History
The group appeared on several German compilations and, in 1996, released their debut album Thanks for Nothing. Following the release of two limited edition EPs (Words of Power and Take Care), Funker Vogt signed with the American record label Metropolis Records. Metropolis re-released Thanks for Nothing, followed by the We Came to Kill in late 1997.[1] Kästel and Thomas have participated, as remixers, on Leæther Strip album Yes, I'm Limited, Vol. 2. In 2000, Funker Vogt released Maschine Zeit, followed by the remix EP T in early 2001.[1] Additionally to the core members of the band, concert members also include Björn Böttcher (keyboard) and Frank Schweigert (guitar, he replaced Thomas Kroll in 2004). Kai Schmidt writes most of the lyrics and manages the band through his own management company.[2] They all hail from the town of Hamelin in Germany. The majority of their lyrics revolve around the concepts of war.
A distinctive theme is present in the band's work and stage presence; both their musicianship and their costuming are strongly reminiscent of military music and dress.[3] This military aesthetic is also popular with the band's fanbase. However, the political stance of Funker Vogt is decidedly anti-war; the band cites "war and social injustice" as their primary topics of discussion, noting that the goal of the album Execution Tracks, along with the accompanying video, was to "present the grotesque cruelties and the tragedy of war."
According to the band's website, as of 2011 both Björn Böttcher and Kai Schmidt are no longer collaborating with the band. As a result, Funker Vogt will no longer be managed by REPOMANagement.[4] In 2013, longtime frontman Jens Kästel left the band after his last show on 30 November in Berlin.[5] Four years later in 2017 Funker Vogt reform with a new singer, Chris L. (Agonoize/The Sexorcist).
Members
Gerrit Thomas - programming
René Dornbusch - keyboards, drums
Chris L. - vocals
Thomas is also in Ravenous, Fusspils 11 and Fictional, and was in 2006 project Gecko Sector.
Discography
Studio albums
Funker Vogt (1995)
Thanks for Nothing (1996)
We Came to Kill (1997)
Killing Time Again (1998) (part new material, part remixes)
Execution Tracks (1998)
T (2000) (contains 4 new tracks and 10 remixes)
Maschine Zeit (2000)
Survivor (2002)
Revivor (2003) (remix album)
Navigator (2005)
Aviator (2007)
Blutzoll (2010)
Companion in Crime (2013)
Code of Conduct (2017)
Wastelands (2018)
Element 115 (2021)
Live albums
Warzone K17 (2009) (22 hits from the past 12 years)
DVD
Warzone K17 (2009)
Live Execution '99 (2010) (also features the album T in DVD Audio)
Singles and EPs
"Take Care" (1997)
"Words of Power" (1997)
"Killing Time Again"
"Tragic Hero" (1998)
"Gunman" (2000)
"Subspace" (2001)
"Date of Expiration" (2002)
"Red Queen" (2003)
"Fallen Hero" (2005)
"Killing Ground (promo)" (2006)
"Club-Pilot" (2007)
"White Trash" (2008)
"Arising Hero" (2010)
"Hard Way" (2012)
"Sick Man" (2014)
"Der Letzte Tanz" (2017)
"Feel the Pain" (2018)
"Ikarus" (2018)
"Conspiracy" (2020)
Maxi-singles
"Velvet Acid Christ Vs Funker Vogt: The Remix Wars – Strike 4" (1999)
"Code 7477" (2001)
Compilations
Always and Forever Volume 1 (2005)
Always and Forever Volume 2 (2006)
Music videos
"Gunman"
"Subspace"
"Fallen Hero"
"The Firm"
"Hard Way"
"Sick Man"
"Ikarus"
"Feel the Pain"
Remixes by Funker Vogt
Leæther Strip – How Do I Know (Funker Vogt Remix) (1997)
Front 242 – Headhunter 2000 (Funker Vogt Mix) (1998)
Leæther Strip – Hate Me! (Funker Vogt Remix) (1998)
Assemblage 23 – Disappoint (Funker Vogt RMX) (2001)
Cruciform Injection – Lacrimal Involucre (Funker Vogt Remix) (2002)
Beborn Beton – Dr. Channard (Funker Vogt Remix) (2004)
Icon of Coil – Simulated (Funker Vogt Remix) (2004)
Informatik – Flesh Menagerie (Funker Vogt Rmx) (2004)
Dope Stars Inc. – 10.000 Watts (Funker Vogt Remix) (2005)
Mindless Self Indulgence – Straight To Video (Funker Vogt Mix) (2006)
Vigilante (band) – The Other Side (Funker Vogt Remix) (2006)
Theatre of Tragedy – Motion (Funker Vogt Remix) (2009)
Suicide Commando – Attention Whore (Posing Overdose Remix By Funker Vogt) (2012)
Bruderschaft – Return (Funker Vogt Remix) (2013)
Official website: www.funker-vogt.com
A New Beginning
Funker Vogt Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When I turn my head
A lake reflects the stars
But I won't come back
The moon shines bright tonight
I can see the coast
Lighted ships right at anchor
Deep inside I'm still a child
A tear drops down and you will frown
A new beginning, maybe an end
Or is it something in between.
All the friends I ever had
I will never see again.
My old life fades away
Like a teardrop in the ocean.
Deep inside I'm still a child
A tear drops down and you will frown
A new beginning, maybe an end
Or is it something in between.
Don't turn back follow the light
Go your way into a new day
I'm on the road again
Don't know where to go
Without a name I search my fate
Down there in the darkness.
The lyrics in Funker Vogt's song A New Beginning describe the feelings of uncertainty and confusion that come with starting anew. The singer describes looking out at the city lights and reflecting on the life they are leaving behind. They mention a lake reflecting the stars, perhaps symbolizing the reflection of oneself amidst the chaos of the city. Despite the beauty and familiarity of their surroundings, the singer has decided not to come back. They spot ships waiting for the head, indicating that they're moving on to a new journey in life, one that is yet to be entirely clear.
The singer reveals their vulnerability, mentioning that they feel like a child and that a tear drops down their face causing others to frown. They acknowledge that their new beginning may be an end, or maybe something in between, pointing to the uncertainty and lack of clarity in this situation. They mention leaving all their friends behind and watching their old life fade away like a teardrop in the ocean, illustrating the feeling of detachment and distance they're experiencing.
The chorus brings a sense of reassurance, urging the singer to follow the light and go on their way, moving forward into a new day. However, the final line of the lyrics brings back the feelings of uncertainty, with the singer admitting that they're on the road again, without knowing where to go or what exactly the future holds for them.
Overall, A New Beginning is a powerful reflection on the emotions that come with starting over, with a haunting melody and evocative lyrics that leave the listener with a sense of introspection and self-awareness.
Line by Line Meaning
I can see the city lights
The singer can view the illuminations of the urban landscape
When I turn my head
By changing their direction of vision their eyesight falls upon the cityscape
A lake reflects the stars
The celestial bodies are mirrored on the surface of a body of water
But I won't come back
Although the artist has nostalgia for the sights, they will not return
The moon shines bright tonight
The Earth's celestial neighbor is very luminous at this current time
I can see the coast
The singer has a view of the shoreline
Lighted ships right at anchor
Vessels that are obstructing various ports are lit up
Waiting for the head
The ships are waiting for permission to leave port
Deep inside I'm still a child
The artist has not lost touch with their sense of youthful innocence
A tear drops down and you will frown
If a tear falls from the artist's eye, their hearer will take note with a troubled expression
A new beginning, maybe an end
This current situation could lead to either a fresh start or irreversible closure
Or is it something in between.
The end result may fall somewhere other than the previous options
All the friends I ever had
Every acquaintance that the singer has known
I will never see again.
There will not be another meeting between the singer and their past associates
My old life fades away
The way of life that the singer once knew is slowly disappearing
Like a teardrop in the ocean.
The artist's past experiences and memories are vanishing as a single teardrop evaporates in the vast ocean
Don't turn back follow the light
The artist should press forward and follow the light that they can see
Go your way into a new day
Allow the past to be the past and embrace the opportunities of a fresh day
I'm on the road again
The singer is traveling anew
Don't know where to go
The destination is unknown to the artist
Without a name I search my fate
The artist is searching for their destiny without a clear direction
Down there in the darkness.
The forthcoming events of life may be unpleasant, without illumination to guide the way
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
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