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
Plastic Planet
G//Z/R Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sadi-catechism
Suicidal tekno void
Plastic planet prison
Where is no god
All is permitted
Articulated
Never are committed
[Chorus]
Plastic planet hanging
Melting in the sun
Misdirected energy
Divided by our skin
Degeneration nation
Drowning in their crime
Looking for tomorrow
Wasting their time
[Chorus]
The lyrics of "Plastic Planet" by G//Z/R convey a deep sense of disquiet about the state of our world. The song highlights the concept of a plastic planet prison, where individuals are trapped within a system that suppresses their freedom and forces them to conform to a sadi-catechism. The use of suicidal tekno void paints a bleak picture of a society that is losing touch with its humanity, giving rise to a plastic world that is devoid of natural beauty and organic life.
In this world, there is no god, and everything is allowed, resulting in articulated madmen who are never committed to any cause. The chorus of the song emphasizes the catastrophic consequences of this state of affairs, with the plastic planet hanging and melting away in the sun, representing the irreversible damage we are doing to our planet. Misdirected energy leads to division among people, with our differences emphasized by the color of our skin. The song points out that our society is in a state of degeneration, with people wasting their time looking for tomorrow, while drowning in their crime.
"Plastic Planet" by G//Z/R is a powerful song that serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of our modern way of life. It highlights our collective responsibility to take care of our planet and preserve its natural beauty for future generations.
Line by Line Meaning
Freedom of suppression
The ability to suppress and control others is considered freedom.
Sadi-catechism
The doctrine of pain as a means of control.
Suicidal tekno void
A state of emptiness and hopelessness caused by the overwhelming influence of technology in society.
Plastic planet prison
The world is becoming a metaphorical prison made up of artificial and inauthentic materials.
Where is no god
The lack of an all-powerful deity means that there are no moral absolutes.
All is permitted
Without moral absolutes, anything goes and there are no consequences for our actions.
Articulated
Those in power use language and rhetoric to manipulate and control the masses.
Madmen
These manipulators and controllers are often driven by their own desires for power and control.
Never are committed
These manipulators never take responsibility for their actions and are never held accountable for them.
Plastic planet hanging
The world has become a place dominated by artificial and inauthentic materials that hang over us like a constant reminder of our own destruction.
Melting in the sun
These artificial materials are melting and breaking down as a result of our destructive behavior, just like our planet is.
Misdirected energy
We are wasting our efforts and resources on pursuits that ultimately lead to our own destruction and demise.
Divided by our skin
Our physical differences, such as race or ethnicity, are used to further divide us and prevent us from achieving true unity and progress.
Degeneration nation
Our society is in a state of decay and decline, with no clear path forward.
Drowning in their crime
Our society is overwhelmed by crime, corruption, and deceit, leading us further down the path of destruction and despair.
Looking for tomorrow
Despite our bleak present, we continue to search for a better future.
Wasting their time
Unfortunately, our efforts may be in vain if we continue to waste our time and resources on pursuits that ultimately lead to our downfall.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PEDRO HOWSE, TERENCE P/K/A GEEZER BUTLER, TERENCE MICHAEL BUTLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Luis Herreras
I listened this album when I was 19, now I have 40 and still listening.
Serious Stuff
I bought the CD when it first came out .. I still have it such a great record! Tbh I only bought it when I heard burton c bell was on vocals but it's a masterpiece.
Árleison
19/46 still f√cking heavy
Eli McCrae
@Mercedes Blendz Singer On the Cheech and Chong album "Big Bambu", a game show ("Let's Make a Dope Deal") contestant named "Bob Bitchin'" said one day he played Black Sabbath @ 78-speed, gameshow host asked what happened, Bob said "I saw God" 😁
Mercedes Blendz Singer
Saw the tour. It was like Black Sabbath at 78 Speed.
Артём Таничев
мне было 16, сейчас 42. не слушал 26 лет. сейчас слушаю с удовольствием
George18798
One of the heaviest albums I have ever listened to. Those bone crushing riffs would turn the stone into dust
Johnny Hurley
Meshuggah
Mercedes Blendz Singer
I completely Agree. Saw this live with Geezer Butler. Black Sabbath at 78 Speed. The drummer had those real thick Cheech and Chong drumsticks. Still to this day I couldn't understand how he could play so fast. Totally InHuman.
Blackwood Richmore
Try playing it on a larger computer screen... 😈