Their EP and first two albums, Willoughby's Beach (2011), 12 Bar Bruise (2012) and Eyes Like the Sky (2013), primarily blended surf music and garage rock, and were released on the band's independent record label, Flightless, founded by Moore in 2012. Their third to eighth albums—Float Along – Fill Your Lungs (2013), Oddments, I'm in Your Mind Fuzz (2014), Quarters!, Paper Mâché Dream Balloon (2015) and Nonagon Infinity (2016)—expanded their sound, including elements of film music, psychedelic rock, progressive rock, folk, jazz, soul and heavy metal.
In 2017, the band fulfilled a promise to release five studio albums within the year: Flying Microtonal Banana in February; Murder of the Universe in June; Sketches of Brunswick East, a collaboration with Mild High Club, in August; Polygondwanaland, which was released into the public domain, in November; and Gumboot Soup in December. The band released its fourteenth album, Fishing for Fishies, on 26 April 2019, followed by a fifteenth album, Infest the Rats' Nest, released on 16 August that year.
On the 19th of April they released their first feature-length film, concert movie "Chunky Shrapnel". Named after a lyric from the band’s 2017 song Murder Of The Universe, The film combines concert footage from the band’s 2019 European tour with documentary style-filmmaking of King Gizzard behind the scenes. While Chunky Shrapnel does also document the band offstage, the film’s director, Josh Angus Stewart, said that it prioritizes music over personalities.
Chunky Shrapnel was originally set to premiere at Melbourne’s Astor Theatre, before the Australian government closed cinemas nationwide to stem the spread of the coronavirus. The film was eventually released and finally available for 24 hours only on vimeo.
In all, throughout 2020, the band released several live albums, a concert film, a double compilation of demos, K.G. , their 16th studio album and a compilation of early singles and all the tracks on the Anglesea EP called Teenage Gizzard . In August, Eric Moore (the band's second drummer and manager) left the band to focus on running his record label, Flightless. In February 2021, the band released L.W., their third microtonal album, which was followed by the synth-based dream pop album Butterfly 3000 in June. These albums were released independently rather than on Flightless. The band's twentieth studio album, Omnium Gatherum, was released on 22 April 2022.
On 24 January 2023, the band released the official live bootleg Live at Red Rocks '22. The 86-track, eight-hour release documents the band's three-night run at the titular Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Several independent labels have created physical releases of the bootleg, including a 12-vinyl boxset and a CD/cassette run.
On 4 March of the same year, the band debuted a new song "Gila Monster" during a live performance in Tilburg in the Netherlands. Following that, on 7 May, the band announced their upcoming 24th studio album, PetroDragonic Apocalypse; or, Dawn of Eternal Night: An Annihilation of Planet Earth and the Beginning of Merciless Damnation via Instagram. According to bassist Lucas Harwood, PetroDragonic Apocalypse will be one of two upcoming albums that will have a "Yin and Yang" concept, stating that they are "going to be very different sounding to each other, but we're going to try to make them complement each other". The album's first single, "Gila Monster", was released alongside a music video an hour before the album pre-order opened on May 16 and the second single "Dragon" was released on June 6 with its music video. The band then went on tour throughout the United States to promote the album before its release by playing songs from the album other than the singles. One such performance on 3 June was at the Caverns in Tennessee where the band dressed in drag to celebrate Pride Night after a judge turned down a law that intended to ruled drag unlawful. Joey Walker told the crowd, "This ain't no protest, baby. This is a celebration!" PetroDragonic Apocalypse was released on 16 June.
Their 25th album, The Silver Cord, was released on the 27th of October 2023.
Their 26th and latest album, Flight b741, was released on the 9th of August, 2024 - it is their first album released on their new record label, p(doom) Records.
The band members all grew up and went to school in the Deniliquin, Melbourne and Geelong areas. The band started off as a group of friends jamming together, before a mutual friend asked them to play at a show. The band's name was created "last minute". Mackenzie wanted to name the band "Gizzard Gizzard" while another band member wanted Jim Morrison's nickname "Lizard King". They eventually compromised with King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard. The artist Jason Galea has created all of the band's album art, and a majority of their music videos.
Change
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Who's to believe?
Who should we change for?
Who could we be?
When my race is done, how did I run?
Did I par the course and pass the baton on?
Vote with your feet
Form a military of peace and kill the king
Be a citizen of planet earth
Be a bigger man or woman
'Cause we all can
Change, change, change
Change for its own sake
Uniformity gave me a belly ache
I want a mutiny
My mind is finally awake
Who could we be given equal opportunity?
What could we see given equal chance to actually
Change? Change, change
Change, change, change
Is this what we consider changing for the better? Maybe
Is this what we consider changing? Ah, save me
Is this what we consider changing for the better? Maybe
Is this what we consider changing?
I'm changing, I'm changing
Is this what we consider changing for the better? Maybe
Is this what we consider changing? (Change)
Is this what we consider changing?
I'm changing, I'm changing
Is this what we consider changing?
We're changing pace, high stakes
So called heroes wearing fake capes
Critically acclaimed, clinically deranged
Push the buttons, keep on frontin'
'Til they hear the thumpin
Somethings coming up the hallway
Out of the left field lane, hey
My stomachs turning from the vermin up-skirt observing
Power hungry tryna draw the curtains from the public person
But there ain't no slicker villain that's deserving a
Serving on the killing floor
Put 'em on the chopping board for all to see
I'm a sniper hiding in the tower
I'm picking them off one by one
Gateway drug to the only solution
Cutting out their tongues before they jump the gun
I'm the like the cupid trying bring the love
But you keep getting out of my range
No strings on my bow with broken arrows
Running low on ammo to make a change
Buildings that you know, people come and go
Are a certain way, always are the same
And then you get the news that obliterates your view
Amputate your truths, the significance has changed
Hospital inane, meaningless and grey
But lie within the walls and the significance will change
What would it take for us to change the game?
Maybe our existence is significance in vain
The significance has changed
Maybe our existence is significance in vain
Buildings that you know, people come and go
Are a certain way, always are the same
And then you get the news that obliterates your view
Amputate your truths, the significance has changed
Hospital inane, meaningless and grey
But lie within the walls and the significance will change
What would it take for us to change the game?
Maybe our existence is significance in vain
What would it take to build an ark for me and my friends?
Escape this old place with all that creeps and fish in the sea
And all that flies and all the bugs inside of me
Take all the good things and leave the human beings
Bah badah bah duna boo bah bah, bah banah banah boh boh
Bah badah bah duna boo bah bah, bah banah banah boh boh
Bah badah bah duna boo bah bah, bah banah banah boh boh
Bah badah bah duna boo bah bah, bah banah banah boh boh
Bah badah bah duna boo bah bah, bah banah banah boh boh
Bah badah bah duna boo bah bah, bah banah banah boh boh (change)
(Burn it up, burn it up)
(Burn it up, burn it up, change)
(Burn it up, burn it up)
(Burn it up, burn it up, change)
(Burn it up, burn it up)
(Burn it up, burn it up, change)
(Burn it up, burn it up, burn it up)
Woo
Woo (burn it up, burn it up)
(Burn it up, burn it up)
(Burn it up, burn it up)
(Burn it up, burn it up) woo
"Change" by King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard is a song that explores the concept of change on both personal and societal levels. The opening lines question who we should please and believe, highlighting the uncertainty and confusion that often accompanies the process of change. The lyrics then delve into the idea of changing for its own sake, emphasizing the dissatisfaction with uniformity and the desire for individuality. The song encourages listeners to be citizens of planet Earth, to strive for personal growth, and to embrace the potential for change that lies within all of us.
The lyrics also touch upon the power dynamics in society, criticizing those who hold onto power at the expense of others. The lines about forming a "military of peace" suggest a call for unity and collective action to challenge oppressive systems. There is a sense of rebellion and awakening throughout the song, as the singer expresses a determination to break free from societal constraints and bring about positive change. The repeated refrain of "change, change, change" reinforces the central theme and serves as a rallying cry for transformation.
Line by Line Meaning
Who should we please?
Who should we try to satisfy?
Who's to believe?
Whose words can we trust?
Who should we change for?
Who should we alter ourselves for?
Who could we be?
What are the possibilities for us?
When my race is done, how did I run?
Reflecting on one's actions and performance in life
Did I par the course and pass the baton on?
Did I meet expectations and inspire others?
Vote with your feet
Take action and express your opinions through movement
Make company
Find like-minded individuals
Form a military of peace and kill the king
Unify for a peaceful revolution and challenge those in power
Be a citizen of planet earth
Identify as a member of the global community
Be a bigger man or woman
Grow and evolve as an individual
'Cause we all can
Because every one of us is capable
Change for its own sake
Change without a specific objective
Uniformity gave me a belly ache
Conforming made me feel uneasy
I want a mutiny
I desire a rebellion
My mind is finally awake
I have become consciously aware
Who could we be given equal opportunity?
What potential could we fulfill with equal chances?
What could we see given equal chance to actually
What perspectives could we gain if truly given equal opportunities?
Change? Change, change
Change is essential, and it repeats
Is this what we consider changing for the better? Maybe
Are these the improvements we desire? It's uncertain
Is this what we consider changing? Ah, save me
Is this the concept of change we embrace? It's distressing
I'm changing, I'm changing
I am undergoing transformation
We're changing pace, high stakes
We are altering our speed, with significant risks
So called heroes wearing fake capes
Supposedly heroic figures pretending to be virtuous
Critically acclaimed, clinically deranged
Publicly praised, but mentally unstable
Push the buttons, keep on frontin'
Manipulate and continue pretending
'Til they hear the thumpin
Until they face the consequences
Somethings coming up the hallway
Something unexpected is approaching
Out of the left field lane, hey
From an unexpected and unconventional direction
My stomachs turning from the vermin up-skirt observing
I am disgusted by witnessing deceitful actions
Power hungry tryna draw the curtains from the public person
Ambitious individuals attempting to expose the truth about a public figure
But there ain't no slicker villain that's deserving a
No one is more cunningly evil and deserving of
Serving on the killing floor
Participating in a destructive environment
Put 'em on the chopping board for all to see
Expose their true nature to the public
I'm a sniper hiding in the tower
I am someone carefully observing from a position of advantage
I'm picking them off one by one
I am eliminating them individually and methodically
Gateway drug to the only solution
A way to introduce the ultimate remedy
Cutting out their tongues before they jump the gun
Silencing their words before they act recklessly
I'm the like the cupid trying bring the love
I am similar to cupid, attempting to spread love
But you keep getting out of my range
But you keep avoiding my influence or reach
No strings on my bow with broken arrows
My arrows are useless without the proper equipment
Running low on ammo to make a change
Running out of resources to bring about change
Buildings that you know, people come and go
Familiar structures and individuals have their lifespan
Are a certain way, always are the same
They maintain a fixed nature, seemingly unchanging
And then you get the news that obliterates your view
But then you receive information that completely shatters your perspective
Amputate your truths, the significance has changed
Remove your previously held beliefs, as their importance has shifted
Hospital inane, meaningless and grey
A dull and insipid hospital environment
But lie within the walls and the significance will change
Yet, if you dig deeper, the meaning within those walls will transform
What would it take for us to change the game?
What actions are needed to radically transform the situation?
Maybe our existence is significance in vain
Perhaps our presence holds no real meaning
What would it take to build an ark for me and my friends?
What would be required to create a sanctuary for ourselves and our companions?
Escape this old place with all that creeps and fish in the sea
Leave behind this worn-out world, along with all its creatures and marine life
And all that flies and all the bugs inside of me
And everything that soars and all the troubles within myself
Take all the good things and leave the human beings
Take all the positive aspects and discard the flaws of humanity
Bah badah bah duna boo bah bah, bah banah banah boh boh
Untranslatable vocalizations
(Burn it up, burn it up)
Incite change and revolution
(Burn it up, burn it up, change)
Ignite transformation
Woo
Expressing enthusiasm and excitement
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Stuart Mackenzie
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind