On the three albums released so far the band has been known as G//Z/R, Geezer, and GZR, respectively. Despite the changing name, it is still considered the same project. However, Geezer Butler Band from the 1980s is an entirely separate entity.
The bands music is generally of a much harder edge than Butler is known for in Black Sabbath. This isn't a surprise, as the vocalist on his first album, Plastic Planet, was Burton C. Bell from Fear Factory, who is known for more driving and harder edged vocals than ever was displayed in Black Sabbath. The album also featured Pedro Howse on guitar, as well as Deen Castronovo (of Journey fame) on drums. Bell did not stay with the band past the recording of Plastic Planet due to Fear Factory commitments. In 1996 the band re-emerged with an exclusive track for the Mortal Kombat: More Kombat compilation, entitled 'Outworld' and featuring Anger On Anger vocalist, Mario Frasca.
This proved to be a one-time collaboration and Frasca was replaced by Clark Brown (SYMATIC) for their second album Black Science, released in 1997. G//Z/R did play a few live dates in 1997 behind the release of the album, however this was not a full fledged tour, most of these gigs were played concurrent to the Ozzfest tour of that year. The band opened for such folks as Bruce Dickinson, who was playing some live gigs at the time. Castronovo recorded, but did not play any of the live gigs. He was replaced on drums by Chad Smith (not to be confused with the Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer with the same name).
After the handful of live gigs in 1997, the band was mostly put on ice, as Geezer was busy with various things Black Sabbath related for quite a while. Geezer eventually got back into the studio with the same line-up that played the live gigs from 8 years previous, and recorded their third album, Ohmwork, which was released on May 9, 2005. The band is currently working on a new record, and began recording in January 2011, according to Geezer Butler.
The band has actually been marketed with three different names on the three releases they've had. In 1995, the band was marketed as G//Z/R. In 1997, it was merely Geezer, and in 2005, it was GZR. Most fans refer to the band as Geezer, although Butler himself refers to the band name as GEE-ZED-R.This incarnation of the band is not to be confused with Geezer's previous attempt in 1985 to form a solo band, then known as The Geezer Butler Band - the two bands are totally separate.
The band's name is derived from the name of its creator: Terence "Geezer" Butler.
Pedro Howse, the guitarist in the band, is Geezer's nephew.
There are several bands with the name Geezer as well, a stoner rock band and a techno artist, so please vote on the redirected Geezer artist page that this name is correct: http://www.last.fm/music/+noredirect/Geezer
Detective 27
G//Z/R Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He's sworn to secrecy
With comic books and videos
He lives his fantasy
Detective 27
Detective 27
With full moon shining bright
He takes the mantle of the bat
Detective 27 at last
Detective 27
Detective 27
Shadow of the bat
Known his mind
And where it's at
A normal life will never be
For a lonely man inside a dream
Fighting for the cause of justice
Egendary in his mind
Protector of the innocent
He's waiting for his time
Detective 27
The lyrics of G//Z/R's song Detective 27 speak about a man who lives his life in a fantasy world of comic books and videos. He believes in justice and fighting for the cause of innocent people. He has a secret and personal obsession with the Batman character and refers to his house as the Batcave - where he seems to retreat into his alter-ego. The song is a tribute to the Batman comic series where the character first appeared in 1939 in Detective Comics #27 (hence the title of the song).
The lyrics reference the Batman's alter ego ‘The Dark Knight’ descending into the depths of darkness, becoming one with the night and taking up the role of the ‘shadow of the bat’. The lyrics express the loneliness of a man who lives in his imagination while having a fierce sense of duty towards upholding justice. His life is consumed by his obsession with Batman, and his world revolves around protecting the innocent in the same way that Batman does. He knows his purpose is to fight for the greater good and assumes the role of the legendary character Detective 27.
Line by Line Meaning
His house he calls the batcave
The main character's home is referred to as the Batcave, emphasizing his obsession with comic book hero Batman.
He's sworn to secrecy
The character keeps his identity and activities a secret, much like Batman does in his comic series.
With comic books and videos
The main character immerses himself in the world of comics and superhero media to fuel his fantasy and inspiration.
He lives his fantasy
The character is living out his dream of becoming a superhero like Batman, and he incorporates elements of this fantasy into his daily life.
Detective 27
This line serves as a repeated refrain or chant, highlighting the importance of the comic book 'Detective Comics #27' which first introduced Batman to the public in 1939.
In darkest depth of night
The character operates mostly at night, following in the footsteps of Batman's vigilantism in the dark streets of Gotham.
With full moon shining bright
The imagery of a full moon adds to the eerie and mysterious atmosphere of the character's superhero activities.
He takes the mantle of the bat
The main character dons a bat costume and takes on the persona of Batman, adopting his tactics and vigilante spirit.
Shadow of the bat
This phrase further underscores the character's connection to Batman and his legacy, suggesting that he is like a shadow or reflection of the caped crusader.
Known his mind
The character is self-aware and understands his own motivations and desires for becoming a superhero.
And where it's at
The character knows where he wants to be and what he wants to achieve in his superhero aspirations.
A normal life will never be
The character has fully embraced his role as a superhero and realizes that he can never go back to a normal life after experiencing the thrill of being a crime-fighter.
For a lonely man inside a dream
The character is lonely in his pursuit of becoming a superhero, and sees it as a dream or fantasy that he has to chase after.
Fighting for the cause of justice
The character is motivated by a desire to fight crime and protect innocent people, just like Batman does in his comic book adventures.
Legendary in his mind
The character sees himself as a legendary hero, much like Batman's iconic status in popular culture.
Protector of the innocent
The character sees his role as a superhero as being a defender of the innocent, much like Batman's code of ethics.
He's waiting for his time
The character is biding his time and preparing for the moment when he can truly take on the role of a superhero, like Batman did in 'Detective Comics #27'.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PEDRO HOWSE, TERENCE P/K/A GEEZER BUTLER, TERENCE MICHAEL BUTLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jamez Blackjack
Hell yes!!!!!!!
John Guess
Perfect prìmer before going to the new BATMAN movie
Victor Salazar
Smile. \m/ ' [-_-] ' \m/....Bye... Bottoms up and cheers...Stay loud, stay proud, stay heavy. Take care, be strong, and stay safe ....... #Adanporsiempre ..........
butch keenan
Geezer fuckin Butler !