The first is a … Read Full Bio ↴Zilch is the title of two different artistic groups.
The first is a project founded by Hideto "hide" Matsumoto in 1995 during a stay in Los Angeles.
Zilch was intended to launch an English-speaking market for hide. At its core, hide was joined by two English musicians; guitarist Ray McVeigh who had previously played with members of the Sex Pistols in a band called The Professionals, and bassist Paul Raven of Killing Joke. To complete the line-up American drummer Joey Castillo (now of Queens of the Stone Age fame) and I.N.A, a good friend of hide and member of his solo band hide with Spread Beaver in Japan joined the group.
The band was first mentioned in hide's personal online blog in January 1998 when the video for "Electric Cucumber" was released on Japanese music television. hide said that the band had recorded the particular song and video in 1996 but its release was delayed due to the adult nature of the themes it dealt with. hide said that the he planned to release an album with the band which had already been completed the previous year as well as concentrate on live work with the group. It has now transpired that the band were set to tour with American alternative act Marilyn Manson, the lead singer of which hide was friends with and gave a special "thanks" to in the album notes for his "Psyence" CD.
It was not to be; hide died on May 2, 1998.
The album was released on schedual and is regarded as being close to how it was originally intended with only post production work been contributed after hide's passing. The band released an album of remixed songs the following year and another original album in 2002 before officially disbanding. The band took on numerous members in their post-hide era such as Dave Kushner (now of Velvet Revolver) and had guest performers such as Duff McKagan (Guns n' Roses, Velvet Revolver), J (Luna Sea) and Steve Jones (Sex Pistols).
The second is a Christian pop group formed out of the backup artists for another Christian group named dcTalk.
Zilch was arranged in the fall of 1996 from members of dcTalk's backing band while on tour of Europe in support of their album "Jesus Freak". They use the word "arranged" because none of the members had much in common as far as musical taste or background, which is not the optimal way to form a band.
Guitarist and frontman, Mark Lee Townsend, found influences in everything from 60's pop to alternative. Keyboardist [Jason Halbert preferred synth pop. Bassist Otto Price was everything R & B but loved The Smiths. Drummer Rick May had roots in power pop.
In any case, the four locked themselves in the studio after the New Year and wrote the material which would make up the songs on the 1997 release "Platinum" (Gotee Records). The name Zilch was suggested by Mark, possibly to indicate what kind of impact the band would have on the world, which was a somewhat harsh assessment. Probably closer to the truth is that the name was taken from a cut on The Monkees' 1967 album "Headquarters" (ironically, another band that was "arranged").
The original lineup was a strong one musically, but with such disparate tastes, the band struggled on the road and ultimately retired when dcTalk resumed touring in 1998.
Fast forward to the present where Mark Lee Townsend, the principle visionary in original Zilch, is back to writing new Zilch music. Mark is joined in the studio by Dan Gartley on bass and drummer Mark Graalman (both in the EMI band, Sanctus Real) to finish a new Zilch album, some 10 years after the original release. In keeping with tradition, the new Zilch promises quirky power pop guaranteed to bring a smile.
(Material for the second Zilch entry taken from their website http://www.zilchonline.com/)
In the Sky
Zilch Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The many questions for the asking
She asked if God was just a slob(like us)
Maybe something there is lacking
My God's not in the sky
He's here with you and I
Just ask me if I die
My God's not in the sky
'Cause I just met with Him this
Morning
He gives me peace so I can wear (a smile)
While others drown in melancholy bitter
Sadness all this madness
My God's not in the sky
He's here with you and I
Just ask me if I die
My God's not in the sky
I know you see the need to know (for sure)
You want to find Him - He will find you
My God's not in the sky
He's here with you and I
Just ask me if I die
My God's not in the sky
In Zilch's song "In the Sky," the singer contemplates the many questions about God and responds to someone who has asked if God is merely a "slob" like humans. The lyrics suggest that the singer's version of God is not located in the sky, but rather is present with the singer and the listener. The singer encourages the listener to ask for guidance and comfort from God, because even in the midst of life's challenges, the singer can find peace and joy through a connection with God.
The overarching theme of the song seems to be the search for meaning and purpose in life, particularly in difficult times. The lyrics suggest that the singer believes that God is not distant, but rather is a present and active force in the world. By seeking a connection with God, the singer finds peace and purpose even in the midst of the "melancholy bitter sadness" that others experience. It's possible that the song is meant to provide comfort to those who are struggling with difficult circumstances, by suggesting that God is always present and can offer solace.
Line by Line Meaning
I've thought about it for a while
I have pondered deeply and contemplated for an extended period of time
The many questions for the asking
Numerous inquiries waiting to be posed
She asked if God was just a slob(like us)
She was curious if God was a lazy person as we often exhibit idleness
Maybe something there is lacking
Perhaps, some element of completeness is amiss
My God's not in the sky
I do not believe God exists above the earth
He's here with you and I
My belief is that God is present among us
Just ask me if I die
Inquire of me if you are uncertain when my time has come
Let me tell you all my thoughts (on God)
Allow me to express to you all my views concerning God
'Cause I just met with Him this Morning
Because I recently had a meeting with Him at daybreak
He gives me peace so I can wear (a smile)
He provides me with serenity such that I can carry a cheerful expression
While others drown in melancholy bitter Sadness all this madness
However, others are submerged in sorrowful despair amidst all the insanity
My God's not in the sky
Once more, I state that I do not believe God resides in the atmosphere
He's here with you and I
My conviction is that God is present with us
Just ask me if I die
Feel free to inquire of me when I take my last breath
I know you see the need to know (for sure)
I comprehend that you recognize the urgency to ascertain beyond doubt
You want to find Him - He will find you
Assuredly, if you seek Him, He will locate you
My God's not in the sky
Once again, I emphasize that I do not believe God exists in the firmament
He's here with you and I
Again, I state that God is here among us
Just ask me if I die
Do not hesitate to question me when I breathe my last
My God's not in the sky
Once more, I declare that I do not believe God is situated overhead
Lyrics © CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP, Universal Music Publishing Group, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: JASON D. HALBERT, MARK L. TOWNSEND, OTTO MONTGOMERY PRICE JR., RICHARD D. MAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind