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
Cold War
Funker Vogt Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They make plans to take the world
Thousands of veiled secrets
Hidden deep inside their rooms
With all their special agents
Trying to fool each other
Each side wants to be the smartest
But you always have to hear
Both sides of the story
It isn't just one country
Which we have to blame
I can go on with these stories
Until the last one is bored
But ignorance and stupidity
Will survive forever
Spy versus spy
Is the name of the game
When we are all left
There is no one to blame
Getting the power
Is the aim of the game
Lying to each other
All for the fame
The lyrics of Funker Vogt's song Cold War talk about the pervasive sense of paranoia and mistrust that characterized the ideological conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union during the second half of the 20th century. The song starts by placing the listener in Moscow, where there are plans to conquer the world hidden deep inside secret rooms. The lyrics suggest that both the US and the USSR are playing a game of deception, with each side trying to outsmart the other using covert intelligence agencies. It's a war that is not conventional, with spies operating in the shadows and secret plans being executed silently.
As the song progresses, the lyrics suggest that there are always two sides to every story. The US cannot fully blame the Soviet Union for the conflict, and vice versa. The Cold War was not just a battle between two countries but represented a larger battle of ideologies. The theme of ignorance and stupidity is prevalent in the song, as the lyrics point out that these dangerous qualities exist on both sides of the conflict. There is a sense of hopelessness in the song, as it suggests that these patterns of behavior will continue indefinitely.
In conclusion, Funker Vogt's song Cold War provides a stark portrayal of the era of mistrust that characterized the Cold War. It highlights the constant struggle for power and the dangerous game of deception that both sides played during this time.
Line by Line Meaning
Somewhere down in mother Russia
In a hidden location in Russia
They make plans to take the world
They plan to conquer the world
Thousands of veiled secrets
Many hidden secrets
Hidden deep inside their rooms
Kept secret inside their private spaces
With all their special agents
Using their highly trained spies
Trying to fool each other
Attempting to deceive their opponents
Each side wants to be the smartest
Both sides strive to appear more intelligent than the other
In this abnormal war
In this unconventional conflict
But you always have to hear
It's important to listen to
Both sides of the story
Perspectives from all parties involved
It isn't just one country
Blame shouldn't be pinned on just one nation
Which we have to blame
To hold accountable for the situation
I can go on with these stories
I could keep telling you these tales
Until the last one is bored
Until everyone becomes disinterested
But ignorance and stupidity
The lack of knowledge and foolishness
Will survive forever
Will always exist
Spy versus spy
A game of intelligence agents competing with one another
Is the name of the game
Is the main purpose
When we are all left
After everything has been said and done
There is no one to blame
No one to hold responsible
Getting the power
Acquiring the authority
Is the aim of the game
Is the main objective
Lying to each other
Deceiving one another
All for the fame
All for the sake of notoriety
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BOB DIPIERO, RYAN KINDER, CAITLYN SMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind