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
Casino
The Notwist Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We know that gambling is a joke
To say I'm not here for the money
Is just another word for broke
One room for us
One room for both of us
One room for us
There's something wrong
There's something wrong
There's something wrong
You don't tell me
There's something wrong
There's something wrong
With me
See the guys ? to nothing
See the guys ? just like me
When the stars fall of the ceiling
They rolling to the sea
One room for us
One room for both of us
One room for us
Is not available
There's something wrong
There's something wrong
There's something wrong
There's something wrong
There's something wrong
With me
There's something wrong
There's something wrong
There's something wrong
There's something wrong
There's something wrong
With me
There's something wrong
There's something wrong
There's something wrong
Don't tell me
There's something wrong
With me
One room for us
One room for both of us
One room for us
Is not available
The Notwist's song "Casino" appears to be about the repercussions of a compulsive gambler's life in a casino. The opening lines acknowledge that gambling is not a sustainable way of living, and the singer seems to be admitting they're stuck in this cycle of harmful behavior. There's a sense of desperation in the line "To say I'm not here for the money / Is just another word for broke." The singer clearly recognizes that they're not in the casino for any other reason than to chase their losses, but they're also incapable of breaking the habit.
In the second half of the song, there's a shift in perspective. Instead of focusing on the singer's struggles, the lyrics describe the people around them in the casino. They're all "guys ? to nothing" and "just like me," presumably fellow gamblers who are stuck in the same cycle. The line "When the stars fall off the ceiling / They rolling to the sea" uses vivid imagery to suggest that everything in the casino is an illusion or a facade. When the glamour and excitement wears off, there's nothing left but emptiness.
The repetition of "There's something wrong" throughout the song underscores the sense of unease and dissatisfaction. The refrain "One room for us / One room for both of us / One room for us / Is not available" suggests that the singer is looking for some sort of escape or companionship, but it's just not possible in the casino. Overall, "Casino" feels like a bleak commentary on the allure and consequences of gambling addiction.
Line by Line Meaning
After a life in the casino
Having been exposed to the casino life for a long time
We know that gambling is a joke
We have come to understand that gambling is a futile and nonsensical activity
To say I'm not here for the money
Claiming that I am not motivated by financial gain
Is just another word for broke
Means that I have no money or that I am financially bankrupt
One room for us
We require only one room for our accommodation
One room for both of us
A single room that can accommodate both of us
One room for us
We can do with just one room
Is not available
Unfortunately, such a room is not currently accessible
There's something wrong
There is an issue, problem or anomaly
You don't tell me
You are not informing me about the problem at hand
See the guys ? to nothing
Observe the individuals who have nothing to their name
See the guys ? just like me
Notice the people who are in the same predicament as me
When the stars fall of the ceiling
When events occur that are unanticipated or surprising
They rolling to the sea
They disappear or are lost forever
There's something wrong with me
I am in a state of disorder or distress
Don't tell me
I do not wish to be informed or updated on the problem at hand
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind