Einstürzende Neubauten is an ever-changing musical entity, originally forme… Read Full Bio ↴Einstürzende Neubauten is an ever-changing musical entity, originally formed in Berlin, Germany, on the 1st April 1980. Neubauten were initially seen as part of the second wave of industrial bands, filling the space left when Throbbing Gristle terminated their mission. Neubauten's early output fit the term "industrial" well, as it (ab)used the sounds of machinery, metal-on-metal, construction-site equipment, and treated tape loops, creating harsh soundscapes and rhythmic textures reminiscent of krautrock. Their inclusion on the record label Some Bizarre, with acts like Foetus, Coil, and Test Dept., consolidated this position as new industrial pioneers.

However, Neubauten soon outgrew the confines of even the broad scope of industrial music. In their 25-plus years, they have produced a dozen studio albums, live records, a remix album and EP, scored theatre pieces, and more.

Lead vocalist Blixa Bargeld is perhaps the best-known member of the group, both for his work with Neubauten and as guitarist for Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. His fellow founding members Alexander Hacke and N.U. Unruh have likewise been active in various musical roles outside the group over the years.

Bassist Mark Chung was a member of the group from 1981 to 1994. He founded the publishing house Freibank Music Publishing to handle business affairs for Neubauten and other groups, and has continued in this role (concurrently serving as a senior vice-president of Sony Music International for nine years). Percussionist FM Einheit, was a member from 1981 to 1995, and has also been active as a solo artist and member of groups such as Gry.

Since 1997 the group has also included guitarist Jochen Arbeit and percussionist Rudi Moser.

Neubauten's most recent work has been available exclusively to subscribers to their online home, www.neubauten.org. Neubauten completed the third incarnation of their online project in November 2007 and were touring Europe in 2008 in support of their latest album Alles Wieder Offen.

Currently Einstürzende Neubauten is celebrating their 30th anniversary with a tour through Europe and the United States. In October/November 2010 the band is releasing Strategies Against Architecture IV, the fourth album in the archival compilation series by Neubauten which collates the band’s output from 2002-2010.

Hawcubite
Einstürzende Neubauten Lyrics

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I teach an Englishman how not to bet
I make him perform
A sequence of nonsense actions
"I am clear, reliable and sober…"
Hawcubite
Hawcubite
All this in order
As I say

To detonate an h-bomb
Right on top of his head
"This is fun!"
Hawcubite
Hawcubite
It didn't work
So I left

Hawcubite
Hawcubite

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Einstürzende Neubauten's song Hawcubite explore themes of manipulation, control, and the destructive potential of human actions. The singer appears to be teaching an Englishman how to avoid gambling, but quickly shifts focus to a more sinister goal - the detonation of an H-bomb on the man's head. The nonsensical actions and proclamations made by the man are likely a form of brainwashing, designed to make him more obedient to the singer's wishes.

The repeated refrain of "Hawcubite" may be a reference to the mineral hawcubite, which is known for its magnetic properties and may suggest the singer's ability to attract and manipulate the man. The lyrics are chilling in their matter-of-fact tone, as the singer seems to revel in the destructive potential of his actions. However, the final lines suggest that the plan fails and the singer simply walks away, adding a sense of ambiguity to the song's meaning.

Line by Line Meaning

I teach an Englishman how not to bet
I educate an English person on how to avoid taking risks with their money

I make him perform
I command him to act out a series of meaningless tasks

A sequence of nonsense actions
A progression of illogical and meaningless movements

"I am clear, reliable and sober…"
I declare that I am lucid, dependable, and abstinent

Hawcubite
An exclamation used to incite action or excitement

Hawcubite
A repeated cry to continue the energy of the moment

All this in order
The culmination of actions done for a specific purpose

As I say
As directed by my instructions

To detonate an h-bomb
To trigger an explosive device capable of devastating destruction

Right on top of his head
Directly above the Englishman's skull

"This is fun!"
An expression of enjoyment and entertainment