Supports: Sander van der Hoorn, Milkbar; Venue: De Kelder, Amersfoort (The Netherlands)
By: Sabine van Gameren
Three bands worked together to built one big party for releasing their EP’s. This Sunday is not bringing them a lot of luck as there is a whole lot of snow and there are no trains or busses going anywhere in the country. People were advised to stay at home if possible.
| Even though this are not exactly the best circumstances for a band to have a release party there were still people coming to the venue. Doors would open at 2am already and when I was there, it looked a lot like I was the only one besides the bands, but when about one hour the first band was entering the stage there were some more enthusiastic fans and family present. Their name is Milkbar and they bring rock music that should do very well on the radio. Ironically, they made a song called “Please Don’t Play This Song On The Radio”. Influences of melodic rock acts are to hear and in general it is to say that the band gets to the point quite fast. Songs are mostly short and melodic, when heard more often much likely to get stuck in your head. The band is not complete today due to medical issues, but nevertheless the band plays a set that has the potential to attract a wide audience. |
 Second band of the evening is more dedicated to calm pop songs. Sander van der Hoorn is a singer/songwriter that have been playing solo for a while after his old bands were done. Quite recently he recruited band members who are supporting him this evening. Sander’s voice and way of singing reminded me slightly to Marko, the singer of the Finnish band Poets of the Fall, but where Marko goes deeper Sander takes it more up. True fans of the Poets will recognize the same way of bringing the notes though this is mainly a thing you notice when being in live situations. Compare that to the recorded music and there is a different atmosphere. The set being played was intimate and calm. Pleasant to see on a Sunday afternoon. |
 50 Grams of Violence brings the most aggressive songs of today. Music that honors Queens of The Stone Age, but not brought in the most original way. Now that is not always an issue as when it is something you like, there is nothing wrong with more of the same as long as it quality wise matches your perceptions. This band, started in 2007, music wise met that in the way that there is a solid base in the songs on the EP. The first couple of songs they played did not interest me, but the songs that are on their EP hit the target better setting expectations for what the band will bring in future. It is to mention that the band has a timid attitude towards the audience, as soon as the audience gets closer the band members step back and seem to wish a certain distance to be there. This would be a part to improve as when the band start to visibly live the music there could be a really big rock and roll party going on. |
Overall this triple release party did not attract as many people as hoped for due to the snow, but showed Amersfoort that its locals are relevant and ready to climb up.
Interviews with Sander van der Hoorn and Milkbar are going to be published soon.
More pictures of this gig available at sabinevangameren.com
Links:
Milkbar MySpace
Milkbar Official
Sander van der Hoorn MySpace
50 Grams of Violence MySpace
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