There are at least two bands called GEM (or Gem): 1. GEM is a rock band from Utrecht, The Netherlands. 2. Gem is a 1990s band from Ohio with members from Guided By Voices, Doug Gillard and Tim Tobias. * * * 1. The four-piece rock band GEM from Utrecht, The Netherlands, was founded in 2003 and plays energetic rock, mixing grit with melody. The story of GEM starts in 2003 when singer Maurits Westerik joined forces with guitarist Bas de Graaff and bassist Vincent Lemmen.
1. GEM is a rock band from Utrecht, The Netherlands.
2. Gem is a 1990s band from Ohio with members from Guided By Voices, Doug Gillard and Tim Tobias.
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1. The four-piece rock band GEM from Utrecht, The Netherlands, was founded in 2003 and plays energetic rock, mixing grit with melody.
The story of GEM starts in 2003 when singer Maurits Westerik joined forces with guitarist Bas de Graaff and bassist Vincent Lemmen. With the addition of second guitarist Simon Bonner the band recorded their first demo at Utrecht's Studio Moskou in Utrecht, with Tony van Best drumming.
There was buzz around GEM almost immediately, particularly after their energetic gig in suport of The Libertines in Amsterdam. The band featured prominently on a compilation CD in the 'Unsigned' series, an initiative of the Dutch Pop Institute. GEM's earliest recording are on that CD, entitled 'College Radio: Alternative Rock Songs'.
Band members came and went over the years. Front man, Maurits Westerik, is the key figure; bassist, Jeroen Kikkert, the only other band founding member. In spite of the changes, every line-up enjoyed an excellent live reputation.
GEM has released four full-length albums, a (covers) EP as well as a box-set entitled 'United', containing the first three albums plus a fourth disc of non-album tracks, acoustic live recordings and more.
Tell Me What's New (2004)
Escapades (2006)
New (2008)
United (box-set + rarities album, 2009)
Hunters Go Hungry (2011)
Tension Tonight / GEMFM (Live from Studio Sound Enterprise) (EP, 2012)
2. Gem is a 1990s band from Ohio with members from Guided By Voices - Doug Gillard and Tim Tobias. Hexed was recorded on Restless Records in 1995.