Fatal Flowers

Fatal Flowers

One of the most important Dutch rock bands of latter part of the eighties that spearheaded the 'Amsterdam guitar sound'.
Full biography

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Members

Henk Jonkers   achtergrondzang, drums
Robin Berlijn   gitaar
Richard Janssen   componist, gitaar, tekstdichter, zang
Geert de Groot   achtergrondzang, basgitaar

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Former members

Dirk Heuff   gitaar
Erwin Wolters   gitaar
Marco Braam   achtergrondzang, basgitaar
Cor Willemse   orgel
René van Barneveld   gitaar

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Biography Fatal Flowers

One of the most important Dutch rock bands of latter part of the eighties that spearheaded the 'Amsterdam guitar sound'.

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1984

While studying at the Dutch Film Academy, singer/guitarist Richard Janssen and drummer Henk Jonkers play in the Amsterdam-based band Midnight to Six. Janssen drops out of college to form his own band: Fatal Flowers. He is joined by Jonkers and they team up with guitarist Erwin Wolters and bass player Marco Braam (both formerly with Awacs). The band plays guitar rock although the rhythm section is influenced by punk rock. The members of Fatal Flowers also play in other bands like Pilots (Janssen) and The Red Roses.

Awacs Midnight To Six Pilots

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1985

When Wolters leaves the band in January 1985 he is replaced by guitar virtuoso Dirk Heuff. From the very beginning the band is regarded as the most talented Dutch band from that moment. They are contracted by WEA and record their debut EP 'Fatal Flowers', which is produced by Craig Leon, at the Britannia Row Studios in London. The album is well received but not a commercial success.

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1986

Fatal Flowers record their album Younger Days, produced by Vic Maile. The single with the same name reaches the Dutch charts and puts the band in the centre of attention. Fatal Flowers spearheads the 'Amsterdam guitar sound', which also includes bands like Claw Boys Claw, L'Attentat, The Landlords and Spo.Dee.O.Dee.

Vic Maile

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1987

Fatal Flowers receive an Edison music award and are also the opening act at the 1987 Pinkpop festival. Bass player Marco Braam leaves the band and is replaced by Geert de Groot.

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1988

In the Spring of 1988 the Flowers leave for Woodstock where they team up with producer Mick Ronson, John Sebastian and backing singer Ann Lang (Joe Cocker), to record their third album 'Johnny D. is back! In a poll organized by Dutch pop magazine OOR, the album is chosen as best Dutch record of the year. It's not all good news, however, as, on their return to The Netherlands, Dirk Heuff decides to quit. After several auditions, the Flowers contract 17-year-old Johnny Ramone look-a-like Robin Berlijn as their new guitarist.

Robin Berlijn

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1990

Fatal Flowers leave WEA because they don't agree with the low budget for the recording of the next album. Eventually, they are contracted by Mercury and their fourth album, Pleasure Ground, is recorded in Switzerland, again under the supervision of Mick Ronson. Although no hit singles are taken from the album, it becomes the band's most successful record. The Flowers go on an extensive tour through the Netherlands and western Germany and do a gig for TV show Rock-Live. The band seems destined for a bright future. In June 1990, however, Richard Janssen declares that he is to leave Fatal Flowers. Following this, the other band members decide to break the band up.

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1992 - 2002

The very first rhythm section in the band's history cuts an album under the name of Braam & Wolters. Janssen first forms the band Shine and subsequently his solo project Rex. In 1995 Jonkers and Berlijn are part of a trio called 13. They release their first single on the Electrolux label (later Excelsior). Henk Jonkers produces demos and records and plays in various bands like Slurve, Mongrell and Hallo Venray. On 3 July 2002 the Fatal Flowers reunite for a one off gig in the Vondelpark in Amsterdam to promote the compilation album Younger Days - The Definitive Fatal Flowers.

Alison Gross Braam & Wolters Hallo Venray Mongrell Rex Shine Slurve

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2003

In the autumn Robin Berlijn, Bart van Poppel (ex-Loïs Lane), René van Barneveld (ex-Urban Dance Squad), Felix Maginn (ex-Supersub) and Rob Klerkx (ex-Supersub) form a new group. In November the group goes into the studio to start recordings for their first album.

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2004

Braam & Wolters release The Worm In The Apple, Here's The Butterfly Collector under the name The Butterfly Collector.

The Butterfly Collector

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Discography Fatal Flowers

In the discography you will find all recordings that have been released listed chronologically. We restrict ourselves to the title, the type of audio, year of publication or recording, label, list of guest musicians, plus any comments on the issue.

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Photos Fatal Flowers

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Video Fatal Flowers

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