Finch (Dutch band)
| Company type | Musical group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1974 |
| Defunct | 1978 |
| Headquarters | The Hague, Rotterdam , Netherlands |
| Products | Progressive rock music, albums, singles |
Finch (active from 1974 to 1978) was a Dutch progressive rock group that achieved international recognition, culminating in their final performance at the World Forum Convention Center in The Hague in 1978.
History
The band Finch originated through the collaboration of bassist Peter Vink—whose last name translates to finch in Dutch—and drummer Beer Klaasse, both previously members of Q65. Shortly thereafter, guitarist and composer Joop van Nimwegen, also an ex-member of Q65, joined the lineup. Lacking a prominent vocalist, Finch concentrated on creating instrumental rock music. Initially, keyboardist Paul Vink was part of the group but was soon replaced by Cleem Determeijer, who was studying at the Rotterdam Academy of Music at the time.
Their first album, Glory of the Inner Force, was launched domestically and distributed in the United States through ATCO/Atlantic, garnering favorable international critiques. The subsequent release, Beyond Expression, was highlighted as Record of the Week on Dutch radio station Radio Veronica, which contributed to expanding their audience across the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany. Afterward, Determeijer departed to devote himself to piano studies and was succeeded by Ad Wammes. Klaasse left the band to focus on his leather goods enterprise, with Hans Bosboom stepping in as drummer.
The third studio album, Galleons of Passion, was issued in both the Netherlands and the UK markets. Following this release, Bosboom exited for personal reasons and Fred van Vloten took over drumming duties. Persistent changes in membership impeded the group's stability, ultimately leading to their disbandment in 1978 when Van Nimwegen decided to leave. In 1999, a live album titled The Making of Galleons of Passion / Stage '76, featuring demos and concert recordings, was released posthumously. Finch’s body of work continues to hold significance among aficionados of classic and progressive rock genres.
Following Finch’s dissolution, Joop van Nimwegen engaged in performances with Dutch musical theater orchestras. In 2012, Ad Wammes reactivated his earlier band Montoya, collaborating with Henk Hager (formerly of Diesel) as vocalist and bassist. Fred van Vloten passed away in 2008.
Albums
- Glory of the Inner Force (1975), Negram (Netherlands) / ATCO/Atlantic (USA)
- Beyond Expression (1976), Negram (Netherlands)
- Galleons of Passion (1977), Bubble (Netherlands) / Rockburgh (UK)
- The Making of... Galleons of Passion / Stage '76 (1999), Pseudonym Records (Netherlands)
Singles
- "Colossus" (1975), Negram (Netherlands)
Compilations
- "Mythology" (2013), Pseudonym (Netherlands) – featuring essential albums and live material