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1984 is a Dutch Simple Minds Tribute band. Named after the release year of 'Sparkle in the Rain', one of their best albums, the goal of 1984 is to bring the Simple Minds to the stage, staying as close to the original records as possible. The band is able to perform 2 hours of pure Simple Minds with a clear focus on the early work of one of the greatest new wave band ever!
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| Age: |
46 |
| Residence: |
Etten-Leur |
| Position: |
Vocals |
| Hardware: |
Digitech Vocal 300 |
| Music: |
Simple Minds, Coldplay, U2, soundtracks from Hans Zimmermann, Faithless |
| Movie: |
Platoon, arthouse movies |
| Quote: |
"Carpe Diem" |
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Eugene Hoppenbrouwers' first contact with Simple Minds was in 1980, when he bought the albums 'Sister Feelings Call' and 'Sons and Fascination'. These innovative albums set Simple Minds apart from their new wave ancestors by providing an unique sound, that was polished to perfection in consequent albums 'New Gold Dream' and 'Sparkle in the Rain'. Not coincidentally, Hoppenbrouwers mentions 'New Gold Dream', when asked about his all-time favorite Simple Minds album. "I'd suggest you hear it, feel it and even taste it. Then you will know what I felt when I was younger. It's 80s all over again", says Hoppenbrouwers.
The best Simple Minds song according to Hoppenbrouwers is 'Somebody Up There Likes You'. A remarkable choice by the lead vocalist of 1984, since it's an instrumental song. Hoppenbrouwers: "While I'm performing I'm dividing my focus. I try to connect with the audience, but have to concentrate on my lyrics as well. That's different with "Somebody Up There Likes You". I can completely immerse myself with what I hear. That is when I float 20 cm above the stage."
Hoppenbrouwers is very impressed by the work of his fellow musicians. At the time he asked them for this project, he only had hopes but no expectations as to what would come out of it. But was he amazed on that very first rehearsal day back in 2005! "It was the right time, the right place, and with the right guys. It was and still is almost chemical. Drums, bass, guitar, keys. When played together and if you close your eyes, you think that you're in a studio with the actual Simple Minds. Thát close."
1984 has been performing for almost five years now. What where the highlights of this period and what was the biggest letdown? "Well, we've played a lot of great gigs, especially the big festivals. Also 'De Melkweg' was unforgettable. Many big names where in there, and some personally came to compliment us after our show. As for the downside: When Ferencz Koch quitted as keyboard player for the band, we were all taken by surprise. But luckily we found Andras Incze, our wizard on keys. And afterwards Ferencz returned as the main sound technician of the band. Some things turn out alright.", says Hoppenbrouwers.
What's yet to achieve for 1984 as a band? Hoppenbrouwers: "I think that we already did; where we play there’s a wave of recognition of Simple Minds. People of different background and age like our performance." And that's what a tribute is all about. |
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| Age: |
41 |
| Residence: |
Leiden |
| Position: |
Bass |
| Hardware: |
Fender Jazz Bass (USA)
Ampeg SVT-410HLF 4x10 |
| Music: |
Anything that grooves |
| Quote: |
"If you don't know where you're going, you'll always get there" |
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In the early nineties, Maurice Mannesse picked up the bass guitar to finally start playing what he was always focusing on while listening to music. The fascination for the bass-sound in music has always been there and after some serious fiddling with the bass at home he started playing in his first band in 1993, the PIF-project. It was a great experience, a lot of fun and he learned to actually play. Less is more.
After playing in a few rock-cover bands, Eugene Hoppenbrouwers asked him to play Bass in a Simple Minds Tribute project. Although Mannesse didn’t feel too confident with his limited experience, he enthusiastically accepted the offer. It would be a big challenge to copy the brilliant basslines and typical sound of the original bassplayer of the Minds, Derek Forbes. After a short meeting with the other project members, they had their first rehearsal. When hitting the first notes of “Waterfront” they were totally blown away. It was magic since then, an experience he had never felt with any other band. Their gig in front of 1.500 people was massive… 1984 was born! Since then, the project got totally out of control and Mannesse still enthusiastically plays the bass in 1984. He has learned, and is learning, a lot from the more experienced musicians and is grateful to still play with these guys. Lots of laughter and great sounds and moreover, great gigs on beautiful stages.
The most surprising feeling after 5 years 1984 is that he has never had a dull moment! Maurice Mannesse is looking forward to wave with the Minds-sound on many more gigs to come! |
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| Age: |
31 |
| Residence: |
Breda |
| Position: |
Keys |
| Hardware: |
Roland RD-700GX |
| Music: |
Everything from Bach to Baccara |
| Movie: |
One Upon A Time in America |
| Quote: |
"You talk the talk, but do you walk the walk?" |
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An 11 year old Andras Incze discovered the art of making music on his brother's Commodore Amiga. This was through the use of "Protracker", a program that relied on samples, which could be planted in different tone heights on a series of patterns over 4 audio channels. Finding out how this stuff worked was intriguing. In the era of Eurohouse (2 Unlimited anyone?) and hardcore, Incze's musical window of the world was still very narrow, and so were his first compositions. But once he got himself a decent piano sample (not by today's standards), he began experimenting with chords, using the keyboard of the Amiga (!). Wanting more, he soon expanded his setup with an actual Yamaha keyboard. At the same time his brother was able to connect two amigas to each other, which enabled Incze to create songs that used up to 8 channels of audio, and combine that output with that of the Yamaha. This way a pretty full sound could be achieved. The tricky bit was, that the Yamaha parts were stored in the device itself, and had to be triggered by hand when it came to recording time. Looking back on the struggles of activating and disactivating the parts at the right time during the song, this was amateurism at its best! But Incze learned a lot about composing, combining sounds and mixing.
By the time he was 16, he got himself a synthesizer: the Korg X5. This excellent piece of equipment had a whole range of enchanting sounds, which on top of that could be completely manipulated. As with "Protracker" the first time round, Incze wanted to turn this thing inside out, and fairly quickly managed to get some cool sounding custom made patches out of the box.
By the time Incze was 18, he discovered the clubs in Holland and Belgium. Especially Zillion and Illusion were big in those days, and so was trance as a musical style. Being absolutely thrilled about it, he and fellow musician Aldwin Oomen, decided to produce trance themselves. Together they had modest success in the clubs, with releases under the aliases of 4-Ground, Uncles & Motion and Ferenza.
In his 20s, he got his masters degree, and with his education, his musical knowledge broadened. It wasn't until 2004 that Incze started playing in a band. What attracts him to 1984, apart from the camaraderie, is the Simple Minds sound. Their earlier works are a stunning example of man made trance nearly two decades before trance itself. The goal of 1984 is to stay as close to the original records as possible, and Incze's knowledge of composing and producing definitely comes in handy.
Andras Incze has a relationship with Hennie Stoop, and together they have a son named Ferenc. |
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| Age: |
40 |
| Residence: |
Tilburg |
| Position: |
Drums |
| Hardware: |
Pearl Fusion Studio Custom |
| Music: |
Donald Fagan, Foo Fighters, N*E*R*D, Rush |
| Movie: |
Snatch, In the name of the Father, Being John Malkovich |
| Quote: |
"Less is more" |
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Somewhere in the middle of the 1970's, Bas van Iersel started playing on his drumkit. After years of practising on his own, he started playing in several bands at the age of 15. He did a lot of coverbands but in the middle of the 1990s, he landed behind the drumkit of a band called "Jane Doe". "Jane Doe" hit the charts in the Netherlands in the late nineties and made several CDs and videoclips.
After "Jane Doe" passed away (passed away?!....wasn't she already dead??!!) in the new millenium, Van Iersel got a phonecall from Eugene Hoppenbrouwers. Hoppenbrouwers spoke the right words and he took place behind the drumthrone in the Simple Minds Tribute band "1984" and the rest is history, so they say. Just before you think it's over.....we've only just begun....
Bas van Iersel is a proud dad of two wonderful kids and together with his lovely wife Sophie they live their life to the MAX!! (thanks for the words, Peet). |
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| Age: |
42 |
| Residence: |
Etten-Leur |
| Position: |
Guitar |
| Hardware: |
'65 Fender Jazzmaster
'57 Gibson Les Paul Goldtop
'58 Gretsch 6120 "B.Setzer" |
| Music: |
New Wave, Coldplay, Badu |
| Movie: |
Pulp Fiction, Trainspotting |
| Quote: |
"Live Life to the Max" |
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On the age of 13 Peter Vergouwen got his first acoustic guitar and started to take lessons for about 3 months. He got bored, quitted and started playing songs of the Stones and Police, just by listening and trying. Together with some friends they learned each other the basic chords. Two years later he got his first electric guitar, an analogue delay and an overdrive. At that time he heard U2 playing “I will Follow” for the first time. Shortly after that, songs like “A Forest” of The Cure came across. The artists and songs of that period defined Vergouwen musically. He fell for New Wave, started playing in bands and had his first gig in front of an audience on high school, playing “Electric Co” of U2. The roof came down and he truly fell in love with his guitar.
The very first time he went out in a local pub (called “De Poem” in Etten-Leur) he had his first encounter with a song of the Simple Minds, “Upon the Catwalk”, what a thrill! The year was 1984. He became a fan since that very moment.
In June 1985 he visited his first festival, Torhout-Werchter, headlined by U2. During their show Bono gave him his biggest musical moment by pulling him on stage and asking him to play a song with them on his guitar in front of 50.000 people. After the show he met the band backstage. A moment never to forget.
In high school he met his lovely wife Daphne. They started a life together since then. After high school and following studies they started working. A few years later he got the opportunity to start his own business in and they moved back to the south of Holland. By now they are the proud mom and dad of 3 beautiful kids: two girls and a boy. Yep, he is a very lucky guy, some dreams come true.
In 2004 Euzzy asked him to join a single concert project, a tribute to the Simple Minds. After a short meeting with the other projectmembers, they had their first rehearsal. When hitting the first notes of “Waterfront” they were totally blown away. It was magic since then, an experience he had never felt with any other band. Their gig in front of 1.500 people was massive… 1984 was born!! He is very proud to play with all of these guys, becoming his soul mates, having great laughs together and big respect musically and personally for one another. |
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