Belgian rock
Encyclopedia
Rock and roll
was established in Belgium
only in the late 1970s, long after the style had penetrated most of the rest of the world. Before the 1980s began, several Belgian bands had found an audience, especially TC Matic
. Though Belgium is a small country, it counts a large number of rock bands.
Modern bands include Antwerp's dEUS and its numerous offshoots, like Dead Man Ray
and Zita Swoon
.
The indie
and rock music
scenes in Belgium is mainly active in the three biggest cities Antwerpen, Ghent
, and Brussels
.
genre Antwerp houses the pioneer band Club Moral
(currently also with Mauro Pawlowski
). In the early 1990s many alternative rock
bands finally started to achieve larger international acclaim and success. In Antwerp, a lively indie rock
scene sprouts where dEUS is probably the most famous, next to other people and groups like Zita Swoon
(formerly Moondog Jr), Evil Superstars
, Kiss My Jazz
, Dead Man Ray
, K's Choice
, Admiral Freebee
, A Brand
and Die Anarchistische Abendunterhaltung. Mauro Pawlowski as well as Rudy Trouvé
are key figures in the Antwerp scene besides playing or have played in dEUS, they also play solo as well as in lesser known bands and as improvisors in jam sessions and experimental concerts. Pawlowski played in numerous bands, including Mitsoobishy Jacson, Kiss my Jazz
, Monguito
and Shadowgraphic City. He is currently a member of dEUS, The Love Substitutes
, Othin Spake, The Parallels, Club Moral
, Archetypes of the Multisabanas and I Hate Camera. Beside these projects, Mauro has released solo work under various aliasses: Mauro Pawlowski
, Somnabula while fronting a new group called Mauro Pawlowski & the Grooms. Trouvé played in Dead Man Ray
, dEUS
, Gore Slut
, I Hate Camera, Kiss My Jazz
, The Love Substitutes
, Rudy Trouvé
Sextet/Septet, POX, Rudy and the Unforgettable Wally's.
Ghent
also has a booming rock music scene: Absynthe Minded
, Das Pop
, Millionaire
, Zornik
and the successful Soulwax
bring indie rock with a slightly rougher edge than their Antwerp fellows. Other popular artists include Gabriel Ríos
, Arid
, Sioen and Vive la Fête
.
Rock and roll
Rock and roll is a genre of popular music that originated and evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s, primarily from a combination of African American blues, country, jazz, and gospel music...
was established in Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
only in the late 1970s, long after the style had penetrated most of the rest of the world. Before the 1980s began, several Belgian bands had found an audience, especially TC Matic
TC Matic
TC Matic was a Belgian rock band, originating in 1980 from the duo Tjens Couter . Decoutere was replaced shortly after the establishment of TC Matic by Jean-Marie Aerts, who cooperated with Hintjens in the majority of the band's compositions.TC Matic mixed diverse styles: new wave, blues, funk,...
. Though Belgium is a small country, it counts a large number of rock bands.
Dead Man Ray
Dead Man Ray is a Belgian cult rock band, originating from Berchem near Antwerp. Among its members are Daan Stuyven, Rudy Trouvé , Elko Blijweerdt, Wouter Van Belle and Herman Houbrechts, who was later replaced by drummer Karel De Backer. Their debut Berchem was released in 1998 including the...
and Zita Swoon
Zita Swoon
Zita Swoon is a Belgian indie rock group. They entered the music scene of Antwerp in 1993, still under the name A Beatband with the EP "Jintro Travels The Word In A Skirt". The group is typical of the music scene in Antwerp, with members playing in numerous other groups. Best known member is singer...
.
Indie music scenes
An independent music scene is a localized independent music-oriented community of bands and their fans. Local scenes can become a key role in musical history and lead to influential genres, for example No Wave from New York City, Madchester from Manchester and Grunge from...
and rock music
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
scenes in Belgium is mainly active in the three biggest cities Antwerpen, Ghent
Ghent
Ghent is a city and a municipality located in the Flemish region of Belgium. It is the capital and biggest city of the East Flanders province. The city started as a settlement at the confluence of the Rivers Scheldt and Lys and in the Middle Ages became one of the largest and richest cities of...
, and Brussels
Brussels
Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
.
History
Raised in 1981 in the noiseNoise
In common use, the word noise means any unwanted sound. In both analog and digital electronics, noise is random unwanted perturbation to a wanted signal; it is called noise as a generalisation of the acoustic noise heard when listening to a weak radio transmission with significant electrical noise...
genre Antwerp houses the pioneer band Club Moral
Club Moral
Club Moral is a Belgian noise band formed in 1981 by Danny Devos and Anne-Mie van Kerckhoven based in Antwerp, Belgium . They are known for their controversial performances and imagery. In 2001 "Dylan" briefly joined the band...
(currently also with Mauro Pawlowski
Mauro Pawlowski
Mauro Antonio Pawlowski is one of the key figures in the Belgian contemporary music scene. He was born in Koersel and is of Italian and Polish descent....
). In the early 1990s many alternative rock
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
bands finally started to achieve larger international acclaim and success. In Antwerp, a lively indie rock
Indie rock
Indie rock is a genre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1980s. Indie rock is extremely diverse, with sub-genres that include lo-fi, post-rock, math rock, indie pop, dream pop, noise rock, space rock, sadcore, riot grrrl and emo, among others...
scene sprouts where dEUS is probably the most famous, next to other people and groups like Zita Swoon
Zita Swoon
Zita Swoon is a Belgian indie rock group. They entered the music scene of Antwerp in 1993, still under the name A Beatband with the EP "Jintro Travels The Word In A Skirt". The group is typical of the music scene in Antwerp, with members playing in numerous other groups. Best known member is singer...
(formerly Moondog Jr), Evil Superstars
Evil Superstars
Evil Superstars was a Belgian indie rock band led by Mauro Pawlowski. Among its members was Millionaire and Eagles of Death Metal guitarist Tim Vanhamel.-History:Evil Superstars was formed in 1992 in Heusden-Zolder, Belgium.The original members were:...
, Kiss My Jazz
Kiss My Jazz
Kiss My Jazz is a group of musicians based in Antwerp, Belgium. Their music is a lo-fi mix of jazz, rock and experimental music. Members of the group include former member of dEUS Rudy Trouvé:-Albums:* In Docs Place Friday Evening, 1996, Knitting Factory...
, Dead Man Ray
Dead Man Ray
Dead Man Ray is a Belgian cult rock band, originating from Berchem near Antwerp. Among its members are Daan Stuyven, Rudy Trouvé , Elko Blijweerdt, Wouter Van Belle and Herman Houbrechts, who was later replaced by drummer Karel De Backer. Their debut Berchem was released in 1998 including the...
, K's Choice
K's Choice
K's Choice is a Belgian rock band from Antwerp, formed in the mid-1990s. The band's core members are siblings Sarah Bettens and Gert Bettens . They are joined by Eric Grossman , Thomas Vanelslander , Reinout Swinnen and Koen Liekens...
, Admiral Freebee
Admiral Freebee
Admiral Freebee is a Belgian singer-songwriter, born in 1974. Tom Van Laere is his legal name. He took his name from On The Road, the novel by Jack Kerouac. Admiral Freebee is also the name of a ship that sank in San Francisco Bay and was subsequently used as a buoy.-History:Van Laere was born in...
, A Brand
A brand
A Brand is a Belgian rock group featuring Dag Taeldeman. Their hits include "Riding Your Ghost", "Hammerhead", "Beauty Booty Killerqueen" and "Time".-History:A Brand recorded their first album, 45 RPM, in a garage in 2004...
and Die Anarchistische Abendunterhaltung. Mauro Pawlowski as well as Rudy Trouvé
Rudy Trouvé
Rudy Trouvé is a Belgian musician from Antwerp.In the early nineties he founded the Heavenhotel record label and released dozens of records since...
are key figures in the Antwerp scene besides playing or have played in dEUS, they also play solo as well as in lesser known bands and as improvisors in jam sessions and experimental concerts. Pawlowski played in numerous bands, including Mitsoobishy Jacson, Kiss my Jazz
Kiss My Jazz
Kiss My Jazz is a group of musicians based in Antwerp, Belgium. Their music is a lo-fi mix of jazz, rock and experimental music. Members of the group include former member of dEUS Rudy Trouvé:-Albums:* In Docs Place Friday Evening, 1996, Knitting Factory...
, Monguito
Monguito
Monguito "El Unico", was a Cuban vocalist. He was born Ramón Quian, in Matanzas Province, Cuba; and died in 2006, in New York City. An Afro-Cuban sonero, he had a simple improvising style with a distinctive nasal voice....
and Shadowgraphic City. He is currently a member of dEUS, The Love Substitutes
The Love Substitutes
The Love Substitutes are a Belgian band composed of dEUS guitarists past and present; Mauro Pawlowski on drums, Rudy Trouvé and Craig Ward on guitar, and completed by Bert Lenaerts on bass. They were formed midway 2004....
, Othin Spake, The Parallels, Club Moral
Club Moral
Club Moral is a Belgian noise band formed in 1981 by Danny Devos and Anne-Mie van Kerckhoven based in Antwerp, Belgium . They are known for their controversial performances and imagery. In 2001 "Dylan" briefly joined the band...
, Archetypes of the Multisabanas and I Hate Camera. Beside these projects, Mauro has released solo work under various aliasses: Mauro Pawlowski
Mauro Pawlowski
Mauro Antonio Pawlowski is one of the key figures in the Belgian contemporary music scene. He was born in Koersel and is of Italian and Polish descent....
, Somnabula while fronting a new group called Mauro Pawlowski & the Grooms. Trouvé played in Dead Man Ray
Dead Man Ray
Dead Man Ray is a Belgian cult rock band, originating from Berchem near Antwerp. Among its members are Daan Stuyven, Rudy Trouvé , Elko Blijweerdt, Wouter Van Belle and Herman Houbrechts, who was later replaced by drummer Karel De Backer. Their debut Berchem was released in 1998 including the...
, dEUS
DEUS
Deus is a rock band based in Antwerp, Belgium, whose only continuous members up to the present day are Tom Barman and Klaas Janzoons...
, Gore Slut
Gore Slut
Gore Slut were lo-fi indie rock band form Antwerp, Belgium. Their line-up consisted of Rudy Trouvé , Thomas Noppe , Dirk Belmans and Jacki Billet ....
, I Hate Camera, Kiss My Jazz
Kiss My Jazz
Kiss My Jazz is a group of musicians based in Antwerp, Belgium. Their music is a lo-fi mix of jazz, rock and experimental music. Members of the group include former member of dEUS Rudy Trouvé:-Albums:* In Docs Place Friday Evening, 1996, Knitting Factory...
, The Love Substitutes
The Love Substitutes
The Love Substitutes are a Belgian band composed of dEUS guitarists past and present; Mauro Pawlowski on drums, Rudy Trouvé and Craig Ward on guitar, and completed by Bert Lenaerts on bass. They were formed midway 2004....
, Rudy Trouvé
Rudy Trouvé
Rudy Trouvé is a Belgian musician from Antwerp.In the early nineties he founded the Heavenhotel record label and released dozens of records since...
Sextet/Septet, POX, Rudy and the Unforgettable Wally's.
Ghent
Ghent
Ghent is a city and a municipality located in the Flemish region of Belgium. It is the capital and biggest city of the East Flanders province. The city started as a settlement at the confluence of the Rivers Scheldt and Lys and in the Middle Ages became one of the largest and richest cities of...
also has a booming rock music scene: Absynthe Minded
Absynthe Minded
Absynthe Minded is a Belgian rock band, around frontman, vocalist and guitarist Bert Ostyn. Their tracks have been known to contain a mix of thirties jazz, with a touch of funky soul, Balkan beats and Merseyside pop....
, Das Pop
Das Pop
Das Pop is a Belgian band founded in Ghent by schoolfriends Reinhard Vanbergen, Niek Meul, Lieven Moors and Bent Van Looy.-Biography:Das Pop was initially called Things to Come, but the band changed its name to Das Pop when Tom Kestens joined the band...
, Millionaire
Millionaire (band)
Millionaire is a Belgian indie rock band led by Tim Vanhamel, drawing on influences from stoner rock, indie and industrial rock music.-History:Millionaire was formed in 1999 by former Evil Superstars and dEUS guitarist Tim Vanhamel...
, Zornik
Zornik
Zornik is a Belgian rock band. It was formed in 1999 by singer and guitarist Koen Buyse, drummer Marijn Horemans and bass guitarist Kristof Vanduren.-History:...
and the successful Soulwax
Soulwax
Soulwax, headed by David and Stephen Dewaele, are an alternative rock/electronic band from Ghent, Belgium. Next to the Dewaele brothers, Soulwax consists of bassist Stefaan Van Leuven and drummer Steve Slingeneyer. They were first noticed after the release of their album Much Against Everyone's...
bring indie rock with a slightly rougher edge than their Antwerp fellows. Other popular artists include Gabriel Ríos
Gabriel Rios
Gabriel Ríos is a Puerto Rican musician currently residing in Brooklyn.-Biography:As a child Ríos was member of his church choir, and in addition to this early exposure to music his father also taught him to play the guitar. After finishing his studies at the Academia del Perpetuo Socorro high...
, Arid
Arid (band)
Arid is a Belgian rock band, formed in the mid-1990s, made up of four members: Jasper Steverlinck , David Du Pré , Filip Ros and Steven Van Havere .-History:...
, Sioen and Vive la Fête
Vive la Fête
Vive la Fête is a music duo from Ghent formed in 1997 by lovers Danny Mommens and Els Pynoo .-Biography:...
.
Belgian bands and artists
- 2 Many DJs
- Absynthe MindedAbsynthe MindedAbsynthe Minded is a Belgian rock band, around frontman, vocalist and guitarist Bert Ostyn. Their tracks have been known to contain a mix of thirties jazz, with a touch of funky soul, Balkan beats and Merseyside pop....
- Admiral FreebeeAdmiral FreebeeAdmiral Freebee is a Belgian singer-songwriter, born in 1974. Tom Van Laere is his legal name. He took his name from On The Road, the novel by Jack Kerouac. Admiral Freebee is also the name of a ship that sank in San Francisco Bay and was subsequently used as a buoy.-History:Van Laere was born in...
- Arid (band)Arid (band)Arid is a Belgian rock band, formed in the mid-1990s, made up of four members: Jasper Steverlinck , David Du Pré , Filip Ros and Steven Van Havere .-History:...
- Arno HintjensArno HintjensArno Hintjens , usually referred to as Arno, is a Belgian artist born in Ostend. He was the frontman of the group TC Matic. After the band split in 1986 he went solo....
- ArsenalArsenal (band)Arsenal is a Belgian music band formed in 1999 by Hendrik Willemyns & John Roan who forced their way into various dj-sets with the release of their first EP "release" - a moody-deephouse-track on Wally's Groove World with guestvocals by Blissphemy. The track made it to Cafe del Mar and was...
- A brandA brandA Brand is a Belgian rock group featuring Dag Taeldeman. Their hits include "Riding Your Ghost", "Hammerhead", "Beauty Booty Killerqueen" and "Time".-History:A Brand recorded their first album, 45 RPM, in a garage in 2004...
- Betty Goes GreenBetty Goes Green- Biography :The group convinced Mike Rathke to produce their album "Hunuluria", of which two good singles are taken: "Cold by the sea" and "Life Long Devotion"....
- Creature with the Atom BrainCreature with the Atom Brain (band)Creature with the Atom Brain is a Belgian alternative rock band consisting of Millionaire keyboardist Aldo Struyf , Michael Lawrence, Jan Wygers and Michiel Van Cleuvenbergen...
- DAAUDAAUDAAU is a music group from Antwerp, Belgium. The band was founded in 1992 and borrowed its name from the novel Der Steppenwolf by Hermann Hesse....
- Das PopDas PopDas Pop is a Belgian band founded in Ghent by schoolfriends Reinhard Vanbergen, Niek Meul, Lieven Moors and Bent Van Looy.-Biography:Das Pop was initially called Things to Come, but the band changed its name to Das Pop when Tom Kestens joined the band...
- Dead Man RayDead Man RayDead Man Ray is a Belgian cult rock band, originating from Berchem near Antwerp. Among its members are Daan Stuyven, Rudy Trouvé , Elko Blijweerdt, Wouter Van Belle and Herman Houbrechts, who was later replaced by drummer Karel De Backer. Their debut Berchem was released in 1998 including the...
- dEUS
- Été 67Été 67Été 67 is a rock band created in 1998 in Esneux , Belgium. They generally sing in French, but also do some covers in English and Dutch...
- Evil SuperstarsEvil SuperstarsEvil Superstars was a Belgian indie rock band led by Mauro Pawlowski. Among its members was Millionaire and Eagles of Death Metal guitarist Tim Vanhamel.-History:Evil Superstars was formed in 1992 in Heusden-Zolder, Belgium.The original members were:...
- Freaky AgeFreaky AgeFreaky Age are a Belgian rockband from Ternat, a suburb of Brussels.- Biography :Freaky Age are a melodic indie-rock band from Brussels, Belgium. Singer Lenny Crabbe, guitarist Mathias Declercq and drummer Jonas Pauwels got into the finals of the prestigious Belgian music contest Humo's Rock Rally...
- Funeral DressFuneral DressFuneral Dress is a street punk band from Belgium who formed in 1985. Their big hits include "I'm in Love with Oi", "Free Beer for the Punx", "Party Political Bullshit", "Party On", "Freedom and Liberty", "Belgium's Burning". The band toured the US several times and is planning a tour in Russia in...
- GhinzuGhinzuGhinzu is an alternative rock band founded in 1999 in Brussels, Belgium.-Electronic Jacuzzi :The band released its first album, Electronic Jacuzzi in late 2000 on their own label Dragoon. Their sound is a kind of noisy rock, supported by a big and groovy rhythmic and some electronic touches while...
- Girls in HawaiiGirls in Hawaii-History:In 2000, Antoine Wielemans and Lionel Vancauwenberghe began recording songs on an 8 track-recorder, and a few months later they formed the band by recruiting their brothers: Denis Wielemans and Brice Vancauwenberghe, and two friends: Christophe Léonard and Daniel Offermann.In May 2002 they...
- HooverphonicHooverphonicHooverphonic are a Belgian rock/pop group, formed in 1995. Though early on categorized as a trip hop group, they quickly expanded their sound to the point where they could no longer be described as a lone genre, but rather encompass alternative, electronica, electropop, rock, and mixture of others...
- Janez Detd
- The KidsThe Kids (Belgian band)The Kids are a Belgian punk rock band formed in 1976.They broke up in 1985, but came back together in 1996 for the soundtrack recording of the Belgian film Dief . They have been together ever since and still play gigs around the world....
- K's ChoiceK's ChoiceK's Choice is a Belgian rock band from Antwerp, formed in the mid-1990s. The band's core members are siblings Sarah Bettens and Gert Bettens . They are joined by Eric Grossman , Thomas Vanelslander , Reinout Swinnen and Koen Liekens...
- MachiavelMachiavel (groupe)Machiavel, named after Niccolò Machiavelli, is a Belgian rock group founded in 1974 and still recording and touring today. Its first few albums are typical of the progressive rock movement while the later albums are harder.-The first years:...
- Malibu StacyMalibu StacyMalibu Stacy is a Belgian band from Visé .Their style, difficult to define clearly, lies between power-pop and rock, and is sometimes describe as being some kind of pop-punk.-Members:* David de Froidmont : singer...
- MillionaireMillionaire (band)Millionaire is a Belgian indie rock band led by Tim Vanhamel, drawing on influences from stoner rock, indie and industrial rock music.-History:Millionaire was formed in 1999 by former Evil Superstars and dEUS guitarist Tim Vanhamel...
- MilowMilowMilow is a municipality in the Ludwigslust-Parchim district, in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany.-References:...
- mintMint (band)Mint is a Belgian pop-rock band, which started in 1999.The band has a fixed line-up of 5 persons:*Erwin Marcisz *Steve Janssens *Phil Marcisz *Kim Windmolders *Tim Claes...
- NailpinNailpinNailpin is a Belgian band.After Belgian singles "Endless Conversations", "Movin' On" and "Together", from their debut album '12 TO GO', Nailpin made their international debut....
- The Neon JudgementThe Neon JudgementThe Neon Judgement is a Belgian new wave band.The band was started in Leuven in 1981 by Dirk Da Davo and TB Frank.On the 21st of August 1985, the band opened a new alternative music festival, named Pukkelpop...
- NovastarNovastarNovastar is a Belgian band, led by a born Dutch singer and pianist Joost Zweegers. The band is popular in Belgium and the Netherlands. Novastar is known for its deep, emotional ballads, and the pure, high voice of Zweegers.-Biography:...
- Ozark HenryOzark HenryPiet Goddaer is a Belgian musician, better known by his stage name Ozark Henry.-Biography:In his early life, Piet Goddaer was involved in several local bands...
- Poésie NoirePoésie NoirePoésie Noire were a Belgian band that rose to prominence in the mid-80's and whose active career lasted until the early 1990s. Their Belgian origins and tendency to develop a goth-oriented, synthetic, gloomy universe with low-pitched voices - Poésie Noire could translate by "Black/Dark Poetry" -...
- PuggyPuggyPuggy is a band formed in 2004, when French bassist Romain Descampes and English vocalist Matthew Irons met Swedish drummer Egil "Ziggy" Franzén at a jazz school in Brussels. For this reason the band considers itself Belgian in origin....
- SharkoSharkoSharko is a Belgian indie pop-rock band formed by David Bartholomé in 1997.Sharko released its first album, Feuded in 1999, on the indie Belgian label BANG! The album has also been released in France and Holland and received a very positive press coverage...
- SoulwaxSoulwaxSoulwax, headed by David and Stephen Dewaele, are an alternative rock/electronic band from Ghent, Belgium. Next to the Dewaele brothers, Soulwax consists of bassist Stefaan Van Leuven and drummer Steve Slingeneyer. They were first noticed after the release of their album Much Against Everyone's...
- TC MaticTC MaticTC Matic was a Belgian rock band, originating in 1980 from the duo Tjens Couter . Decoutere was replaced shortly after the establishment of TC Matic by Jean-Marie Aerts, who cooperated with Hintjens in the majority of the band's compositions.TC Matic mixed diverse styles: new wave, blues, funk,...
- Team WilliamTeam WilliamTeam William is a Belgian indie pop band. Team William are best known for their energetic, somewhat chaotic mix between CYHSY and Wolf Parade. In 2009, they released their self-titled debut album on the Keremos label. It has received overall positive reviews from Belgian main stream media such as...
- The Black Box RevelationThe Black Box RevelationBlack Box Revelation, also known as the BBR, is a Belgian garage rock band. It was formed in 2005 by vocalist and guitarist Jan Paternoster and drummer Dries Van Dijck...
- The Hickey UnderworldThe Hickey UnderworldThe Hickey Underworld is a Belgian alternative rock/garage rock band from Antwerp. The four members won the Humo's Rock Rally in 2006, and as a result of this achievement they played on the Belgian festival Pukkelpop.In 2009 they released their first album "The Hickey Underworld".The Hickey...
- The TellersThe TellersThe Tellers are a rock group from Belgium.Before landing on 62TV records The Tellers remained a bedroom secret....
- Univers ZeroUnivers ZéroUnivers Zero are an instrumental Belgian band known for playing dark music heavily influenced by 20th century chamber music. The group's name has had three variant spellings, the others being Univers Zéro and Univers-Zero....
- Zita SwoonZita SwoonZita Swoon is a Belgian indie rock group. They entered the music scene of Antwerp in 1993, still under the name A Beatband with the EP "Jintro Travels The Word In A Skirt". The group is typical of the music scene in Antwerp, with members playing in numerous other groups. Best known member is singer...
- ZornikZornikZornik is a Belgian rock band. It was formed in 1999 by singer and guitarist Koen Buyse, drummer Marijn Horemans and bass guitarist Kristof Vanduren.-History:...