Markus and Michael Acher formed the group together with Martin Messerschmidt in Weilheim, near Munich. In 1990 they recorded their self-titled debut The Notwist, a grunge-metal oriented LP. 1992 saw the release of Nook, which has an indie rock sound, while their 1995 album 12 contains their first flirtation with electronica. Martin Gretschmann (aka Console) joined the group in 1997. Shrink, released in 1998, is a jazz-electro-rock album. The album Neon Golden (released in 2002) put them on the map for American listeners.
In 2003 the band started their own record label Alien Transistor and released a soundtrack for the movie Lichter by Hans-Christian Schmid. On September, 6th 2004 the EP Solo Swim came out, a collaboration between The Notwist, Console and Klimek, which is also the soundtrack for the documentary Kanalschwimmer by Jörg Adolph. Both EPs are only available on vinyl as is the latest EP by Rayon (Markus Acher), released in spring 2006.
Some of The Notwist's songs have been remixed by Four Tet, Manitoba, Console, Loopspool, and others. Singer Markus Acher collaborated with Anticon rapper/producer Alias on the song Unseen Sights.
The Notwist recently formed a supergroup with Themselves named 13 & God, whose eponymous debut was released in 2005. Other acts in which members of The Notwist are participating include Village of Savoonga, Tied & Tickled Trio, Lali Puna, Ms. John Soda, Potawatomi, Alles wie Groß, Ogonjok, Rayon, 3 Shades of Blues, Hometrainer, Bolzplatz Heroes, Alien Ensemble, and Schweisser.
In 2006, Messerschmitt left the band on friendly terms. Markus Acher stated that "it just didn't work anymore".
The Devil, You + Me and was released in Europe in May, 2008. On June 17, 2008 the album was released in North America on Domino Records.
2014 saw the release of Close to the Glass released in the US on Sub-Pop.
http://www.notwist.com
Members
* Markus Acher - guitar, vocals
* Michael Acher - bass
* Mecki Messerschmidt - drums
* Martin Gretschmann (aka Console) - programming
Agenda
The Notwist Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He still twists is head
From side to side
Every morning comes
Like a warning
Some men were torn in pieces
Lead your agenda, time to cry
Every morning comes
Bring me down
Bring me down
Bring me down
Bring me down
The lyrics of The Notwist's "Agenda" carry an ominous tone, and delve into the feeling of impending doom that hovers over us as we go about our daily lives. The opening lines, "It isn't all over yet / He still twists his head / From side to side" suggest that despite the semblance of routine and orderliness, there's still something that's not quite right. The repetition of the phrase "Every morning comes / Like a warning" reinforces this feeling of trepidation, as though each day is urging us to brace ourselves for something that we can't see coming.
The lyrics take on a more political tone as they progress, with the line "Some men were torn in pieces / Lead your agenda, time to cry" appearing to refer to the aftermath of war or conflict. It's possible that the song is a commentary on the futility of societal agendas, and the way in which we sometimes blindly follow leaders who ultimately lead us to chaos and destruction. The repeated plea for someone to "Bring me down" could be seen as an acknowledgement of our own powerlessness in the face of these larger forces, or a desire to escape from a world in which we feel trapped.
Overall, "Agenda" is a powerful meditation on the way in which our lives can sometimes feel like they're spiraling out of control, and the sense of unease that comes from not knowing what the future holds.
Line by Line Meaning
It isn't all over yet
The situation at hand is not yet concluded
He still twists his head
He continues to struggle and deliberate
From side to side
Alternating between different courses of action
Every morning comes
Each new day brings fresh challenges
Like a warning
A signal of impending difficulty
Some men were torn in pieces
Others have suffered extreme harm or loss
Lead your agenda, time to cry
Take charge of your priorities, even if it involves emotional distress
Bring me down
The weight of obstacles risks failure
Bring me down
I am threatened by forces beyond my control
Bring me down
My resilience erodes under continuing pressure
Bring me down
My spirit is undermined by circumstances outside myself
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind