There's still hope in dark days of consumer-focussed music... Ben Weyers was one of the key-members of MILLIONAIRE, and had quite an impact on the sound of their wonderful debut-album "Outside The Simian Flock". After extensive touring with MILLIONAIRE supporting QUEENS OF THE STONEAGE, Ben decided to go his own way and teamed up with EVIL SUPERSTARS bass player Bart Vandebroeck. Backed-up by VANDAL X's drum beast Gunter Liket, RADIO INFINITY it was... An explosive cocktail of raw guitars, a little psychedelic, and a wild rhythm-section. They released their debut-album in 2006, which had amazing reviews in nearly every review. Now RADIO INFINITY are back with a second longplayer named "DERAIL TO INNOVATE"! No high-tech studio's, no fancy producers or stand-in musicians. RADIO INFINITY did it (again) all by themselves, from the composition over the recording, production and mixing. Beatbroken tempo-swings, catchy vocals with a tragic threatening edge, warm guitarmayhem, psychedelia, and thrilling basslines. The bands' line-up still remains intact. The album will be released in April 2008 on CD and limited edition VINYL (including bonus-tracks). RADIO INFINITY are: BEN WEYERS (Guitars/vocals) - BART VAN DEBROEK (Bass) - GUNTER LIKET (Drums). In this life or another part of MILLIONAIRE, VANDAL X, EVIL SUPERSTARS,...

(The Germans is also the name of a band formed in 2003 consisting of Rat Scabies from The Damned, Peter Coyne and Kris Dollimore, both originally from The Godfathers.) The Germans is a Belgian band consisting of brothers Lennert and Timothy Jacobs (drums & bass), singer Jakob Ampe and lead guitarist Vincent Cauwels. Influenced by other Beligan bands such as Evil Superstars and Millionaire, but also by krautrock and American bands such as Pixies and Pavement, they bring melodic rock songs with an experimental edge. The debut album "Elf Shot Lame Witch" has been released in March 2008. It has been mixed by Boris Wilsdorf, sound engineer of the legendary German band Einstürzende Neubauten.

Arid is a Belgian rock band, formed in the mid-90s, made up of four members: Jasper Steverlinck (vocals and guitar), David Du Pré (guitar), Filip Ros (bass) and Steven Van Havere (drums). The group first came to the attention of record label Double T when they were finalist at Humo's Rock Rally, a prestigious Belgian rock contest, in 1996. Their first album was 1998's Little Things Of Venom (retitled as At The Close Of Every Day for release in the United States). In 1999, after this album's success, they toured with Suede as well as opening for fellow popular Belgian band K's Choice. The following year they opened for Counting Crows on that band's European tour. 2001 brought extra fame for lead singer Steverlinck, who starred in the IMAX 3-D film Haunted Castle alongside Harry Shearer. The film also featured music by the band during the opening and closing credits. In 2002 the band released a second studio album, All Is Quiet Now, which was soon followed by a live album (Live in 2003). February 2007 basist Filip Ros was replaced by Miko Banovic. In April that year the song Words was released, which immediately was hotshot on Studio Brussel & Pure FM. November 2007 the single Why do you run was released. It was the second single of their new album, which was finished december that year. January 2008 the long awaited new album of Arid, All Things Come In Waves was released. In 2009, Jasper was chosen to be the lead singer of a new Anthony Arjen Luccassen (Ayreon) project, Guilt Machine.

EN/ Leafpeople is a five-headed musical monster from Antwerp, the (multi-)cultural capital of Flanders, Belgium. They deal in Neo-Post-Pre-Pop made especially for the kind of people who like their riffs catchy and their lyrics erudite. Their enthusiasm and puberal virility helps them to give clumsy and, strangely, therefore spectacular live-shows that have brought them numerous awards, like a crushing victory on LatentTalent, second place at FrappantPOP, second place in a hit song-competition in Bxl, a short stint on Humo's Rock Rally, and some interesting gigs in support of Think of One, Raymond van het Groenwoud, Sandra Kim(!) and Willy Sommers (!).

Fiction Plane is a rock band from England. Originally formed in London under the name Santa's Boyfriend in 2001, Fiction Plane is currently comprised of lead vocalist, guitar and bass player Joe Sumner; guitarist Seton Daunt; and American drummer Pete Wilhoit. Recording history Fiction Plane's first major label release, Everything Will Never Be OK, with MCA Records, was released in the US in March 2003 with the single "Hate". Shortly after the album's release, Bloomington, IN drummer Pete Wilhoit joined the band. In spite of positive critical acclaim for the group, including being named a 'Breaker' Artist by AOL Music in March of 2003, MCA folded and the band moved over to Geffen records. In 2005 the band released a 4-song EP entitled Bitter Forces and Lame Race Horses on the Geffen imprint label Everybody's Records. In 2006, Fiction Plane made a brief move to Interscope Records and parted ways with founding member and bass/keyboard player Dan Brown[. Joe Sumner took over on bass and the band started working on a new album, Left Side of the Brain, which was released on Bieler Bros. Records on May 22, 2007. Behind the success of the singles "Two Sisters" (a popular single in France, Belgium and Holland) and "Death Machine" the album rose all the way to #46 on the Billboard Heatseeker Album Chart. On January 23, 2008, Left Side of the Brain was released in Japan through Sideout Records with two bonus tracks: "Drink (acoustic)" and "Put On Your Shoes." In April 2008, a limited tour edition of Left Side of the Brain was re-released in France through XIII Bis Records, containing five bonus tracks "VIP fast", "Coolest Kid", "At Ease", "Sleepwalker", "Drink (acoustic)"), a video clip ("Two Sisters"), and a hidden track, "The Circus Trouser Enthusiast". Four of the bonus cuts were unused demos recorded in 2006. "Sleepwalker" is an early version of what would become "Anyone," the official album's first track. On March 23, 2009, the band released its first-ever live DVD and CD package, simply entitled Paradiso, through XIII Bis Records. It was recorded on December 7, 2008 at the band's sold-out performance in Amsterdam and then mixed by Ash Howes and mastered by Andy Walters at the famed Abbey Road Studios in London. Special features on the DVD include the unedited version of the "It's A Lie" video, and a photo gallery of images taken along the band's touring journey. In February 2010, Fiction Plane completed the recording of their latest studio album, Sparks, which has an initial European release slated for May 3rd, 2010 on Roadrunner Records. The UK and US album releases are set to follow in the Fall. Produced by Paul Corkett, whose collaborations also include artists the likes of Nick Cave, Bjork and Placebo, Sparks is said to include both large anthems and eclectic tracks. Tours and live performances Fiction Plane has performed before hundreds of thousands in arenas and festivals all across Europe, Asia and North America, and have headlined their own largely sold out European tour. In 2005, Fiction Plane was the support act for Sting's Broken Music Tour, which took the band all over Europe playing 29 shows in 25 countries. Fiction Plane was then hired to support The Police on the North American, European, Australian/New Zealand, and Asian legs of their 2007 Reunion Tour, playing 87 shows. In support of the album Left Side of the Brain and the singles "Two Sisters" and "Death Machine" Fiction Plane performed on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Jimmy Kimmel Live in 2007. In the Spring of 2008, Fiction Plane toured America with The Bravery and Your Vegas. The band also toured the UK in March supporting The Feeling and supported 311 and Snoop Dogg on the 2008 Summer Unity Tour in the US. In December, 2008, Fiction Plane performed a largely sold-out run through Europe, culminating in selling out the legendary Paradiso in Amsterdam. On February 27, 2009, Fiction Plane previewed five brand new songs at a concert at Arlene's Grocery in New York City. The song titles were "Telephone Unknown," "Humanoid," "Denied," "Zero," and "Contagious." "Humanoid" and "Zero" are both currently featured in the track listing for their upcoming studio album Sparks. Fiction Plane has also been featured on several high-profile European music festivals, including Paaspop and Pinkpop in The Netherlands, The Vieilles Charrues in France, Rock Am Ring and Rock Im Park in Germany. In support of their new album Sparks, Fiction Plane recently revealed that they will be performing this summer at a number of major European rock festivals including the Meribel Little World Festival, the Benatska Festival in the Czech Republic and Sautrock in Austria. The band's members are; Joe Sumner - lead vocals, guitar and bass, Seton Daunt - guitar, Pete Wilhoit - drums. Former member; Dan Brown

emo guitar rock band from Belgium. Their discography consists of: - Deluxe (2004), ep - Once Around The Block (2005), single - Charlotte (2006), ep - Once Around The Block on a sampler of Gonzo

We Are Scientists is an American indie rock band featuring Keith Murray (guitar and lead vocals), Chris Cain (bass guitar and backing vocals), Max Hart (keys and guitar) and Andy Burrows (drums). Co-founder Michael Tapper (drums and backing vocals) left the band in 2007 and is currently a member of the bands Bishop Allen and Fool's Gold. They formed in 2000 in Claremont, California, United States. Their name was inspired by an awkward conversation with a U-Haul employee who was inspecting a van that the band had rented. The U-haul employee, attempting to make polite conversation, asked the three bespectacled band members if they were brothers. They said no. He asked if they were scientists, as they looked like they could be the kind of people who wear lab coats. They told him that they were musicians, not scientists. To this day, they regret telling the truth. They are not named after the Cap'n Jazz song which bears the name. The band formed while its members attended the Claremont Colleges. Murray and Cain attended Pomona College; Michael Tapper attended Harvey Mudd College. The band has released three self-made EPs (Bitching!, Safety, Fun, and Learning (In That Order) and In Action). Their debut LP, With Love and Squalor was on Virgin Records, the first three singles of which were "Nobody Move, Nobody Get Hurt", "The Great Escape" and "It's A Hit". The album takes its name from the J.D. Salinger short story "For Esme - With Love and Squalor". They have since released LP Crap Attack, which is a collection of B-Sides, covers and other rarities, and their full follow-up album, Brain Thrust Mastery which debuted in the UK on March 17,2008 reached number 11 at the UK Album charts. On the 1st November 2007, NME reported that Michael Tapper has left We Are Scientists under amicable circumstances, and on September 18, 2007, the band announced on their website that Max Hart, a keyboardist and guitarist who has played live with them before, has joined the band temporarily. As they put it: "There's no easy answer as to how long Max will stick around. Maybe we'll grow to hate his sanctimonious ways, which for now tickle us so. Maybe he'll grow to hate our open-minded, funny, refreshing, handsome ways, thus achieving what psychologists and bookies long ago labeled impossible." And to make things even more exciting for the band, We Are Scientists is featured in the soundtrack of the 2008 film Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist, which Bishop Allen - at the time featuring former We Are Scientists drummer Michael Tapper - appears in a cameo. According to Keith Murray's Wikipedia he was nominated for World's Sexiest Vegetarian 2007 and is predicted that he will be the new face of Louis Vuitton's spring/summer '09 collection. The Band's 3rd effort, Barbara, is slated for a release in June of 2010 and features ex-Razorlight drummer Andy Burrows.

One of Belgium's finest bands... After the tight and straightforward sounding '360°' album, Mintzkov intended to open up their music a little more. On their third full length recording, 'Rising Sun, Setting Sun', the fivesome from Antwerp reaches out for a more streamlined and more dancefloor orientated sound, in which the role of keyboard player Pascal Oorts has become more prominent. "What we were after was a little more movement within the songs", singer and guitarist Philip Bosschaerts explains. "Or rather: a different kind of movement." The new album was recorded with Jagz Kooner, a British producer whose services were previously called upon by the likes of Primal Scream, Kasabian, New Order and Reverend & The Makers. Kooner, a one time member of Sabres of Paradise and a prolific dj and remixer in his own right, heard a Mintzkov demo at his manager's office and was drawn to the "undercurrent of Krautrock" in their music. In the studio he basically tried to emphasize the anthemic qualities in Mintzkov's songs. His advice was: "If you have a great chorus, then don't hide it at the tail end of a track". Still the band regularly caused him to raise his eyebrows. The 5/4 signature of 'The Simple Future' or the downright weird structure of 'Roadbuilding' caught him slightly off balance. Gradually a lack of understanding made way for admiration. One thing to remember about Mintzkov is their songs need some getting used to. And to give him credit, Jagz Kooner made some very useful suggestions during the recording process. Although 'Opening Fire' originally presented itself as a fairly abstract, epic tune, he managed to uncover the concise pop song that lay dormant in it. He also convinced the band that 'Gemini', the quiet track that closes off the album, worked better in its stripped down guise than with layered instrumentation. Another of Mintzkov's principal assets is the gorgeous sounding harmony of Bosschaerts' singing with bass player Lies Lorquet. The latter can also be heard as a guest vocalist on the latest albums by dEUS and The Go Find. Philip Bosschaerts' lyrics are no linear stories. Instead you could compare them to a carefully woven tapestry of images and metaphors. But as you listen to 'Rising Sun, Setting Sun', it does not take long before certain themes start rising to the surface. The singer, who recently celebrated his thirtieth birthday, seems to be obsessed with the passing of time and crossing borders. There is also a huge amount of acceptance and resignation in the songs. "You shouldn't waste any time or energy on things in life you cannot change anyway", Bosschaerts says. 'Rising Sun, Setting Sun' will come out simultaneously in the Benelux countries, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland. A French release is to follow in the fall. The artwork of the album was made by Kati Heck, a German visual artist currently living in Antwerp whose work can be seen in museums and art galleries all over the world. She made some drawings for the booklet and authorized the band to reproduce her painting 'Fratzenpleite' on the cover of 'Rising Sun, Setting Sun'. A fitting image to a nearly perfect pop record. Play it loud. DIRK STEENHAUT www.mintzkov.be Mintzkov is: Philip Bosschaerts : Vocals & Guitar Lies Lorquet: Bass & Vocals Pascal Oorts: Keyboards Daan Scheltjens: Guitar Min Chull Vansteenkiste: Drums

Tom Van Laere is een nieuwsgierig en gedreven artiest die zichzelf graag uitdaagt. Songs (2005) is bijvoorbeeld deels gebouwd op de spanning om in 7 dagen een straffe plaat te maken met een vreemde groep in een verre stad (Los Angeles). Voor The Honey and the Knife (2010) vond hij zijn drijfveer te voet. Kent u The Walk Anyway Day? Vrij te vertalen als 'blijf wandelen, ook als je/het geen zin hebt/heeft'. Van Laere liet zijn gitaar thuis en componeerde in zijn hoofd tijdens lange stadswandelingen. Het nieuwe materiaal testte hij zonder aankondiging op plekken waar niemand hem kende. Amsterdam was zijn favoriete onderduikadres. Admiral Freebee houdt er een debuutgevoel aan over. Een warme herinnering aan het niemandsland tussen het zilver van Humo's Rock Rally 2000 en de release van 'Admiral Freebee' (2003). Hij volgt zijn gevoel en zoekt Jo Francken op, de producer van dat debuut. Vele gevaren liggen op de loer. Maar hij weet precies wat hij doet. 'Niemand weet beter wat ik kan dan Jo. Hij is namelijk ook tien jaar mijn geluidsman geweest en producer van het eerste album. De twee nemen op een paar dagen de basistracks op in Motormusic (Koningshooikt) Daarna hadden ze de luxe om de tijd te vergeten in Studio Dam (de huisstudio van Francken) iets wat Van Laere voordien nog niet gedaan had. The Honey and the Knife is de dwarsdoorsnede van a) een debuutgevoel, b) tien jaar evolutie én c) het leven dat voorbij komt. Zonder dat het expliciet wordt uitgespeeld, voel je dat het hier over diepere dingen gaat. Freebee laat in het midden wie de verteller is. De titel is beeldspraak voor het jezelf tegenspreken. 'The Honey' beeldt zich in dat hij zichzelf kent. 'The Knife' beeldt zich in dat hij de anderen kent. Tegenstellingen regeren het album. Hij/iemand is altijd onderweg (Always on the Run) maar zoekt ook een vaste plek (Home). Hij/iemand keert zijn lief de rug toe (The Last Song about You) maar bouwt ook de hemel met haar (Fools Like Us). De muzikale geografie van Admiral Freebee blijft onveranderd. Maar het spectrum was nooit eerder zo breed. Opener Blues for a Hypochondriac is een potige fantasie over Grinderman. My Hippie Ain't Hip is swingende danceblues die verbroederen kan met Kill All Hippies van Primal Scream. The Last Song about You heeft genen van The Replacements en Always on the Run pendelt tussen eighties-Bowie en Scissor Sisters. Hymns For Demons begint bij de behaaglijke luiheid van Lambchop en mondt uit in gitaarrazernij. De glanslaag komt van Karolien Van Ransbeeck, een Anversoise die klinkt alsof ze het bos weet liggen waar de elfen wonen.

"De winnaars van Humo's Rock Rally 2006 brachen pas een (titelloze) debuutcd uit. En die wordt die niet alleen door Humo met 4 sterren beloond. Zo schreef De Standaard: ""Onze kop eraf als er dit jaar nog een Belgische rockplaat uitkomt die even verpletterend klinkt als het debuut van The Hickey Underworld."" Kan tellen! Focus Knack schrijft: het ""voelt aan als een kopstoot gevolgd door een kus"". Rond de band zijn er inderdaad flink wat contrasten te bespeuren: De sound VS het artwork (donker, smerig VS kleurrijk en zachter). Geliefd bij kritische muziekpers VS nummer één in De Afrekening. Smerige gitaarherrie VS mooie liedjes die achter dat geweld verstopt zitten."