The band was already established in 1994 by Rümenapp, Ude and Poschwatta, when the vocalist Sandra Nasic joined later that year. They recorded 3 demo tapes, but their career took off in 1996 after winning the Local Hero contest for unsigned bands. They used the prize money for recording their first hit "Open Your Eyes" and shot a video for that song. They also signed to GUN/Supersonic Records.
"Open Your Eyes" was released as a single (#5 GER) and was followed by their debut album Proud Like a God in 6 October 1997. The album ranked #4 and it was certified platinum in Germany. Two other singles helped the album's popularity and sales: "Rain" (#76 GER) and "Lords of the Boards" (#10 GER). "Lord of the Boards" is performed as the closing song on every Guano Apes concert.
In 1999, they issued the stand alone single "Don't You Turn Your Back on Me" (# 50 GER).
In 2 May 2000, Guano Apes released the sophomore album, Don't Give Me Names. This #1 album in Germany was certifed gold in the same country and it was promoted by four singles: "Big in Japan" (#9 GER, #5 IT), "No Speech" (#75 GER), "Living in a Lie" (#84 GER) and "Dödel Up" (#57 GER).
In 2001, the band credited as Guano Babes featuring Michael Mittermeier, issued the stand alone single "Kumba Yo!" (#3 GER).
Their third album Walking on a Thin Line was released in 3 February 2003. The album peaked #1 and it was certified gold in Germany. Guano Apes released three singles from this album: "You Can't Stop Me" (#10 GER), "Pretty in Scarlet" (#51 GER) and "Quietly" (#51 GER).
After the very long promo tour to the WOATL album, the band decided to take a rest for a while. In 2004 they issued a Best Of album titled Planet of the Apes and the single "Break the Line". The band broke up after a final tour in February 2005. A year later, their label released the compilation Lost (T)apes, which contains previously unreleased demos, originally recorded in 1994 and 1995.
Dennis Poschwatta formed the crossover band Tamoto with his friend G-Ball and released the album Clemenza. Henning Rümenapp worked for Horus Studios in Germany. Sandra Nasic released her solo album The Signal in 2007. In 2006 Dennis, Henning and Stefan formed a new group with singer Charles Simmons, called IO. IO realeased their studio album For the Masses in 2008.
In 2009 Guano Apes reformed and played some dates including Enterro da Gata (Portugal), Rock am Ring (Germany), Nova Rock (Austria), Woodstock Festival (Poland), Sofia (Bulgaria), Bucharest (Romania). In Bucharest, Sandra announced the band is working on a new studio album.
Their fourth album Bel Air was released in Spring 2011, preceded by the single "Oh What a Night".
Official site: http://www.guanoapes.org
Gogan
Guano Apes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just a tiny fool
The whipper snapper
To be your funny tool
The time will come
I'll call a friend
We will finish your game to the end
You are not
Oh yeah, I'm blind
You are not
I'm fine , I'm fine, Shout your mouth
Take a step back, shout your mouth
And feel my deep breath
Blast your little faces, all around the world
Man I'm so glad, that I got no controle
It's in me and even it's in you
Come to me Gogan
5, 6 or 7, and 8 is out
Today's of all days
I'm the chosen one
They close behind me
They're on my back
Come try to catch me
Get it in the neck
Oh yeah, I'm fine
You are not
Oh yeah, I'm blind
You are not
I'm fine , I'm fine, Shout your mouth
Take a step back, shout your mouth
And feel my deep breath
Blast your little faces, all around the world
Man I'm so glad, that I got no controle
It's in me and even it's in you
Come to me Gogan
Gogan's in me, come and try to catch me, come on
All the races that's for sure, fought to the finish
In the middle of your war, look at you, Gogan's in you
The lyrics to Guano Apes's song "Gogan" speak to the idea of feeling small and insignificant in the world, but ultimately realizing one's own power and strength. The first verse portrays the singer as "just a tiny fool" who is subject to the whims of others, but the chorus asserts the singer's own superiority: "Oh yeah, I'm fine / You are not / Oh yeah, I'm blind / You are not." The next verse speaks to a sense of being pursued or oppressed: "They close behind me / They're on my back / Come try to catch me / Get it in the neck." However, the chorus repeats the singer's confidence and strength, and invites the listener to join in: "Come to me Gogan / Gogan's in me, come and try to catch me, come on."
The lyrics suggest a message of empowerment and self-realization. The singer may have initially felt small, but they have come to recognize their own strength and have invited others to do the same. The repeated use of the name "Gogan" may have different meanings, but it can be interpreted as a metaphor for a powerful, perhaps unseen force that the singer has internalized and harnessed in order to become confident and self-assured.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm a little creature
I am small and insignificant
Just a tiny fool
I am a foolish and unimportant person
The whipper snapper
I am a young and inexperienced person
To be your funny tool
I am here for your amusement and to be used at your discretion
The time will come
There will be a time in the future
I'll call a friend
I will contact someone I know
We will finish your game to the end
Together we will complete your plan, even if it's to our detriment
Oh yeah, I'm fine
I am doing well
You are not
You are not doing well
Oh yeah, I'm blind
I am unaware of the situation
I'm fine , I'm fine, Shout your mouth
I continue to insist that I am doing well, despite evidence to the contrary
Take a step back, shout your mouth
You should stop talking and put some distance between us
And feel my deep breath
Notice that I am becoming increasingly agitated
Blast your little faces, all around the world
I will use my influence to harm you and your reputation
Man I'm so glad, that I got no controle
I am happy that I have no responsibility for the situation
It's in me and even it's in you
The power I wield is within me, and also within you
Come to me Gogan
Join me and embrace the power within
5, 6 or 7, and 8 is out
You have limited time to act before it's too late
Today's of all days
This is the most important day
I'm the chosen one
I am the one who has been selected for this role
They close behind me
My pursuers are getting closer
They're on my back
They are trying to catch me
Come try to catch me
Attempt to capture me
Get it in the neck
Face the consequences
Gogan's in me, come and try to catch me, come on
I possess the power of Gogan, and you are welcome to try and stop me
All the races that's for sure, fought to the finish
People of all races have fought fiercely until the end
In the middle of your war, look at you, Gogan's in you
Even in the midst of your own battle, you have the power of Gogan within you
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: DENNIS POSCHWATTA, HENNING RUEMENAPP, SANDRA NASIC, STEFAN UDE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind