Picture (band)

Picture

Company type	Band
Industry	Music
Founded	1979
Founder	Rinus Vreugdenhil, Laurens Bakker, Jan Bechtum, Ronald van Prooijen
Headquarters	Netherlands
Area served	Netherlands, Germany, Italy, South America, Mexico, Japan, Europe, Israel
Key people	Rinus Vreugdenhil (bass), Laurens Bakker (drums), Jan Bechtum (guitar), Ronald van Prooijen (vocals), Pete Lovell (vocals)
Products	Heavy metal music albums and live performances
Number of employees	5 (current lineup)

Picture ranks among the pioneering Dutch heavy metal groups. Established in 1979, they achieved considerable acclaim in the Netherlands, Germany, and Italy through dynamic live shows, while cultivating a devoted audience in South America, Mexico, and Japan.

The band opened for prominent artists like AC/DC, Ted Nugent, and Saxon within the Netherlands and embarked on extensive European tours, including a comprehensive 1981 tour alongside Saxon. Their touring schedule also featured performances with Rose Tattoo in Germany and headlining engagements in Italy and Israel.

History

The collaboration between Rinus Vreugdenhil and Laurens Bakker began in 1978, culminating in the formation of Picture’s classic lineup in 1979 with Jan Bechtum and Ronald van Prooijen joining.

Initially under the production of Cat Music and management by Henk van Antwerpen, Picture signed with Warner Bros. Records but parted ways due to disagreements over a shift toward a pop style. Subsequently, they aligned with Backdoor Records, a branch of Phonogram Records.

Their original lineup produced the debut albums Picture 1 (1980) and Heavy Metal Ears (1981), gaining momentum through performances across the Netherlands and Germany. Early recordings were hindered by subpar audio quality; however, this improved significantly on Diamond Dreamer, which introduced Israeli vocalist Shmoulik Avigal following Ronald’s departure. This album is often regarded as their finest work.

Following Diamond Dreamer, the band expanded by adding second guitarist Chriz Van Jaarsveld. Internal disputes led to Shmoulik’s dismissal and Bechtum’s exit. Vocalist Pete Lovell and guitarist Henry van Manen joined for Eternal Dark, marking a transition toward a more intricate groove-oriented style that diverged from Picture’s initial heavy metal sound. Laurens Bakker left amid the demands of touring.

Rinus Vreugdenhil remained the sole founding member for later releases: Traitor, Marathon, and Every Story Needs Another Picture. These albums adopted hair metal influences with a commercial slant; Vreugdenhil later expressed dissatisfaction with the final album, rumored to have been largely recorded by session musicians under contractual pressure.

Unable to recapture earlier success, Vreugdenhil concluded the band’s original tenure in 1987. A brief reunion occurred in 1988.

In 2007, the classic lineup reunited for rehearsals with plans for new recordings and performances across the Netherlands and Germany. By 2008, a stable formation featuring Bechtum, Vreugdenhil, Bakker, Rob van Enkhuizen, and Lovell was established. They toured Europe to enthusiastic crowds and released a limited edition live album.

On 1 October 2009, Old Dogs, New Tricks was launched via MarsMountains label, presenting twelve new tracks commemorating their 30th anniversary.

Between late 2009 and early 2010, lineup shifts included Bechtum’s departure replaced by Peter Bourbon; subsequently, Rob van Enkhuizen left with Gert Nijboer stepping in—Nijboer was later succeeded by American guitarist Mike Ferguson.

The 2012 album Warhorse, co-written by all members, revitalized their profile leading to renewed touring activities. Guitarist changes persisted with Peter Bourbon briefly replaced by Len Ruygrok before Andre Wullems returned. The band remained active within heavy rock and metal circuits.

On 23 March 2016, Pete Lovell announced his exit to form Lovell's Blade alongside Andre Wullems and Mike Ferguson but fulfilled all Picture commitments that year. Shortly thereafter, original members Rinus Vreugdenhil and Laurens Bakker confirmed Picture’s continuation with Jan Bechtum and Ronald van Prooijen rejoining for a classic lineup tour commencing in 2017. Guitarist Appie de Gelder joined to augment live shows. The band performed at major events such as Sweden Rock Festival in 2017 and celebrated their 40th anniversary with the live CD 40 years Heavy Metal Ears.

In 2019, Picture issued their tenth studio album Wings globally through Pure Steel Records, featuring ten fresh tracks. Early in 2020, Italian vocalist Phoenix Reborn succeeded Ronald van Prooijen.

The COVID-19 pandemic restricted activities throughout 2020; planned concerts were deferred to late 2021 featuring vocalist Peter Strykes returning as an earlier collaborator.

During this interval, Jan Bechtum’s recurring hand problems led to his formal departure despite ongoing songwriting contributions. Len Ruygrok officially rejoined as guitarist in April 2021.

With Peter Strykes’ commanding vocals and Len Ruygrok’s signature guitar tone, the rejuvenated lineup resumed European touring from 2021 through 2023 covering countries like Greece, Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Spain, Poland, concluding with an extensive two-week tour across key Brazilian cities including São Paulo and Curitiba.

Current Lineup

• Peter Strykes – lead vocals
• Len Ruygrok – guitar
• Rinus Vreugdenhil – bass guitar
• Laurens Bakker – drums
• Appie de Gelder – guitar

Past Members

• Jan Bechtum – guitar
• Rob van Enkhuizen – guitar
• Andre Wullems – guitar
• Ronald van Prooijen – lead vocals
• Shmoulik Avigal – lead vocals (deceased)
• Bert Heerink – lead vocals
• Michel Zandbergen
• Pete Lovell – lead vocals
• Phoenix Reborn – lead vocals
• Chriz Van Jaarsveld – guitar
• Henry van Manen – guitar
• Harry Bruintjes – guitar
• Peter Bourbon – guitar
• Gert Nijboer – guitar
• Ronald de Grauw – keyboards
• Jos Adema – bass guitar
• Mark Maas – drums
• Jacques van Oevelen – drums (deceased)
• Mike Ferguson – guitar
• Arie van der Graaf – guitar

Timeline

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Albums

• Picture 1 (1980)
• Heavy Metal Ears (1981)
• Diamond Dreamer (1982)
• Eternal Dark (1983)
• Traitor (1985)
• Every Story Needs Another Picture (1986)
• Marathon (1987)
• Live 2008 (2008)
• Old Dogs, New Tricks (2009)
• Warhorse (2012)
• Live – 40 Years Heavy Metal Ears 1978–2018 (2018)
• Wings (2019)
• Live in Sao Paulo (2021)

Other

• 80 Demo (demo, 1980)
• Eternal Dark/Into the Underworld (single, 1983)
• Limited Edition EP (EP, 1985)
• Fantasies/Traitor (single, 1985)
• "We Just Can't Lose" (single, 1987)