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
Boneless
The Notwist Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Was wrong in every cast
Was always told that make up
Would make things last
Boy would feel
Would feel like strange
Boneless
This town is all in hell
You would always run
From here
The lyrics of The Notwist's song Boneless are open to interpretation, but one possible meaning is that it’s about feeling like an outsider in a community or society where conformity is expected. The opening line “Boy was wrong, was wrong in every cast” suggests that the singer is different from everyone else and doesn’t fit in. The line “Was always told that make up would make things last” could be a metaphor for trying to cover up or mask one’s true identity in order to fit in with the crowd.
The next lines “Boy would feel, would feel like strange, boneless” could mean that the singer feels adrift and out of place in the world. “This town is all in hell, you know” suggests that the town or society in which the singer finds themselves is oppressive and limiting. Finally, “you would always run from here” could be a call to break away from this stifling environment and find a new place where the singer can be themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
Boy was wrong
The boy was misguided
Was wrong in every cast
His behavior was consistently incorrect
Was always told that make up
Would make things last
He was taught that superficial solutions would solve long-term problems
Boy would feel
The boy would experience emotions
Would feel like strange
Those emotions would feel foreign to him
Boneless
He felt weak and helpless
This town is all in hell
The town he lived in was unbearable
You know
It's a known fact
You would always run
He always wanted to escape from his surroundings
From here
From this place he couldn't stand to be in
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: MARKUS ACHER, MARTIN GRETSCHMANN, MICHAEL ANTON ACHER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
David Chabanon
Listening the Notwist for so many years... underrated but so wonderful...
Mathieu De Vuyst
love it so much ====)) Notwist is such a great band, I was expecting their new ablum since so long time... Hello Heaven =)
Nicholas Heller
That's so true..their music gives you such great emotion, it's so happy but deep...it can really make you think. It's just calming and everything you could want.
javigutz
great song!
dasviereck
The new album is simply awesome.. :)
elpuma70
absolutely lovely -- thanks for posting!
Naomi Larbi
such a pretty song.
iesus68
I'm really reconsidering all the last album after the live I've seen yesterday. Boneless has been fantastic live.
hchc85
i love this song!
fauli fauli
Seit Anbeginn eine großartige Band :)