They existed from 1987 until 2001 and "founded at a time in which it was said that punk rock is dead, remaining always faithful to their style" (Trini Trimpop, Power Vision Festival in October 1995.) The band's Punk rock attitude is often pure, although the lyrics are about love, pain and longing.
The Bates published alongside original compositions on each of their albums at least two cover versions. Due to the fact that the cover versions arrived very well, the band released in 2000, an album that only included foreign compositions from different styles, which were presented in a completely new, Bates typical style - by the Beatles (Helter Skelter) and the Rolling Stones (Out of Time) on Sailor (Glass of Champagne) and Aneka (Japanese Boy) to Eiffel 65 (Blue). The highest chart placement of a single was number 10 in Switzerland for the Michael Jackson cover version of "Billie Jean".
In 2001, the band broke up, allegedly over disputes over the consumption of alcohol by singer / bassist and frontman Markus "Zimbl" Zimmer . Zimbl continued to record two solo albums and a side project until his death, and were released unprofessionally in small quantities and as a consequence are long out of print.
Zimbl died in his apartment on 18 June 2006, caused by a circulatory collapse, as a result of long-standing alcohol and drug addiction. In December 2006, the 3-CD compilation "A Tribute to Zimbl - Rocking on heaven's door appeared as an obituary. The proceeds of the tribute CD went to foundations in the fight against drugs.
The band, as well as family and friends Zimmer, organized a honour to him on 28 December 2006, the so-called Zimbl tribute "Rocking on heaven's door". This is also where the filming of the documentary "Zimbl - a real cool time" by Sascha Nölke occurred. Again, the entrance fees were used by the organization "Global care" to make a donation.
Sound of Silence
The Bates Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've come to talk with you again
Because a vision softly creeping
Left its seeds while I was sleeping
And the vision that was planted in my brain
Still remains
Within the sonud of silence
Narrow streets of cobblestone
'Neath the halo of a street lamp
I turned my collar to the cold and damp
When my eyes were stabbed by the flash of a neon light
That split the night
And touched the sound of silence
And in the naked light I saw
Ten thousand people, maybe more
People talking without speaking
People hearing without listening
People writing songs that voices never share
And no one dared
Disturb the sound of silence
The Bates's "Sound of Silence" is a hauntingly beautiful song that delves deep into the human psyche. The opening lyrics, "Hello darkness, my old friend, I've come to talk with you again," sets the introspective tone of the song. The darkness here symbolizes isolation, alienation, and loneliness. The singer has returned to that place, to wallow in his thoughts, to introspect, and to gain a better understanding of himself.
The next few lines, "Because a vision softly creeping, Left its seeds while I was sleeping, And the vision that was planted in my brain, Still remains, Within the sound of silence," bring forth the idea that insights come to us when we are at rest, when we are not thinking about them. In this state, ideas or visions permeate our subconscious, lying dormant until we awaken. These visions can inspire, encourage, or torment—leaving an indelible impact on our lives.
The following verse, "People talking without speaking, People hearing without listening, People writing songs that voices never share, And no one dared, Disturb the sound of silence," touches upon the human condition, where we communicate without really communicating, where words and songs fall upon indifferent ears. The sound of silence is the ultimate truth, the one that lies beneath all our words and actions, revealing what is essential to us. It is a stark reminder of how much we miss out on when we fail to connect with ourselves and others in a meaningful way.
Overall, the song's message highlights the importance of taking the time to listen to our inner selves and to each other, and to appreciate the power of silence. It reminds us that in a world filled with the noise of modern-day living, we must learn to appreciate the power of stillness & an introspective inward look.
Line by Line Meaning
Hello darkness, my old friend
Greeting to the state of emotional isolation that the singer is familiar with
I've come to talk with you again
The singer is willingly entering into this state of isolation again
Because a vision softly creeping
An idea came to the singer's mind slowly and gradually
Left its seeds while I was sleeping
The idea was planted in the artist's mind while they were unconscious
And the vision that was planted in my brain
The idea grew and took shape in the artist's mind
Still remains
The idea has stayed with the singer even after they woke up
Within the sound of silence
The idea was born in the quiet spaces where one is alone with their thoughts
In restless dreams I walked alone
The artist is describing a dream where they are lonely and uncomfortable
Narrow streets of cobblestone
The artist is walking down a difficult path
'Neath the halo of a street lamp
The area is dimly lit
I turned my collar to the cold and damp
The singer is trying to protect themselves from the elements
When my eyes were stabbed by the flash of a neon light
Something particularly striking caught the artist's attention
That split the night
The moment was powerful enough to change the mood of the night
And touched the sound of silence
This moment interrupted the peace and quiet the singer was previously experiencing
And in the naked light I saw
The singer is now in a completely different setting than before
Ten thousand people, maybe more
The artist is surrounded by a large amount of people
People talking without speaking
People are saying things, but not truly communicating
People hearing without listening
People are hearing things, but not truly paying attention
People writing songs that voices never share
People are expressing themselves, but their message is not being received
And no one dared
Despite the above information, no one will take action
Disturb the sound of silence
The current state of inaction maintains the peaceful, but unfulfilling, silence
Contributed by Cole E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ervin Topciu
The Bates are the best on creating covers. Absolutely the best.
Digga Fish
Not sure if Simon&Garfunkel ever listened to this cover song but I'm pretty sure they would love it !!!❤❤❤
Houl23
Fantastic version !!
Miss DieSein
R.I.P. Zimbl! Good memories, great live band, great songs/covers & a lot of energy -> it was "A real cool time" ;-)
Mike Britton
Love how this kicks into gear!
Gonzo Gonzilio
Great great version of this song... :)
Solid Connection
Next what we will play with our band. Exactly in this version❤️
Se Se
Epic !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oliver Opherk
ZYX !!!!!!!!
Iveta Semaskene
It is Super!!! My lovely version...