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.
Queen Of Venus
Remy Zero Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Languished on the lizard skin divan,
Stared into the sun.
That man is one, is
'Clipsin' out to see the fun through.
He said, Comin' from me to you
Though the farm is bet,
Better to recede me,
She commands a greater beating to her chest.
The slow fix, the snow sticks on the ground.
Lazy train from central
To the lizards then
She sends them all to bed.
Her body said,
Let the furues blow until they're through.
She'll be there when the crow comes to.
Drinkin' whiskey from a tombstone flask,
Coming back through the weeds and the trash.
Double wide inside and blue,
Eclipsing it to get to you at last.
Pedro!
Though the farm is bet,
I still don't have no opinion yet.
The opening lines of the song "Queen of Venus" by Remy Zero sets a surreal tone that stays throughout the song. The song seems to be narrated from the perspective of a person who has fallen down and is now languishing on a "lizard skin divan" and staring into the sun. As the song progresses, one can make out that the person has been entrusted with a message from someone, "coming from me to you." But he still doesn't have an opinion on it, even though the farm is bet.
In the next stanza, the song takes a surreal turn, the singer talks about someone commanding a greater beating to her chest. That person sends others to bed and is there even when the crow comes to her. The imagery is purposefully confusing, but one can make out that the person in question might hold a higher position, possibly a queen. The singer talks about her body letting the "furies" blow until they're through, signifying the person's inclination to let things take their course.
The last stanza brings up Pedro, whose purpose is not entirely clear, and the singer talks about coming back through the weeds and the trash but eclipsing it to get to "you" at last. The song keeps things desperate and surreal, conveying a sense of unease that never seems to go away. Overall, "Queen of Venus" is an intriguing song that demands one's attention but doesn't always offer clear answers.
Line by Line Meaning
I fell down, tried to keep hands numb,
I stumbled and fell down, trying to avoid feeling the pain in my hands.
Languished on the lizard skin divan,
I lay down on a couch made of lizard skin and felt both indulgent and alienated.
Stared into the sun.
I dared to look at the sun, even though it's blinding and painful to do so.
That man is one, is 'Clipsin' out to see the fun through.
That man is confident and enjoying life, with a carefree attitude.
He said, Comin' from me to you
He's speaking directly to me, sharing his perspective.
Though the farm is bet, I still don't have no opinion yet.
Even though I know things are uncertain and unpredictable, I can't make up my mind about what to think or believe.
Better to recede me,
It's more comfortable and safer for me to pull back or withdraw from situations.
She commands a greater beating to her chest.
She exerts control over her emotions, even when her feelings are intense or strong.
The slow fix, the snow sticks on the ground.
The process of healing or learning takes time, like snow settling on the ground.
Lazy train from central To the lizards then
A slow and easy train ride that takes me from the city to the desert.
She sends them all to bed.
She has the power to make others rest or sleep, whether physically or metaphorically.
Her body said, Let the furues blow until they're through.
Her physical being is telling her to endure and weather the storms of life, confident that they'll pass eventually.
She'll be there when the crow comes to.
She'll be waiting and ready for the next challenge or obstacle that arises.
Drinkin' whiskey from a tombstone flask,
She's drinking alcohol from a flask that's shaped like a tombstone, perhaps signifying a reckoning or facing of one's own mortality.
Coming back through the weeds and the trash.
Returning through a difficult and unpleasant path, but still persevering.
Double wide inside and blue,
A mobile home that's spacious and sad, evoking both comfort and melancholy emotions.
Eclipsing it to get to you at last.
Overcoming the doubts and obstacles in order to finally reach someone or something.
Pedro!
A name called out, perhaps indicating a potential ally or friend.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: SHELBY TATE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind