Initially, the band played several concerts in Bergen and Western Norway during 2007 and 2008. Their song "Diamanter & Kirsebær" was released on a compilation disc titled Opplett 2008 featuring music from Bergen-based acts including Fjorden Baby!, Kommode, The New Wine, Razika, Di Kjipe and Lars Vaular. In addition, they opened for Norwegian rock band Fjorden Baby! in a major concert on 18 December 2008.
The band was featured on NRK Urørt broadcast on P3 n 2008, and one of the finalists for best act in Urørt's annual show finishing in third place. In February 2009, they performed at the by:Larm music festival in Oslo. Also in February 2009, they were signed to Norwegian record label Voices Music & Entertainment (also known as VM&E).
The band's debut album was released on 14 September 2009 and well-received by critics and selling over 15,000 of the album. During Spellemannprisen equivalent to the Grammys held on 6 March 2010, they won the classic rock award in addition to being nominated for "best newcomer of 2009".
On 7 February 2011, the band released their second album Det nærmeste du kommer followed by an EP Vinterkarusellen with Nils Bech in February 2012.
JON&Gjengen split up as friends in 2013 as announced on Facebook by John Olav himself, and was followed by several concerts with the last one ever being held in Bergen November 16th.
Kinesisk fyrverkeri
John Olav Nilsen & Gjengen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Her inne e det ingen som bor lenger
Vender de mot verden, ser at verden vender
Så tenner eg en sigg og brenner opp en bro
Å nei, å jo
Det du har i hodet ditt e det eg har i blodet mitt
Stempler ut og ønsker dagen god natt
Så hold deg fast, og hold meg hardt
Så skal eg lyse oss opp som to skudd i en vanlig svart natt
Ser ikkje lenger lenger enn til mine føtter
Tråkker opp en sti og river opp mine røtter
Planter et tre for at det skal falle ned
Og bli om til ved i et bål som bor i meg
Å nei, å jo
Det du har i hodet ditt e det eg har i blodet mitt
Stempler ut og ønsker dagen god natt
Tar et steg og skyter fart
Så hold deg fast, og hold meg hardt
Så skal eg lyse oss opp som to skudd i en vanlig svart natt
Kan du, kan du, kan du, kan du se det?
Bygde høye hus for å holde oss nede
Ingenting venter, bare din lille TV
Her skal du bo og der skal du leve
Ser du, ser du meg i satellitter?
Ser du, ser du meg i satellitter?
E det stjerner eller e det satellitter?
Bor vi der?
Nei dessverre, vi bor fortsatt her
E vi der?
Nei dessverre, vi e fortsatt her
Og det som gleder meg e det som dreper meg
Og det som gleder meg e det som dreper deg
Og det som gleder meg e det som dreper oss
Gleder de at det dreper, dreper oss
The lyrics to John Olav Nilsen & Gjengen's song "Kinesisk fyrverkeri" (Chinese Fireworks) refer to feeling an existential disconnect from the world, and seeing only what is immediately in front of oneself. This is conveyed through the repeated line "Ser ikkje lenger lenger enn til mine hender" (I don't see any further than my own hands). The singer feels isolated ("Her inne e det ingen som bor lenger"), and while they might turn their gaze outward ("Vender de mot verden"), they see the world turning away from them in response. They light a cigarette and "burn a bridge" to symbolize breaking from the past and embracing uncertainty. The second verse explores the idea of being rooted in a place or a mindset, and how one can break free from those roots ("Tråkker opp en sti og river opp mine røtter/ Planter et tre for at det skal falle ned/ Og bli om til ved i et bål som bor i meg" - I tread a path and tear up my roots/ Plant a tree so it will fall/ And become firewood in the fire that lives in me). These lyrics express the idea that we can choose what we hold on to, and what we let go of, and that our past does not define us.
The chorus ("Det du har i hodet ditt e det eg har i blodet mitt/ Stempler ut og ønsker dagen god natt/ Tar et steg og skyter fart/ Så hold deg fast, og hold meg hardt/ Så skal eg lyse oss opp som to skudd i en vanlig svart natt" - What you have in your head is what I have in my blood/ Stamp out and bid the day goodnight/ Take a step and gain speed/ Hold on tight, hold me hard/ and I will light us up like two shots in an ordinary dark night) repeats the idea that what we believe shapes us and propels us forward. The singer wants to be held close ("hold me hard"), perhaps as a way to anchor themselves in the present moment while seeking growth and change.
Some possible interpretations of the final lines ("Og det som gleder meg e det som dreper meg/ Og det som gleder meg e det som dreper deg/ Og det som gleder meg e det som dreper oss/ Gleder de at det dreper, dreper oss" - And what makes me happy is what kills me/ And what makes me happy is what kills you/ And what makes me happy is what kills us/ If they're happy it kills us) include the idea that the things that bring us pleasure or happiness can also harm us, or that other people's celebrations or successes can feel like a loss or a diminishing of our own happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
Ser ikkje lenger lenger enn til mine hender
I can only see as far as my hands go, my focus is limited and my perspective narrow.
Her inne e det ingen som bor lenger
Inside, nobody lives here anymore, perhaps due to an abandonment of one's inner world.
Vender de mot verden, ser at verden vender
When they turn towards the world, they notice that the world turns back towards them.
Så tenner eg en sigg og brenner opp en bro
So I light a cigarette and burn a bridge, deliberately cutting off a connection or relationship.
Å nei, å jo
Oh no, oh yes. Mixed emotions and feelings of uncertainty.
Det du har i hodet ditt e det eg har i blodet mitt
What you have in your head, I have in my blood. Common ideas and shared experiences unite us.
Stempler ut og ønsker dagen god natt
I clock out and bid farewell to the day, finishing work or relinquishing control for the night.
Tar et steg og skyter fart
Taking a step forward and picking up speed, moving towards progress and growth.
Så hold deg fast, og hold meg hardt
So hold on tight, and hold me firmly. Asking for support and encouragement during difficult times.
Så skal eg lyse oss opp som to skudd i en vanlig svart natt
Then I'll light us up like two shots in a plain black night, bringing light and excitement into the mundane or dark aspects of life.
Ser ikkje lenger lenger enn til mine føtter
I can only see as far as my feet go, my vision still limited and my perspective narrow.
Tråkker opp en sti og river opp mine røtter
I'm carving out a path and uprooting myself, breaking free from old patterns and routines.
Planter et tre for at det skal falle ned
Planting a tree so it can eventually fall down, embracing impermanence and the cycle of life and death.
Og bli om til ved i et bål som bor i meg
And become firewood in a fire that lives inside me, fueling my passion and drive.
Kan du, kan du, kan du, kan du se det?
Can you, can you, can you, can you see it? Asking if someone else can perceive the same things that the singer is noticing or feeling.
Bygde høye hus for å holde oss nede
They built tall houses to keep us down, referring to societal structures or systems that oppress individuals or groups.
Ingenting venter, bare din lille TV
Nothing awaits us, only your small TV. Critiquing a culture of passive consumption and lack of engagement with the world.
Her skal du bo og der skal du leve
Here you shall dwell, and there you shall live. A commentary on the expectation to conform to societal norms and expectations.
Ser du, ser du meg i satellitter?
Do you see me, see me in satellites? A question about the ability to connect with others through technology and media.
E det stjerner eller e det satellitter?
Are those stars, or are they satellites? A comment on the difficulty of distinguishing between what is real and what is artificially created or manipulated.
Bor vi der?
Do we live there? Questioning the extent to which technology and media have replaced real human interaction and connection.
Nei dessverre, vi bor fortsatt her
No, unfortunately, we still live here. Acknowledging the continued presence of human connection and interaction in spite of technological advancements.
Og det som gleder meg e det som dreper meg
And what makes me happy is what kills me. The things that bring joy and fulfillment may also come at a personal cost or sacrifice.
Og det som gleder meg e det som dreper deg
And what makes me happy is what kills you. The artist and another person may have different priorities and desires, leading to conflict or tension.
Og det som gleder meg e det som dreper oss
And what makes me happy is what kills us. Collective happiness may require individual sacrifice or compromise.
Gleder de at det dreper, dreper oss
If they rejoice in the killing, it kills us. The satisfaction of others in one's downfall or struggle can exacerbate the negative effects on the individual.
Contributed by Penelope H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.