Gorky's Zygotic Mynci
Biography
Gorky's' music followed unconventional time signatures and structures, as well as instrumentation and melodic patterns. The Gorkys developed a strong cult following in Britian, as well as America, ranking behind Super Furry Animals.
Ironically, Gorky's Zygotic Mynci (which is Welsh for Dimwit Reproductive Monkey; the last word is pronounced as "monkey") formed long before Super Furry Animals. Unike many Welsh bands of their age, the members of Gorkys did not begin a band after the Manic Street Preachers appeared in the early '90s - they began playing in the mid-'80s, when the band members were barely in their teens. Euros Childs (vocals, keyboards), Megan Childs (violin), John Lawrence (guitar), Richard James (bass), and Euros Rowlands (drums) were all attending school in Carmarthen, when they formed the group. Lawrence, James, and Euro Childs began making tapes in the bedroom, and they eventually added Euro's sister Megan and Euros Rowlands to the lineup. All of the group members came from upper-middle class families, with Rowlands' father, Dafydd, being a poet who is the archdruid of the Welsh culture celebration Eisteddfod, while Lawrence's mother is a politician. The connections helped Gorky's Zygotic Mynci enter the Welsh culture quite rapidly. Throughout their teens, the band recorded and played festivals, as well as appearing on local television and radio. Eventually, the band signed with the Welsh independent label, Ankst.
Gorky's Zygotic Mynci released three albums on Ankst; Tatay, Bwyd Time, Llanfwrog, before moving to Mercury Records in 1996. Their last album for Ankst reached number one on the UK indie charts. In 1996, their first American album, Introducing Gorky's Zygotic Mynci , was released. A compilation of their early Welsh albums and EPs, the record received positive reviews, yet it failed to make significant inroads for the group in America. Barafundle followed in 1997, and two years later the group returned with Spanish Dance Troupe.
Discography
Singles
Merched yn 'Neud Gwallt Ei Gilydd May 1994
The Game of Eyes/Pentref Wrth y Môr Novemeber
1994
Llanfwrog EP May 1995
Gewn Ni Gorffen (7" Only) 1995
Moon Beats Yellow/If Fingers Were Xylophones November
1995
Amber Gambler June 1996
Patio Song October 1996
Diamond Dew March 1997
Young Girls and Happy Endings/Dark Night June 1997
Sweet Johnny May 1998
Let's Get Together August 1998
Spanish Dance Troupe September 1999
Poodle Rockin' February 2000
Albums
Patio (10" Only): Ankst 040
June 1992
Tatay: Ankst 047 March
1994
Patio (Re-release With 9 Extra Tracks): Ankst 055 June 1995
Bwyd Time: Ankst 059 June 1995
Barafundle: Fontana 534 769-2
April 1997
Gorky 5: Fontana 558 822-2 July 1998
Spanish Dance Troupe: Mantana MNTCD 1015 September
1999
The Blue Trees: Mantana MNTCDM 1023 October
2000