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)
Freckles
Gorky's Zygotic Mynci Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And we're waiting for heaven on...
I bide my time kicking up the sand
Then late at night i'd ask the stars above
Where is my love? oh oh oh
So watch the sun
Jody brown eyes
Jody brown eyes
When i was young
Dreamt of jody brown eyes
No hit and run
Jody brown eyes
She had her dreams she had mine too
We stuck them together and
Bad times you know where...
Now the light of a film reflects her face
And we're waiting for heaven on earth
So watch the sun
Jody brown eyes
And you're my only one
Jody brown eyes
When i was young
Dreamt of jody brown eyes
No hit and run
Jody brown eyes
The lyrics of Gorky's Zygotic Mynci's song Freckles depict the longing for love and the nostalgia of youthful dreams. The opening lines, "Freckles come out with the sun and we're waiting for heaven on," set the tone of the song and suggest a desire for something special. The singer uses the image of freckles coming out with the sun as a metaphor for the blossoming of love, and the waiting for heaven on earth conveys a sense of yearning for a perfect love.
The second verse introduces Jody Brown Eyes as the object of the singer's affections. The lines "When I was young, dreamt of Jody Brown Eyes / No hit and run, Jody Brown Eyes," indicate a deep desire for a genuine and lasting connection. The line "We stuck them together and bad times you know where..." suggests the idea of overcoming difficulties in a relationship and sticking together despite hardships.
Line by Line Meaning
Freckles come out with the sun
When the sun shines, freckles appear on my skin.
And we're waiting for heaven on...
We are hopeful for a better future.
I bide my time kicking up the sand
I wait patiently and pass time by playing on the beach.
Then late at night i'd ask the stars above
During the night, I gaze at the stars and ask for guidance.
Where is my love? oh oh oh
I'm searching for my true love.
So watch the sun
Jody brown eyes
And you're my only one
Jody brown eyes
When i was young
Dreamt of jody brown eyes
No hit and run
Jody brown eyes
Jody's brown eyes are beautiful and I've been dreaming of them since I was young. I love her and would never leave her for another.
She had her dreams she had mine too
We stuck them together and
Bad times you know where...
Now the light of a film reflects her face
And we're waiting for heaven on earth
Jody and I shared our dreams, even during tough times. Now, we wait for a brighter future together, and seeing her face on-screen fills me with happiness.
Contributed by Declan A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.