Rowwen Hèze
Encyclopedia
Rowwen Hèze is a band
from the small village of America
in the south of the Netherlands
. They are one of the biggest bands singing in a northern dialect of Limburgish. The band was founded in 1985.
, fanfare
and tex-mex
. Rowwen Hèze draws a lot of inspiration from the songs of The Pogues
.
Lyrically the band is influenced by every day items like a hangover, the local Fanfare, fatherhood, walking with the dog or songs about a local figure.
, formerly singing in the band Bad Edge, was willing to fulfill this position, on the condition he was allowed to do one song in dialect. The other band members agreed and Rowwen Hèze was born. In early years they mostly played covers in English. A lot of bands from Limburg
compose a song every Carnaval
, which is a big cultural event in that region. Rowwen Heze became known in all of the Netherlands with the Carnaval
song "Niks stront niks" (no crap nothing). After that they gradually sang more and more songs in dialect.
Since 1991 the band consists of Jack Poels (vocals, guitar and harmonica), William "Tren" van Enckevort (accordion, piano, trombone and vocals), Jan Philipsen (bass guitar and Double bass
), Theo Joosten (guitar, mandolin, saxophone, tin whistle and percussion), Jack Haegens (trumpet, flugelhorn, trombone en percussion) and Martîn Rongen (drums and percussion).
Rowwen Hèze have proved themselves in the Dutch music history, although their lyrics are difficult for people who do not understand dialects of Limburgish. They have also proved themselves internationally with a particular mix of Tex-Mex
, Irish folk, American rock
and brass band
music.
band. During their performances, a lot of beer
throwing often takes place. Some of their greatest hits are:
In 2006 the band released their album Rodus & Lucius which directly after its release made number 1 in the Album Top 100 of the Netherlands, proving their national fame.
Band (music)
In music, a musical ensemble or band is a group of musicians that works together to perform music. The following articles concern types of musical bands:* All-female band* Big band* Boy band* Christian band* Church band* Concert band* Cover band...
from the small village of America
America, Netherlands
America is a town in the Dutch province of Limburg. It is a part of the municipality of Horst aan de Maas, and lies about 16 km northwest of Venlo....
in the south of the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
. They are one of the biggest bands singing in a northern dialect of Limburgish. The band was founded in 1985.
Music
Rowwen Hèze's music is inspired by many different genres of music, including folkFolk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
, fanfare
Fanfare
A Fanfare is a relatively short piece of music that is typically played by trumpets and other brass instruments often accompanied by percussion...
and tex-mex
Tejano music
Tejano music or Tex-Mex music is the name given to various forms of folk and popular music originating among the Mexican-American populations of Central and Southern Texas...
. Rowwen Hèze draws a lot of inspiration from the songs of The Pogues
The Pogues
The Pogues are a Celtic punk band, formed in 1982 and fronted by Shane MacGowan. The band reached international prominence in the 1980s and early 1990s. MacGowan left the band in 1991 due to drinking problems but the band continued first with Joe Strummer and then with Spider Stacy on vocals before...
.
Lyrically the band is influenced by every day items like a hangover, the local Fanfare, fatherhood, walking with the dog or songs about a local figure.
Formation and history
The band started with the search for a new lead singer for the band The Legendary Texas Four. Jack PoelsJack Poels
Jack Poels is the singer, guitarist and harmonica player of the Dutch band Rowwen Hèze for which he has composed almost all the texts and music. His music is some kind of mixture of folk, Tejano and accordion music....
, formerly singing in the band Bad Edge, was willing to fulfill this position, on the condition he was allowed to do one song in dialect. The other band members agreed and Rowwen Hèze was born. In early years they mostly played covers in English. A lot of bands from Limburg
Limburg (Netherlands)
Limburg is the southernmost of the twelve provinces of the Netherlands. It is located in the southeastern part of the country and bordered by the province of Gelderland to the north, Germany to the east, Belgium to the south and part of the west, andthe Dutch province of North Brabant partly to...
compose a song every Carnaval
Carnival
Carnaval is a festive season which occurs immediately before Lent; the main events are usually during February. Carnaval typically involves a public celebration or parade combining some elements of a circus, mask and public street party...
, which is a big cultural event in that region. Rowwen Heze became known in all of the Netherlands with the Carnaval
Carnival
Carnaval is a festive season which occurs immediately before Lent; the main events are usually during February. Carnaval typically involves a public celebration or parade combining some elements of a circus, mask and public street party...
song "Niks stront niks" (no crap nothing). After that they gradually sang more and more songs in dialect.
Since 1991 the band consists of Jack Poels (vocals, guitar and harmonica), William "Tren" van Enckevort (accordion, piano, trombone and vocals), Jan Philipsen (bass guitar and Double bass
Double bass
The double bass, also called the string bass, upright bass, standup bass or contrabass, is the largest and lowest-pitched bowed string instrument in the modern symphony orchestra, with strings usually tuned to E1, A1, D2 and G2...
), Theo Joosten (guitar, mandolin, saxophone, tin whistle and percussion), Jack Haegens (trumpet, flugelhorn, trombone en percussion) and Martîn Rongen (drums and percussion).
Rowwen Hèze have proved themselves in the Dutch music history, although their lyrics are difficult for people who do not understand dialects of Limburgish. They have also proved themselves internationally with a particular mix of Tex-Mex
Tex-Mex
Tex-Mex is a regional American cuisine that blends food products available in the United States and the culinary creations of Mexican-Americans influenced by the cuisines of Mexico.Tex Mex may also refer to:...
, Irish folk, American rock
American rock
American rock is rock music from the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, rhythm and blues, and country music, and also drew on folk music, jazz and classical music. The creation of American rock music was highly influenced by the British Invasion of the American pop...
and brass band
Brass band
A brass band is a musical ensemble generally consisting entirely of brass instruments, most often with a percussion section. Ensembles that include brass and woodwind instruments can in certain traditions also be termed brass bands , but are usually more correctly termed military bands, concert...
music.
Discography
The band has the reputation of being a true partyParty
A party is a gathering of people who have been invited by a host for the purposes of socializing, conversation, or recreation. A party will typically feature food and beverages, and often music and dancing as well....
band. During their performances, a lot of beer
Beer
Beer is the world's most widely consumed andprobably oldest alcoholic beverage; it is the third most popular drink overall, after water and tea. It is produced by the brewing and fermentation of sugars, mainly derived from malted cereal grains, most commonly malted barley and malted wheat...
throwing often takes place. Some of their greatest hits are:
- Een kwestie van geduld ('a matter of patience', about how the Limburgish language will gradually take over in the Netherlands)
- bestel mar ('just order [some beer])'
- auto, vliegtuug ('car, airplane')
- Zondag in 't zuiden ('a Sunday in the south' a song about being idleIdleIdle is a term which generally refers to a lack of motion and/or energy.- Uses :In describing a person or machine, idle means the act of nothing or no work...
).
In 2006 the band released their album Rodus & Lucius which directly after its release made number 1 in the Album Top 100 of the Netherlands, proving their national fame.
External links
- Official site
- Everything about Rowwen Heze plus mp3, lyrics & biographies