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
Sci-Clone
G//Z/R Lyrics
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Through sci-clone eyes you will see
No compromise you will be free
To realize your destiny
No sacrifice come follow me
You're not machine
You're not human
Of your own
Just a small part
Of a network
Take a number
Follow me
The future hides our history
In sterilized security
Lobotomized, dehumanized
Through sci-clone eyes you will see
Assimilate, assimilate
You're not machine
You're not human
You have no thoughts
Of your own
Through sci-clone eyes you will see
No compromise you will be free
To realize your destiny
Lobotomized, dehumanized
Through sci-clone eyes you will see
The lyrics of G//Z/R's song Sci-Clone describe a dystopian society where individuals are stripped of their individuality and free will. The singer of the song is urging others to join in and become a part of the "Sci-Clone" system, where they will be assimilated and not have to worry about thinking for themselves. The lyrics describe the experience of seeing the world through the "Sci-Clone eyes", which is a lifeless and robotic existence without any meaningful purpose. The singer also talks about the idea of destiny, but the ultimate irony is that the Sci-Clone system does not allow for any personal control over one's own life.
The song is a commentary on the dangers of blindly following systems or ideologies that strip individuals of their autonomy and critical thinking abilities. It speaks to the importance of maintaining one's individuality and avoiding conformity to oppressive systems. The repeated refrain of "you're not machine, you're not human" emphasizes the harmful effects of losing touch with one's own humanity and becoming a mindless drone. The dystopian society described in the song serves as a cautionary tale about the potential consequences of surrendering one's individuality in favor of a "safer" and more conformist way of life.
Line by Line Meaning
You will be assimilated
You will be made to conform to our system of thinking
Through sci-clone eyes you will see
You will view the world through a manufactured perspective
No compromise you will be free
There will be no deviation from our prescribed path, but you will be released from the burden of choice
To realize your destiny
You will be given a predetermined purpose to fulfill
No sacrifice come follow me
You do not need to give anything up, just follow our lead
You're not machine
Although you will be molded to our liking, you are not actually a literal machine
You're not human
You will no longer have genuine human qualities or emotions
You have no thoughts of your own
Your thoughts and opinions will be dictated to you
Just a small part of a network
You will be a cog in a larger system
Take a number follow me
You will be assigned a place and there will be no room for deviation
The future hides our history
Our past and present actions will be concealed and we will only focus on moving forward
In sterilized security
We will create a safe, but artificial environment
Lobotomized, dehumanized
We will strip you of your individuality and turn you into a mindless drone
Assimilate, assimilate
We will continue to absorb and control more people
Through sci-clone eyes you will see
You will continue to see the world only through our perspective
No compromise you will be free
Once again, you will have no choice but will be released from responsibility
To realize your destiny
You will continue to fulfill your predestined purpose
Lobotomized, dehumanized
Again, you will be turned into a mindless machine
Through sci-clone eyes you will see
And again, you will only view the world from our manufactured perspective
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PEDRO HOWSE, TERENCE P/K/A GEEZER BUTLER, TERENCE MICHAEL BUTLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind