Hello, so back in the day i knew these guys (and vice versa) in fact i belonged to that peergroup that tried to convince them to sing in English. At the time singing in native language had done the German alternatives good but in the Netherlands that space was occupied by more commercial acts not for 'intellectual' new wave. Unfortunately by the time they switched 1985, it no longer mattered, their music wouldn't reach beyond the Dutch borders, their angular music and absurd poetic lyrics moved the incrowd but that don't pay the bills. In the end it was singer Art Zaayers Amsterdam friends that sucked the life out of a band that had great potential but never made it outside the border.
Today's Artists were founded in 1979 in Delft, the band consistently builds on an oevre based on tight rhythms with a funky slant, contrarian guitars and strong rhythmic vocals. In the first years they worked with Dutch texts. They had a very solid reputation especially live. In the mid-eighties the band slowly but surely switched to English texts, the article disappears from the name and an attempt is made to gain a foothold in England. When Michel Schoots gets busy at the end of the eighties with his drumming for Urban Dance Squad and Marc de Reus makes more and more name as a producer, that means the end of the band in 1990, also because the musical progression is stagnated by poor choice in recordlabel and thus real success not forthcoming.. ......N'Joy
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At the end of 1979 three architectural students from Delft set up 'De Div'. They have already given a number of performances with an experimental group. That was more of a joke, but from those performances the composition is created as it can be heard on the first records. In June 1981 they record four songs together with producer Dick Polak (Mecano), who appear the same year as the maxi-single Step by Step at the delft underground label Plexus. The group is still searching for the angular, contrarian sound, which they would later be known for. But it is certainly not standard rock, the songs breathe the atmosphere of the early New Wave. The most striking characteristic is immediately the Dutch language. At the same time, the mainstream Dutch-language rock also appears. And although more personal themes are sung in songs like Meer and Spetters, the title track shines a bit of the veil of what would follow later. Abstract text fragments, in which a social vision is indirectly put down.
Step by step is already mentioned here and there by the magazines as a promising debut. With the first full-fledged LP Europe is Here, which already appears a year later, that promise is fully fulfilled. In particular, Oor embraces the group and would closely follow the transactions from that moment on. "Fascinating atmospheric images, in which abstract texts in sound and rhythm fuse with the suggestive power of music," writes Swie Tio lyrical. The lyrics on the LP, especially in songs like Data Data and Europe, have now been changed into a kind of code language. The music has become more angular and brighter. The well-known guitar duels between Niek van Slobbe and Rob Dingemans have been put down here for the first time. In retrospect, the group itself is rather dissatisfied with the LP, especially because of the production. But the LP is a milestone in the Dutch New Wave. Comparisons with Gang of Four are made in reviews, but in retrospect the LP has no matches. During this period, the group also starts to build up a decent reputation live. On radio and even incidentally on TV, VARA and VPRO pay attention to De Div and gradually the group starts to become a household name.
In 1983 they release the Pasodoble cassette as a snack, filled with live recordings and some experimental songs that they can not discard on the regular LPs. In the meantime TC Matic guitarist Jean-Marie Aerts has offered to produce their next LP and in December De Div goes to Brussels for the recordings. The Open Sea result indicates that they have made the right choice. The LP with cult classics Sign the Time and Als Lemmingen is the artistic highlight of De Div. The driving city fun is reminiscent of Remain in Light from the Talking Heads. The guitar layers are assembled like pieces of a puzzle, and the production is sharp, but not smooth at all. Curiously, Oor creaks the LP. "Open Sea is pompous nonsense", the reviewer snorts and that while this sheet normally supports the band through thick and thin. It will not harm the group, because it is precisely during this period that they are one of the most popular stage acts in the Netherlands. In 1984 Peter de Wolf leaves the band because he thinks they are performing too much. He will be replaced by Michel Schoots, the drummer who would later become known with the Urban Dance Squad.
In 1985 Rob Dingemans also leaves De Div. They have just started the recording sessions for their new LP In Front. With the departure of Dingemans, the characteristic wickerwork of the guitarists has come to an end. People are still looking for a replacement, but that does not work. Niek van Slobbe declares to be overgrown with Rob Dingemans' guitar playing. In the group sound, the difference can be heard, to compensate for the layering in the guitar sound, there is more emphasis on a tight rhythm, and uniform accents. This is clearly audible in Fire or Sirens. Because of this they know how to absorb the loss. In the same year, the single (take me to your) Heart will also appear, a translation of one of the songs from In Front. It soon becomes clear that the group has started a switch to the English language here. During this period the new English numbers will dispel the old work.asmak undertakes a final, fifth, club tour in 1984 and in May of that year the curtain is final.
In 1986 the article in the group name is officially deleted. At the end of that year the first English LP Twist & Turn will be released. Even though there are some strong songs on this LP, such as a highlight during many concerts in those days Write the walls down. The group seems to be looking very hard for a new sound. In interviews they indicate that they want to literally push the boundaries. In March, Div tours with great success through Germany and Scandinavia, after which starts recording for the 12-inch single Sex Sex Sex, which only appears in 1988. This is caused by the fact that Michel Schoots is ill for a long time and therefore all scheduled concerts have to be canceled. The further studio recordings for that year also expire.. In 1988, the successful single Sex Sex Sex appears, Div tries to make songs in a series of jam sessions and this is the first track in this series that the band will release. The impact of this work finally appears in 1990 as Jam. The LP is largely ignored. The group has landed on a dead track , and most of the members are now also busy with other things, so that the final curtain falls. The gentlemen do not sit still after this. Bassist Marc de Reus makes a name for himself as a producer, Michel Schoots even conquers the US with Urban Dance Squad and singer Art Zaaier establishes his name as an architect.
xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx
With the first full-fledged LP Europe is Here, that debut EP promise is fully fulfilled. In particular, music magazine Oor embraces the group and would closely follow the transactions from that moment on. "Fascinating atmospheric images, in which abstract texts in sound and rhythm fuse with the suggestive power of music," writes Swie Tio lyrical. The lyrics on the LP, especially in songs like Data Data and Europe, have now been changed into a kind of code language. The music has become more angular and brighter. The well-known guitar duels between Niek van Slobbe and Rob Dingemans have been put down here for the first time. In retrospect, the group itself is rather dissatisfied with the LP, especially because of the production. But the LP is a milestone in the Dutch New Wave. Comparisons with Gang of Four are made in reviews, but in retrospect the LP has no matches.
DeDIV - Europa Is Hier (flac 214mb)
01 Insekticide 3:01
02 Data-Data 3:02
03 Man in de Ruit 3:23
04 Wuppertal-Wien 2:26
05 Europa Is Hier 3:18
06 Stap Voor St... 1:39
07 Lichaam Op Het Laken 4:35
08 Tegels 3:49
09 Sa-Ha-Ra 4:07
10 Jij Danst 2:49
11 Guerilla 4:23
DeDIV - Europa Is Hier (ogg 89mb)
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TC Matic guitarist Jean-Marie Aerts has offered to produce their next LP and in December 83 De Div goes to Brussels for the recordings. The Open Sea result indicates that they have made the right choice. The LP with cult classics Teken de tijd (Sign the Time) and Als Lemmingen is the artistic highlight of De Div. The guitar layers are assembled like pieces of a puzzle, and the production is sharp, but not smooth at all. Curiously, Oor creaks the LP. "Open Sea is pompous nonsense", the reviewer snorts and that while this sheet normally supports the band through thick and thin. It will not harm the group, because it is precisely during this period that they are one of the most popular stage acts in the Netherlands.
DeDIV - Open Zee (flac 171mb)
01 Lieve matroos 4:28
02 Dit moment 4:00
03 Teken de tijd 4:42
04 Als lemmingen 5:24
05 Banzaï ! 4:04
06 Splits het atoom 3:44
(ogg mb)
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During the first recording sessions for In Front in the ICP Studios - Rob Dingemans leaves the group in June because he can not find himself in the English-language course that the band wants to sail. He will not be replaced. De Reus largely takes care of the production. An English version of In Front is also included in order to be able to compete with the international market. When the album appears at Transglobal in December, it appears that the disappeared guitar duels are compensated by even tighter playing, broadening the palette and more contrasts. The openings created by the absence of Dingemans seem to make the material even more rhythmic and powerful. With the departure of Dingemans, the characteristic wickerwork of the guitarists has come to an end. . In the same year, the single (take me to your) Heart will also appear, a translation of one of the songs from In Front. It soon becomes clear that the group has started a switch to the English language here.
De Div - In Front (flac 248mb)
A1 Vuur (4:00)
A2 Hart (5:02)
A3 Sirenen (4:52)
A4 Lang Licht (3:52)
A5 Galileï (4:31)
B1 Ra Pi Do (4:31)
B2 Asfalt (3:45)
B3 In Front (5:09)
B4 Oriënt (6:02)
De Div - In Front (ogg 104mb)
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With the single (Take Me To Your) Heart, the new English version of Hart, a modest disco hit is scored. The song also ends up on Twist & Turn, a self-produced record on Emergo Records, a Roadrunner label. On the album included recordedin the ICP Studios in Brussels, there is also a remix of the track Fire & Orient (the Dutch version is on In Front). On this album only English texts can be found, remarkably enough Rob Dingemans, but also Jean Marie Aerts (TC Matic, guitar) and Luc van Lieshout (TuxedoMoon, trumpet) are heard.
DIV - Twist & Turn (flac 261mb)
01 N.U.R.X 5:58
02 Purity & Dirt 4:48
03 Wrrite The Walls Down 4:44
04 The House 4:09
05 (Take Me To Your) Heart 5:01
06 Till Home 4:00
07 Fire 3:50
08 Orient 5:33
DIV - Twist & Turn (ogg 86mb)
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Div made uplifting music, with tight, funky rhythms. The group acted a lot in the squatting and demonstration circuit, although the - initially Dutch-speaking - abstract and absurdist texts were anything but politically tinted.
Two years before Sex Sex Sex appeared, the previous single appeared Heart had already done nicely in the alternative club circuit. Sex Sex Sex turned out to be more accessible and also hit the more popular nightclubs. Within three days record company Boudisque had sold the complete edition ('1500 of 2000, according to Zaaijer). The retail trade bombarded Boudisque with additional orders, but the plate was not repressed. Ah yes the chaotic organization of Boudisque, their head toko was distributing all kinds of import plates, in the end they were more hobbyists than businessmen The band had high expectations for the Jam album they recorded but to the surprise of Zaaijer et al. Boudisque did not release the planned album. But went belly up only to be reborn as Torso which finally did release Jam a year later but the momentum was gone and the bandmembers had gone their separate ways, which serves as a reminder Amsterdam snobs can't be trusted to work for others but themselves.
DIV - Jam (flac 413mb)
01 Sex Sex Sex (4:56)
02 Things Break Down (2:55)
03 1 Out Of 5 Billion (2:41)
04 Brick Layed Suits (3:27)
05 Go Went Gone (4:15)
06 Out Of Bounds (4:11)
07 Traces (In My Soul) (3:31)
08 The Trouble Never Stops (4:27)
09 House On Wheels (2:26)
10 (Take Me To Your) Heart (4:56)
11 Run Down Misery (4:08)
12 Some Way (2:54)
13 N.U.R.X. (6:01)
14 Purity & Dirt (4:49)
15 Write The Walls Down (4:40)
16 Till Home (4:02))
DIV - Jam (ogg 152mb)
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Today's Artists were founded in 1979 in Delft, the band consistently builds on an oevre based on tight rhythms with a funky slant, contrarian guitars and strong rhythmic vocals. In the first years they worked with Dutch texts. They had a very solid reputation especially live. In the mid-eighties the band slowly but surely switched to English texts, the article disappears from the name and an attempt is made to gain a foothold in England. When Michel Schoots gets busy at the end of the eighties with his drumming for Urban Dance Squad and Marc de Reus makes more and more name as a producer, that means the end of the band in 1990, also because the musical progression is stagnated by poor choice in recordlabel and thus real success not forthcoming.. ......N'Joy
xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx
At the end of 1979 three architectural students from Delft set up 'De Div'. They have already given a number of performances with an experimental group. That was more of a joke, but from those performances the composition is created as it can be heard on the first records. In June 1981 they record four songs together with producer Dick Polak (Mecano), who appear the same year as the maxi-single Step by Step at the delft underground label Plexus. The group is still searching for the angular, contrarian sound, which they would later be known for. But it is certainly not standard rock, the songs breathe the atmosphere of the early New Wave. The most striking characteristic is immediately the Dutch language. At the same time, the mainstream Dutch-language rock also appears. And although more personal themes are sung in songs like Meer and Spetters, the title track shines a bit of the veil of what would follow later. Abstract text fragments, in which a social vision is indirectly put down.
Step by step is already mentioned here and there by the magazines as a promising debut. With the first full-fledged LP Europe is Here, which already appears a year later, that promise is fully fulfilled. In particular, Oor embraces the group and would closely follow the transactions from that moment on. "Fascinating atmospheric images, in which abstract texts in sound and rhythm fuse with the suggestive power of music," writes Swie Tio lyrical. The lyrics on the LP, especially in songs like Data Data and Europe, have now been changed into a kind of code language. The music has become more angular and brighter. The well-known guitar duels between Niek van Slobbe and Rob Dingemans have been put down here for the first time. In retrospect, the group itself is rather dissatisfied with the LP, especially because of the production. But the LP is a milestone in the Dutch New Wave. Comparisons with Gang of Four are made in reviews, but in retrospect the LP has no matches. During this period, the group also starts to build up a decent reputation live. On radio and even incidentally on TV, VARA and VPRO pay attention to De Div and gradually the group starts to become a household name.
In 1983 they release the Pasodoble cassette as a snack, filled with live recordings and some experimental songs that they can not discard on the regular LPs. In the meantime TC Matic guitarist Jean-Marie Aerts has offered to produce their next LP and in December De Div goes to Brussels for the recordings. The Open Sea result indicates that they have made the right choice. The LP with cult classics Sign the Time and Als Lemmingen is the artistic highlight of De Div. The driving city fun is reminiscent of Remain in Light from the Talking Heads. The guitar layers are assembled like pieces of a puzzle, and the production is sharp, but not smooth at all. Curiously, Oor creaks the LP. "Open Sea is pompous nonsense", the reviewer snorts and that while this sheet normally supports the band through thick and thin. It will not harm the group, because it is precisely during this period that they are one of the most popular stage acts in the Netherlands. In 1984 Peter de Wolf leaves the band because he thinks they are performing too much. He will be replaced by Michel Schoots, the drummer who would later become known with the Urban Dance Squad.
In 1985 Rob Dingemans also leaves De Div. They have just started the recording sessions for their new LP In Front. With the departure of Dingemans, the characteristic wickerwork of the guitarists has come to an end. People are still looking for a replacement, but that does not work. Niek van Slobbe declares to be overgrown with Rob Dingemans' guitar playing. In the group sound, the difference can be heard, to compensate for the layering in the guitar sound, there is more emphasis on a tight rhythm, and uniform accents. This is clearly audible in Fire or Sirens. Because of this they know how to absorb the loss. In the same year, the single (take me to your) Heart will also appear, a translation of one of the songs from In Front. It soon becomes clear that the group has started a switch to the English language here. During this period the new English numbers will dispel the old work.asmak undertakes a final, fifth, club tour in 1984 and in May of that year the curtain is final.
In 1986 the article in the group name is officially deleted. At the end of that year the first English LP Twist & Turn will be released. Even though there are some strong songs on this LP, such as a highlight during many concerts in those days Write the walls down. The group seems to be looking very hard for a new sound. In interviews they indicate that they want to literally push the boundaries. In March, Div tours with great success through Germany and Scandinavia, after which starts recording for the 12-inch single Sex Sex Sex, which only appears in 1988. This is caused by the fact that Michel Schoots is ill for a long time and therefore all scheduled concerts have to be canceled. The further studio recordings for that year also expire.. In 1988, the successful single Sex Sex Sex appears, Div tries to make songs in a series of jam sessions and this is the first track in this series that the band will release. The impact of this work finally appears in 1990 as Jam. The LP is largely ignored. The group has landed on a dead track , and most of the members are now also busy with other things, so that the final curtain falls. The gentlemen do not sit still after this. Bassist Marc de Reus makes a name for himself as a producer, Michel Schoots even conquers the US with Urban Dance Squad and singer Art Zaaier establishes his name as an architect.
xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx
With the first full-fledged LP Europe is Here, that debut EP promise is fully fulfilled. In particular, music magazine Oor embraces the group and would closely follow the transactions from that moment on. "Fascinating atmospheric images, in which abstract texts in sound and rhythm fuse with the suggestive power of music," writes Swie Tio lyrical. The lyrics on the LP, especially in songs like Data Data and Europe, have now been changed into a kind of code language. The music has become more angular and brighter. The well-known guitar duels between Niek van Slobbe and Rob Dingemans have been put down here for the first time. In retrospect, the group itself is rather dissatisfied with the LP, especially because of the production. But the LP is a milestone in the Dutch New Wave. Comparisons with Gang of Four are made in reviews, but in retrospect the LP has no matches.
DeDIV - Europa Is Hier (flac 214mb)
01 Insekticide 3:01
02 Data-Data 3:02
03 Man in de Ruit 3:23
04 Wuppertal-Wien 2:26
05 Europa Is Hier 3:18
06 Stap Voor St... 1:39
07 Lichaam Op Het Laken 4:35
08 Tegels 3:49
09 Sa-Ha-Ra 4:07
10 Jij Danst 2:49
11 Guerilla 4:23
DeDIV - Europa Is Hier (ogg 89mb)
xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx
TC Matic guitarist Jean-Marie Aerts has offered to produce their next LP and in December 83 De Div goes to Brussels for the recordings. The Open Sea result indicates that they have made the right choice. The LP with cult classics Teken de tijd (Sign the Time) and Als Lemmingen is the artistic highlight of De Div. The guitar layers are assembled like pieces of a puzzle, and the production is sharp, but not smooth at all. Curiously, Oor creaks the LP. "Open Sea is pompous nonsense", the reviewer snorts and that while this sheet normally supports the band through thick and thin. It will not harm the group, because it is precisely during this period that they are one of the most popular stage acts in the Netherlands.
DeDIV - Open Zee (flac 171mb)
01 Lieve matroos 4:28
02 Dit moment 4:00
03 Teken de tijd 4:42
04 Als lemmingen 5:24
05 Banzaï ! 4:04
06 Splits het atoom 3:44
(ogg mb)
xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx
During the first recording sessions for In Front in the ICP Studios - Rob Dingemans leaves the group in June because he can not find himself in the English-language course that the band wants to sail. He will not be replaced. De Reus largely takes care of the production. An English version of In Front is also included in order to be able to compete with the international market. When the album appears at Transglobal in December, it appears that the disappeared guitar duels are compensated by even tighter playing, broadening the palette and more contrasts. The openings created by the absence of Dingemans seem to make the material even more rhythmic and powerful. With the departure of Dingemans, the characteristic wickerwork of the guitarists has come to an end. . In the same year, the single (take me to your) Heart will also appear, a translation of one of the songs from In Front. It soon becomes clear that the group has started a switch to the English language here.
De Div - In Front (flac 248mb)
A1 Vuur (4:00)
A2 Hart (5:02)
A3 Sirenen (4:52)
A4 Lang Licht (3:52)
A5 Galileï (4:31)
B1 Ra Pi Do (4:31)
B2 Asfalt (3:45)
B3 In Front (5:09)
B4 Oriënt (6:02)
De Div - In Front (ogg 104mb)
xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx
With the single (Take Me To Your) Heart, the new English version of Hart, a modest disco hit is scored. The song also ends up on Twist & Turn, a self-produced record on Emergo Records, a Roadrunner label. On the album included recordedin the ICP Studios in Brussels, there is also a remix of the track Fire & Orient (the Dutch version is on In Front). On this album only English texts can be found, remarkably enough Rob Dingemans, but also Jean Marie Aerts (TC Matic, guitar) and Luc van Lieshout (TuxedoMoon, trumpet) are heard.
DIV - Twist & Turn (flac 261mb)
01 N.U.R.X 5:58
02 Purity & Dirt 4:48
03 Wrrite The Walls Down 4:44
04 The House 4:09
05 (Take Me To Your) Heart 5:01
06 Till Home 4:00
07 Fire 3:50
08 Orient 5:33
DIV - Twist & Turn (ogg 86mb)
xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx
Div made uplifting music, with tight, funky rhythms. The group acted a lot in the squatting and demonstration circuit, although the - initially Dutch-speaking - abstract and absurdist texts were anything but politically tinted.
Two years before Sex Sex Sex appeared, the previous single appeared Heart had already done nicely in the alternative club circuit. Sex Sex Sex turned out to be more accessible and also hit the more popular nightclubs. Within three days record company Boudisque had sold the complete edition ('1500 of 2000, according to Zaaijer). The retail trade bombarded Boudisque with additional orders, but the plate was not repressed. Ah yes the chaotic organization of Boudisque, their head toko was distributing all kinds of import plates, in the end they were more hobbyists than businessmen The band had high expectations for the Jam album they recorded but to the surprise of Zaaijer et al. Boudisque did not release the planned album. But went belly up only to be reborn as Torso which finally did release Jam a year later but the momentum was gone and the bandmembers had gone their separate ways, which serves as a reminder Amsterdam snobs can't be trusted to work for others but themselves.
DIV - Jam (flac 413mb)
01 Sex Sex Sex (4:56)
02 Things Break Down (2:55)
03 1 Out Of 5 Billion (2:41)
04 Brick Layed Suits (3:27)
05 Go Went Gone (4:15)
06 Out Of Bounds (4:11)
07 Traces (In My Soul) (3:31)
08 The Trouble Never Stops (4:27)
09 House On Wheels (2:26)
10 (Take Me To Your) Heart (4:56)
11 Run Down Misery (4:08)
12 Some Way (2:54)
13 N.U.R.X. (6:01)
14 Purity & Dirt (4:49)
15 Write The Walls Down (4:40)
16 Till Home (4:02))
DIV - Jam (ogg 152mb)
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many thanks
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