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
I've Not Forgotten You
The Notwist Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know what you need
You think you're so clean in my head
Shiny girl
I know what you need
You're so clean in all you're things
People are so afraid to die with a swollen face
I shed my fears, and had my doubts, but I have you
And I have not forgotten you
I have not forgotten you
I have not forgotten you
I have not, and I will not
I have not forgotten you
I have not forgotten you
The opening lines of the song 'Shiny girl / I know what you need / You think you're so clean in my head' could be interpreted as referring to a woman who is trying to control or manipulate the singer's thoughts and emotions. The use of the word 'clean' suggests a sense of purity or innocence, but the context implies that there may be something sinister or deceptive about the person being described. The repeated chorus of 'I have not forgotten you' suggests that the singer is trying to hold on to something from the past - perhaps a memory, a relationship, or a sense of self - but they are struggling to do so. The lines 'I shed my fears, and had my doubts, but I have you' suggest that the singer may have found some kind of comfort or support in this person, but it may not be enough to truly overcome their struggles. The final lines of the song leave us with a sense of unresolved tension and uncertainty, as the repeated refrain of 'I have not forgotten you' implies that there is still something unresolved and lingering that the singer cannot let go of.
Overall, this song can be seen as a meditation on memory, loss, and the ways in which we try to hold on to things that are slipping away. The repeated chorus of 'I have not forgotten you' suggests a fear of losing touch with something important, but the verses hint at a sense of unease and doubt that suggests that the singer may not ever be able to truly hold on to what they are searching for.
Line by Line Meaning
Shiny girl
A person who appears to be perfect or flawless
I know what you need
I am aware of what you truly desire
You think you're so clean in my head
You believe that you have a perfect image or reputation in my mind
Shiny girl
A person who appears to be perfect or flawless
I know what you need
I am aware of what you truly desire
You're so clean in all you're things
You have a pristine appearance and image in everything you do
I swear the things before which God
I make a solemn oath to God
People are so afraid to die with a swollen face
People are afraid to die with regrets or unresolved issues
I shed my fears, and had my doubts, but I have you
Despite my fears and doubts, I have you as a source of comfort and support
And I have not forgotten you
I have not forgotten about you and your importance in my life
I have not forgotten you
I have not forgotten about you and your importance in my life
I have not, and I will not
I have not forgotten about you in the past, and I will not forget about you in the future
I have not forgotten you
I have not forgotten about you and your importance in my life
Contributed by Charlie W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.