The Outsiders (Dutch)
Band members Related acts
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line up 1 (1964-65) - Leendert
"Buzz" Busch
-- drums, percussion - Ronnie Splinter (RIP 2013) -- guitar - Wladimir (Wally) Tax (RIP 2005) -- vocals, flute, guitar
line up 2 (1965-67) - Leendert
"Buzz" Busch
-- drums, percussion - Appie Rammers -- bass - Ronnie Splinter (RIP 2013) -- guitar - Wladimir (Wally) Tax (RIP 2005) -- vocals, flute, guitar
line up 3 (1967) NEW - Frank Beek -- bass, guitar, keyboards (replaced Appie Rammers) - Leendert Busch
-- drums, percussion - Wladimir (Wally) Tax (RIP 2005) -- vocals, flute, guitar
line up 4 (1967-69) - Frank Beek (RIP 1985) -- bass, guitar, keyboards - Leendert Busch
-- drums, percussion NEW - Pieter Jan Stuffers -- guitar - Wladimir (Wally) Tax (RIP 2005) -- vocals, flute, guitar
line up 5 (1969) - Leendert Busch -- drums, percussion NEW - Edwin Leonard -- vocals (replaced Wally Tax) - Appie Rammers -- bass - Ronnie Splinter
(RIP 2013) --
guitar
line up 6 (1997) - Leendert "Buzz" Busch -- drums, percussion - Appie Rammers -- bass - Ronnie Splinter (RIP 2013) -- guitar NEW - Wally Tax (RIP 2005) - vocals, guitar, keyboards, harmonica
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- CCC (Albert Rammers) - The Dam (Ronnie Splinter) - Double Dutch (Frank Beek) - NV Groep '65 (Tom Krabbendam) - OPMC (Leendert Busch) - Pure XXX (Appie Rammers and Leendert Busch) - Revon & The Outsiders - Ron & The Splint - Wally Tax (solo efforts) - Tax Free (Leendert Busch and Wally Tax) - Victors (Wally Tax)
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Genre: rock Rating: **** (4 stars) Title: Outsiders Company: Relax Catalog: 30.007 Year: 1967 Country/State: Amsterdam, Holland Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+ Comments: Dutch pressing; thin cover; minor ring and edge wear Available: 2 Catalog ID: 893 Price: $175.00 |
From a creative standpoint The Outsiders 1967 debut album "The Outsiders" wasn't exactly groundbreaking, but remained interesting in a number of respects. From a marketing perspective, not many bands had the balls to debut with a set of original material divided between live and studio sides. Recorded at a specially planned concert in the town of Brenda, on a purely technical level the side one live tunes sounded pretty primitive with poor production (some of the songs sounded like they'd been recorded in a phone booth), lousy miking, and audience sounds bleeding into the performances. Luckily for the band the murky sound quality didn't distract from the quality and energy heard on performances like 'Tears are Falling from Your Eyes' and 'Ain't Gonna Miss You'. The group's raw R&B sound was certainly authentic enough and unlike many other Dutch bands, lead singer Wally Tax's vocals didn't exhibit a heavy accent. Featuring all original material penned by front man Wally Tax and guitarist Ronnie Splinter, songs such as 'Story 16' and 'I Wish I Could' made it clear the band could bring it to the stage and hold their own against English contemporaries like The Pretty Things. In fact, on much of the material Tax's raw driving delivery could have given Van Morrison as well as many American garage bands a run for their money.
Always loved the cover photo - in an age of liability considerations it's almost impossible to image a record company even contemplating hanging one of their recording artists from a crane ...
"Outsiders" track listing: 1.) Story 16 (Wally Tax - Ronnie Splinter) - 6:25 rating: **** stars Opening up with an MC introducing the band to an enthusiastic crowd, 'Story 16' opened up with some nice grungy Tax harmonica and then dived headlong into classic sweaty garage territory, before shifting into distinctive lysergic territory. You could have easily mistaken these guys for The Shadows of the Night tripping into the darkness. Awesome way to start the album and one of the album highlights. 2.) Tears are Falling from Your Eyes (Wally Tax - Ronnie Splinter) - 3:50 rating: **** stars In spite of lousy sound quality (Tax sounded like he'd swallowed the mike) and intrusive fan noise, 'Tears are Falling from Your Eyes' exhibited some nice Splinter fuzz guitar, a sleazy bar vibe, and the kind of energy most bands could only dream about. 3.) Ain't Gonna Mis (sic) You (Wally Tax - Ronnie Splinter) - 1:55 rating: **** stars Geez, garage anguish on a heaping dose of speed ? Hard to figure out how they packed so much energy into a two minute song. Listening to the track with a good set of headphones and Leendert Busch's frenetic drums sounded like they were going to crush your forehead. 5.) I Wish I Could (Wally Tax - Ronnie Splinter) - 3:55 rating: *** stars 'I Wish I Could' found the band returning to grinding, double timed garage moves with a touch of Buddy Holly added to Tax's vocals. Not particularly sophisticated, but still great stuff. rating: *** stars 6.) Afraid of the Dark (Wally Tax - Ronnie Splinter) - 3:15 rating: **** stars Interesting Animals-styled blues number with a slightly ominous feel, showcasing some nice Appie Rammers fuzz bass and Busch's simply crushing drums. About two and a half minutes in the song simply blows apart into aural pandemonium.
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2) For a beat band, 'Teach Me To Forget You' was a surprisingly sophisticated song, with a complex and fascinating arrangement. The song was even more impressive when you realized this was a band for whom English was a second language. Very commercial and very impressive - it was released as a Dutch single. 2.) Filthy Rich (Wally Tax - Ronnie Splinter) - 2:38 rating: **** stars Always loved the lyrics to 'Filthy Rich' ("Just filthy rich it's a pity you're not pretty You're just filthy rich so I say I don't care You're just filthy rich your money makes love blind Give me your green stuff") - they sound so young and naive in this day and age. Elsewhere the song was notable for Splinter turning in a couple of his best solos. 3.) I Would Love You (Wally Tax - Ronnie Splinter) - 2:46 rating: **** stars Opening up with what sounded like surf rock guitar, this time around Tax's dry and nasally talk-speak delivery actually reminded me a bit of Lou Reed. Weird tune, but one of the album highlights. 4.) Don't You Cry (Wally Tax - Ronnie Splinter) - 2:21 rating: **** stars Geez, 'Don't You Cry' was one bizarre tune, the constant tempo changes sounding like the band was playing off of two different sets of music. Rammers' hyper-speed bass line had to be heard to be believed and Splinter's feedback solo ... this was one frisking weird tune. 5.) Won't You Listen (Wally Tax - Ronnie Splinter)- 2:48 rating: *** stars Opening up with some blistering fuzz guitar and an extended tax harmonica solo, 'Won't You Listen' was a surprisingly bluesy number. Not sure Muddy Waters would have been knocked out, but for a bunch of pale Dutch guys, this was pretty impressive. 6.) If You Don't Treat Me Right (Wally Tax - Ronnie Splinter) - 2:09 rating: ** stars The album ended on kind of a flat note with 'If You Don't Treat Me Right ' showcasing kind of a '50s rockabilly feel. Not that I can't appreciate a good rockabilly song, but this just wasn't one of them. The tune was tapped a single.
You can find an in-depth (and in Dutch) Outsiders website at: http://www.theoutsiders.eu/
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Genre: rock Rating: *** (3 stars) Title: Outsiders Songbook Company: Teenbeat Catalog: APLP 102 Year: 1967 Country/State: Amsterdam, Holland Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+ Comments: Dutch pressing; minor ring wear Available: 1 Catalog ID: 4906 Price: $70.00 Cost: $82.00
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The group's second album was released in conjunction with the Dutch music magazine Teenbeat. Little more than a holding action, 1967's "Outsiders Songbooks" served to compile their first six singles for the Relax label.
- 1966's 'Lying All the Time' b/w 'Thinking About Today' (Relax catalog number 45 004) - 1966's 'Keep on Trying' b/w 'That's Your Problem' (Relax catalog number 45 006) - 1966's Touch' b/w 'Ballad of John B' (Relax catalog number 45 016) - 1967's 'Monkey on Your Back' b/w 'What's Wrong With You' (Relax catalog number 45 025) - 1967's Summer Is Here' b/w 'Teach Me to Forget You' (Relax catalog number 45 048) - 1967's 'I've Been Lovin' You So Long' b/w 'I'm Only Trying to Prove to Myself That I'm Not Like Everybody Else' (Relax catalog number 45 058) - 1967's 'Don't You Worry About Me' b/w 'Bird in a Cage' (Relax catalog number 45 068)
The collection was rounded out by two tracks from their debut "Outsider" album: ('Don't You Cry ' and 'Filthy Rich'). If nothing else, it is a good place to check out the band's early work and save yourself the trouble of trying to track down all those 45s. Ever wonder why the cover showed the band as a four piece ? Prior to the album's release Tom Krabbendam and bassist Appie Rammers both quit. They were replaced by multi-instrumentalist Frank Beek. Splinter also tendered his resignation, but eventually came back to the fold.
"Outsiders Songbook" track listing:
1.) Bird In a Cage (Ronnie Splinter - Wally Tax) - rating: *** stars 'Bird Ina Cage' was a live, heavily R&B influenced tune. I'm guessing it was recorded at the same time as the tunes on the first side of the "Outsiders" album. Lots of Ronnie Splinter fuzz guitar and Wally Tax harmonica. Not particularly original (sub-par early Stones comes to mind),, but this was the sound that made them popular. 2.) Lying All the Time (Ronnie Splinter - Wally Tax) - rating: *** stars The band's first single for Relax, 'Lying All the Time' was a straightforward blues number. Musically the track sounded like it was a live track (probably taken from the same sessions as the first half of their debut album. A rather straightforward blues number, it wasn't particularly distinguished. Highlights included Wally Tax's harmonica, Ronnie Splinter's fuzz guitar, and Leendert Busch's powerhouse drumming. 3.) Filthy Rich (Ronnie Splinter - Wally Tax) - rating: **** stars One of two tunes pulled from the earlier "Outsiders" album. Always loved the lyrics to 'Filthy Rich' ("Just filthy rich it's a pity you're not pretty You're just filthy rich so I say I don't care You're just filthy rich your money makes love blind Give me your green stuff") - they sound so young and naive in this day and age. Elsewhere the song was notable for Splinter turning in a couple of his best solos. 4.) Keep On Trying (Ronnie Splinter - Wally Tax) - rating: **** stars Given they were known for their R&B roots, 'Keep On Trying' was a surprisingly enjoyable stab at folk-rock. Released as their second Relax single, driven by Tax's dry voice, a nice Dylan-esque harmonica solo, and Splinter's jangle guitar moves, this one was simply great. 5.) Don't You Cry (Ronnie Splinter - Wally Tax) - rating: **** stars The second track off the debut album, 'Don't You Cry' was one bizarre tune. The constant tempo changes sounding like the band was playing off of two different sets of music. Rammers' hyper-speed bass line had to be heard to be believed and Splinter's feedback solo ... this was one fricking weird tune. 6.) Thinkin' About Today (Ronnie Splinter - Wally Tax) - rating: **** stars The flip side to their Relax debut, 'Thinkin' About Today' was actually better than the 'A' side. With a nifty '60s blues-rock vibe and some surprisingly sensitive lyrics, it was actually one of the best of the band's earlier releases. The song's surprise weapon came in the form of Appie Rammers highly melodic bass line. You Tube has a live performances of the song at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fU667Majm_w 7.) Monkey On Your Back (Ronnie Splinter - Wally Tax) - rating: **** stars Their fourth Relax single, 'Monkey On Your Back' was another step away from their R&B roots. Complete with flute and xylophone, this time they focused on topical folk-rock. Judging by the lyrics, the band deserved some credit for their early anti-drug stance.
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2) Their third Relax single, 'Touch' found the band returning to a harder, R&B oriented sound. Again built on an insidiously catchy Splinter guitar riff, this one apparently managed to capture some of their original "bad boy" imagine - the group initially attracted a rowdy fan base that seemingly trashed a number of venues they played, getting them banned from a number of Dutch clubs. 2.) That's Your Problem (Ronnie Splinter - Wally Tax) - rating: **** stars Built on a Splinter guitar riff that sounded like it had been ripped off of Dave Davies and the Kinks, 'That's You Problem' was the perfect example of just how good these guys were. Geez, this one really did sound like a Kinks tune (which might explain why it was relegated to the 'B' side of their second Relax single. Another great tune. 3.) Ballad of John B (Ronnie Splinter - Wally Tax) - rating: *** stars Hum, Wally Tax doing his best Dylan impersonation ? Beats me, though the tune was long (just short of six minutes); lyrically dense, and certainly had a Dylan feel to it. Always wondered if John B was producer John B van Setten ... 4.) If You Don't Treat Me Right (Ronnie Splinter - Wally Tax) - rating: ** stars Showcasing kind of a hyper-speed '50s rockabilly feel, 'If You Don't Treat Me Right' was another track off the debut and had also been released as a single . Not that I can't appreciate a good rockabilly song, but this just wasn't one of them. 5.) Summer's Here (Ronnie Splinter - Wally Tax) - rating: *** stars Their fifth single for Relax apparently reflected the band's recognition that public tastes were changing. 'Summer's Here' saw the band jettison their patented R&B sound; replacing it with a distinctive hippy vibe. Very summer-of-love feel that was mildly entertaining. The single carried the title 'Summer Is Here' while the album track listing showed it as 'Summer's Here'. 6.) What's Wrong with Me (Ronnie Splinter - Wally Tax) - rating: **** stars Ah, the power of heartbreak - one of the prettiest tubes the pair ever wrote. The song also included a wonderful Splinter guitar solo. 7.) I've Been Lovin' You So Long (Ronnie Splinter - Wally Tax) - rating: *** stars Their sixth Relax single, 'I've Been Lovin' You So Long' was a pretty pop ballad. The tune was interesting for the interesting production effects, including backing vocals that sounded like they'd been recorded in a cathedral.
Over the next four decades Tax and the rest of the band had a contentious relationship, reforming in various combinations. Tax briefly relocated to the States with the band Tax Free, eventually filing suite to stop the other members from using The Outsiders name. Only 57, he died in 2005. Apparently broke when he died, The Outsiders and fellow Dutch musicians held a benefit show to raise funds to bury Tax.
Multi-instrumental Frank Beek died in January 1985.
Guitarist Tom Krabbendam died in January 2012.
After battling cancer, guitarist Ronnie Splinter died in May 2013.
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