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Everything
started with a certain kind of brandy. And it was in the year 1986, or
87, Dun' know exactly the date. But it happened at a big Open Air
Festival in Dornbirn in Western Austria. Golden Earing were headliner,
Luther Allison (bless him)played, and next to some other artists also
the Nits. And it was actually them who almost didn't appear live,
because this damn brandy from the beautiful county of Tyrol knocked them
all out, just one hour before show time. No that stuff didn't have more
than the usual 40% alcohol, like most spirits do have, but it was the
hottest liquid, available on this planet. And why? - Can't tell you,
because the receipy still remains a secret 'till the very day. But I do
know that it contained chilli peppers, which you couldn't small or even
taste. In fact, one small drop was enough, and you don't know anymore,
whether the Ural is located in the South Pacific or somewhere else. And
that's exactly what the Nits didn't know anymore as well. No, not
because they were so drunk, but because the burning taste was a kamikaze
flight on a sun eruption. Wauw, that's been a devil's ride including
fright of mine, that this band is gonna be on stage by time beeing able
to play their set. But thanks god they were. And the only thing what
really helps, is bread, nothing else. However, I've never forgotten
about this incdident within the last 24 years, where I've seen the Nits
several times again.
Tonight we are back again.
Mind me, it's actually been already 3 weeks ago, when we were called for
a widely announced press conferrence here in Munich. But because of the
great echo of Munich's journalist's, I did have the luxury pleasure for
a solo interview with Henk Hofstede, which you can listen to here
again. Well on the other hand this lack of media interest ain't really a
surprise, as the Nits only show up every now and then, and their latest
release 'Strawberry Wood', which had been born already 6 months ago in
Amsterdam, has just been christened over here. But what's up to the
christening, it doesn't matter, as the average musiclover outside the
Netherlands, does know only one song anyway, and that's their most
successful hymn 'In The Dutch Mountains' from 1987. Yes well,exeptions
state the rules. And those once again count aprox. 150 insiders, in the
truest sense of my talking. |
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| What has
always fascinated me, is the fact, that we here in Germany do not know
very well any other country's musicscene well, though the borders are so
close to each other. Or can you tell me at least 10 french chart toppers?
I bet not. It's not much different in the Netherlands, apart from legend
Golden Earring, Focus, Ekseption and Heintje or maybe Within Temptation
or Pestilence, just to name a few artists of different music styles. But
it's indeed a fact,that the Nits own a cultstatus for decades in their
home country and still fill venues with thousands of people. But just a
few miles across the border they then face some 200 lost souls. Thanks
god, it's not problem for our oldies from Amsterday. They ain't
suffering any arrogance or super star syndrome. And they know exactly,
that you gotta do something to survive internationally in this present
broken music industry. Just to concentrate on the Netherlands, is just
not enough, and it's not their style either. So they are going, look
what they get what's up to resonance, but without a big financial risk. Okay, back to the Action in our Ampere Club, where the Avantgarde Show of the Nits starts by time at 8.30 p.m.
But whoever expected an energetic rockshow, is told something different straight away. Nits music is diverse. It's mainly a calm note in best singer/songwriter style, but of course with quite a few up tempos as well. The focus is put on the new disc 'Strawberry Wood', but of course they offer us a trip though 34 years Nits history. And that one again includes 21 studioalbums. |
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The Pretty
light magic thrown on the wall underlines an acoustic sound carpet with
a slight morbid touch. One piece from the new record I do like very much.
It's entitled 'Tannenbaum'. And Henk tells us, that he got the idea to
this track on a train from Budapest back home, where he met this guy,
who told him his life story. Apart from that we get many other
highlights from their back catalogue. And of course, there is this one
song which must not be missing within a Nits show. And this is 'In The
Dutch Mountains', their only international no. 1 hit back in 1987. The
following applause takes care for one more encore, which closes
down the 2 hour concert, a small gig diamond, not leaving any longings
for more.
Oh by the way, deep down
in my living room cupboard back home, I still got an almost empty bottle
with this hellish brandy, which made the Nits unforgettable for me for a
lifetime. And whoever got curious now, - you're dearly invited to put
your small finger into it and lick to taste it. For more, I won't take
any responsibility. :-))) |
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Some Aftershow
snapshots are available in the Diary |
