Fixkes
Encyclopedia
Fixkes is a Belgian band from Stabroek
, close to Antwerp. The band mixes
acoustic pop and rap
in their music. In February 2007, they released their first official single, Kvraagetaan. The single was an enormous success in Belgium and reached highest position in the local hit charts, Ultratop
.
, Sam sings and plays guitar
, he is also the songwriter of the group. The rest of the band's line-up was: Peter Deckers (guitar, harmonica
), Johan Pauwels (bassguitar) and Bart Palmers (piano
).
In January 2007, the band was picked up by the Dutch Excelsior Recordings
. Fixkes released their first single only one month later, in February 2007. The lyrics of "Kvraagetaan" mainly appeal to nostalgic feelings of people in their 30s, who went to primary school in the 80s (the title is a typical Flemish
dialect term of that era, which can be roughly translated as "I ask him/her", and refers to a young boy or girl asking another kid to become "engaged", in a puppy love
context). Radio station Studio Brussel
launches the single as Hotshot. As a result, the single is the most played record for the next week on the radio station.
Kvraagetaan was first being released as an iTunes
-song on Februari 5, and next also on CD (February 12). The next week the single reached the number 1 spot in the Belgian iTunes-charts.
In March 2007 the Fixkes reached the number 1 spot of the Ultratop 50, remaining so for months. In June 2007 they broke the Belgian record for being at the number 1 position for 16 weeks. The previous record was 12 weeks. Local star Laura Lynn took the top position for one week at June 16. Fixkes took back their first place the next week, which was their last at number one. On June 30, Rihanna
took over the first spot with Umbrella
.
Stabroek
Stabroek is a municipality located in the Belgian province of Antwerp. The municipality comprises the towns of Hoevenen and Stabroek proper. On December 31, 2006 Stabroek had a total population of 17,618. The total area is 21.51 km² which gives a population density of 818 inhabitants per km². In...
, close to Antwerp. The band mixes
acoustic pop and rap
Rapping
Rapping refers to "spoken or chanted rhyming lyrics". The art form can be broken down into different components, as in the book How to Rap where it is separated into “content”, “flow” , and “delivery”...
in their music. In February 2007, they released their first official single, Kvraagetaan. The single was an enormous success in Belgium and reached highest position in the local hit charts, Ultratop
Ultratop
Ultratop is an organization which generates and publishes the official record charts in Belgium, and it is also the name of most of those charts...
.
Band history
In November 2005 Fixkes was formed by Sam and Jan Valkenborgh. The name Fixkes is a nickname that Sam got in his teens. Jan plays the drumsDrum kit
A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, Sam sings and plays guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, he is also the songwriter of the group. The rest of the band's line-up was: Peter Deckers (guitar, harmonica
Harmonica
The harmonica, also called harp, French harp, blues harp, and mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used primarily in blues and American folk music, jazz, country, and rock and roll. It is played by blowing air into it or drawing air out by placing lips over individual holes or multiple holes...
), Johan Pauwels (bassguitar) and Bart Palmers (piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
).
In January 2007, the band was picked up by the Dutch Excelsior Recordings
Excelsior Recordings
Excelsior Recordings is an independent record label located in Utrecht, Netherlands, born out of a love - for 7" vinyl, and anger - over almost-famous Dutch band’s Daryll-Ann's luck. First up was a single release; Nothing sucks like Electrolux...
. Fixkes released their first single only one month later, in February 2007. The lyrics of "Kvraagetaan" mainly appeal to nostalgic feelings of people in their 30s, who went to primary school in the 80s (the title is a typical Flemish
Flemish
Flemish can refer to anything related to Flanders, and may refer directly to the following articles:*Flemish, an informal, though linguistically incorrect, name of any kind of the Dutch language as spoken in Belgium....
dialect term of that era, which can be roughly translated as "I ask him/her", and refers to a young boy or girl asking another kid to become "engaged", in a puppy love
Puppy love
Puppy love is an informal term for feelings of love or infatuation felt by young people during childhood and adolescence, so-called for its resemblance to the adoring, worshipful affection that may be felt by a puppy. 'Simple infatuation is often called a "crush" or "puppy love"...
context). Radio station Studio Brussel
Studio Brussel
Studio Brussel is a radio station in Belgium, owned by the VRT. The music played is considered more alternative than the other big radio stations, and is aimed mainly at a youth audience....
launches the single as Hotshot. As a result, the single is the most played record for the next week on the radio station.
Kvraagetaan was first being released as an iTunes
ITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
-song on Februari 5, and next also on CD (February 12). The next week the single reached the number 1 spot in the Belgian iTunes-charts.
In March 2007 the Fixkes reached the number 1 spot of the Ultratop 50, remaining so for months. In June 2007 they broke the Belgian record for being at the number 1 position for 16 weeks. The previous record was 12 weeks. Local star Laura Lynn took the top position for one week at June 16. Fixkes took back their first place the next week, which was their last at number one. On June 30, Rihanna
Rihanna
Robyn Rihanna Fenty , better known as simply Rihanna, is a Barbadian recording artist. Born in Saint Michael, Barbados, Rihanna moved to the United States at the age of 16 to pursue a recording career under the guidance of record producer Evan Rogers...
took over the first spot with Umbrella
Umbrella (song)
"Umbrella" is a song recorded by Barbadian singer Rihanna, featuring a rap verse by Jay-Z. The song was written by The-Dream, Christopher Stewart, Kuk Harrell and Jay-Z, and was produced by Stewart and The-Dream for Rihanna's third studio album, Good Girl Gone Bad...
.