Originating from the Erlangen/Nuernberg area of Germany, their first real public performance was at an annual punk rock festival in their hometown, along with other local bands. After the show, they were offered several slots as support acts for more established bands all over Germany.
In May 1994, they released their debut EP, Beware, Poisonous! on their own Oxyfactory Records label. The EP was soon reissued by Helen of Oi! Records in October of that year, which led to a full-length album deal. While recording Fuck The Nineties—Here’s Our Noize, bassist Filzlaus left the band, and was eventually replaced by a friend, Arne. Helen of Oi! Records originally released the album on vinyl in May 1995, and re-released it on CD in the United States in February 1996.
Following the release of Fuck The Nineties—Here’s Our Noize, which received great underground reviews, Oxymoron began to tour across Germany as well as in Europe. They band released a split EP with english band Braindance, entitled Mohican Melodies in September 1995. Oxymoron released the Crisis Identity EP in March 1996 on Arne’s short-lived Rough Beat Records label, and the band appeared on Helen Of Oi!’s Streetpunk Worldwide compilation EP in the same year. They also embarked on their first US tour, along the east coast with Braindance and The Casualties. Also in 1996, Oxymoron made the jump to the German Knock-Out Records label, which released the band's second full-length, The Pack Is Back, in April 1997. The release was followed by more touring in Europe, as well as a three-week summer tour in Japan with The Discocks. Oxymoron established themselves well in the American and German punk scene as an anti-racist streetpunk band.
In 1998, several tours were cancelled, Sucker had to be hospitalized for nerve damage, and Arne decided to leave the band just weeks before they were to head back into the studio. They released a split with Dropkick Murphys titled Irish Stout vs. German Lager. Chrissy, who temporarily had been a second guitarist and had played bass on the first US tour, stepped in on bass. March 1999 saw the release of the mini-album, Westworld, and was followed by more touring of Europe as well as a seven-week coast-to-coast US tour with Dropkick Murphys and the Ducky Boys. Chrissy left the band after the tour and was quickly replaced by Morpheus.
In October 2000, Oxymoron released a compilation album, Best Before 2000, which included all previous 7” singles, along with tracks from previous compilations. November 2001 marked the release of the Savage Output EP, which included three tracks from their upcoming full-length along and one unreleased track. Their third full-length album, Feed The Breed was also released in November 2001, and was followed by a six-week coast-to-coast US tour, as well as a European/German tour.
Martin, decided to leave the band, which led to Chrissy stepping in on guitar. They eventually found a replacement guitarist, but he left in the middle of the 2002 US tour. The band’s driver, Davey, filled the void for the remainder of the tour, and also on the following European tour.
While not announcing an official breakup, Oxymoron has been on an indefinite hiatus since 2002, when Oxymoron announced: "In the near future you won't hear much from us. Oxymoron will have a break for a while! We'll let you know what's going on here, but first of all we definitely [need to] take some time off with the band." In 2005 they reported that "the band is still on ice." 2006 saw the release of somewhat new material in the Noize Overdose split EP with Bonecrusher. The EP contained previously unreleased tracks, along with live footage from a 1999 Hamburg, Germany concert. 2006 also marked the release of the first album of Sucker’s solo project, Bad Co. Project, entitled Sucker Stories.
Current members
Sucker: Vocals (1992-Present)
Bjoern: Drums (1992-Present)
Morpheus: Bass (1999-Present)
Former members
Filzlaus: Bass (1992-1994)
Martin: Guitar (1992-2001)
Arne: Bass (1995-1998)
Chrissy: Bass (1996 US Tour, 1998-1999)
Chrissy: Guitar (2001)
Unknown Member: Guitar (Played for part of 2002 US Tour)
Davey: Guitar (2002)
Pigs
Oxymoron Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Shelter-seeking, but you've run so far
They gonna get out if you're slow and put you in a cell
You don't wanna be arrested so you run like hell
Here comes the pigs
They always nick the underdogs
Draw back, breathing, but you've run to slow
They don't care if you're innocent, they don't care if you're right
They're looking for a scapegoat and they found their prey
Hide or you're getting screwed
The lyrics of Oxymoron's song "Pigs" describe the fear and desperation of a person who is being pursued by law enforcement. The opening lines depict a chaotic scene, with bluelights flashing and figures lurking in the darkness. The person being chased is seeking shelter, but they have run so far that they may not be able to escape. They are aware that if they are caught, they will be thrown into a cell, and they are determined to avoid arrest at all costs.
As the song progresses, the tension grows, with the repeated refrain of "Here comes the pigs" highlighting the relentless pursuit of the police. The lyrics suggest that the underdogs, or those who are marginalized and vulnerable, are often the ones who are targeted and victimized by law enforcement. The phrase "nick the underdogs" conveys the idea that the police are not just trying to enforce the law, but also exerting their power over those who are powerless.
The final lines of the song contain a warning to the person being chased: "Hide or you're getting screwed". This emphasizes the idea that there is no justice or fairness in this situation, and that the only chance of survival is to avoid detection.
Overall, "Pigs" is a powerful and intense song that addresses issues of police brutality, social injustice, and the abuse of power.
Line by Line Meaning
Bluelight screaming, figures in the dark
The flashing police lights and the shadowy figures give the impression of imminent danger.
Shelter-seeking, but you've run so far
Despite seeking refuge, you've run so far that you're still susceptible to arrest.
They gonna get out if you're slow and put you in a cell
The police will capture you if you don't move fast enough, and you'll be detained.
You don't wanna be arrested so you run like hell
You're afraid of getting arrested, so you run as fast as you can.
Here comes the pigs
The police have arrived.
They always nick the underdogs
The police tend to target those who are vulnerable and at a disadvantage.
There's no regret but nowhere to go
You have no remorse for your actions, but nowhere to escape to.
Draw back, breathing, but you've run too slow
You try to slow down to catch your breath, but it's too late - you're caught.
They don't care if you're innocent, they don't care if you're right
The police are indifferent to your guilt or innocence, and your rights as a person don't matter to them.
They're looking for a scapegoat and they found their prey
The police want to find someone to blame, and they've targeted you as their victim.
Hide or you're getting screwed
If you don't hide, you'll get caught and face the consequences.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
C.S. Ecton
These were indeed the days. I remember staying in my room on hot summer days when school was out, playing Grand Theft Auto, and blasting this good old stuff :)
King Smog
I remember a punk rock chat room in America online had users dropping the names of all kinds of punk rock groups. Oxymoron I specifically remember was one of those groups I learned about in that punk rock chat prolly 20 years ago! It was a refreshing sound for a punk rock orange county, ca kid who had only been exposed to the music in his local punk scene.
Down With Evil
still listing to this shot 2016 never fade away
NihilistiKCunT
ÉS portugues??? é bomm saber que ha mais punk rockers no meu pais ;) Abraço
André Pereira
Sou sim sr :) Somos poucos mas bons... grande abraço! cheers!
desiblue
They gonna get out if you're slow and put you in a cell You don't wanna be arrested so you run like hell!!!
andreas19ist
oxymoron true oi cheers from athens
MeHow Kaizoku
so true
Ima Knerd
Oxymoron rules!
Martin Carrillo
+Ima Knerd no shit man! no fucking SHIT!