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
House of Clouds
G//Z/R Lyrics
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At all the things I knew so well
And in my mind I feel the tears
The times I ad through all the years
[Chorus]
Somebody, save me from
From myself, I need help
Innocence that grew to pain
All those days that turned to rain
I'm looking back inside my hell
[Chorus]
Inside myself resides the ghost
Of dreams I save that matter most
Inside my mind, a house of clouds
[Chorus]
Inside empty hush
My fear and love lie crushed
I feel those hurting ways
From my yesterdays
Looking back inside my hell
All the things I knew so well
Inside myself resides the ghost
[Chorus]
The song "House of Clouds" by G//Z/R speaks about the internal turmoil of the singer who is stuck in a state of despair, reminiscing about his past experiences. The use of "hell" in the lyrics represents the mental state of the singer - a place of darkness and hopelessness. The lyrics depict the singer's struggle to confront his own inner demons.
The phrase "inside my mind, a house of clouds" is symbolic of the confusion and uncertainty in the singer's thoughts, where the clouds represent the confusion and the house represents the mind. The lyrics "Innocence that grew to pain, all those days that turned to rain" portrays the transformation of innocence into pain and how the singer's happy days have now turned into days of sorrow.
The chorus "Somebody, save me from from myself, I need help" is a cry for help from the singer. He is aware of his struggle and knows that he needs help in getting out of his dark and scary world. In the end, the lyrics "Looking back inside my hell, all the things I knew so well" indicates that he has finally come to accept his situation.
Line by Line Meaning
Looking back inside my hell
Reflecting on my past struggles and hardships
At all the things I knew so well
Remembering the familiar pain and difficulties I experienced
And in my mind I feel the tears
Emotionally overwhelmed by memories that bring tears to my eyes
The times I had through all the years
Reflecting on my past experiences and life journey
Somebody, save me from
Pleading for help and support from others
From myself, I need help
Realizing that I am my own problem and in need of assistance
Innocence that grew to pain
Reflecting on how my youthful innocence led to my current struggles and suffering
All those days that turned to rain
Recalling how many of my past experiences and days were filled with sorrow and despair
Inside myself resides the ghost
My past mistakes and traumas continue to haunt me from within
Of dreams I save that matter most
My most cherished dreams and aspirations are always with me, despite my struggles
Inside my mind, a house of clouds
My thoughts and emotions are constantly changing and difficult to grasp
Inside empty hush
Feeling lonely and silenced by my own thoughts and emotions
My fear and love lie crushed
Both my fears and my capacity for love have been damaged by my past experiences
I feel those hurting ways
Still feeling the emotional pain and trauma from my past experiences
From my yesterdays
The source of my current struggles and hardships comes from my past experiences
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PEDRO HOWSE, TERENCE P/K/A GEEZER BUTLER, TERENCE MICHAEL BUTLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind