Chinawhite

Line Up: Peter Cox Guitar and vocals Don Feltges Lead vocals Sander Stappers Bass Rolf Vossen Keyboards Hans in 't Zandt Drums and vocals In 1987 some chaps get together and decide they want to play some songs from bands they really like. They rehearse a little, and find out it is so much fun, they ought to bring it to the stage. So they do, but only as a side project to the bands they play in at the time. The core of Chinawhite are Fuchs, Hans and Peter. And guess what.... they still are! At this stage they are joined by Henk Eickes on bass and Arno Linssen on vocals.

Peter Cox Guitar and vocals
Don Feltges Lead vocals
Sander Stappers Bass
Rolf Vossen Keyboards
Hans in 't Zandt Drums and vocals

In 1987 some chaps get together and decide they want to play some songs from bands they really like. They rehearse a little, and find out it is so much fun, they ought to bring it to the stage. So they do, but only as a side project to the bands they play in at the time. The core of Chinawhite are Fuchs, Hans and Peter. And guess what.... they still are! At this stage they are joined by Henk Eickes on bass and Arno Linssen on vocals. Read on to see what happened next:

Early 1989 six musicians decide to quit their current activities in bands like Jester's Tear and Trouwens to unite themselves in CHINAWHITE. The band succeeds in making a catchy combination of melodic rock with symphonic frill and groovy rhythms. At that time the line up is Peter Cox on guitar and vocals, Arno Linssen on vocals, Paul Roefs on bass, Rolf (more commonly known as Fuchs) Vossen on keyboards, Anneke Willemsen-Cox (Peter's younger sister) on vocals and Hans in 't Zandt on drums and vocals. Ever since the fragile beginning, the band consequently works on forging the creativity present, into their own material. Therefore it is not strange that at the end of 1990 CHINAWHITE hits the studio to produce a tape with a selection of those originals. The titles are 'THE REVOLUTION BY NIGHT', 'METROPOLITANS', 'THE PERFECT THING' and 'WHEN ALL GOES WRONG'. The demo 'A THOUSAND THOUGHTS' is recorded at the Iris Studio Venlo (NL) and also contains the Van Halen classic 'Jump'. The entire product is received positively by several national and international radio stations and magazines as Metal-Hammer, Sym-Info Magazine, Background Magazine and Fanfare and Rock Report from Belgium. The band got its first taste of success by selling about 300 copies of the demo tape.

In 1991 they get the chance to join in on a regional project called 'Southern Comfort - 12 beauties oet Limburg'. On this sampler CD 6 bands are presented with 2 songs each. CHINAWHITE include 'BIG MONEY' and 'ROCK AND WATER'. These songs are recorded in the Delta Studio Wilster (D) for a German production company who present the band a record deal. The group turns it down because they don't believe the company is able to live up to its promises.

Almost 2 years after the successful release of 'A THOUSAND THOUGHTS' the time is considered right for the long-awaited successor. This demo 'WHEN DREAMS UNITE' contains 4 original songs, with of course the live smashers 'FOOLIN'' and 'ROCK AND WATER'. Also 'ROOM WITH A VIEW' and 'ON ARRIVAL' are included . Towards the end of the relationship with Inline Music, the songs are again recorded at the Delta Studio in Wilster, with Frank Hilpert producing. The band receives a lot of credit regarding the presented creativity and quality with this product. Even more reviews are collected: In countries like Greece, Belgium, the USA and England people take interest in the band. Besides reviews in magazines the group plays acoustic versions of their songs on several local radio-stations.

At first CHINAWHITE perform symphonic work of among others Rush, Saga, Camel and Marillion. To be able to reflect a range of melodic rock as broad as possible, a large number of more well-known 'Top 100 covers' are added to the playlist. Examples are Toto, Van Halen, Whitesnake and Queen. Another simple reason for this is the desire to be able to play more often before a live audience. From the band's point of view this is considered necessary in terms of developing the musical and performing skills and to be able to try-out their own songs. In 1993 CHINAWHITE find an adequate substitute lead singer in the person of Don Feltges. The proven skills of Don still guarantee every live performance an exciting happening. The musical radiation of the band enclose, among others, jazz-rock, melodic rock, progressive metal and symphonic rock. Current covers played are from Aerosmith, Tyketto, Pearl Jam and Gun, which together with classics from Uriah Heep, Iron Maiden, Kansas, Journey and the Osmonds - and the original material - guarantee an exciting evening.

To enlarge the live reputation CHINAWHITE release a promo cassette called ''SIGN OF THE TIME' in 1994. The songs 'Fool for your Lovin' by Whitesnake, 'Born to be Wild' by Steppenwolf, 'Live and let Die' by Paul McCartney and 'No more Tears' by Ozzy Osbourne are put on tape during a live performance in the studio and show the abilities of the band. Also a live version of 'FOOLIN' is included. Through the years this band, founded in 1989 and since 1993 in this line-up, is not only characterized by its enthusiastic presentation on stages in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany, or its catchy combination of melodies, rhythms and varied ensemble, but also through their daring versions of hits and an often surprising choice of repertoire. Under the professional guidance of producer Fred Hendrix from Terra Nova CHINAWHITE set of to record some more original material in the Energy Studio in Mariaheide in 1995. The engineer is Jos van den Broek. In only 3 days in May the band put 5 songs on tape. Fred and Jos mix it in just one day ! After listening to the songs for a while the band decide they are not satisfied with the end result. But being out of money, and being turned down by every record company in the book, they decide to concentrate of performing and writing for a while.

In 1997 studio-owner Jos contacts the band. He bought a digital computer programmable system and would like the band to re-mix using this hi-tech equipment. CHINAWHITE decide to take the chance as it is a great opportunity to learn more about mixing and stuff.... Finally after releasing three successful demo's ( 'A THOUSAND THOUGHTS' 1990, 'WHEN DREAMS UNITE' 1992 and 'SIGN OF THE TIME' 1994), participating in a sampler-CD 'Southern Comfort - 12 beauties oet Limburg' 1991, about a hundred gigs (besides headlines also supporting for example Uriah Heep, The Brandos and The Golden Earring), positive reviews in The Netherlands, Canada, Belgium, Germany, Greece and the USA, it's about time for a mini-cd from the Dutch band (based in the south) CHINAWHITE; called 'A DRAGON'S BIRTH'. While on earlier releases sometimes covers occur, now only original material is brought out to the public. The silver disc opens with the prime trademark Rock and Water. Next is the lyrical The Revolution by Night. The instrumental title-track is followed by the powerful Big Money. The album is closed by the exciting The Lurker. Total running time is about 20 minutes. The CD is accompanied by a full-colour package and booklet, the latter also contains all lyrics. The product clearly states the roots of CHINAWHITE; melodic rock, combined with symphonic spice and added progressive influences.

1998 and 1999 see the band working on a successor to the unexpected triumph of "A Dragon's Birth". They record a few older songs, some live favourites, as well as some new material. The Energy studio in Mariaheide was again chosen for the recordings. Also everybody was very happy with the renewed production skills of Fred Hendrix (of Terra Nova fame) at the helm. The album title: "Breathe Fire".
August 2000 it was born; the new baby dragon called Breathe Fire... Due to various personal, financial, logistical and technical reasons later as planned. Needless to say the band is proud and the first reactions are promising and confirm the band in their believe it is by far the best effort to date.

April 2003 sees the departure of long-time friend and bass player Paul. His shoes prove difficult to fill, but in July 2003 Sander Stappers decides to lend the band a helping hand. Sander is a student at the Rock Academy in Tilburg and hones / honed his skills in 2nd Gear and Sengaia amongst others.
Now Chinawhite are able to continue to work on the next album and to perform live again. The saga continues.....

?But proves a bumpy ride! Drummer Hans builds a solid reputation for himself and finds himself joining Steve Fister, Vengeance, Cooper Inc., Mad Max, Parris, etc. Don Feltges tours with guitar hero Joe Stump and more members become active in different bands.
But the band is not to give in and soldiers on, lead by mastermind Peter. New songs are written, a home studio is geared up and in 2007 the recording of a third album is started. This album, aptly called ?CHALLENGES? will see the light of day in November 2009. The song titles are:
1. In The Beginning
2. Challenges ? Dreams Of A Child
3. My Venus Rising
4. Stranger
5. How Many Miles
6. Better Than You
7. Inside
8. The Storm Rages On
9. I Am I
10. Dive With A Dolphin
11. Wings Of The Wind

Lyrically and musically a step forward, with lush arrangements, solid musicianship and most important, memorable songs! Filled with melodic and hard rocking prog-rock, this is definitely an album to check out by lovers of Rush, Saga, Threshold, Dream Theater, Deep Purple, Uriah Heep and so on. So you get your screaming Hammonds and touching piano, your guitar solos and heavy riffs, and your choruses to sing along to. Hey and some didgeridoo too! Hop on board, who wouldn't want to dive with a dolphin or fly on the wings of the wind... The band believes strongly in the album and think of it as more mature, more melodic, more metal and more progressive.

The album is available through Rockcompany.nl , through various download sites and also via CDBaby.com.

Visit www.chinawhite.nl, www.rockcompany.nl or www.myspace.com/chinawhitenl for more information about this band.