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)
Monkey on Your Back
Turbonegro Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You say the monkey is obscene
I've seen the monkey and his deeds
I tell you brother, set him free
You paint it white, I'll paint it black
I'll be the monkey on your back
You claim the monkey made you fall
You claim the monkey shaved your balls
I met that mother in a dream
The lyrics of Turbonegro's "Monkey On Your Back" speaks about the metaphorical monkey on one's back, which is usually associated with addiction or a burden one cannot shake off. The song criticizes the idea of treating addiction as an unclean and obscene issue and argues that everyone has their own vices and burdens. The lines "I'll be the monkey on your back" and "I met that mother in a dream" suggest that the band is empathetic to the struggles of addiction and perhaps may even have their own experiences with it.
The lyrics also seem to call out the lack of accountability in blaming the monkey for one's own problems. "You claim the monkey made you fall/ You claim the monkey shaved your balls" suggests that it is unfair to place all the blame on the addiction or the burden and implies that one must take responsibility for their own actions.
Overall, the song is a commentary on addiction and the societal views surrounding it. It sheds light on the complexities of addiction and how it is often oversimplified and stigmatized.
Line by Line Meaning
You say the monkey is unclean
According to you, the monkey is impure or dirty.
You say the monkey is obscene
You feel that the monkey is indecent or offensive.
I've seen the monkey and his deeds
I have personally witnessed the monkey and what he does.
I tell you brother, set him free
I advise you to release the monkey from whatever captivity he may be in.
You paint it white, I'll paint it black
While you view things in a positive light, I have a more negative perspective.
I'll be the monkey on your back
I will take on the burden that the monkey has been causing you.
You claim the monkey made you fall
You believe that the monkey was responsible for your downfall.
You claim the monkey shaved your balls
You allege that the monkey caused your testicles to become hairless.
I dig the monkey and his scene
I appreciate the monkey and the environment he inhabits.
I met that mother in a dream
I encountered the monkey in a dream-like state.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Knut Schreiner, Thomas Seltzer
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@DeathPunk4Life
Saw'em do this LIVE!! ROCK!
@jasonispunk
thats my shit son !
@MegaAedu
The lyrics are not in the right order: "I met that mother in a dream" is switched with " "I tell you brother, set him free". Why are they not shown in the true order everywhere in the internet?
@olivernoakes4483
Why did Hank actually leave?
@lostelonegrosofficial1866
Oohh!!!
@nigletgook5121
Poor hank a fucked up drug habit and bad metal band caused him to leave the great Turbo. His loss.
@DarkusRoxas
Who's the candy-assgot that dislikes?
@chahid1992
watch?v=qS9B9lLmULE Are they inspired by black flag??
@Psych0nautilus
For sure! Listen to nervous breakdown and then to dungaree High by Turbonegro. Basically the same riff ;)
@ericdahlstrom3452
heroin.