This album was a big turning point in the career of this five-piece band. Produced by Joey Balin and recorded in Philadelphia, it was the first international production by AXXIS.
In the following years AXXIS had traveled thousands of miles. One if the most impressive destinations was Japan, where Bernhard Weiss and guitarist Walter Pietsch performed a couple of acoustic live shows due to the release of the Japanese only CD "Profile". The band became known worldwide!
The album "Matters Of Survival" was produced in Los Angeles in 1995, the city of angels which is uncritically praised as a Metal capitol by some, a city where glamor, violence and homelessness live together very closely. An impression, which was responsible for the choice of the album title.
With Keith Olsen (FLEETWOOD MAC, WHITESNAKE, FOREIGNER, SCORPIONS) the band had a producer who had already worked in the biz since 25 years. Olsen had visited the band in Germany first and both together chose the 12 best songs from the original 30 demo tracks and committed the arrangements. Afterwords they flew over to Los Angeles where Olsen is running his Goodnight L.A.-Studio.
AXXIS especially see themselves as a live band. At a perfect gig, as Bernhard Weiss once said, the own hands have to glow. "It is the best possibility to play your music", says Weiss, "already alone because of the chance of getting so close to your fans." So, the performances at "Rock am Ring" in front of 30 000 spectators were for sure important highlights of the years 1994 and 1996!
To keep on moving into new directions was a principle which this Hard Rock band from the "Ruhrgebiet" had always followed. If you have a look on “Kingdom Of The Night” (`89), “Axxis II” (`91), “The Big Thrill “(`93), “Matters Of Survival” (`95) or “Voodoo Vibes” (97), the latest album by the band, they had always avoided to repeat themselves.
AXXIS do, of course, have their basic sound, their roots are lying within the traditional Heavy Rock of the 70's and 80's, they have found their very own style which is orientated on hooks like "Living In A World". This song is still regarded as a hymn at every show and, as Walter says, the best example for a typical AXXIS song. Bernard's unique vocal style is another characteristic trademark, which makes AXXIS' sound unique. But the cover on these basics is very different anytime. The permanent move can be found within the details.
AXXIS' major ambition is, as Walter adds, "to be a pure Rock 'n' Roll band", and to wash away any doubt, “Voodoo Vibes” became the most Rockin' album since the very early days. The heavy guitars remind the listener a lot on the intensive “Punch” of the debut album.
The production this time was done by the band itself for the very first time. After those great lessons in the US by highly skilled producers, AXXIS felt strong enough to handle the complex studio technics alone and to take over the responsibility for it themselves. "The idea for this was invented by our label", says Harry. "We had already produced our demos for a long time before. And as we presented our new demo tapes to our A&R manager, he was not only convinced by the quality of our new material but of the sound of this supposedly rehearsal room recordings as well. He told us to put it on the album as it was. But the songs and especially the vocals weren't completed yet at the time and that was the reason why the idea came up to let us mix it up ourselves. Because of our demos our label gained a lot of confidence in our abilities to produce an album."
Confidence which was confirmed. “Voodoo Vibes”, produced by Bemhard, Walter and Harry with the help of co-producer and engineer Thomas Kemper at Dierks Studios in the outskirts of Cologne, offers a straight and powerful sound from the beginning to the end which couldn't had been done better by an American star producer. The fact that those complete recordings were finished after only 18 days in the studio is a proof for the band's reliability, who according to Walter, "had a little fear to do the job right in the beginning. The band had to deal with new aspects like being responsible for a recording budget and to be judged for anything that might have gone wrong. But finally everything worked perfectly" and it worked so well that AXXIS would like to repeat it again when starting to record the next album. This self-determination will not be missed in the future anymore...
Current Line-Up:
Bernhard Weiß – Vocal
Harry Oellers – Keys
Marco Wriedt – Guitar
Rob Schomaker – Bass
André Hilgers - Drums
Previous members:
Kosta Zafiriou – Drums (on “Time Machine“)
Richard Michalski – Drums (on “Kingdom Of The Night”, “Axxis II”, “Access All Areas”, “The Big Thrill”, “Profile-The Best of Axxis”, “Matters of Survival”, “Voodoo Vibes”, “Sarajevo Exklusiv”, “Back To The Kingdom“, “Collection Of Power” & “Eyes Of Darkness”)
Walter Pietsch – Guitars (on “Kingdom Of The Night”, “Axxis II”, “Access All Areas”, “The Big Thrill”, “Profile-The Best of Axxis”, “Matters of Survival”, “Voodoo Vibes” & “Sarajevo Exklusiv”)
Markus Gfeller – Bass (on “The Big Thrill”, “Profile-The Best of Axxis”, “Matters of Survival”, “Voodoo Vibes” & “Sarajevo Exklusiv”)
Werner Kleinhans – Bass (on “Kingdom Of The Night”, “Axxis II” & “Access All Areas”)
The official site:
http://www.axxis.de
History (english):
http://www.axxis.de/eng_history.html
Stayin' Alive
Axxis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Music loud and women warm, I've been kicked around
Since I was born.
And now it's all right.
It's OK.
And you may look the other way.
We can try to understand
The New York Times' effect on man.
Feel the city breakin' and everybody shakin', people, Stayin' alive, stayin' alive.
Ah, ha, ha, ha, stayin' alive, stayin' alive.
Ah, ha, ha, ha, stayin' alive.
Well now, I get low and I get high,
And if I can't get either, I really try.
Got the wings of heaven on my shoes;
I'm a dancin' man and I just can't lose.
You know it's all right.
It's OK.
I'll live to see another day.
We can try to understand
The New York Times' effect on man.
Whether you're a brother or whether you're a mother, You're stayin' alive, stayin' alive.
Feel the city breakin' and everybody shakin', people, Stayin' alive, stayin' alive.
Ah, ha, ha, ha, stayin' alive, stayin' alive.
Ah, ha, ha, ha, stayin' alive.
Life's goin' nowhere.
Somebody help me.
Somebody help me, yeah.
Life's goin' nowhere.
Somebody help me, yeah.
Stayin' alive.
Well, you can tell by the way I use my walk, I'm a woman's man—no time to talk.
Music loud and women warm, I've been kicked around
Since I was born.
And now it's all right.
It's OK.
And you may look the other way.
We can try to understand
The New York Times' effect on man.
Whether you're a brother or whether you're a mother, You're stayin' alive, stayin' alive.
Feel the city breakin' and everybody shakin', people, Stayin' alive, stayin' alive.
Ah, ha, ha, ha, stayin' alive, stayin' alive.
Ah, ha, ha, ha, stayin' alive.
Life's goin' nowhere.
Somebody help me.
Somebody help me, yeah.
Life's goin' nowhere.
Somebody help me, yeah.
I'm stayin' alive.
Life's goin' nowhere.
Somebody help me.
Somebody help me, yeah.
Life's goin' nowhere.
Somebody help me, yeah.
I'm stayin' alive.
Life's goin' nowhere.
Somebody help me.
Somebody help me, yeah.
Life's goin' nowhere.
Somebody help me, yeah.
I'm stayin' alive.
Life's goin' nowhere.
Somebody help me.
Somebody help me, yeah.
Life's goin' nowhere.
Somebody help me, yeah.
I'm stayin' alive.
The song "Stayin' Alive" by Axxis is an upbeat and energetic track about perseverance and resilience. The song starts with the iconic line, "Well, you can tell by the way I use my walk, I'm a woman's man—no time to talk." The singer of the song is confident and self-assured, strutting with purpose and determination.
He explains that he's been "kicked around since [he] was born," but that he's still going strong. The chorus reiterates this point with the catchy refrain, "Whether you're a brother or whether you're a mother, you're stayin' alive, stayin' alive." The song encourages listeners to keep moving forward despite any obstacles they may face, with lines like "I'll live to see another day" and "Got the wings of heaven on my shoes."
However, there's also a note of desperation in the song, particularly towards the end. The repeated cry of "Life's goin' nowhere, somebody help me, yeah" suggests that the singer is struggling to stay positive and is in need of help. Despite this, the song ultimately ends on an upbeat note, with the singer affirming his determination to keep staying alive.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, you can tell by the way I use my walk, I'm a woman's man—no time to talk.
My confident, strutting walk and style shows that I attract and am successful with women, and I prioritize them over conversation.
Music loud and women warm, I've been kicked around Since I was born. And now it's all right. It's OK. And you may look the other way.
I've always found comfort and escapism in loud music and the comfort of women. Despite hardships that I've faced since birth, I remain calm and capable. Others may choose to ignore my lifestyle and attitude.
We can try to understand The New York Times' effect on man.
We can analyze and seek to comprehend how media such as The New York Times influences and shapes society.
Whether you're a brother or whether you're a mother, You're stayin' alive, stayin' alive.
Regardless of your background or identity, you are staying alive and persevering through life's challenges.
Feel the city breakin' and everybody shakin', people, Stayin' alive, stayin' alive. Ah, ha, ha, ha, stayin' alive, stayin' alive. Ah, ha, ha, ha, stayin' alive.
Amidst the chaos and movement of the city, everyone is persevering and surviving, as represented by the iconic refrain 'stayin' alive.'
Well now, I get low and I get high, And if I can't get either, I really try. Got the wings of heaven on my shoes; I'm a dancin' man and I just can't lose.
I experience ups and downs like anyone else, but I always strive to find joy and success. My confidence and energy are rooted in a sense of spirituality and the ability to dance and celebrate life.
I'll live to see another day.
I remain optimistic and strong, knowing that I will continue to persevere through each day.
Life's goin' nowhere. Somebody help me. Somebody help me, yeah.
Despite my resilience, I sometimes feel stuck or lost in life, and seek the support and assistance of others.
I'm stayin' alive.
Above all else, I am determined to survive and thrive, no matter what challenges come my way.
Contributed by Keira C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.