Gorky's Zygotic Mynci were a Welsh psychedelic pop band formed in 1991 in C… Read Full Bio ↴Gorky's Zygotic Mynci were a Welsh psychedelic pop band formed in 1991 in Carmarthen, Wales. The band split in 2006. The band's best known lineup was Euros Childs (vocals, keyboards), his sister Megan Childs (violin, backing vocals), John Lawrence (guitar, vocals), Richard James (bass), and Euros Rowlands (drums). The band was formed by Euros Childs, James and Lawrence whilst still at school, and they have seen a number of lineup changes (perhaps most notably, the departure of Lawrence following 1999's Spanish Dance Troupe) during their existence. The band was well known for performing songs in both Welsh and English. Some of their best known songs include "Patio Song" (1997), "Poodle Rockin'" (1999) and "Stood on Gold" (2001).

The band's first release was Patio (1992), a 10" collection of various live, home and studio recordings released on the Welsh Ankst label (this was later expanded for the 1995 CD version). In 1994 their first full studio album, Tatay appeared. Bwyd Time followed the next year - both were produced by Alan Holmes who also provided their colourful artwork. These early releases show a huge range of influences and styles: "Thema o Cartref", the opening track of Tatay, for example, is a relatively gentle harmonium-backed song, while "When You Hear the Captain Sing" appears to be a tribute of sorts to Captain Beefheart and "Amsermaemaiyndod/cinema" presents one song in the right channel and a completely different one in the left.

Gorky's also released a number of singles and EPs on Anskt. Running through all the Ankst records is a kind of psychedelia and playfulness evidently inspired by the Canterbury scene of the 1960s and 1970s (Kevin Ayers' album Shooting at the Moon is cited in the notes to Tatay as "the best LP of all time", and the record also includes a version of Robert Wyatt's "O, Caroline"). Bwyd Time in particular also features a wide range of instruments, with parts for the celesta and sitar credited on "Iechyd Da", for instance. The 1996 compilation Introducing Gorky's Zygotic Mynci, their first release in America, was a compilation of this material from the Ankst years.

For their next album, Barafundle (1997), produced by Gorwel Owen (who had also worked with the Super Furry Animals) they moved to the larger Fontana label. The wide-ranging instrumentation remained ("Diamond Dew" has a prominent part for the jew's harp) and there were still psychedelic touches, but the album as a whole is more laid back than their earlier work, tending more towards folk music.

This gentler direction was largely maintained and refined in their later records, though the occasional poppier and rockier number, such as "Poodle Rockin'" from Spanish Dance Troupe or "Mow the Lawn" from Sleep/Holiday, continued to crop up.

Gorky's Zygotic Mynci split up on 26 May 2006, Euros Childs and Richard James having released solo albums. James' is in the folky vein of later Gorky's, wheras Childs' has moments that hark back to earlier moments in their career (so far he has released four albums). And John Lawrence releases as Infinity Chimps.

As of Summer 2007, no re-issues of the first 3 albums have surfaced, but Autumn 2007 is a likely date for the expanded & re-mastered Patio.

Final lineup
Euros Childs - vocals, keyboards (1991-2006)
Megan Childs - violin, vocals (1992-2006)
Richard James - bass, vocals (1991-2006)
Rhodri Puw - guitar (1999-2006)
Peter Richardson - drums (2000-2006)

Previous members
John Lawrence - vocals, guitar (1991-1999)
Euros Rowlands - drums (1995-2001)
Osian Evans - drums (1991-1995)
Sion Lane - keyboards (1991)
Cenwyn Brain - guitar (1991)
Sammy Davies - keyboards (1991-1992)
Steffan Cravos - violin (1991-1992)

Faraway Eyes
Gorky's Zygotic Mynci Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

faraway eyes, faraway dreams
and faraway schemes
set out in stone
these are the rules for being alone

what happened to the time
when we came together?
we're knocking on the door so let us in

faraway eyes, faraway dreams
and faraway schemes

bout a year ago looked to the sky just saw lies
in the shivering cold
love your soul dust heaped bowl

what happened to the time
when we came together?
we're knocking on the door so let us in
faraway eyes, faraway skies turned to lies

what happened to the time
when we came together?
we're knocking on the door so let us in

faraway eyes, faraway dreams
and faraway schemes

Overall Meaning

In Gorky's Zygotic Mynci's song Faraway Eyes, the lyrics reflect the struggles of being alone and the yearning for human connection. The phrase "faraway eyes" suggests the distance and isolation that one feels when they are cut off from others. The use of the words "faraway dreams" and "faraway schemes" indicates that the desire to connect with others is not just about seeking companionship, but also about pursuing ambitions and goals with others.

The lyrics continue to question what has happened to the time when people used to come together, as if there has been a change in the nature of human interaction. The line "bout a year ago looked to the sky just saw lies" reflects a sense of disappointment and disillusionment with the world, perhaps further contributing to feelings of estrangement. The lines "love your soul dust heaped bowl" can be interpreted as an expression of the idea that without love or human connection, a person's life can feel empty or meaningless.

Line by Line Meaning

faraway eyes, faraway dreams
A longing to escape from reality and live in a different world filled with dreams and distant thoughts.

and faraway schemes
Plans and ideas that exist only in one's imagination, never materializing into reality.

set out in stone
Having a fixed and unchangeable destiny or fate, without the possibility of altering it.

these are the rules for being alone
The guidelines one must follow in order to survive in isolation, defined by themselves or society.

what happened to the time
The sense of nostalgia and longing for a past that has slipped away, wondering where the time has gone.

when we came together?
Recalling a time when relationships were important and finding oneself questioning what went wrong.

we're knocking on the door so let us in
A plea to be included and welcomed back into society or a relationship after feeling excluded and alone.

bout a year ago looked to the sky just saw lies
Reflecting on a time when the world seemed false and lacking authenticity, turning to the sky for meaningful answers and finding none.

in the shivering cold
A feeling of vulnerability and isolation, alone in the harsh and unforgiving world.

love your soul dust heaped bowl
The idea of love being a scarce and almost non-existent commodity, leaving one's soul empty and depleted.

faraway skies turned to lies
The loss of hope and optimism in what once seemed like a bright and promising future, replaced by a sense of disillusionment and betrayal.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: EUROS CHILDS, RICHARD JAMES

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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