(Sint Pancras, 1978-1983)

Meaning Bandname: When we started the band, Rob listened to the Kinks a lot. Especially Preservation Act 1 & 2 about how Flash & The Spivs took over the reign of Britain. A Spiv is a man, typically a flashy dresser who makes a living by disreputable dealings. The name just sounded cool.

Bio: The story begins in 1976 at the Christian secondary school in Noord Scharwoude with a school band called Medicine Jar. The band consisted of Pancras members Rob, Peter, Hans, Henk, Dinand Bakker on vocals from Heerhugowaard and drummer Joost Stolk from Heiloo, who had been in the first year of high school with Rob. They played their own songs and covers, performed regularly in and around Langedijk, and practiced in the attic of Farmer Klijn’s barn on Achterweg. They always practiced on Sundays, and the neighborhood was outraged. It turned out the roof of the barn was a kind of speaker, so the sound could be heard for miles around.

In 1977, a lot changed: punk blew over from England. Rob’s brother Theo van der Plas became the singer of The Rousers. Rob attended high school in Alkmaar and met Henk Wagenaar from Noord Scharwoude. Together they made plans for a similar new band, a new sound with which they could conquer the world. After some vigorous back-and-forth phone calls and discussions, Medicine Jar was eventually disbanded and The Spivs formed. There was a lineup change: Joost and Dinand left, Henk W. took over drums, Cees Wagenaar (from Sint Pancras) handled the sound and was also appointed manager. The band also immediately had a permanent road crew: Anne Peter Hoekstra from Heerhugowaard, Rene Horsman from Noord Scharwoude, and Ron Kouwen (brother of Hans).

The Rousers immediately took the band under their wing. The Spivs opened in De Koog and soon found themselves playing numerous regional venues, including youth centers and pubs in West Friesland. Somehow, the time was ripe. The Spivs’ sound was modern and catchy; the songs were fast, energetic, and distinctive, thanks in part to the use of a Doors-esque squeaky organ. They rehearsed diligently, and soon hit the studio to record their first single, “Boys of Disillusion.” The single (released in december 1981) stood out with its unique bubble wrap sleeve, designed by Alkmaar artists Peter Koning & Nico Hoebe, and was released by the West Frisian Loof Records, a label from Spierdijk. A mishap during the pressing (the hole was just off-center!) didn’t matter; the record sold well, and their recognition grew. The Spivs now played major festivals and opened for well-known bands like Joan Jet & the Blackhearts, The Nits, and other big names that emerged around the same time. Henk Wagenaar left the band and was replaced by Ronald Hollander. Heddy Bienstman, a well-connected and experienced record producer, saw the band’s potential and arranged for the recording of their second single, “Shadows & Whispers,” with English hit producer Tim Smit. And once again with Hoebe & Koning’s design: a transparent blue plastic sleeve, just a little bit taller than the rest! Released in a very limited edition. The official single was packaged in a paper sleeve by the record company. The record was released nationwide, but due to numerous problems with failing record labels and poor remixes, it flopped miserably. The band persisted and played almost every weekend throughout North Holland, filling venues, even in clubs that normally only feature top 40 bands. In 1983, they released “Yellow & Blue,” a six-track mini-LP. The covers were hand-screened by designer Peter Koning and singer Rob in a boiling hot attic during the summer. Ten printing runs per side! This album had a more mature sound, was released again by Loof Records with a pressing of a 1000, and was played by VPRO and VARA, among other radio stations. The band was also asked to perform live on KRO’s Rocktempel.

Although the band was doing well on the West Frisian circuit, they never really ventured beyond the province. Development stagnated, and doubts about the band’s musical direction began to plague them. Requests for performances from Zeeland, Limburg, and Portugal, among other places, were ignored. The usual discussions about “what to do next” offered no solutions and ultimately led Rob to leave. The band searched for a replacement, but this proved unsuccessful and they disbanded. After a while, they tried again together, returning for a single session with Gian Carlo Romita on drums. This proved to be the last straw; the sacred spark was gone, time for a new direction. Rob and Hans recorded three more songs under the name “The Song & Dance Brigade,” and then it all went quiet.

Description:
New Wave with symphonic influences. Inspired by Television, OMD, Magazine, The Only Ones, etc.

Lineup:
Hans Kouwen aka Coruven – guitar
Henk Slot aka Euforbia – keyboards
Peter de Wit aka Escargot – bass
Rob van der Plas – vocals
Ronald Hollander – drums (1980-1983)

Henk Wagenaar – drums (1978-1980)

Other bands:
Hans Kouwen – King’s Cross
Rob van der Plas – King’s Cross, The Hurryman, The Smurryman, Hurrymania, Hurryman

Discography:
1980 – demo (Not Released, NL)
1981 – Boys Of Desillusion / Heading For New Targets 7” single (Loof Records, RCS 1176, NL)
1982 – Shadows And Whispers / Tears Of Fear 7” single (Lark, INS 1459, NL)
1983 – Yellow & Blue LP (Loof Records, LOOF 4, NL)
2008 – Nostalgia 2x CD (Not On Label, NL)

Concerts: (selected)
1980.02.13 Paradiso, Amsterdam (+ Shith, Disease)
1980.09.05 Melkweg, Amsterdam (+ The Passions)
1980.09.21 Melkweg, Amsterdam

1981.01.23 Melkweg, Amsterdam (+ Die Schönsten Madchen Der Welt, Primitive Art)