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)
Hallway
Gorky's Zygotic Mynci Lyrics
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she is gone after eighteen years no more
but her memory lives on in a children's song
she ain't walking down that hallway anymore
i sometimes make out a whisper or a sigh
then it's hard when you break down to cry
but in the summertime when the flowers bloom
The song "Hallway" by Gorky's Zygotic Mynci is about the loss of someone who used to walk down a particular hallway. The character in the song mentions that the woman who used to walk down the hallway is gone after eighteen years. She must have either died or moved away, and the character misses her dearly. However, her memory still lives on in a children's song, which acts as another reminder of her absence.
The lyrics also suggest that the character sometimes hears whispers or sighs, which indicate that they are struggling to come to terms with the loss. Sometimes it's hard not to break down and cry. However, when the summertime comes around and the flowers start to bloom, the character takes some time to reflect and think about the person they lost.
Overall, the song is a poignant reflection on grief and loss. The character is struggling to come to terms with the loss of someone dear to them, but they find solace in remembering them and reflecting on their life.
Line by Line Meaning
she ain't walking down that hallway anymore
She used to walk down this hallway, but now she doesn't anymore because she's gone after eighteen years.
she is gone after eighteen years no more
She left after being here for eighteen years and will never return.
but her memory lives on in a children's song
Even though she's gone, her memory lives on in a song that children sing.
she ain't walking down that hallway anymore
Again, emphasizing that she no longer walks down the hallway.
i sometimes make out a whisper or a sigh
Every now and then, I hear a faint noise that sounds like a whisper or a sigh.
then it's hard when you break down to cry
When I hear those sounds, it's difficult not to cry and feel emotional.
but in the summertime when the flowers bloom
During the summer when the flowers start to grow and bloom,
i will take some time and think of you
I will take some time to reflect and think of the person who used to walk down the hallway.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: EUROS CHILDS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind