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)
Zillion Dollar Sadist
Turbonegro Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I used to be such a twilight zoner
I used to be such a moneybumming boozer
I used to be such a masochistic schmoozer
But now I'm worldwide-
You know that I made it
I'm above the law -
I'm the zillion dollar sadist
What do you want what do you want for nothing baby
What do you want what do you want for free
I tell you what you need,
It's some Hanky-action baby
I wanna hear you scream in denim ecstasy
Yes indeed
Cause now I'm worldwide-
You know that I made it
I'm above the law -
I'm the zillion dollar sadist
Zillion dollar sadist
Well c'mon
(solo)
Yeah now I'm worldwide-
You know that I made it
I'm above the law -
I'm the zillion dollar sadist
Take it to the bridge
I promise fun
To all and everyone
No questions asked
It's gonna be great
A new dimension of joy
Do anything you wanna do.(repeat till end)
The lyrics to Turbonegro's "Zillion Dollar Sadist" appears to be a self-aggrandizing and sarcastic commentary on the persona the singer has chosen to adopt. They describe their past as a "welfare stoner" and a "moneybumming boozer", but now they have made it to the top and are a "zillion dollar sadist". The singer speaks about being above the law and having the power to control others, as they refer to their desire for "Hanky-action", which seems to suggest a sexual sadomasochistic act involving handkerchiefs. The singer is seeking pleasure from causing pain to others, and their sadistic desires are highlighted in their request to hear their partner "scream in denim ecstasy".
The chorus of "what do you want for nothing baby? What do you want for free?" suggests that the singer believes that everything has a price and that they are willing to pay for what they want. The solo guitar break following this chorus could reflect the singer's triumphant attitude as they have achieved what they wanted in life. The repeated line "take it to the bridge" could be an instruction to the band to continue playing and providing a musical backdrop to the singer's hedonistic lifestyle.
The song could be seen as a commentary on the excesses of the rock and roll lifestyle, with the singer representing a caricature of the archetypal rockstar, who has risen to power and can now indulge in their every whim without consequence.
Line by Line Meaning
I used to be such a welfare stoner
I used to heavily rely on welfare and spent most of my time smoking weed.
I used to be such a twilight zoner
I used to be an introvert and spent most of my time alone.
I used to be such a moneybumming boozer
I used to spend my time and money on alcohol and never paid attention to my finances.
I used to be such a masochistic schmoozer
I used to be a self-destructive person and associated with people for the wrong reasons.
But now I'm worldwide- You know that I made it
But now I have achieved global success and recognition.
I'm above the law - I'm the zillion dollar sadist
I am now so rich and powerful that I can get away with anything and revel in causing pain to others.
What do you want what do you want for nothing baby
What do you expect to get without providing anything in return?
What do you want what do you want for free
What do you want to take without giving anything in return?
I tell you what you need, It's some Hanky-action baby
I know what you need, and it's some rough, kinky sexual activity.
I wanna hear you scream in denim ecstasy
I want to hear you moan and scream while we have rough sex, while wearing denim clothing.
Yes indeed
Absolutely, without a doubt.
Cause now I'm worldwide- You know that I made it
Because of my global success and fame, I can now demand whatever I want without repercussions.
Take it to the bridge
Let's move on to the next part of the song.
I promise fun To all and everyone
I promise to provide enjoyment to anyone and everyone, without exception.
No questions asked
You don't need to ask any questions or provide any information.
It's gonna be great A new dimension of joy
It's going to be amazing, and you'll experience a new level of pleasure.
Do anything you wanna do.
You have complete freedom to do whatever you want, without consequences.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Knut Schreiner, Thomas Seltzer
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind