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
Nothing New
Funker Vogt Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
everyone is telling lies
always making promises
which never will be fulfilled
changing the point of view
promising a better nation
this is nothing new
you can look to the left
you can look to the right
in the end there's no difference
who has the power
changing the point of view
promising a better nation
this is nothing new
just a cosmetic alteration
changing...
changing...
changing...
always in search of skeletons
to hide their own faults
there is no more time left
to do their real work
changing the point of view
promising a better nation
this is nothing new
just a cosmetic alteration
changing the point of view
promising a better nation
this is nothing new
just a cosmetic alteration
try to avoiding radicals
they are so narrow-minded
they only fight for their aim
don't take care of other things
changing the point of view
promising a better nation
this is nothing new
just a cosmetic alteration
changing the point of view
promising a better nation
this is nothing new
just a cosmetic alteration
changing...
The lyrics of Funker Vogt's "Nothing New" express a disillusionment with politicians and their empty promises. The song speaks to the idea that politicians often change their views and make promises solely for cosmetic reasons, rather than out of a real desire to make positive change. The repetition of the line "changing the point of view, promising a better nation, this is nothing new, just a cosmetic alteration" emphasizes this point.
The lyrics suggest that politicians are all the same, regardless of their political affiliation or ideological beliefs. The line "you can look to the left, you can look to the right, in the end, there's no difference who has the power" suggests that the quest for power and the desire to maintain it is more important than any real desire to improve the lives of the people they serve.
The song also speaks to the dangers of radicalism, suggesting that while politicians may be flawed, extremists are even more so. The lines "try to avoid radicals, they are so narrow-minded, they only fight for their aim, don't take care of other things" suggest that extremism, regardless of its ideological basis, can be dangerous and counterproductive.
Overall, the song is a commentary on the state of politics and government, emphasizing the need for change and a true commitment to positive change rather than just cosmetic alterations.
Line by Line Meaning
Look at all the politicians
Directing attention towards the existence of politicians
everyone is telling lies
Pointing out the dishonesty prevalent in politicians
always making promises
Explaining the tendency of politicians to make commitments
which never will be fulfilled
Asserting that the promises made by politicians often turn out to be empty
changing the point of view
Describing the habit of politicians to change their stance
promising a better nation
Highlighting the promises made by politicians to improve the nation
this is nothing new
Suggesting that this behavior is not new or innovative
just a cosmetic alteration
Comparing these promises to superficial changes to appearance
you can look to the left
Emphasizing that politicians have different affiliations
you can look to the right
Explaining that politicians come from different ideological backgrounds
in the end there's no difference
Asserting that this difference does not matter in the end
who has the power
Raising the question of who holds the power
always in search of skeletons
Portraying politicians as looking for faults in others
to hide their own faults
Explaining why politicians search for these skeletons
there is no more time left
Suggesting that time has run out for politicians to act in real ways
to do their real work
Implying that politicians have not been doing their job and thus are in a panic to rectify their image
try to avoiding radicals
Suggesting that politicians are trying to avoid people who may cause trouble
they are so narrow-minded
Suggesting that these radicals may be unwilling to compromise or think outside their beliefs
they only fight for their aim
Implying that these radicals are fighting for their own beliefs and not for the good of the country
don't take care of other things
Implying that the radicals are not considering other important matters
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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