The Scabs
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1979 in Diest, Belgium |
| Founder | Guy Swinnen, Berre Bergen, Francis Vangeel, Frankie Saenen |
| Headquarters | Diest , Belgium |
| Products | Punk rock music, albums |
The Scabs represent a punk rock band from Belgium, best known for their popular tracks "Matchbox Car" (1983) and "Hard Times" (1991), which continue to receive frequent airplay on Belgian radio stations.
History
Originating in Diest in 1979, the band's founding members were Guy Swinnen (vocals and guitar), Berre Bergen (bass), Francis Vangeel (guitar), and Frankie Saenen (drums). In 1983, Mark Lakke Vanbinst replaced Vangeel on guitar but departed two years later to join La Fille d'Ernest. Subsequently, Willy Willy, previously associated with Vaya Con Dios, became part of the lineup. By 1989, Fons Sijmons took over bass duties from Bergen, who had moved on to De Kreuners.
The group reached its highest commercial recognition with their third studio release, Royalty in Exile (1990), which achieved gold certification. This success was followed by the 1991 album Jumping the Tracks. After Willy Willy's departure in 1994, Tjenne Berghmans stepped in as his replacement. The Scabs disbanded in 1996 but later reunited for touring activities starting in 2007.
Since then, three former members have passed away: Fons Sijmons succumbed to lung cancer and Korsakov's syndrome in 2013; Berre Bergen died from emphysema in 2016; and Willy Willy lost his battle with cancer in 2019 at age 59.
Albums
- Here's to You Gang (1983) - EP
- For All the Wolf Calls (1984)
- Rockery (1986)
- Skintight (1988)
- Gangbang + Rockery (1989) - compilation of earlier material
- Royalty in Exile (1990)
- Jumping the Tracks (1991)
- Dog Days Are Over (1993)
- Inbetweenies (1993) - mini-compilation featuring new songs
- Live Dog (1993) - live recording
- Odds & Outtakes (1993) - mini-compilation including new tracks
- Sunset Over Wasteland (1995)
- Ways of a Wild Heart (2015) - primarily composed by drummer Frank Saenen