Sleeze Beez
| Sleeze Beez | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Amsterdam, The Netherlands |
| Genres | Glam metal |
| Years active | 1987–1996, 2010-present |
| Labels |
Red Bullet Atlantic Records |
| Members |
Chris Van Jaarsveld Jan Koster Don Van Spall Ed Jongsma Andrew Elt |
| Past members |
Tigo "Tiger" Fawzi Thijs Hamelaers |
Sleeze Beez are a glam metal band formed in 1987[1] in The Netherlands.
They released four studio albums and one live album over a nine-year career before disbanding in 1996. Their 1989 album Screwed Blued & Tattooed peaked at number 115 on the Billboard 200 album chart.[2] The song "Stranger Than Paradise" was a big hit on MTV and was taken from the "Screwed Blued & Tattooed" album. In 1992 after a long tour they released the album "Powertool" by Atlantic Records, which contains the ballad "I Don't Want to Live Without You" and was a minor hit.
Sleeze Beez was formed by drummer Jan Koster and guitarist Chriz van Jaarsveld in 1987. The first recordings were made with the Belgian singer Tigo 'Tiger' Fawzi, for the album Look Like Hell. He was briefly followed by Thijs Hamelaers.
In 1989 the Beez got more stability by recruiting the English vocalist Andrew Elt, who previously sang in Gin On The Rocks. They cut the successful Screwed Blued & Tattooed LP which broke them in the US, and they took up as opening act for Skid Row. On the strength of the hit single "Stranger Than Paradise", the band then did 90 headline shows throughout the US and Canada.
In the early nineties momentum slowed for the band, which increasingly found that the musical tide had turned, and there was less demand for glam metal bands. Meanwhile, popularity overseas particularly in Japan remained strong and the band toured there in 1995. A live album was released that same year.
In 1996, Koster, who for years had struggled with a wrist injury announced that he could not continue. At this point the band fell apart. In later years Koster with Van Jaarsveld and Jongsma formed the band Jetland, which focused mainly on punk rock and landed in the Dutch Top 40 with the single "And The Crowd Goes". Andrew Elt and Don van Spall played in The Heavy 70's cover band, and The Moon, a band with original material.
They reformed in 2010.[3] The band supported Aerosmith alongside Stone Temple Pilots on June 23, 2010 at the GelreDome in Arnhem[4] and have announced a headlining appearance on February 4, 2011 at the Paradiso in Amsterdam[5]
Current members
- Andrew Elt - vocals, guitar, harmonica (1988-1996, 2010–present)
- Chriz Van Jaarsveld - guitar, backing vocals (1987-1996, 2010–present)
- Don Van Spall - guitar, backing vocals (1987-1996, 2010–present)
- Ed Jongsma - bass guitar, backing vocals (1987-1996, 2010–present)
- Jan Koster - drums, backing vocals (1987-1996, 2010–present)
Past members
- Tigo "Tiger" Fawzi - vocals (1987-1988)
- Thijs Hamelaers - vocals (1988)
Discography
Singles
- Stranger Than Paradise (US No. 21 Album Rock Tracks) - 1990
- Scream - 1994
- Gun Culture - 1994
- Hate Rock and Roll - 1994
Studio albums
- Look Like Hell - 1987
- Screwed Blued & Tattooed (US No. 115) - 1990[6]
- Powertool - 1992
- Insanity Beach - 1994
Live albums
- Live in Tokyo - 1995
- Screwed Live! - 2010
Compilation albums
- The Very Best of Sleeze Beez - 2010
References
- ↑ Prato, Greg. "Sleeze Beez: Biography". allmusic. Retrieved December 10, 2010.
- ↑ "Sleeze Beez: Billboard albums". allmusic. Retrieved December 10, 2010.
- ↑ Sleeze Beez: news archive
- ↑ AEROSMITH CONCERT MOVED TO GELREDOME XS ARNHEM
- ↑ Reunited SLEEZE BEEZ Announces Amsterdam Headlining Show
- ↑ Charts & Awards of Sleeze Beez Allmusic. Accessed January 22, 2012.