They existed from 1987 until 2001 and "founded at a time in which it was said that punk rock is dead, remaining always faithful to their style" (Trini Trimpop, Power Vision Festival in October 1995.) The band's Punk rock attitude is often pure, although the lyrics are about love, pain and longing.
The Bates published alongside original compositions on each of their albums at least two cover versions. Due to the fact that the cover versions arrived very well, the band released in 2000, an album that only included foreign compositions from different styles, which were presented in a completely new, Bates typical style - by the Beatles (Helter Skelter) and the Rolling Stones (Out of Time) on Sailor (Glass of Champagne) and Aneka (Japanese Boy) to Eiffel 65 (Blue). The highest chart placement of a single was number 10 in Switzerland for the Michael Jackson cover version of "Billie Jean".
In 2001, the band broke up, allegedly over disputes over the consumption of alcohol by singer / bassist and frontman Markus "Zimbl" Zimmer . Zimbl continued to record two solo albums and a side project until his death, and were released unprofessionally in small quantities and as a consequence are long out of print.
Zimbl died in his apartment on 18 June 2006, caused by a circulatory collapse, as a result of long-standing alcohol and drug addiction. In December 2006, the 3-CD compilation "A Tribute to Zimbl - Rocking on heaven's door appeared as an obituary. The proceeds of the tribute CD went to foundations in the fight against drugs.
The band, as well as family and friends Zimmer, organized a honour to him on 28 December 2006, the so-called Zimbl tribute "Rocking on heaven's door". This is also where the filming of the documentary "Zimbl - a real cool time" by Sascha Nölke occurred. Again, the entrance fees were used by the organization "Global care" to make a donation.
Der Westen ist einsam
The Bates Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
aus dem Kriesengebiet
das sich wie Napalm
über den Erdball zieht
Der Süden ist heiß
und von Seuchen zersetzt
Der Norden ist feucht
und von den Russen besetzt
wird nur von Batman bewohnt
Der Westen ist einsam
und der Osten ist tot
Und zum Überleben
empfehle ich euch
besorgt euch noch heute
Pistole und Dolch
Und zum Überleben
empfehle ich alsdann
seid nett zueinander
und zieht euch warm an
The Bates's song Der Westen ist einsam is a post-apocalyptic track where the Kaiser, speaking from a crisis-stricken territory that is spreading like napalm across the globe, describes the dire situation in different regions of the world. The south is torrid and plagued by epidemics while the north is damp and occupied by the Russians. The focus, however, is on the west, which the Kaiser considers lonely, with only Batman as the sole inhabitant. He juxtaposes the desolation of the west with the death of the east, making it seem like the end of the world is upon them.
The lyrics then take a sharp turn, and the Kaiser recommends two unlikely ways to survive. First, he suggests acquiring a pistol and a dagger as one's weapons of choice. Second, he suggests being kind to each other and staying warm at all times. The bizarre nature of these recommendations only adds to the eerie, dystopian feel of the song, as if the end of the world has indeed come.
Line by Line Meaning
Hier spricht euer Kaiser
I am speaking to you as your leader
aus dem Kriesengebiet
from an area of conflict and war
das sich wie Napalm
that spreads like Napalm
über den Erdball zieht
across the entire world
Der Süden ist heiß
The South is hot
und von Seuchen zersetzt
and ravaged by diseases
Der Norden ist feucht
The North is damp
und von den Russen besetzt
and occupied by the Russians
Der Westen ist einsam
The West is lonely
wird nur von Batman bewohnt
and inhabited solely by Batman
Der Westen ist einsam
The West is lonely
und der Osten ist tot
and the East is dead
Und zum Überleben
And to survive
empfehle ich euch
I recommend to you
besorgt euch noch heute
to procure as soon as possible
Pistole und Dolch
a pistol and a dagger
Und zum Überleben
And to survive
empfehle ich alsdann
I also recommend
seid nett zueinander
be kind to one another
und zieht euch warm an
and stay warm
Contributed by Isaiah M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.