SPASMODIQUE
Spasmodique
Underground band from Rotterdam that reached a cult status with its dark, heavy guitar music and lyrics that deal with despair, passion and powerlessness.
Members
Reinier Rietveld
drums
Mark Ritsema
gitaar, zang
Raymond Gerrits
gitaar
Martin Docters van Leeuwen
basgitaar
Former members
Niek Den Brave
gitaar
Arjo Hijmans
gitaar
Hans Brussee
gitaar
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Biography Spasmodique
Underground band from Rotterdam that reached a cult status with its dark, heavy guitar music and lyrics that deal with despair, passion and powerlessness.
1982 - 1985
Spasmodique is formed by singer/guitarist Mark Ritsema, bassist Martin Doctors van Leeuwen, guitarist Arjo Hijmans and drummer Reinier Rietveld.
1986
Spasmodique debuts with the mini album Spasmodique. In the autumn the band records several songs for the opera All And More. The opera will never see the light of day, but the songs will appear later on the album North.
1987
The album From The Cellar Of Roses is recorded. The band goes on tour with Umberto di Bosso e Compadres.
1988
The 12" EP Start To Believe/Someone's Out There To Get You comes out. One side of the EP can be played at 45 rpm and contains three new tracks. The other side can be played at 33 rpm and contains five live tracks recorded during a concert at the Oosterpoort in Groningen, the Netherlands.
1989
The vinyl single The Square and the album North are released. The CD version also contains studio tracks from the 12" Start To Believe and the single The Square. The band is getting more popular, especially in Germany and Austria.
1990
In May and June Spasmodique goes into the studio to record the album Haven. Immediately after finishing the record guitarist Arjo Hijmans leaves the band. He is replaced by Niek den Brave and Hans Brussee. Haven is regarded as Spasmodique's most coherent and best album. Also released is the vinyl single Spilling, a track which is not included on any album.
1991
Raymond Gerrits replaces guitarists Niek den Brave and Hans Brussee. Due to a lack of commercial success the band decides to call it quits. During their farewell tour, however, it becomes clear just how popular the band actually is. The band releases Who's Afraid, an album previously unreleased demos, live recordings, outtakes of Haven etc. The band also released is The Illustrated Spasmodique, a book containing the lyrics to the songs, photo's and drawings.
1996
The original Spasmodique line-up (including guitarist Arjo Hijmans) plays several gigs under the name Villa Delirium.
2000
Spasmodique is working on a new album but the release is put off because the band members are too busy with other projects.
2002
Spasmodique has reunited. The new album is called From Villa Delirium and is produced by drummer Reinier Rietveld. November sees the publication of the book 20 Jaar Spasmodique, From The Cellar Of Roses ('20 Years Spasmodique, From The Cellar Of Roses'), which contains the history of the band, interviews with band members, reviews, a discography, lyrics, and footage of the band. Ritsema is working on a new album with his other band Raskolnikov that is released in February.
2005
In February Mark Ritsema quits. The other band members keep working together under a different name.
Discography Spasmodique
Albums | Singles | Compilations | Other | Guestperformance
Spasmodique
Act | Spasmodique |
Type and year | LP, 1986 |
Label | Soundwork, 12014 |
From The Cellar Of Roses
Act | Spasmodique |
Type and year | LP, 1987 |
Label | Plexus, KMH 7091287 |
North
Act | Spasmodique |
Type and year | CD, 1989 |
Label | Schemer, 8902 |
Haven
Act | Spasmodique |
Type and year | CD, 1990 |
Label | Schemer, 9014 |
Who's Afraid
Act | Spasmodique |
Type and year | CD, 1991 |
Label | Friction, 9101 |
gastmuzikant | Beatrice van der Poel |
gastmuzikant | Indra Van Hal |
gastmuzikant | Simon S. Mussenoog |
gastmuzikant | Hans Brussee |
gastmuzikant | Niek Den Brave |
From Villa Delirium
Act | Spasmodique |
Type and year | CD, 2002 |
Label | Friction, #02001 |
gastmuzikant | Lammert Voos |
Slightly Disturbed European Gentlemen With Guitars
Act | Spasmodique |
Type and year | CD, 2012 |
Label | Rotown Records |
Six
Act | Spasmodique |
Type and year | Album, 2016 |
Label | Sounds Haarlem Likes Vinyl |
Start To Believe
Act | Spasmodique |
Type and year | 12", 1988 |
Label | Schemer, M 8801 |
B-side | Someone's Out There To Get You |
The Square
Act | Spasmodique |
Type and year | 7", 1989 |
Label | Schemer, 45-8901 |
B-side | Primitive |
Spilling
Act | Spasmodique |
Type and year | 7", 1990 |
Label | Friction, 45/9001 |
B-side | Boston Tea Party |
All And More
Act | Spasmodique |
Type and year | Compilatie, 2016 |
Label | Eigen beheer |
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.
Audio/Video Spasmodique
