The Scene

The Scene is the name of at least four bands; one Dutch, one Canadian, one British and one German, but only the Dutch band ever reached wider fame. 1) A Dutch rock band from Amsterdam called The Scene, formed around singer Thé Lau. The band was formed in 1979 and had its glory days in the Nineties. The band had a great variety of members throughout the years, but the sound remained basically the same. Th? Lau's characteristic raw and hoarse voice and his hypnotising compositions are the focal point of the band.

1) A Dutch rock band from Amsterdam called The Scene, formed around singer Thé Lau.

The band was formed in 1979 and had its glory days in the Nineties. The band had a great variety of members throughout the years, but the sound remained basically the same. Th? Lau's characteristic raw and hoarse voice and his hypnotising compositions are the focal point of the band.

At the beginning of 1980, the band is called 'best dutch band without an album' by magazine OOR.

In May of the same year, the first album is released. All the songs are sung in English save for two tracks with lyrics in Dutch. The album is received well by the magazines, yet was commercially less successful.

It took seven years to make a follow-up (Rij Rij Rij), due to various occasions. The members in 1987 are, next to Th? Lau, Emilie Blom van Assendelft (bass) and Wim Zeeman (drums).

In 1989, the band welcomes two new members: Otto Cooymans (piano) and Eus van Someren (guitar). The single Rauw, hees, teder is released. Wim Zeeman is replaced by Jeroen Booy in January of 1990. The band also signs a record deal with Phonogram.

The results are the singles Rigoreus and Iedereen Is Van De Wereld and the album Blauw with all-Dutch lyrics. Everybody is very enthusiastic about this album, especially the people in Belgium.

One year later, the band is invited for the international Torhout/Werchter-festival. 'Rij Rij Rij' is released again.

The 1992 album Open receives an Edison, a Dutch music award, followed by the 'Popprijs' in 1993.

In October 1993 the next album is released: Avenue De La Scene. This album is a bit darker than the previous ones, and is a bit of a setback. The three singles get some airplay, but aren't big hits.

In April 1996, the album Arena is released on the Island label. This album is produced by Emile den Tex and tells the story about the battle against the nonchalance of existence. It's one of the best albums recorded bij The Scene.

Otto Cooymans leaves the band in 1997, due to 'artistic disagreements' as he calls it. He is replaced by Dante Oei, only 20 years old at that time.

Marlene is the first album with Dante Oei and is produced bij Th? Lau himself and is released in 1998.

It takes until 2000 before The Scene releases another album. The compilation album Rauw, hees, teder: Het beste van contains the hit single Helden, part of a Dutch commercial. That year, the band also receives a platinum record (100.000 albums sold) for 'Blauw'.

In 2002, the band can't get to an agreement for a new album, so Th? decides to make a second solo album. This appears to be the end of this band and in November, Th? tells the press that The Scene has disbanded.

In 2007 the band get together again for a series of concerts (mainly festivals). They release another album, simply called 2007, which contains new versions of old songs and two brand new songs.

The reunion becomes more solid when the album Liefde Op Doorreis gets released at the end of 2009.

Official website: www.thescene.nu

2) There was a UK band by the same name, a mod revival band from Bradford, Yorkshire, England.

The band formed in 1978 with Ian Harding (guitar & vocals), Phill Harding (guitar & keyboards), Dave Green (guitar), Ian James (bass) and George Mazur (drums). They performed all over northern England until they disbanded in 1981. They played a mixture of soul, R&B, 1960s rock & roll and punk rock. They started out performing cover songs, but soon began mainly playing original material. The band released one record ? a vinyl 7-inch single with "Hey Girl" on one side and "Reach The Top" on the other ? on their own 'Hole in the Wall' record label. Both tracks are now available for free download from the band's website. George Mazur went on to play with The Godfathers. Phill Harding became a composer and sonic artist. Ian Harding went on to play in various bands including Buddy Valentine and the Lonely Hearts, The Muskrats, The Gathering, The Men From The Mountains, TNT, The Doctors of Love, and Johnny 7.

3) The Scene are also a Canadian rock band formed in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada in 2004, by Matthew Crowley (vocals, guitar), Mark Chamberlain (bass guitar), and Jeff Gutteridge (drums). All members share a common interest and inspiration from Britpop bands from the early 90's, and as such, their sound is a combination of powerful guitar rock and beautiful melodies. The Scene have played many festivals in the United States and Canada, including 2 appearances at the North by Northeast festival in Toronto, Ontario, and at the historic CBGB's in September of 2004 with New York based group Hanslick Rebellion. They have released one EP - "The Orange EP" in December of 2005. In 2007 The Scene is one of 10 bands in UBL.com's final of the Ultimate Band of Bands competition.

4) There is also a fourth band from Germany using this name.