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.
Chromosome
Remy Zero Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Through my fingers fades tomorrow.
But wait for me,
'Cause lines are forming
And words get clearer now.
I'll borrow them from you,
'Cause it's all I can do.
And light of millions face our sorrows.
But wait,
The lines are forming
And words get clearer now.
I'll borrow them from you,
'Cause it's all I can do.
Cracked.
Charred.
Charred.
You can't communicate.
Dumb, dumb, dumb.
Dumb, dumb, dumb.
Stop mumbling.
Wasted art.
Wasted art.
The lyrics of Remy Zero's song "Chromosome" contemplate the themes of time, transience, the elusive nature of truth, and the power of communication. The song begins with a sense of instability conveyed through the imagery of moving downwards, and then the lyrics mourn the evanescence of tomorrow through the singer's fingers. Yet, there is a sense of hope and anticipation of something forming, as lines are starting to form, and words get clearer as if emerging from the void. The singer borrows the words from someone else, as if acknowledging the limits of one's perspective and the need to rely on others to make sense of the world.
Then, the lyrics shift to a more ambiguous tone, suggesting the emergence of an intense light- "they shine like Jesus"- which faces our sorrows, maybe referring to a revelation, a transcendental experience or a sign that helps us cope with pain. The lines keep forming, and the words get clearer, almost as if the song is building up to a revelation. However, the singer acknowledges their inability to fully grasp or understand it and resorts to borrowing the words from someone else, implying that truth is fleeting and constantly in flux.
The mood then shifts again, as the word "Cracked" breaks the flow of the lyrics, perhaps implying a sense of disillusionment or fracture, which is accentuated by the repetition of "Charred." The following lines are more aggressive and confrontational, adopting a dialogue mode, "You can't communicate, dumb, dumb, dumb. Stop mumbling." The singer seems to imply frustration with someone who can't convey their message effectively, wasting their art as a result.
Line by Line Meaning
Today, moving downwards.
The singer is experiencing a negative emotion or situation and feels like they are moving in a downward direction.
Through my fingers fades tomorrow.
The future seems uncertain and unclear and is slipping away from the singer's grasp.
But wait for me, 'Cause lines are forming
Despite the uncertainty, the singer is hopeful and waiting for clarity to emerge.
And words get clearer now.
The clarity the singer seeks is beginning to emerge as the situation or feeling becomes easier to understand.
I'll borrow them from you, 'Cause it's all I can do.
The singer seeks understanding from someone else because they are unable to find it on their own.
Today, they shine like Jesus, And light of millions face our sorrows.
The clarity and understanding that the singer seeks is very impactful and can help others too.
But wait, The lines are forming And words get clearer now.
The clarity and understanding that the singer seeks is coming closer and is within reach.
Cracked. Charred. Charred.
The feeling or situation is damaged, broken, and appears to be beyond repair.
You can't communicate. Dumb, dumb, dumb. Dumb, dumb, dumb.
The artist is not able to effectively communicate their feelings, leading to frustration and further damage.
Stop mumbling. Wasted art. Wasted art.
The singer is not being heard or understood and views their art (music) as wasted when it cannot effectively communicate their feelings.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: AUGUST CINJUN TATE, CEDRIC LEMOYNE, JEFFREY CAIN THOMPSON, SHELBY TATE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
softtalkradio
Sitting at work, I randomly had the urge to hear this. I listen to anything these days, and rarely, if ever, come back to my favorites 'cause I don't want to be reminded of my old life. But sometimes, like now, I can't help it.
Jessicaisthashiznit
softtalkradio it's like that for me too
Louis Schefano
yes! it sounds more amazing than i remember.
Tornike Bagalishvili
@softtalkradio yep.this stuff is old.and i have a lot of memories remy zero reminds me of...
Tornike Bagalishvili
@letthebadguygo u like the song??