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
Pull the String
G//Z/R Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A ridiculous plot brought on by the enemies
Full disgrace, all which is bought by all of you
Full disgrace, all which is bought by all of you
Empty race need a leader not a criminal mind
Who is blind to the anarchy in life
Full disgrace, all which is bought by all of you
Such a waste, all which is bought by all of you
Unfit, overpaid
Unfit, got it made
I know you're so unclean
I'll never trust you again, again
Sympathy that I won't make
Stay away and just decay
I'll never trust you again
Pull the string, I'm angry and lost
A ridiculous plot brought on by the enemy
Full disgrace, all which is bought by all of you
Full disgrace, all which is bought by all of you
Human race we are told to rely on the lies
That supply all the empathy and cries
Enemies, all which is bought by all of you
Full disgrace, all which is bought by all of you
Unfit, overpaid
Unfit, got it made
I know you're so unclean
I'll never trust you again, again
Sympathy that I won't make
Stay away and just decay
I'll never trust you again
I did it all and I gave it all
And I did it all
That's why I'm ruined, ruined, ruined, ruined
That's why I'm ruined
I know you're so unclean
I'll never trust you again, again
Sympathy that I won't make
Stay away and just decay
I'll never trust you again
I know you're so unclean
I'll never trust you again, again
Sympathy that I won't make
Stay away and just decay
I'll never trust you again
The lyrics of G//Z/R's Pull the String speak strongly to themes of anger, betrayal, and disappointment. The song seems to revolve around the singer's feelings towards someone who they had placed trust in but who ultimately let them down. The phrase "pull the string" seems like a reference to a toy, as if the person they trusted was somehow not genuine but rather someone who was just playing with them. The singer feels angry and lost, and their thoughts are described as ravenous and ridiculous, as if they can't help but be consumed by negativity.
The song also critiques society as a whole, suggesting that everyone is at fault for perpetuating a system that doesn't work. The line "empty race need a leader not a criminal mind" seems to point to the idea that we as a species have lost our way and don't know how to govern ourselves anymore. The phrase "full disgrace, all which is bought by all of you" is repeated throughout the song, emphasizing this belief that we are all responsible for our collective downfall.
The verses are made up of short, punchy lines that create a sense of urgency and agitation. The chorus, on the other hand, is more melodic and repetitive, underscoring the cyclical nature of the singer's feelings of betrayal and lack of trust. The song ends on the line "that's why I'm ruined," which suggests that the singer has been irreparably damaged by the events described in the lyrics.
Overall, Pull the String is a powerful song that speaks to the frustration and disillusionment that many people feel towards the world and those who inhabit it.
Line by Line Meaning
Pull the string, it's a ravenous thought
The urge to take action is so strong that it feels like a wild, insatiable hunger.
A ridiculous plot brought on by the enemies
The situation was created by those who are opposed to our goals or interests, and it seems absurd or illogical.
Full disgrace, all which is bought by all of you
There is a pervasive sense of shame or disrepute that is the result of everyone's actions and decisions.
Empty race need a leader not a criminal mind
We are lacking strong guidance or direction, and instead we have someone who is motivated by personal gain or wrongdoing.
Who is blind to the anarchy in life
This person is oblivious to the chaos and disorder that exists in the world around them.
Such a waste, all which is bought by all of you
All of the effort and resources that have been expended have been squandered, to the point of being tragic.
Unfit, overpaid
This person is not suited for their position, yet they are still compensated beyond what they deserve.
Got it made
Despite their incompetence, this person has achieved a level of success and comfort that is unwarranted.
I know you're so unclean
I am aware of your corrupt or immoral actions and motivations.
Sympathy that I won't make
I refuse to feel empathy or compassion for you, even if it may be deserved.
Stay away and just decay
You should keep your distance and deteriorate, rather than trying to involve yourself in my life or goals.
Human race we are told to rely on the lies
Society teaches us to put our faith in falsehoods and deception.
That supply all the empathy and cries
These lies are what we turn to in order to find comfort or support during difficult times.
Enemies, all which is bought by all of you
Our adversaries and rivals benefit from our collective mistakes and mishaps.
I did it all and I gave it all
I put forth maximum effort and contributed everything I had to offer.
That's why I'm ruined, ruined, ruined, ruined
Yet despite all of my efforts, I still feel destroyed or ruined in some way.
Contributed by Lucas J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@SHENDOH
WOW. That bass is bold in the mix
@independentjames1
Sick rhythm