Patent Ochsner was founded in 1990. The name of the band is derived from a certain type of trashcan which is named after the J.Ochsner AG and can be found in housholds all over Switzerland. In 1991 their first album Schlachtplatte was released with the hits Bälpmoos and Scharlachrot. They had a great success and became a well-known band in Switzerland. After Böbu Ehrenzeller left in 1998 as well as Resli Burri and Tinu Frutiger in 2001 Büne Huber released his solo-album called Honigmelonemond. In January 2003 their album Trybguet with the new formed band was released.
The current band lineup:
Büne Huber (Vocals)
Monic Mathys (Base)
Andi Hug (Drums)
Christian Brantschen (Keyboard, Acordeon)
Menk Grossniklaus (Saxophon)
Disu Gmünder (Guitar)
Pascal Steiner (Tasten und Blaswerkzeug)
Daniel Woodtli (Trumpet)
Style of Music
Their music is very various. Already in their first records they used aside of the usual instruments (guitar, base, drums, vocals) mandolines, celli, violines, saxophones etc. On the first 3 albums (Schlachtplatte, Fischer, Gmües) there can be heard a lot of Swiss folk music impacts. On their fourth album Stella Nera they sang 2 songs in italian. On Trybguet there can be noticed a lot of spanish impacts in the music and the lyrics. However, there's missing the variety of instruments like on their older records. The latest albums were Liebi, Tod & Tüüfu (2005) and The Rimini Flashdown (2008).
Houdini
Patent Ochsner Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
ds schärfschte mäs- ser i dr chuchi
& ds häuschte liecht im füür.
I ha i jeder stadt es bett & ha i jedem bett e bruut.
I ha ne guldige schlüssu, dä passt i jedes schloss.
jedes ching kennt my name, aber niemer kennt mi.
I bi immer scho furt, bevor I da bi gsi
& das isch viu, viu liechter aus me meint.
I bi ne fisch, I bi ne seife,
e fautsche fründ & flüchtig wie ne furz.
wär nüt vo mir wott, überchunnt aues.
wär öppis wott, überchunnt nüt
& irgendwo isch ging e lücke,
irgendwo isch ging es loch.
jede chefig het en uusgang
& jedi chötti het e schwachi schteu
& d lüt luege & schtuune.
sie gseh mi mit huut & mit haar,
aber I blybe trotzdäm unsichtbar
& das isch viu, viu liechter aus me meint.
das isch viu, viu liechter aus me meint
jedes ching kennt my name, aber niemer kennt mi.
I bi immer scho furt, bevor I da bi gsi
& das isch viu, viu liechter aus me meint.
das isch viu, viu liechter aus me meint
The lyrics to Patent Ochsner's "Houdini" describe the life of a person who goes by the name Harry Houdini, who is a circus performer and a master of illusions. He boasts about having the sharpest knives in the kitchen and the brightest light in the fire, indicating that he is skilled in his craft and a showman. Despite having a lot of fame and notoriety, he is elusive and mysterious, always leaving before anyone can catch or know him. He claims to be like a fish or soap, easily slipping away and never being caught.
The lyrics also suggest that there is always a way out or an escape for Houdini, even when there seems to be no obvious exit. He says that everyone knows his name, but nobody truly knows him, indicating that he is purposely deceiving others with his illusions and performances. The overall tone of the song is one of mystique and intrigue, highlighting the enigmatic persona of Harry Houdini.
Line by Line Meaning
I heisse Harry Houdini, honey & bi nes zirkusching.
My name is Harry Houdini, honey, and I am a circus performer.
ds schärfschte mäs- ser i dr chuchi
I have the sharpest knives in the kitchen.
& ds häuschte liecht im füür.
And always the brightest light in the fire.
I ha i jeder stadt es bett & ha i jedem bett e bruut.
I have a bed in every town and a bride in every bed.
I ha ne guldige schlüssu, dä passt i jedes schloss.
I have a golden key that fits every lock.
jedes ching kennt my name, aber niemer kennt mi.
Every child knows my name, but no one knows me.
I bi immer scho furt, bevor I da bi gsi
I am always gone before I arrive.
& das isch viu, viu liechter aus me meint.
And that is much, much lighter than it seems.
I bi ne fisch, I bi ne seife,
I am a fish, I am soap,
e fautsche fründ & flüchtig wie ne furz.
A false friend and fleeting like a fart.
wär nüt vo mir wott, überchunnt aues.
Whoever doesn't want anything from me, gets everything.
wär öppis wott, überchunnt nüt
Whoever wants something, gets nothing.
& irgendwo isch ging e lücke,
And somewhere there is a gap,
irgendwo isch ging es loch.
Somewhere there is a hole.
jede chefig het en uusgang
Every boss has an exit,
& jedi chötti het e schwachi schteu
And every bit has a weak spot.
& d lüt luege & schtuune.
And people look and marvel.
sie gseh mi mit huut & mit haar,
They see me with skin and hair,
aber I blybe trotzdäm unsichtbar
But I remain invisible nonetheless.
& das isch viu, viu liechter aus me meint.
And that is much, much lighter than it seems.
jedes ching kennt my name, aber niemer kennt mi.
Every child knows my name, but no one knows me.
I bi immer scho furt, bevor I da bi gsi
I am always gone before I arrive.
& das isch viu, viu liechter aus me meint.
And that is much, much lighter than it seems.
Writer(s): büne huber
Contributed by Isaiah T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Lily
on Gummiboum
The song "Gummiboum" by Patent Ochsner is about a person who identifies themselves as a "gummiboum," which in English means rubber plant. This person feels like they are just there, existing without much purpose or direction. They acknowledge that time passes by and that things change, but they wonder if anything really changes at all. They seem to be resigned to the fact that things will either stay the same or change, but they will continue to exist in their own state as a gummiboum.
The repetition of the phrase "Und i nime d tage, so wie sie sy" emphasizes the passage of time and the idea that things will continue to change or stay the same regardless of the gummiboum's existence. The chorus, which is repeatedly sung, expresses the gummiboum's self-perception as being a cool and awesome rubber tree that someone must eventually claim or possess.
The song carries a resigned tone that suggests the gummiboum has accepted their existence as being insignificant and unchanging. It also leaves an open interpretation to whether the gummiboum wants to change or be claimed by someone. In essence, "Gummiboum" is an introspective song that highlights the inevitability of time and change while expressing a feeling of worthlessness and resignation.
Lily
on Gummiboum
I bi dr gummiboum
I am the rubber plant
Und schtah eifach so chly da
And I am just standing here a bit
So wie jede gummiboum
Like every rubber plant
Schimfau aues woni cha
It’s actually the only thing I can do
Und verschtoube fängs e chly
And I am starting to collect a little dust
I bi än geile huere gummiboum
I am a damn awesome rubber plant
Öpper muess ne schliesslech sy
Ultimately, someone must be it
Aues wird angers oder blybt wie's isch gsi
Everything changes or stays the same
Ja, i nime d tage, so wie sie sy
Yes, I take the days as they come
Mhm, sie chöme und göh wieder verby
Hmm, they come and go again
Und aues wird angers oder blybt wie's isch gsi
And everything changes or stays the same