Artist description Quite obstinate, somewhat freaky, heavily undervalued, heavy rock quintet from Holland. Once on stage they do know how to set their audience on fire, but they never know when to quit .........

Music Style Varied and obstinate mix of heavy, swinging, melodic hardrock, blues, funk and soul

Musical Influences Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Grand Funk Railroad

Similar Artists Black Crowes, Lenny Kravitz, Extreme

Artist History With their freaky, heavy rock Gin On The Rocks carried off the Grote Prijs van Nederland, the prominent Dutch national bandcontest, just a few months after the band was formed in summer 1985. Critics predicted them a great future then and label them the most undervalued rockband of the Netherlands now.Even though they have played hundreds of gigs in the Netherlands and released a single, a mini-Lp and two CD-albums since 1985, so far they never got the breakthrough they deserve. According to guitarist and founder Gino Taihuttu "the only reason we didn't score a fat record deal yet is because our music doesn't fit in a box. Record companies don't know what to do with us, how to sell us."Currently Gin On The Rocks considers to record a new CD this spring and is quite determent to tour outside the Dutch borders this time around.

Group Members Benny Holman (vocals), Gino Taihuttu (guitar), R-Yen (keyboards), Leon Taihuttu (bassguitar), Geert van Niekerken (drums)

Instruments vocals, guitar, keyboards, bassguitar, drums, piano, percussion and other incidental instruments

Albums Hot (1987), Coolest Groove (1990), ©Rockadile (1996)

Press Reviews Gin On The Rocks©RockadileBeing fan of Gin On the Rocks you do have to be patient. Were there three years between the mini-LP 'Hot' and the CD 'The Coolest Groove, the new album ©Rockadile had to be waited for for six years. It's just logic something changed during that time. Shortly after the release of the previous record drummer Geert van Niekerken and singer Vince Wehren disappeared. The vocal vacancy was filled up by Benny Holman and John Snels sat down on the drumstool. And Johnbert Dijker sat down on the drumstool. and Ramon Rambeaux. These are the three drummers you can hear on several tracks of this CD, meanwhile Geert is back on his old spot. Musically too something changed. '©Rockadile' and 'The Coolest Groove' can hardly be compared. Makes me wonder what the current situation is like, since this album was recorded back in 1994 already. Gin On The Rocks always added blues, funk and even jazzy elements to their music. On the new album it is mainly soul that is put forward. Benny carries it out and the overall present background vocals of Ingrid Simons and no less a person than Julia Loko just emphasize the feeling. Piano, Hammond, sampled wind instruments and the additional percussion give Gin a new sound. A more accessible sound, more head and tail, less freaky. Although, this little freaky element always perfectly suited the band. Mainman Gino flames with his solo's as always, but takes a less prominent role than before. 'Down In Hollywood' and 'Hy On Rock 'n Roll' are two examples of his old fashioned, swinging rock. 'First Time' and 'Why Cry' are two examples of impressive (semi-)ballads. A change of food whets the appetite. 85/100, © 1996,Ferry Bovet, Aardschok, october 1996

Location Venlo - Netherlands

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