Doe Maar

Doe Maar

Company type	Musical group
Industry	Music
Founded	1978
Headquarters	Netherlands
Key people	Ernst Jansz, Henny Vrienten, Jan Hendriks
Products	Music albums, live recordings, singles

Doe Maar (; ) was a Dutch pop ensemble known for integrating elements of punk, ska, and reggae into their sound. Established in 1978, the group initially disbanded in 1984, reunited in 2000, and continued to perform intermittently until 2021, when lead vocalist Henny Vrienten died. Their body of work comprises five studio albums, four live recordings, ten compilations, and multiple singles.

Origins, early releases, and rise to fame

The band Doe Maar came together in 1978 with keyboardist and vocalist Ernst Jansz, bassist Piet Dekker—both of whom had previously worked with artists like Boudewijn de Groot—guitarist Jan Hendriks, and drummer Carel Copier. Their debut album, titled Doe Maar, was released in 1979; Dekker departed the following year.

Following their initial tour, Jansz brought in seasoned musician and composer Henny Vrienten to take over bass duties. In March 1981, the band unveiled their sophomore album, Skunk.

After drummer Copier sustained a career-ending injury in 1982, René van Collem stepped in for their third album, Doris Day en andere Stukken. The album’s title track became a significant hit, elevating their status within the Dutch music scene. That same year featured the release of Doe De Dub, a dub remix crafted by Vrienten alongside producer Peter Vincent. The band was honored with the Zilveren Harp award from Buma Cultuur and had the distinction of opening the Pinkpop Festival in May 1982. Shortly thereafter, van Collem left to join Spargo, with Jan Pijnenburg taking over on drums.

4us, touring activities, and dissolution

In March 1983, Doe Maar launched their fourth studio album titled 4us—a creative play on the word "virus". Their first tour across Belgium occurred in September of that year, coinciding with the release of their inaugural live album, Lijf aan lijf.

During this period, Jansz debuted as a novelist with Gideon's droom, while Vrienten issued his first solo album sung in Dutch, Geen ballade, which included an instrumental track titled "Amstel Hotel 13:00" featuring all Doe Maar members. Prior to this, he had released an English-language solo effort called Paul Santos in 1977.

Work on their fifth album began in February 1984 but progressed slowly. After putting out the single "Macho", the group opted to disband. They held two farewell shows at Maaspoort in Den Bosch; recordings from these concerts were later released in 1995. That same year saw the release of their initial compilation album 5 Jaar – Het complete overzicht, which contained two new songs. Over time, they reunited for several performances and produced five additional compilation albums.

Reformations, new projects, and Vrienten’s passing

In November 1999, Doe Maar declared a one-off reunion. By February 2000, they simultaneously issued two singles: Vrienten’s "Als niet als" featuring rapper Brainpower, and Jansz’s "Watje". Their new album Klaar followed shortly after in April. They performed multiple shows at Rotterdam Ahoy, with a live recording from these events released as Hees van Ahoy within the same year.

December 2000 brought forth the tribute compilation TriLLend Op M'n Benen (Doe Maar Door Anderen), showcasing 14 Doe Maar tracks covered by various artists including Bløf, Postmen featuring Def Rhymz, Rowwen Hèze, Skik, among others.

By late 2005, Doe Maar partnered with V&V Entertainment to create a musical theatre production inspired by their songs. The show titled Doe Maar!, subtitled De popmusical, premiered in January 2007 in Tilburg with full participation from the band members. This production earned four John Kraaijkamp Music Awards such as best male lead and audience choice award. Written by Pieter van de Waterbeemd, its cast featured performers like Kim-Lian and Jan Rot.

In May 2012, Vrienten announced upcoming material released through record label TopNotch. The double album Versies/Limmen Tapes arrived in September 2012 and included one disc of reimagined classics alongside another disc containing rap covers produced by Anonymous Mis with contributions from artists like Gers Pardoel, Kempi, and Kraantje Pappie.

Later that year Doe Maar was honored with the esteemed Edison Award and staged a benefit concert supporting War Child (charity).

Early in 2013, Doe Maar toured alongside Glad ijs. A documentary titled Doe Maar: Dit is Alles aired later that year. In 2016 they commemorated the 32nd anniversary of their breakup by releasing a Dutch rendition of Toots and the Maytals' "54-46 That's My Number" featuring Surinamese reggae artist Kenny B.

The band marked its 40th anniversary in 2018 with a club tour named Er verandert NIX. Planned appearances at Down The Rabbit Hole (festival) in 2021 along with a farewell tour were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Vrienten’s health issues.

On 25 April 2022, Henny Vrienten succumbed to lung cancer at age 73.

Original drummer Carel Copier passed away from cancer on 31 May 2024 at age 72.

Trivia

Doe Maar is honored with a tile on the Walk of Fame located outside the GelreDome stadium in Arnhem, recognizing their achievement of four consecutive sold-out performances during the 2012 Symphonica in Rosso event.

Final lineup

• Ernst Jansz – lead vocals, keyboards (1978–1984, 2000, 2008, 2011–2013, 2016–2018, 2021)
• Jan Hendriks – guitar, backing vocals (1978–1984, 2000, 2008, 2011–2013, 2016–2018, 2021)
• Henny Vrienten – vocals, bass guitar (1980–1984, 2000, 2008, 2011–2013, 2016–2018, 2021; deceased 2022)
• René van Collem – drums (1981–1982, 2011–2013, 2016–2018, 2021; touring member in 1982)

Former members

• Piet Dekker – vocals, bass (1978–1980)
• Carel Copier – drums, vocals (1978–1981; passed away 2024)
• Jan Pijnenburg – drums (1982–1984, 2000, 2008)

Albums

Studio albums

• Doe Maar (1979)
• Skunk (nl) (1981)
• Doris Day en andere stukken (nl) (1982)
• 4us (nl) (1983)
• Klaar (nl) (2000)

Live albums

• Lijf aan lijf (nl) (1983)
• Het afscheidsconcert – Live in de Maaspoort 's-Hertogenbosch (1995)
• Hees van Ahoy (2000)
• Symphonica in Rosso (nl) (2012)

Compilation albums

• 5 jaar Doe Maar, Het complete overzicht (1984)
• De beste van Doe Maar (1984)
• De beste (1991)
• Het complete hitoverzicht (1994)
• Het allerbeste van Doe Maar (1999)
• Alles (1999)
• Hollands glorie (2004)
• Écht alles (2007)
• De singles (2008)
• De doos van Doe Maar (box set, 2012)

Other releases

• Doe de dub – Discodubversie (nl) (dub reinterpretation of Doris Day, 1982)
• Versies/Limmen tapes (collaboration with various artists, 2012)
• TriLLend Op M'n Benen (Doe Maar Door Anderen) (tribute album, 2000)
• Doe Maar! De popmusical (musical soundtrack album, 2007)

Appearances on compilations

• Uitholling overdwars (1979)
• De gevestigde orde (1982)
• Een gebaar (Amnesty International charity compilation, 1983)

Singles

• "Ik zou het willen doen" (1979)
• "Sinds 1 dag of 2 (32 jaar)" (1980)
• "Smoorverliefd" (1981)
• "Doris Day" (1982)
• "Is dit alles" (1982)
• "De bom" (1982)
• "Pa" (1983)
• "1 nacht alleen" (1983)
• "Macho" (1984)
• "Sinds 1 dag of 2 (32 jaar)" (1991)
• "Als niet als" – featuring Brainpower & Def P (2000)
• "Watje" (2000)
• "De bom" (2007)