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)
Starmoonsun
Gorky's Zygotic Mynci Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You can dance till you don't exist
But it never used to be like this
The sun sets over the water
And shines in my eyes
The stars and the moon are falling
Right out of the skies
The sun sets over the water
It shines in my eyes
The stars and the moon are falling
Right out of the skies
And when you cry - there is no sky
The first verse of "Starmoonsun" by Gorky's Zygotic Mynci speaks of dancing and losing oneself in the moment, but it also alludes to a feeling of being disconnected. The line "it never used to be like this" suggests that something has changed, and that the dancing is merely a distraction from some deeper feeling of alienation or unease. The song's title hints at this as well: "star," "moon," and "sun" are all celestial bodies that represent vastness and awe, but the combination of the three suggests a disorienting blurring of boundaries.
In the second verse, the sun, stars, and moon take on a more ominous character. The sun sets over the water, which could be read as a moment of transition or uncertainty. The stars and moon falling out of the skies further emphasizes a sense of chaos, and the final line ("there is no sky") implies a total breakdown of normality or structure. It's unclear whether the singer is experiencing these events firsthand or if they're describing a hypothetical scenario, but either way, the imagery is haunting.
Overall, "Starmoonsun" presents a twofold view of the world: on the one hand, there's the joy of dancing and of being alive in a vibrant, energetic moment. But on the other hand, there's the sense that something has gone horribly wrong, that the world is spinning out of control, and that the boundaries between self and cosmos are collapsing.
Line by Line Meaning
I'll tell you something
I have something to share with you
You can dance till you don't exist
You can dance without inhibitions until you lose yourself
But it never used to be like this
But things were not always this way
The sun sets over the water
The sun descends over a body of water
And shines in my eyes
And its light beams into my eyes
The stars and the moon are falling
The celestial bodies are descending rapidly
Right out of the skies
From the expanse above us
And when you cry - there is no sky.
When tears fall, the sky disappears
The sun sets over the water
The sun descends over a body of water
It shines in my eyes
And its light beams into my eyes
The stars and the moon are falling
The celestial bodies are descending rapidly
Right out of the skies
From the expanse above us
And when you cry - there is no sky
When tears fall, the sky disappears
Contributed by Callie T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Joao Belmino Lopes Chaves
I'll tell you something
You can dance till you don't exist
But it never used to be like this
The sun sets over the water
And shines in my eyes
The stars and the moon are falling
Right out of the skies
And when you cry - there is no sky.
The sun sets over the water
It shines in my eyes
The stars and the moon are falling
Right out of the skies
And when you cry - there is no sky.
Sean Murphy
One of the best songs ever that almost nobody knows. Please reissue Barafundle on vinyl!
Paul Messis
one of the best albums of the 90s and particularly of the dreaded "britpop" era, in future years this LP will be deemed a true classic.... a great album... thanks Gorky's.
TheEamoB
I listened to this song on repeat constantly for about two years in my late teens. I really should have got out more but I was happy!
Joao Belmino Lopes Chaves
I'll tell you something
You can dance till you don't exist
But it never used to be like this
The sun sets over the water
And shines in my eyes
The stars and the moon are falling
Right out of the skies
And when you cry - there is no sky.
The sun sets over the water
It shines in my eyes
The stars and the moon are falling
Right out of the skies
And when you cry - there is no sky.
Zenstars
Best song off the best album ever made!
Teethgrinder
This album ❤️❤️❤️
Teethgrinder
Ciarán O'Neill hahaha glad you got the reference!!! In about 10yrs of using it your about the first so 100pts to you ;)
Ciarán O'Neill
Yes and in my sleep i grind my teeth from time to time too!
Thomas Berry
one of the lovliest ever! Modern classic for sure
KingALBoy
Welsh music ruled for a time, 1997 sorta time. When i lived in Treforest