Urgently working on a secret project with a time limit

You look like you could use a break,
Observing that someone needs a pause from their activity

She says, as I lift my head
Expressing her comment while Bill raises his head

And I'm awoken from a daydream
Returning to reality after a moment of imaginative thoughts

Not sure how long I was out for,
Unaware of the duration of his absence from reality

Looking for the cure thought
Seeking the remedy for an issue

I saw her on the shore
Spotting her at the seashore

But when I looked again and found
However, upon further examination, he realized

I had been mistaken, looking in the wrong
Realizing that he was wrong because he was looking in the incorrect direction

Direction hanging questions take me closer
Enquiring and following a path to find a response

To the answer, I care to chance
Pursuing the solution to a problem that matters

Her cause when I hit the wall
Her motive came to his attention when he encountered a hindrance

Im stumbling backwards setting me up for the
He is losing his balance, putting him in a vulnerable position

Fall of a lifetime
A disastrous outcome that could severely damage him

All dressed up with somewhere to go
Fully prepared and ready to leave

But I know I'd rather stay here
Preferring to remain stationary and content

Mix it up
Experiment with something new

Mix it up
Blend it together in a unique way

Stir it in a cup
Mixing it in a cup or container

It's an elixir, a quick fixer open to
Describing it as a potent remedy, quickly resolving an issue and available to all

The public free sample, supplies ample catching on quick so you better act
Providing a complimentary trial to attract interest, as it is becoming popular and limited

Now and I'll think youll find it might just do the trick
Trying it now, as it may be the solution

Trade your chips in waiting for the medicine, craving a little something to
Replacing anticipation for a cure by trying something temporary

Take the edge off while youre waiting, don't come in a bottle but it's
A temporary relief that is not alcohol-induced

Kicking full throttle so open up your hands and let me hit you with some
Describing its effectiveness and suggesting to give it a shot

In search of truth that lasts forever better stand clear
Looking for the truth that will remain true for eternity and implies people should stay away from anything that is vague.

Contributed by Jasmine R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS