The Outsiders (Dutch band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1965 |
| Defunct | 1969 |
| Headquarters | Amsterdam , Netherlands |
| Products | Music albums, singles |
The Outsiders were a Nederbeat group originating from Amsterdam, Netherlands, active mainly during the years 1965 to 1969. Over time, their influence has expanded beyond national borders, establishing them as a prominent figure within the garage rock scene.
Career overview
The band consisted of Wally Tax on vocals, Ronnie Splinter handling guitar duties, Appie Rammers playing bass, Tom Krabbendam also on guitar, Leendert "Buzz" Busch behind the drums, and Frank Beek who took over bass from 1968 to 1969. They represented the Nederbeat movement, a Dutch variation of beat music shaped by the British Invasion. Distinct from many peers who emulated the Beatles, The Outsiders were inspired by grittier British groups such as the Pretty Things and the Rolling Stones. Notably, they supported the Rolling Stones during their second concert in the Netherlands on 26 March 1966 in 's-Hertogenbosch.
Their discography includes three albums: Outsiders and the singles compilation Songbook both released in 1967, followed by C.Q. in 1968. Although initially met with modest sales, C.Q. has since been recognized as a seminal work blending psychedelic and garage rock elements. The band produced thirteen singles in total, featuring the 1967 Top Ten hit "Summer Is Here." Their first album was a mix of live and studio tracks and enjoyed commercial success. Unlike contemporaries such as Tee-Set, Shocking Blue, and the George Baker Selection, who often recorded covers and found U.S. chart success through the Colossus label, The Outsiders exclusively performed original material. Their lack of U.S. releases limited their commercial reach internationally.
The final year, reunions
After the Summer of Love, numerous Nederbeat bands including The Outsiders experienced a decline in popularity. Subsequent singles failed to achieve significant chart positions amid frequent lineup changes, internal conflicts, insufficient promotion, and management difficulties. Although their musical experimentation has gained critical acclaim in retrospect, it distanced some fans at the time. To attract attention, they engaged in promotional stunts like donning medieval attire and featuring Wally Tax’s haircut on television.
In late 1969, Ronnie Splinter departed from the music scene, prompting the band's breakup. Following this, Tax and Busch formed a new group called Tax Free.
A reunion tour featuring the original four members took place in October 1997. Wally Tax died in 2005.
Between April 2015 and early 2017, Appie Rammers and Leen Busch performed under Tax & The Outsiders alongside Tycho Tax (vocals), Yuri Tax (guitar), and Mick Langenberg (guitar).
Legacy
The Outsiders’ history is chronicled in Jerome Blanes’ official biography Outsiders voor Insiders (1997), with an English translation titled Outsiders by Insiders released in 2009 by Misty Lane Books. Furthermore, two photographic compilations—The Outsiders Picture Book, Volume 1 and Volume 2—as well as two scrapbooks containing press clippings have been published.
Singles
- "You Mistreat Me"/"Sun's Going Down" (Muziek Express Op-Art ME 1003) 1965
- "Felt Like I Wanted to Cry"/"I Love Her Still I Always Will" (Muziek Express Op-Art ME 1006) 1966
- "Lying All the Time"/"Thinking About Today" (Relax 45004) 1966 (No. 10 NL)
- "Keep on Trying"/"That's Your Problem" (Relax 45006) 1966 (No. 9 NL)
- "Touch"/"Ballad of John B" (Relax 45016) 1966 (No. 6 NL)
- "Monkey on Your Back"/"What's Wrong With You" (Relax 45025) 1967 (No. 4 NL)
- "Summer is Here"/"Teach Me to Forget You" (Relax 45048) 1967 (No. 8 NL)
- "I've Been Loving You So Long"/"I'm Only Trying to Prove to Myself That I'm Not Like Everybody Else" (Relax 45058) 1967 (No. 29 NL)
- "Don't You Worry About Me"/"Bird in a Cage" (Relax 45068) 1967 (No. 32 NL)
- "A Cup of Hot Coffee"/"Strange Things Are Happening" (Relax 45088) 1968
- "I Don't Care"/"You Remind Me" (Polydor S 1266) 1968
- "Do You Feel Alright"/"Daddy Died on Saturday" (Polydor S 1300) 1968
- "Hits Come Back" (Imperial 5C 006 24835) 1973
Albums
- You Mistreat Me EP (Relax 11.001) 1966
- Outsiders (Relax 30.007) 1967
- C.Q. (Polydor 236 803) 1968
- The Outsiders EP (Beat Crazy BC 001) 1994
Compilations
- Songbook (Teenbeat APLP 102) 1967
- Golden Greats of The Outsiders (Bovema Negram 5N028-26197) 1979
- CQ (Complete Polydor Tapes) (Pseudonym CDP-1010-DD) 1993