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)
Spanish Dance Troupe
Gorky's Zygotic Mynci Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Put on my uniform it was three sizes too small
I said "dear, dear, dear teacher
I've been six years away
And ain't finished my essay
Coz rock'n'roll rules ok!"
My conclusion this summer
Was there was much too much rain
With a dance troupe from Spain
Where wine, dance and music
Is the name of the game
From bilbao to madrid
My mind ain't been the same
Oh the rehearsals went easy
And I'd learnt all the moves
I was playing a tree trunk in a forest of fools
Now maria moved real good and I could if I would
But when your mind's your prison
Things just don't seem so good
And then we'll be married
Then we'll be happy
And then we'll be married
Then we'll be happy
Ooooooooohhhhhhhhhh
The song Spanish Dance Troupe by Gorky's Zygotic Mynci tells the story of a young man who wakes up on a Monday morning and gets ready for school even though his uniform is three sizes too small. He then tells his teacher that he has been six years away and hasn't finished his essay because "rock'n'roll rules ok!" He explains that his conclusion this summer was that there was much too much rain, so he ran off on Thursday with a dance troupe from Spain where wine, dance, and music is the name of the game. From Bilbao to Madrid, his mind hasn't been the same since.
The rehearsals went easy, and he learned all the moves, but he was only playing a tree trunk in a forest of fools while Maria moved real good, and he could if he would. However, when your mind is your prison, things just don't seem that good. The song then ends with the repetition of the lyrics "Then we'll be married, then we'll be happy." Overall, the song is about the search for happiness through escapism and finding solace in art and music.
Line by Line Meaning
Woke up on Monday and got ready for school
I got up early on a Monday morning and prepared to go to school.
Put on my uniform it was three sizes too small
Although I put on my uniform, it didn't fit me well as it was too small.
I said "dear, dear, dear teacher
I addressed my teacher politely with the word 'dear' repeated thrice.
I've been six years away
I've been away from school for six years now.
And ain't finished my essay
I haven't completed my essay yet.
Coz rock'n'roll rules ok!"
I explained that the reason why I didn't complete my essay was due to my love for rock and roll music.
My conclusion this summer
After thinking about it for some time, I concluded this summer.
Was there was much too much rain
I reached the conclusion that there was an excessive amount of rain this summer.
So I ran off on Thursday
Therefore, I decided to leave on a Thursday.
With a dance troupe from Spain
I joined a group of Spanish dancers.
Where wine, dance and music
In that group, wine, dance and music were the main attractions.
Is the name of the game
These three elements were of utmost importance in that group.
From bilbao to madrid
We traveled from Bilbao to Madrid.
My mind ain't been the same
Since then, my thinking pattern has changed.
Oh the rehearsals went easy
The practices were comfortable and smooth.
And I'd learnt all the moves
I learned all the dance steps well.
I was playing a tree trunk in a forest of fools
Although I was playing a minor role as a tree trunk among others, I felt everyone else was foolish.
Now maria moved real good and I could if I would
Maria was dancing perfectly and I was able to dance well too, if I wished.
But when your mind's your prison
However, when your mind is restricting your happiness,
Things just don't seem so good
things just don't feel right.
And then we'll be married
I thought about the future where Maria and I would get married.
Then we'll be happy
I believed that marriage would make us happy.
And then we'll be married
I repeated my thoughts about getting married.
Then we'll be happy
I repeated my belief that it would make us happy.
Ooooooooohhhhhhhhhh
I expressed a feeling of longing, hope or longing for something more.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: EUROS CHILDS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MrTtrumpet
Only discovered this on YouTube a few years back. Had some wonderful times gigging with these lovely people. I'm playing the TRUMPET on this! Very proud to have been involved! Tony Trumpet. x
@friendofnexttyres
brilliant work, mate! one of my big 90's favs, and the horn really makes it shine.
@ericambler486
Good trumpet! This track reminds me of a wonderful Spanish holiday ... many thanks.
@seanmurphy7733
Lovely! A personal favorite of mine.
@jerryvesselmusic2448
I’ve become quite good friends with Euros Rowlands over the past few years and I treasure the Spanish Dance Troupe t-shirt that was given to me by Euros Childs when Gorky’s played in San Francisco in the ‘90s. The trumpet sounds fantastic!
@leegreenhalgh6677
Beautiful Music, with Originality at its heart.
@WilliamMaranciMashups
One of my favorite songs of all time.
@vap0
glad one of my favorite artists has the same music taste as me lol
@lucaspsouza
My too
@brianinconceivable5520
One of my favourite songs of all time. I really think these guys were taping into something special. their whole catalogue is littered with little known gems. Love this band <3