Members:
Jaap van Duijvenbode (Guitar), Ruben Bandstra (Drums), Daniel de Jongh (Vocals), Wiebe van den Ende (Raps/Vocals), Jeroen Bax (Bass), Arno Dreef (Guitar).
Winner of a much-coveted Essent Award and triumphant shows at internationally renowned festivals such as Ozzfest and Lowlands – these are just some of the achievements of Dutch Xplocore band Smogus. In May they will release No Matter What The Outcome, which could very well be the band’s big break.
Smogus was founded in 1995 by Jaap, Ruben, Daniel and Jeroen. During the recording of their debut album Everybody’s Fucked Up Twice the four school friends met with Arno and Wiebe. The six of them hit it off immediately and quickly after the release of the debut album, both Arno and Wiebe decided to complete the band’s line-up. They released two tracks on a split EP (also featuring the band Griffin from Leiden, NL) on vinyl on the WOTNXT label, the SmoguS/Griffin EP. Then, Smogus started to conquer all the major Dutch venues, soon establishing themselves as one of the most popular Dutch live-acts.
Besides performing relentlessly – as headliner, as support act (Ill Nino, Disturbed) and at festivals (Ozzfest, Lowlands) – Smogus continuously worked very hard on writing new songs. In 2002, the band signed a deal with BMG and released a 6-track Smogus EP. The band seemed to have finally found their niche with a sound of their own: Xplocore. A fusion of explosive (nu)metal, hiphop and funk, combined with a large dose of energy and humour. Songs with heavy guitars, groovy rhythms, cool rhymes and catchy choruses that have their roots in bands like Anthrax, Faith No More and Cypress Hill.
Unfortunately, the cooperation with BMG came to an end when the band found themselves competing with Idols, the nation-wide craze that conquered The Netherlands in 2003. Smogus refused to sit at the sidelines and see how other, more commercial artists from the Idols TV-show got priority over them, so they decided to start working on their new album without the help of a record label. In March 2003 the band entered the studio and guitarist Arnd-H was appointed as producer. He is mainly responsible for the heavy sound on the new album, significantly titled No Matter What The Outcome. The band has clearly matured in two years time, both musically and personally. Singer Wiebe emphasizes that the band regards this album as their real debut: “We are very proud of the album’s incredible sound, especially since we have done everything ourselves, from the recording to the final mixing. It is an album to be proud of, particularly for a Dutch production.”
The songs on the album are well-structured and characterized by powerful dynamics, an impressive, well-balanced mix of melodic vocals and heavy rap, and a wide range of styles. Smogus is both in-your-face and melodic, aggressive and happy, heavy and commercial, but always extremely energetic. The opening track Don’t Care immediately sets the tone for what’s to come. Other highlights include the groovy and lyrically uplifting Just For Me, the sensitive semi-ballad The Game, the uncompromising and personal Changing Fate and the complex Good Intentions. The highly contagious hiphop bonus track Flush Your Life again has that typical Smogus humour. However, it is not all laughing matters on the album. The lyrics cover a wide range of emotions, as Wiebe explains: “The lyrics are very much about ourselves, about things we go through in life. We sing about love, but also about the need to be free and strained relationships.”
On May 15, 2004 the album was released in the Melkweg, Amsterdam. It has been distributed by a small Dutch oriented label, The Electric Co. which has ties with Universal Records. Although the single and video of Don't Care were fairly popular on vote-based music channel The Box, it turned out that, mainly because the Nu-Metal hype blew over, the album wasn't the big break they had hoped for. This led to Mojo cancelling the contract with the band for the live acts.
Smogus then decided to take a completely different direction with an acoustic tour. A DVD named Live & Unplugged was released in 2005 covering the tour. It turned out to be the last recorded achievement. In 2006 the band decided to split up and on July 7, 2006 they played their last gig on their home stage of Fascinus in Sassenheim.
Nasty
Smogus Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
nothing's gonna change my way
my vision is my destiny
and you can get the best of me
I'll let you come, make you numb
you're wrapped around my fingers when you come to get some
a world's gonna open when you meet my tongue
Chorus :
I can't see a reason to commit too what I don't want
I won't make it last but we're breaking all boundries
I just got this feeling deep in me, I just want the fun
I won't make it last but we're breaking all boundries
I am who I am
and I'll be who I'll be
now get it on you turn me on
turn me loose I'll make you come
Come with me, ride with me
I want you right here on the side of me
don't need to run you can hide with me
just stand beside and fight with me
If you want some
then come on at me
If you want some
we'll make it nasty
The lyrics to Smogus's song "Nasty" are about embracing one's own vision and destiny while also breaking boundaries and enjoying the freedom of personal expression. The singer is confident in their desires and is unafraid to indulge in whatever brings them pleasure. They see no reason to commit to something they don't want, but they are willing to engage in a wild and passionate experience that defies societal norms. The lyrics suggest that the singer is both in control and willing to surrender to their desires, leading to a dynamic and exploratory encounter.
The singer also invites others to join them in their journey, offering a space where they can join the fight against conformity and experience true liberation. There is a sense of openness and inclusivity in the lyrics, as well as a disregard for judgment and shame. The repeated line "we'll make it nasty" is both a reference to the sexual nature of the lyrics and a declaration of the freedom to act on one's desires without fear of reprisal.
Overall, "Nasty" is a song about self-expression, empowerment, and the freedom to explore outside of societal expectations.
Line by Line Meaning
Nothing in the world
There is nothing in the world that will alter my behavior
nothing's gonna change my way
I will not change my way of life for anyone or anything
my vision is my destiny
I am determined to achieve my vision and make it my destiny
and you can get the best of me
However, you can attempt to bring out the best in me
I'll let you come, make you numb
I will allow you to indulge in my pleasures and render you powerless
you're wrapped around my fingers when you come to get some
You will be under my control when you come to fulfill your desires
a world's gonna open when you meet my tongue
I will introduce you to a world of pleasure with my oral prowess
same world's getting hot when we get it on
The same world will become heated as we engage in sexual activity
I can't see a reason to commit too what I don't want
I do not see a reason to commit to something I do not desire
I won't make it last but we're breaking all boundries
I do not plan on a long-term relationship but am willing to take risks and break societal norms
I just got this feeling deep in me, I just want the fun
I have a strong desire for pleasure and seek only enjoyment
I am who I am
I am who I am and do not wish to change
and I'll be who I'll be
I will be who I want to be, regardless of others' opinions
now get it on you turn me on
Let us engage in sexual activity that excites me
turn me loose I'll make you come
Let me have control and I will ensure you reach orgasm
Come with me, ride with me
Join me on this journey, let me take you on a ride
I want you right here on the side of me
I desire your companionship at my side
don't need to run you can hide with me
There is no need to hide or run, you can be free with me
just stand beside and fight with me
Stand beside me and face the world alongside me
If you want some
If you are interested
then come on at me
Engage with me
If you want some
If you are interested
we'll make it nasty
We will engage in sexual activity that is particularly extreme or explicit
Contributed by Hailey J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Justin Koepke
Great energy and flow. First heard in 2022!
DeSarcast
Seen them at Ozzfest 2002 and later hanging at Lazarus in Leiden where they chilled out back in the days
sasos90
SICK song :D
yankestube
I'm sorry that I have found you so late.Great song
PseudoTwo
@yankestube Better late than never. Glad you like it!
Kakashi
vet om dit weer is te horen... ik was bij hun laatste optreden @ fascinus sassenheim
Philip Currywurst
Yeeeaaahhh, greatingz from Germany !!!! I love Crossover
Crohn
@MilanMolenaar I Automaticly tought about it cuz i love both bands ...Im suprised someone realised it :)
Anouk S
Ik mis Smoguss D8
Johnny Sierascky
Edited version? This is not the same version that is on the album...