Funker Vogt

Funker Vogt (German: [ˈfʊŋkɐ foːkt]) is a German electronic-industrial music project with an aggressive style, formed by vocalist Jens Kästel and programmer Gerrit Thomas in 1995. Other members of the band are keyboardist/manager Björn Böttcher, live guitarist Frank Schweigert and lyricist Kai Schmidt. The name of the band translates from German to English as "Radio Operator Vogt", this being the surname of a friend of the band who was a military radio operator.[1] The military concept of a radio operator provides a contrast with the musical roles of a DJ or a vocalist using a microphone.

"Ravenous (band)" redirects here. For the American band The Ravenous, see Chris Reifert.
Funker Vogt
Background information
OriginHameln, Lower Saxony, Germany
Genres
Years active1995–present
Labels
Associated acts
Websitefunkervogt.de
Members
Past members
  • Jens Kästel
  • Björn Böttcher
  • Frank Schweigert
  • Kai Schmidt
  • Thomas Kroll
  • Sacha Korn

History

The group appeared on several German compilations and, in 1996, released their debut album Thanks for Nothing. Following the release of two limited edition EPs (Words of Power and Take Care), Funker Vogt signed with the American record label Metropolis Records. Metropolis re-released Thanks for Nothing, followed by the We Came to Kill in late 1997.[1] Kästel and Thomas have participated, as remixers, on Leæther Strip album Yes, I'm Limited, Vol. 2. In 2000, Funker Vogt released Maschine Zeit, followed by the remix EP T in early 2001.[1] Additionally to the core members of the band, concert members also include Björn Böttcher (keyboard) and Frank Schweigert (guitar, he replaced Thomas Kroll in 2004). Kai Schmidt writes most of the lyrics and manages the band through his own management company.[2] They all hail from the town of Hamelin in Germany. The majority of their lyrics revolve around the concepts of war.

A distinctive theme is present in the band's work and stage presence; both their musicianship and their costuming are strongly reminiscent of military music and dress.[3] This military aesthetic is also popular with the band's fanbase. However, the political stance of Funker Vogt is decidedly anti-war; the band cites "war and social injustice" as their primary topics of discussion, noting that the goal of the album Execution Tracks, along with the accompanying video, was to "present the grotesque cruelties and the tragedy of war."

According to the band's website, as of 2011 both Björn Böttcher and Kai Schmidt are no longer collaborating with the band. As a result, Funker Vogt will no longer be managed by REPOMANagement.[4] In 2013, longtime frontman Jens Kästel left the band after his last show on 30 November in Berlin.[5] Four years later in 2017 Funker Vogt reform with a new singer, Chris L. (Agonoize/The Sexorcist).

The Hero Trilogy

See the main article: The Hero Trilogy With the release of Blutzoll, Funker Vogt have completed their 'Hero Trilogy'. It began with Tragic Hero on the album Execution Tracks, continued with Fallen Hero from Navigator, and was concluded in 2010 with Arising Hero. All three parts of the trilogy were released as promotional singles.[6]

Members
  • Gerrit Thomas – programming
  • René Dornbusch – keyboards, drums
  • Chris L. – vocals

Thomas is also in Ravenous, Fusspils 11 and Fictional, and was in 2006 project Gecko Sector.

Former members
  • Jens Kästel – vocals
  • Björn Böttcher – keyboards
  • Frank Schweigert – guitars
  • Kai Schmidt
  • Thomas Kroll
  • Sacha Korn

Discography

Studio albums

Live albums

DVD
  • Warzone K17 (2009)
  • Live Execution '99 (2010) (also features the album T in DVD Audio)

Singles and EPs
  • "Take Care" (1997)
  • "Words of Power" (1997)
  • "Killing Time Again"
  • "Tragic Hero" (1998)
  • "Gunman" (2000)
  • "Subspace" (2001)
  • "Date of Expiration" (2002)
  • "Red Queen" (2003)
  • "Fallen Hero" (2005)
  • "Killing Ground (promo)" (2006)
  • "Club-Pilot" (2007)
  • "White Trash" (2008)
  • "Arising Hero" (2010)
  • "Hard Way" (2012)
  • "Sick Man" (2014)
  • "Der Letzte Tanz" (2017)
  • "Feel the Pain" (2018)
  • "Ikarus" (2018)
  • "Conspiracy" (2020)

Maxi-singles
  • "Velvet Acid Christ Vs Funker Vogt: The Remix Wars – Strike 4" (1999)
  • "Code 7477" (2001)

Compilations
  • Always and Forever Volume 1 (2005)
  • Always and Forever Volume 2 (2006)

Music videos
  • "Gunman"
  • "Subspace"
  • "Fallen Hero"
  • "The Firm"
  • "Hard Way"
  • "Sick Man"
  • "Ikarus"
  • "Feel the Pain"

Remixes by Funker Vogt

References
  1. John Bush, Funker Vogt biography, AllMusic. Retrieved 2 January 2010
  2. Funker Vogt official site. Retrieved 2 January 2010. Archived 19 December 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  3. Pizek, Jeff (27 November 2008). "Music the 3.(Time Out!)". Daily Herald. Paddock Publications via Highbeam Research. Archived from the original on 25 March 2016. Retrieved 22 June 2012.
  4. "REPOMANagement and Funker Vogt will go separate ways in 2011". 6 November 2012. Archived from the original on 6 November 2012. Retrieved 24 March 2020.
  5. "Funker Vogt splits up, frontman Jens Kaestel leaves band". 22 November 2013. Archived from the original on 25 November 2013. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  6. "MusicNonStop.co.uk". 13 September 2010. Archived from the original on 13 September 2010. Retrieved 24 March 2020.
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