Neo-Prog
Netherlands
FLAMBOROUGH HEAD is rooted in Friesland. This province in the northern part of The Netherlands has its own language (a bit similar to the Skandinavian languages), anthem, traditional sports and banner. In the Eighties prime mover Edo Spanninga was a member of a Top 40 cover band but this was not really satisfying for him, Edo was more delighted about symphonic rock. In the capital Leeuwarden he met the Wolf brothers and the trio decided to make the music they all loved. Soon drummer Koen Roozen joined Edo and and the musicians started to rehearsal in a hen-house (!) on Koen's camping-farm in Bakkeveen. By the way, this is also the craddle of the known annual Dutch progrock festival Progfarm. After the Wolf brothers had left the band, bass player Marcel Derix, guitarist André Cents and finally, after some auditions, singer Siebe Rein Schaaf (also keyboardist) completed the new FLAMBOROUGH HEAD line-up.
The name is derived from a part of the rocky British coast and comes from Edo, an Anglophile, he wanted a double name like LED ZEPPELIN, URIAH HEEP or JETHRO TULL. Just before the band got tired of writing music and endless rehearsals without getting the opportunity to play live, FLAMBOROUGH HEAD got invitations for several gigs. And the British progrock label Cyclops reacted positive on a demo, in '98 this resulted in their first album entitled "Unspoken Whisper". Within half a year it sold 1500 copies and the debut-CD was recieved warmly by the music press, only the vocals got some negative remarks. A fine boost was the award by The Classic Rock Society (UK) as "best new band". The second album "Defining the Legacy" was released in 2000, a year later followed by a CD with tapes from '94. FLAMBOROUGH HEAD's music is 24-carat symphonic rock, very melodic and has echoes from MARILLION, PENDRAGON and ARENA but the different musical backgrounds and personal taste from the members (from CAMEL and AOR to blues and rock) gives their music music an orginal twist.
In 2002 FLAMBOROUGH HEAD released their acclaimed new CD entitled "One For The Crow" with new members Margriet Boomsma (lead vocals, flute, tin whistle and recorders) and guitarplayer Eddie Mulder, they replaced André Cents and Siebe Rein Schaaf. The music has still hints from the known neo-prog masters but the band sound more original and their compositions has reached a very mature level. The new album "One For The Crow" is wonderful, I'm stunned by the progress this band has made since I witnissed them on Progfarm a few years ago. This album showcases eight mature and alternating compositions with a lush and varied keyboardsound, strong electric guitarwork (rocky riffs and moving solos), beautiful classical guitar, some cheerful tin whistle and powerful vocals.
My conclusion is that FLAMBOROUGH HEAD prooves with their new CD that they have developped their own sound (a blend of classical, rock, folk, symphonic - and neo progrock) and that all those years of playing together has shaped them into good and creative musicians. And with fresh ideas from the new members, FLAMBOROUGH HEAD has turned from an average neo-progband into a serious member of the current Dutch progrock scene. Perhaps the hand of new manager Foppe de Haan (former coach from FC Heerenveen) has contributed to this marvellous development. I hope that their label Cyclops will do a good job with a worldwide distribution.
Erik Neuteboom, The NETHERLANDS
Fan & official Prog Archives collaborator
ALBUMS:
2009 - LOOKING FOR JOHN MADDOCK
Musicians
- Margriet Boomsma / vocals, flute, tin whistle
- Eddy Mulder / guitar
- Edo Spanninga / keyboards
- Marcel Derix / bass
- Koen Roozen / drums
1.The Garden Pond (5:31)
2.Sleepless Night (7:02)
3.Spring (5:25)
4.Waste Of Time (6:32)
5.Don´t Forget Us (8:23)
6.Looking For John Maddock (19:43)
Total Time: 52:40
Look!!
