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De Kreuners

About:

De Kreuners was formed by Walter Grootaerts (vocals). Finalists in the first Rock-rally of 1978, it took de Kreuners (the Moaners) two more years to produce their first vinyl. In the meantime, however the group had written a repertoire (Dutch-sung loud rocking songs à la the Kinks) and had built themselves a live reputation. The first single is called  'Nummer 1' The single paves the way for a record contract with WEA and a  debut album ''s Nachts kouder dan buiten'.

The record is very well received public but gets criticism from the serious music press who feel that singing in Dutch is inferior. After an in-between single (a Dutch adaptation of 'Dancing with myself' of Billy Idol's 'Gen-X'), the second album 'Er sterft een beer in de Taïga' is made together with producer Jean-Marie Aerts of TC Matic. The lyrics to the record are very bitter, with the song 'Beest' ('Animal') even being a parade of insults to his former wife. The third album goes further on this path. Although still successful as a live band and together with the declining record-sales in Belgium, the following records take a plunge. Numerous changes in the lineup of the band occur.

In 1987, they release a christmas-single ('Rum-a-dum-dum', the B-side = 'Christmas time is coming', on which Ludo Mariman of The Kids sings along) : the only problem with the single was that the record company fails to get it in the shops before the second week of January of 1988! Needless to say the single was a flop. A re-recording of 'Cous-cous kreten' with major politicians of all parties as a pledge against racism) bring de Kreuners back to life. Two of the more recent personnel in the band provide the band some new energy for a big comeback in the beginning of the 1990's.
  
Band member changes, dubious song material and passing the age of 40 aside the Kreuners have managed to survive the nineties. Loudmouth Walter Grootaers, the singer of the band, has developed a successful career on television (e.g. a pop-quiz). Asked how long the Kreuners want to stay active, Walter said: "we will never split, more likely die a natural death. In 2003, the year Erik grows 50, we certainly will do another tour. If needed, a tour of the homes for the elderly". At least they released a new album (the first in 5 years) that year cynically called 'Een Negen Zeven Acht' ('1-9-7-8') for the year they started out. In 2010 they suddenly re-appeared with the album 'Jonge honden' (young dogs).

On the web:

- Kreuners' website: www.dekreuners.be

If you like this, you probably like... / european counterparts:

TC Matic (Belgium)

Maanam (Poland)

What do we think:

DB: Why on earth would you call your band The Moaners. Only the band name makes it typical Belgian. But the music, with it's edgy, punky arrangements is also typical for Belgium at that time. Their first three albums a really worthwhile. I don't know any of the albums they made after that but what i gathered from Belgian music lovers they became more mainstream over the years. It didn't cost them any fans though because the band is still wildly popular in the Flanders region and lightens up many small towns music festival.

Recommended albums:

♪♪♪ - 's Nachts kouder dan buiten - 1981

♪♪♪♪- Er sterft een beer in de Taïga - 1982

♪♪♪- Natuurlijk zijn de Alpen geen Pyreneeën - 1983

♪♪♪ - Dans der onschuld - 1986

♪♪ - Jonge Honden - 2010

Further listening:

Weekends in België (Live-album) - 1984; Hier en nu - 1990; Knagend vuur - 1992; Pure Pop - 1998; 1978 - 2003

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♪♪♪♪♪ = outstanding album, an absolute must-have
♪♪♪♪ = great album, highly recomended
♪♪♪ = nice album
♪♪ = be careful, requires listening before buying
♪ = best to be avoided