Willem Bijma, Jelle F. Post, Dolf Kuiken, Auck Boersma, Ids van der Heide

[dutch]
Melanocaster: ‘De band haalt het beste uit de jaren '70 garage rock en weet dit schijnbaar moeiteloos een tijdloos karakter te geven. Het markante stemgeluid van de zanger geeft de band juist dat extra's wat nodig is om op te vallen tussen alle hedendaagse gitaarrock bands. Het is deze stem in combinatie met een goed gedoseerde mix van bas, gitaar en drums wat mij bijzonder aanspreekt. Als ik mijn ogen sluit en mij concentreer op de zang hoor ik een vleugje van een jeugdige Tom Waits, aangevuld met Tom Barman, samen drinkend aan de tap na hun tweede glas whisky.’ [R. Bruning, VPRO 3voor12]

[english]
The Wales of Holland

The guys of Melanocaster grew up all the way up in the North of the Netherlands in a small part which is called Friesland. The region Friesland is known for its own unique culture and understandings. For example they have their own language, food and, most important, opinions. Friesland is often called the ‘Wales of Holland’.
You have to take notice of this background to know in what tradition. Melanoscaster is playing and writing songs. The guys grew up with among miles and miles of sea dikes, cows, sheep and the possibility of being flood by the sea. It is impossible to see them without the perspective from where they come from.

‘The band represents the best of the 70’s
garage-rock by giving it a timeless look.'

International Talent

Melanocaster is a young, very energetic live band. The guys played at the Eurosonic Festival, did some high profile gigs on prestigious festivals in Holland such as Parkpop, Indian Summer Festival and in 2006 Melanocaster are selected by the Dutch music foundation Conamus/Buma Cultuur as one of the biggest international talents. As such Melanocaster is being promoted within their musicXport project. This includes among other things, promotion during all the big international conferences, a compilation album.

A youthful Tom Waits

Popronde, Holland’s biggest ‘traveling’ festival described them as: a raw Belgian up-tempo, old school, new wave band. VPRO’s 3voor12 Magazine: ‘Pure Rock. The band represents the best of the 70’s garage-rock by giving it a timeless look. The outstanding sound of the singer’s voice gives the band what it takes to differ from these days rock bands. The singer’s voice in combination with the remarkable mix of drums, bass and guitars appeals me. When I close my eyes and concentrate on the vocals I see a youthful Tom Waits in combination with dEUS Tom Barman drinking their second glass of whiskey somewhere in a bar. Sometimes modest and tender, next to raw and impetuous.

________________________________________

Melanocaster is:

- Jelle F. Post - Lead zang, gitaar
- Ids van der Heide - Drums, percussie
- Dolf Kuiken - Gitaar, toetsen, zang
- Auck Boersma - Bas
- Willem Bijma - Gitaar, synths
________________________________________

Gigs

2004-2008:

Parkpop Den Haag,
Eurosonic Groningen,
Ekko Utrecht,
Paradiso Amsterdam,
Paard van Troje Den Haag,
De Melkweg Amsterdam,
Atlantis Alkmaar,
Indian Summer Festival, Broek op Langedijk,
Trailerpop Rotterdam,
Vera Groningen,
Effenaar Eindhoven,
Atak Enschede,
Patronaat Haarlem,
W2 Den Bosch,
P60 Amstelveen,
3FM (Giel),
Popronde,
Waterfront Rotterdam,
Hardrock Café Amsterdam,
KinkFM,
Engelse Tour (o.a. Oxford-Virgin Megastore instore, Canterburry, London-The Bullet, Ipswich-The Railway)
________________________________________

support:

British Sea Power (UK), Ekko Utrecht,
Within Temptation, Di-rect (Indian Summer festival)
Bettie Serveert (Bevrijdingsfestival)
Di-rect, Intwine (Trailerpop)
The Sheer, Triggerfinger (Indorppop)
Gem (Het Bolwerk)

© 2007 Geja Kuiken Fotografie | Pics taken in P60 Amstelveen, Romein, Leeuwarden & Het Graauwe Paard, Ouwe Syl

discography

2003 Carefully Researched demo eigen beheer
2005 150 Busy Years album (cd) Fortress Music/Rough Trade
2007 The Horses E.P. e.p. Fortress Music
________________________________________