Disco really made it.

Here’s a nice update about post punk and new wave music from the Netherlands.

In 1976 Panic was one of the first wave punk bands coming from Amsterdam they even played the legendary CBGB club. After disbanding in 1979, one of their members “Piet van Dijk “ joins one of the famous dutch language punk groups “the Trockener Kecks”

Panic – Dead or Alive

Gasphetti founded in 1978 with Henny Vrienten playing second guitar made a couple of great punk songs but never had any success in 1981 after singer Sammie America was having trouble with his voice they disbanded the band. Vrienten later joins Doe Maar the most important, most popular and most innovative Dutch-language band from the early '80s.

Gasphetti – I dunno

The Nits come from Amsterdam and according to UK music magazine NME their album Tent is the second best European album of the year in 1979. Last year they released their latest album called les Nuits. They still perform live and I was at one of their gigs two weeks ago, still a great band!

The Nits – Red Tape.

Gruppo Sportivo formed in the Hague in 1976. They were successful in the UK becoming third in the category 'most promising new band', behind Ian Dury and Dire Straits in 1978. They release a couple of singles in the UK “Beep Beep love” and “Hey Girl” and score their biggest hit in The Netherlands with the song “Disco really made it.” They’re still active and did a tour last year dubbed 'Music To Throw Up With.' A new album is expected this June.

Gruppo Sportivo – Beep Beep Love
Gruppo Sportivo – Disco really made it


Soviet Sex is a Punk Band from Amsterdam before disbanding in 1982 they released one album called happy end. Two members of Soviet Sex, the brothers Maarten and Rogier van der Ploeg, start a new band called Blue Murder they play power pop music in the style of the Talking Heads. Blue Murder release their best album in 1987 called At home and disbanded the same year. In 1997 Soviet Sex is reformed with Ellen ten Damme (famous dutch actress) on vocals. They release an album called “Hotel Winston” and a single called “Niet Met Jou/Cyberspace Girl”

Soviet Sex – Dancing Bizar
Soviet Sex – Cyberspace Girl
Blue Murder – Isabella


Nasmak founded in Neunen (Near Eindhoven) in 1978 and were the first dutch band to appear for a John Peel Session. Peel calling the album “Nasmak Plus Instruments/Instruments Plus Nasmak,” the best album off the continent in years. The band sounds like a freaked out version of the B52s.

Nasmak – Take a look