The band's musical adventures first began in 1982 when McCarthy and Harris, along with drummer David Gooday, formed the group whilst still at school in Chelmsford. Listening to the likes of Abwärts, Neubauten, Malaria, DAF, Cabaret Voltaire, Killing Joke and Bauhaus among many others the boys began experimenting with synthesizers and samples culminating in the release of four singles on their own Power Of Voice Communications label (a joint venture with Pet Shop Boys producer Phil Harding) before Daniel Miller was impressed enough to sign them to his own label Mute.
Nitzer Ebb's debut album, 1987's brooding 'That Total Age', displayed a brutalist yet polished élan. Following the powerful opening singles 'Murderous' and 'Let Your Body Learn', the band's club reputation was truly secured with the release of 'Join In The Chant', which in a version remixed by Phil Harding, became a staple in Britain's acid house and techno clubs.
Having won over club-land the band turned their attentions to the live arena and at the invitation of label mates Depeche Mode, supported them on their huge Music for the Masses tour. Meanwhile original drummer Gooday departed to be replaced for live performances by Julian Beeston, whilst McCarthy and Harris returned to the studio with producer, Flood, to record the follow up to 'That Total Age' for the album that would eventually become 'Belief' and set in progress a highly creative partnership that would extend over four albums.
The new album once again retained the musical and visual aggression of their previous work. Yet 'Belief' also hinted at the band's growing ability to display a sense of wit, imagination and sheer caustic comment within their music. There were no sacred cows in terms of subject matter or indeed the band's merciless capacity for piss taking.
Upon its release 'Belief' not only attracted much domestic critical praise but also saw their stock rise in Europe. In part this was aided by the series of remixes provided by the band for the singles 'Control I'm Here', 'Hearts & Minds' and 'Shame'. Along with additional mixes by William Orbit they helped maintain the band's popularity in the clubs and encourage the burgeoning fascination in Europe with what was then known as EBM (Electronic Body Music).
In 1990 the band and Flood once again returned to the studio with every intention of upping the ante even further. The resulting album 'Showtime' showed further evidence of the band's progression, combining their trademark energy with a growing musicality that added menacing depths to tracks such as 'Getting Closer' and 'Lightning Man'. The album also spawned a most improbable, though brilliantly effective remix of 'Fun To Be Had' by George Clinton, the visionary behind two of the greatest freak-funk bands ever - Parliament and Funkadelic.
Arguably the success of this collaboration acted as a spur for the band's next release, the EP 'As Is'. This saw McCarthy and Harris working with four different mixers to reveal the different musical aspects at work within band. Their collaborators included Jaz Coleman of Killing Joke, a recording artist whose musical aggression was even more noted than their own, and Alan Wilder, then of Depeche Mode, who applied his noted production skills to enhance the melodic potential within the band.
It was this potential that the band sought to develop on their 4th album, 'Ebbhead'. Released in 1991 the album was a full-blooded affair and with Alan Wilder joining Flood in the production hot seat it was perhaps no surprise to hear the rich musical instrumentation now firmly part of the band's armoury. Any suggestion though that the Ebb were somehow softening up were blown away by the full on pulverising assault of 'Godhead', an assault that had by now successfully overcome audiences in the US.
Though it appeared that the main external battles had been won, the band were arguably now having to battle with the internal tensions that naturally had arisen following a decade sustaining an intense level of shared creativity. Four years in the making 'Big Hit' finally made the light of day in 1995. The diverse and experimental nature of the band was still there, and in the lead-off single 'Kick It', the Ebb showed that they could still easily conjure up those moments that would batter the listener into submission yet make it a strangely rewarding process at the same time. Unfortunately, the band's decicion to update their sound with grunge-inspired guitars fails throughout most of the album, as the big rock-styled choruses proved incompatible with the band's signature electronics. Once ahead of their time, but now left behind, Nitzer Ebb found their last release headed straight to the cutout bins.
The cracks that appeared between McCarthy and Harris during the making 'Big Hit'--as well as longtime producer Flood's inattentiveness to the group's material--proved to be decisive and shortly after its release it became clear that another album would not be forthcoming. In fact it would take seven years before the band could bring themselves to talk to each other. Perhaps it was this enforced silence that encouraged critics to reassess the precocious impact and originality of the band, as a number of subsequent artists lined up to cite them as a major influence, or less honourably, simply exploiting the Ebb's musical template for their own individual gain. Whilst such a situation may be a cause of great annoyance to most bands, the Ebb maintain a healthy level of stoicism. As they say, “That's the problem with being ahead of the game - the pioneers get the arrows and the settlers get the land.”
In the end of 2005 when the quantity of requests for new Nitzer Ebb live acts went beyond the limits McCarthy and Harris met to discuss the possibility of reunion. Since the beginning of 2006 they started to give concerts and since summer Nitzer Ebb are on reunion tour. A 2CD compilation of best tracks and a bunch of remixes "Body Of Work" was released in may and later, in july, a remixes album "Body Reworked" followed. For the tour Nitzer Ebb hired a new drummer - Kourtney Klein, mostly known for her work in CombiChrist. In august of 2006 it was officially confirmed that Nitzer Ebb are working on the new material. The recording actually started in March 2007. New record is going to be produced by british producer Jagz Kooner and should be issued, according to Douglas McCarthy, at spring 2008.
Family Man
Nitzer Ebb Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He's a family man, his wife laments
Never broken any of the Ten Commandments
Either pushing rock, selling for cock
Or rubbing out, rubbing out, rubbing them out
Seeing ass fly by in the drive by, fly by night
He'll stuff it in his stash, leaving by the back door
Settling up your old score
He's a family man, his wife laments
Never broken any of the Ten Commandments
Either pushing rock, selling for cock
Or rubbing out, rubbing out, rubbing them out
He knows it all so well
From a spell in the cell
Now can't you tell this is hell
But just think of the cash
And the friends you can smash
If they're crossing your path
You'll get the last laugh
As you're driving away
Yes, it's been a good day
To die as you try to get by
Buy to get high and he'll lend so that you spend
Your life will depend on your money made friend
Your friend till the end, he knows no wrong from right
Best keep out of his sight
He's a family man, his wife laments
Never broken any of the Ten Commandments
Either pushing rock, selling for cock
Or rubbing out, rubbing out, rubbing them out
Yeah, and you know his girls love him too
Even when you're dropping your goo
And you think, "Well, if the judge only knew"
But then, do you really think that he hasn't been there too?
With his leather strap, clap trap
And a dolly bird sitting on his lap
Her fingertips trips across him like on a road map
Leading down to his old chap
Family man
Family man
Family man
Family man
Family man
Family man
He's a family man, his wife laments
Never broken any of the Ten Commandments
Either pushing rock, selling for cock
Or rubbing out, rubbing out, rubbing them out
Seeing ass fly by in the drive by, fly by night
He'll give you a fright taking out your cash
He'll stuff it in his stash, leaving by the back door
Settling up your old score
Family man
Family man
Family man
Family man
Yeah, he's a family man
The song "Family Man" by Nitzer Ebb showcases a man who is a criminal, but whose wife believes him to be a good family man and believes he hasn't broken any of the Ten Commandments. The lyrics suggest that the man is involved in illegal activities such as selling drugs or guns, and committing violent crimes such as murder. The song talks about the man always being in trouble with the law and having spent time in jail. The lyrics of the song suggest that his involvement with crime might have something to do with the desire for money and power, as well as his circle of friends who are also involved in illegal activities.
The song also suggests that women are attracted to this man despite his violent and criminal nature. The lyrics suggest that he has many women and engages in casual sex. The lyrics mention his "dolly bird sitting on his lap" and "leading down to his old chap," indicating sexual relationships. The repeated phrase "family man" throughout the song juxtaposes his criminal nature with his family life, indicating a contrast between his public persona and his private life.
Overall, "Family Man" portrays a man who is involved in criminal activities, who is able to maintain a public facade of being a good family man, despite his violent and criminal nature.
Line by Line Meaning
Family man
The singer of the song is a family man
He's a family man, his wife laments
Despite being involved in illegal activities, his wife sees him as a family man
Never broken any of the Ten Commandments
He has not committed any sin under the Ten Commandments
Either pushing rock, selling for cock, or rubbing out, rubbing out, rubbing them out
He is either selling drugs or using a gun to perform unlawful murders
Seeing ass fly by in the drive by, fly by night
Witnessing an unsuspecting victim in the drive by, but the perpetrator gets away easily
He'll give you a fright taking out your cash
He scares people so they will give him their money
He'll stuff it in his stash, leaving by the back door
After stealing, he will hide the money and make his getaway
Settling up your old score
He takes revenge to settle disputes
He knows it all so well
He is experienced in his illegal activities
From a spell in the cell
He was imprisoned for a period
Now, can't you tell this is hell
Despite enjoying illegal activities, his life is equivalent to hell
But just think of the cash, and the friends you can smash
The money he makes allows him to have control over people
If they're crossing your path, you'll get the last laugh
If someone goes against him, he will have the upper hand in the end
As you're driving away, yes, it's been a good day
After a successful heist, it is a gratifying feeling
To die as you try to get by
Involvement in illegal activities is risky and can be deadly
Buy to get high and he'll lend so that you spend
He sells drugs and loans money to people to keep them addicted
Your life will depend on your money made friend
Your livelihood depends on your illicit business
Your friend till the end, he knows no wrong from right
He will always have your back and does not adhere to moral principles
Best keep out of his sight
It's better to steer clear of illegal activities, or else he will take advantage of you
Yeah, and you know his girls love him too
Despite being a criminal, women are still attracted to him
Even when you're dropping your goo
He engages in sexual acts with women outside of his marriage
And you think, "Well, if the judge only knew"
He believes that if his illegal activities were discovered, the consequences would be significant
But then, do you really think that he hasn't been there too?
He is not afraid of the legal repercussions since he has already been to prison before
With his leather strap, clap trap, and a dolly bird sitting on his lap
He is seen as a tough guy with a beautiful woman in his company
Her fingertips trips across him like on a road map, leading down to his old chap
She caresses him intimately
Family man
Repeating the title of the song
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ANTHONY ROCHESTER, ANTHONY CORNELIUS CAMERON, NOEL DAVEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@hdufort
This is by far the most "pop" song they ever did. While it doesn't sound like anything else they've done, it's a uniquely fun and catchy song. Well done!
@Nightmike1989
This has remained a favorite of mine from them after many years, hardly anything beats the guitar, not to mention how it works into their style.
@Mr._E_5042
Flash back! My garage band did a heavy cover of this back in 1992ish.
@shapetwist
ya basically nitzer ebb is legendary whether or not you want to be apart of that. your belief doesnt dictate the knowledge of others.
@fortheloveoftunes
This song was, is and always will be cool! .-)
@westonhuffman7908
This is one hard to find 1991 classic!!
@westonhuffman7908
Happy 25th Anniversary to this song!
@EANDM71
Weston Huffman WHAT?? Wow!! I’m old as fuck! Love NE!!
@Viclask
El grupo de mi vida
@rubenv101
I can’t wait to see them in May in Dallas.