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
Paralyzed
Funker Vogt Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tell me what we really know
There are far too many secrets
We are all kept in suspense
Do we really know the reason why they fight in the middle-east?
Do we really know the reason why the terrorists attack?
A dirty game is going on
Perhaps our only hope
Is that someone hears our prayers
Here we are all condemned
Paralyzed without a will
The last way out seems to be
To take our suicide pill
A government out of touch
Not caring for their people
A system beyond our control
The politicians are merely puppets
People fighting their own neighbours
Destroying their possession
A last mean of despair
But there is no way out
A dirty game is going on
And no-one knows the players
Perhaps our only hope
Is that someone hears our prayers
Here we are all condemned
Paralyzed without a will
The last way out seems to be
To take our suicide pill
The Funker Vogt song "Paralyzed" is a commentary on the state of affairs in the world. The singer is questioning what is happening around them and emphasizing the lack of transparency in the political game. They are pointing out that all the secrets and unknown players involved in global events are causing anxiety and fear among the populace. The lyrics suggest that we don't even know why the conflicts in the middle-east are happening, nor why terrorists attack. It's a call to realize that the people in power are playing a dirty game, and no one knows who is really in control. The only hope is to pray that someone hears our voice and acts for the benefit of the majority.
The lines "Here we are all condemned, Paralyzed without a will, The last way out seems to be, To take our suicide pill" is a reference to the fact that people feel helpless, with no control over their lives, and are thinking about ending it all. The government seems to be out of touch, and the system has gone beyond the people's control. The politicians are puppets, dancing to the tunes of others, and people are fighting each other, destroying their possessions in the process. It is a bleak picture of society, with no way out of this downward spiral.
In summary, the song is a wake-up call, urging people to open their eyes and understand that there are dark forces at play. It is a call to action, encouraging people to take back control of their lives and demand transparency from those in power.
Line by Line Meaning
What happened in the world today?
The singer is questioning the current state of the world and what events have transpired recently.
Tell me what we really know
The singer is asking for truthful information about world events rather than the false narratives they may be receiving.
There are far too many secrets
The singer believes that there are too many secrets being kept from the public regarding world events.
We are all kept in suspense
The public is constantly in a state of unknown and fear due to the lack of available information regarding world events.
Do we really know the reason why they fight in the middle-east?
The singer is questioning the true motives behind the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and whether or not the public is aware of them.
Do we really know the reason why the terrorists attack?
The singer is questioning if there is a deeper reason behind terrorist attacks and if the public is aware of them.
A dirty game is going on
The singer believes there is a corrupt game being played out behind the scenes of world events.
And no-one knows the players
The public is unaware of who is participating in this corrupt game and what their motives are.
Perhaps our only hope
The singer is hopeful that there is a way to overcome this corrupt game and bring about positive change.
Is that someone hears our prayers
The singer is suggesting that prayer and faith may be the only way to overcome this corrupt game and bring about positive change.
Here we are all condemned
The public is trapped in a helpless situation where they are powerless to change the course of events.
Paralyzed without a will
The public is rendered powerless to take any action towards positive change due to the lack of information and corrupt systems in place.
The last way out seems to be
The only option left for the public to make any impact seems to be through drastic measures.
To take our suicide pill
The singer is using a metaphor for the public to take drastic measures and potentially risk their own lives for the greater good of positive change.
A government out of touch
The singer believes that the government is disconnected from the needs and desires of the public they are meant to serve.
Not caring for their people
The singer believes that the government is not prioritizing the well-being of the public they are meant to serve.
A system beyond our control
The public is unable to affect any positive change due to the corrupt systems and governments in place that are beyond their control.
The politicians are merely puppets
The singer believes that politicians are not in control of the systems they are running and are merely serving the interests of those who truly hold power.
People fighting their own neighbours
The public is becoming increasingly divided and fighting amongst themselves instead of working together for positive change.
Destroying their possession
The public is destroying their own property and possessions in a desperate attempt to affect change and be heard.
A last mean of despair
The public is resorting to desperate and drastic measures in a state of hopelessness and despair.
But there is no way out
Despite the desire for positive change, there seems to be no viable solution or path forward.
Contributed by Ruby V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.