Before recording any full length albums, Radiohead found their demo tape and invited them to be part of the US tour for The Bends. After that, they moved from Birmingham, Alabama to Los Angeles, California to record their first album. Several band mates suffered from substance abuse and homelessness after moving from Alabama.
Their first album, self-titled, drew from these experiences and unfortunately received little recognition or sales. The subsequent album Villa Elaine caused them to be praised as "the next big thing". Villa Elaine was recorded when the band was living in an apartment of the same name in Hollywood. Remy Zero's third album The Golden Hum was also received well. A 30 second clip of the song "Save Me" from The Golden Hum was used as the theme song for WB's Smallville. Remy Zero's music has also been on KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic radio show. Most recently Remy Zero's song "Fair" from Villa Elaine was used in the film Garden State, and "Prophecy", also from Villa Ellaine was used in The Last Kiss. In 2003 Jeffrey Cain, Cedric Lemoyne, and Gregory Slay formed The Engine Room and wrote the theme song to the television show Nip/Tuck titled "A Perfect Lie" which was nominated for an Emmy Award.
Remy Zero broke up after making The Golden Hum and many of its members have joined new bands. Shelby and Cinjun Tate have created Spartan Fidelity, Jeffrey Cain has formed Isidore with Steve Kilbey of The Church and recorded a solo album under the name Dead Snares,Gregory Slay has recorded multiple albums as Sleepwell, and Cedric Lemoyne has collaborated with Orenda Fink of Azure Ray on an album set for release in early 2009.
In 2006 there was reason to believe, from their MySpace posting, that the group was attempting to reform. However, as of Summer 2007, the Remy Zero MySpace page showed the following statement: "The story so far: We formed in Birmingham, AL in 1989. We took a break in 2003. We thought momentarily that we might start making music again, but now... who knows. We'll keep you posted here on whatever we're doing - together or separately - as much as we can. Stay tuned...". The Remy Zero website now has the following message:
"The five of us thank all of you who have listened, & had faith in us.
These years as Remy Zero have given birth to music and friendships that will hopefully live on past this moment. We will take the inspiration, lessons, and spirits we have encountered as each of us moves forward into new territories. Remy Zero has been put to rest.
thank you again
peace,
cedric, cinjun, jeffrey, gregory, shelby".
On Tuesday May 22, 2007 Jeffrey Cain's solo album Dead Snares Speak the Language was released, featuring performances with fellow Remy Zero members Cedric LeMoyne, Gregory Slay and Leslie Van Trease. A limited edition release on 180 gram vinyl was made available through SoundIsidore Recordings.
Chloroform Days
Remy Zero Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No change in the weather,
No stopping the weary sun.
On chloroform days
I'll drive them together.
I'll fly nearly on.
I started to feel
I started to hear them sing.
It's further away,
But I know what you mean now.
No distance between us here.
The opening lines of Remy Zero's Chloroform Days suggest feelings of hopelessness and stagnation, with the use of metaphors like "terrible wings" and "weary sun." The singer seems to be experiencing a particularly difficult time, with no sign of change or relief in sight. The reference to chloroform, a powerful anesthetic, suggests perhaps the desire to escape or numb oneself from these troubles. However, in the following lines, the singer appears to find a glimmer of hope, as they declare their intention to "drive them [their troubles] together" and "fly nearly on." It's unclear exactly what actions the singer will take, or what they hope to achieve, but there is a sense of determination in their words.
The final lines of the verse express a shift in the singer's perceptions - they "started to feel against all direction" and "started to hear them sing." This suggests perhaps a newfound openness or receptivity to things around them, even if they may not have been aware of them before. The lines "It's further away, but I know what you mean now / No distance between us here" could be interpreted in a variety of ways - perhaps the singer is discovering a connection with someone or something they had previously felt distant from, or perhaps they are realizing a deeper understanding of themselves and their experiences.
Overall, the lyrics of Chloroform Days paint a picture of someone going through a tumultuous time, but finding the courage to face it head on and seek some sort of resolution or peace.
Line by Line Meaning
On terrible wings,
Despite the difficulty, the problems can still arise and we can't run from them.
No change in the weather,
The climate of life is continuing its normal course, without any mercy.
No stopping the weary sun.
The sun might set, yet the tiresome day is never-ending.
On chloroform days
In dull, sleep-inducing times when our mind is unable to stay awake.
I'll drive them together.
I will bring these experiences together, even if they don't naturally belong together.
I'll fly nearly on.
I will make progress and push forward, despite the probability of falling.
I started to feel
I am finally experiencing some emotions despite feeling numb for a long time.
Against all direction.
I am moving in the opposite direction of others and following my own path.
I started to hear them sing.
I am slowly starting to hear, understand and appreciate the voices of others.
It's further away,
The goal is distant and appears difficult to reach.
But I know what you mean now.
However, now I understand what you were trying to say and feel less alone.
No distance between us here.
We are together in this struggle and this has brought us closer despite any physical distance.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: SHELBY TATE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind