Indie bands blog » Dutch Bands

Itching Eyeball… (the left one)

Tim — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 17:50:59 +0000

Itching Eyeball… (the left one) a trio from Amsterdam in Holland are an electro-rock band made up of Han Luís Cera (Vocals, Keys), Tristan Driesenaar (Guitar) and Henning Brand (Drums), when you add a German, a Dutchman and a Columbian, no this isn’t the start of a comedy hour, you are left with an intriguing mix, welcome - Itching Eyeball… (the left one).

Itching Eyeball... (The Left One)

An interesting meld of musical references combine and rebound to the listener with a pulsating sound-scape. Keys are thrown against guitar in a juxtaposition which is at the edge of breakdown, yet the deep resounding bass flips the layers like a child chasing balloons and so Itching Eyeball… (The Left One) move onwards to keep the listener engaged.

There is a natural progression to the music which threatens to send the ears to sleep, but suddenly an explosive firework ricochets from the speakers and the listener is wrested from slumber. There is a danger this technique could be over-played, but, Itching Eyeball… (The Left One) keep on the right side of the tracks. It isn’t laziness or unimaginativeness which leads the band to pursue this route, this is the very essence of the mongrel and a lovable animal it is too.

I enjoy bands like this who test the patience of the receiver, yet know exactly the hand they are playing. Eventually the audience will acquiesce and get with the mood. That shows focus and determination and while I go and gnaw my nails after meeting these guys, I will be back for more and Itching Eyeball… (The Left One) know that too.

website

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The Ex

Tim — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 09:58:27 +0000

Sometimes it is difficult to know whether to classify current bands under essential indie bands, due to their longevity and influence. The Ex from Holland leave me in just that quandary. 30 years of music, more than 20 albums and getting on for 1 500 concerts across Europe, North America and Africa. Terrie Hessels (guitar, baritone guitar), Arnold De Boer (vocals, guitar, sampler), Andy Moor (guitar, baritone guitar) and Katherina Bornefeld (drums, vocals) are the current line-up of this influential outfit, who recreate themselves continually in to a new and interesting sound.

The Ex

After the departure of G.W. Sok in 2009, who had been with the band for its full history, The Ex came out as strongly as ever with a new program. Their range of influences are thrown in to a melting pot and a completely new sound is created from the mold. I think to say they are an experimental band would be a fair pigeon-hole, but beyond that, there is little to draw on. With the experience the band has developed they are seamlessly able to switch from Crass style noise experimentation to rap sounds, on to trance and away to Hawkwind all in one track.

It is great to hear The Ex after all this time remaining as far in-front of the music scene as they were 30 years ago. Far too many bands with this pedigree sit back and expect the world to reminisce with them, The Ex are all the great things I like in bands, creative, true to themselves and stretching the edges.

band website

They remain as hard working as ever, a new 7″ single coming out on 15th January and yet another tour coming up very soon, they are well worth catching in peformance.

If you know of a band who are not on the blog and should be, just drop a note using the contact form.

The Legendary Pink Dots

Tim — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 15:46:00 +0000

The Legendary Pink Dots originally formed in London, UK in 1980 but since 1984 have been based in Amsterdam Holland. Comprising Phil Knight aka: The Silverman, Phil Harmonix (Keyboards, soundscapes, electronic devices, gadgets and technology), Niels Van Hoorn aka: Niels Van Hoornblower (Saxophones, flute, bass flute, clarinets and other various wind instruments, Martijn De Kleer (Guitars, fuzz bass, banjo, violin, exotic percussion and string driven things), Edward Ka-Spel aka: Prophet Qa-Spel, Qa’Sepel, Che Banana, D’Archangel (Voice, keyboards and electronic devices) and Raymond Steeg (Mixing and engineering) continue to tour extensively and release new material regularly even with over 40 albums behind them.

The Legendary Pink Dots

The unique sound that is The Legendary Pink Dots is essential listening to gain an understanding of out of the box creativity. Their astounding material continues to evolve, as the band take on new technologies and blend the sound with a plethora of more traditional instruments. The tracks wend their path of sublime experimentation, always refreshing and regularly rewritten.

myspace site

Rather than try to keep up to date with their never ending tours and releases, I will keep the indie bands blog readers up to date on an occasional basis.

The current ’30th Anniversary Tour’ takes in venues throughout much of the world, so there is little reason to not catch them live.

The most August 2009 album The Maria Dimension is a good place to start with the material.