Thomas and a couple of friends started another band, now called "De Dype". Butthole Surfers, Sonic Youth, poop, Nietzsche and provocation was what they cared about. Their first concert was in the basement of Chateau Neuf, the Cirkus. They appeared drunk on-stage, none of the guitars were tuned, and they forgot the fuzzpedals, so the guitars sounded like violins. The point was to show the students at the party that they didn't give a fuck about them. The arrangers at last kicked them out.
Then, Turbonegro became a topic.
It wasn't worse than Pål Bøttger Kjærnes (Pål Pot Pamparius) screaming out aloud: "Hey, let's put a new band together! What shall the band name be?" Pål suggests Mindburger. Another suggests Nazipenis (which later ended up as a name of the band's tribute band). But suddenly Pål remembers a tag he had seen under a bridge in Finstad, Ski. Turboneger (Turbonegro in english). Founding member Thomas Seltzer once said, "A turbonegro is a large, well-equipped, armed black male in a fast car, out for vengeance. We are his prophets."
The six original Turbonegros were now: Thomas Seltzer, bass (Happy-Tom), Pål Bøttger Kjærnes, guitarist (Pål Pot Pamparius), Rune Grønn, guitarist (Rune Rebellion), Vegard Heskestad, guitarist, Pål Erik Carlin, vocals and Tor-Kristian Jenssen, drums (TK). Their first concert was in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 1989. They smoked pot, drank beer and watched adult movies. The concert became a success for them.
Some months after the success in Denmark, they decided to make a record, "Route Zero", including songs: "Route Zero" and "I Want You Right Now", a cover by MC5. (TK, the drummer, plays a solo on guitar on the MC5-song, and they see that TK is a far better guitarist than the other guitarists). For the cover art, they pick a picture from the cult-horror movie "Basket Case". The vinyl is pink. The band name is shorten to TRBNGR.
Later they made another record, the EP "Turboloid" with no success from the reviews.
Their final band consists of: Hans-Erik Dyvik Husby, vocals (Hank Von Helvete), Thomas Seltzer, bass (Happy-Tom), Rune Grønn, guitar (Rune Rebellion), Pål Bøttger Kjærnes, percussion & piano (Pål Pot Pamparius), Knut Schreiner, lead guitar (Euroboy) and Christer Engen, drums (Chris Summers).
Their fan club is called The Turbojugend. This first 'chapter' of the club began in St Pauli, Hamburg, Germany, with later chapters appearing throughout the world.
Following their "final" tour, in 1998 singer Hank Von Hell (Hank Von Helvete in Norwegian) underwent treatment for heroin dependency. The group disbanded, with Von Helvete returning to his childhood town in Lofoten in northern Norway where he worked at a radio station, Moskenes-radioen, where he soon became their entertainer. He also worked as a guide on a fishing museum.
In 2002 the members met to discuss possibly regrouping and touring. Following practice sessions they recorded their comeback album, "Scandinavian Leather", and followed this with an extensive worldwide tour.
In 2005 they recorded their follow-up album, Party Animals.
In 2007 they released their latest album entitled Retox [11th June 2007].
On July 9th 2010, it was announced in Norwegian newspapers that Hank has left the band. Bassist Happy-Tom says this is the end for Turbonegro as a band.
June 2011 Turbonegro have called upon old friend, legendary Londoner and former Dukes Of Nothing frontman Tony Sylvester to step in as their new vocalist. Sylvester performed his first show as a Turbonegro at the Turbojugend World Days in Hamburg, Germany on July 15th. It has also been stated that Turbonegro is currently working on their new upcoming album with Tony.
Albums:
Turboloid (EP)(1990)
Hot Cars and Spent Contraceptives (1992)
Helta Skelta (1993)
Never Is Forever (1994)
Ass Cobra (1996)
Apocalypse Dudes (1998)
Darkness Forever! (live) (1999)
Love It to Deathpunk - The life & Times of Turbonegro (2001)
Scandinavian Leather (2003)
Party Animals (2005)
Retox (2007)
Gimme Shelter
Turbonegro Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My very life today
If I don't get some shelter
I'm gonna fade away
War, children, it's just a shot away
It's just a shot away
War, children, it's just a shot away
I see the fire is sweepin'
Our very street today
Burns like a red coal carpet
Mad bull lost it's way
War, children, it's just a shot away
It's just a shot away
War, children, it's just a shot away
It's just a shot away
ARGH!
Rape, murder!
It's just a shot away
It's just a shot away
Rape, murder!
It's just a shot away
It's just a shot away
Rape, murder!
It's just a shot away
It's just a shot away
The floods is threat'ning
My very life today
Gimme, gimme shelter
Or I'm gonna fade away
War, children, it's just a shot away
It's just a shot away
It's just a shot away
It's just a shot away
It's just a shot away
Love, sister, it's just a piss away
It's just a piss away
It's just a piss away
It's just a piss away
It's just a piss away
Piss away, piss away
The lyrics to Turbonegro's song Gimme Shelter speak about the uncertainty and danger that surrounds the singers' life. The first verse states that a storm is threatening the singer’s life and if they don't find shelter, they will fade away. This can be interpreted both literally and metaphorically. Literally, the storm could be a natural disaster that the singer is seeking refuge from, or it could also represent the challenges and difficulties that the singer is facing in life. Metaphorically, the storm could represent the singer’s mental or emotional state, and the shelter they’re seeking could represent a safe space away from their problems.
The chorus, which is repeated throughout the song, states that war and violence are just a shot away, which creates a sense of foreboding and danger. The singer sees fire sweeping the streets and describes it as a “red coal carpet” while a mad bull is said to have lost its way. These descriptions create an atmosphere of chaos and turmoil. The verses that follow talk about rape and murder being just a shot away, reinforcing the idea of a violent and unpredictable world.
The song’s lyrics are bleak and provide a commentary on the state of society, with violence and danger lurking around every corner. The use of repetitive lyrics and the intense delivery by the vocalist underscores the sense of urgency and danger that the lyrics are trying to convey.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, a storm is threatening
There is a figurative storm brewing, causing danger and instability.
My very life today
The danger posed by the storm is particularly acute for me personally.
If I don't get some shelter
Without protection from the storm, I am likely to suffer harm or even death.
I'm gonna fade away
Without the shelter I need, I will be unable to endure and will succumb to the harsh conditions.
War, children, it's just a shot away
The threat of war is very close and could erupt at any moment.
It's just a shot away
The danger posed by war is immediate and life-threatening.
I see the fire is sweepin'
There is a literal or metaphorical fire spreading through my neighborhood or community.
Our very street today
The fire, and therefore the threat to our safety, is right outside our homes.
Burns like a red coal carpet
The fire is intense, fierce, and unstoppable, destroying everything in its path.
Mad bull lost it's way
Some outside force or entity has gone out of control or become unpredictable, further complicating the dangerous situation.
Rape, murder!
Acts of extreme violence such as rape and murder are unfortunately a real possibility during times of chaos and unrest.
The floods is threat'ning
An impending flood, either literal or metaphorical, is causing danger and panic.
Gimme, gimme shelter
I urgently need and am requesting immediate protection from the danger at hand.
Or I'm gonna fade away
Without the protection I am seeking, I will not be able to survive.
Love, sister, it's just a piss away
Amidst all the chaos and danger, the good things in life, like love and connection, can feel unattainable and distant.
Piss away, piss away
This phrase underscores the idea that important and meaningful things in life can easily slip away and be lost amidst the turmoil of difficult times.
Contributed by Brooklyn B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ettnoll Bajen
Not only are the Copters one of the best rockband around,their covers were always excellent
simon trucker
There aren't many bands that could've added something extra to the greatest rock song of all time, but damn, the 'Copters did it!
Kim Maverick
good job Hellacopters !! love the cover
P*
They dedicated an entire career to enlighten and educate generations on where it all came from. And they never touched it without tremendous respect. Look at how they recorded and played w Scott Morgan (who is what is left of the Sonics Rendezvous Band). Just a love for the scene, released on vinyl. Like made to not...make no money. It is a tragedy we lost Robert. I cant grip that.
kevin fry
Saw Scott Morgan play last June,he's still got that great voice.
Ken Olson
Gary Rasmussen is still around.
Dave Anchovies
Suppershitty To The Max will always be my favorite...but they did plenty of covers and made them sound right in place with their own songs.
Sweden's almost best of the last few decades...unfortunately Henry Fiat's Open Sore have it locked down :)
Many great rock and roll bands have crept out of Sweden, though. These guys deserved more of an audience but they definitely weren't ignored in the USA
Altrn0
@Dave Anchovies band return 1 april 22 eyes of oblivion new album.
antonio berti
one of the great STONES songs in a great HELLACOPTERS version... enjoy !!!
Ximi_77
Wow....this is almost as good as the original!!!!