Diesel (band)

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For a one-man musical group commonly known as Diesel, see Johnny Diesel. For John Coghlan's Diesel, see John Coghlan.

Diesel was a Dutch pop/rock group that became one of the few Dutch acts to chart in the U.S. when their song "Sausalito Summernight" entered the U.S. Top 40 in 1981.

Contents

[edit] Biography

Diesel was created in October 1978 by ex-Kayak drummer Pim Koopman. The group, at first no more than a hobby project, initially consisted of Koopman (drums, keyboard and vocals) and Rob Vunderink (guitar/lead vocals), Mark Boon (guitar, composer and lyricist), and Frank Papendrecht (bass.)[1] Their first album, Watts in a Tank, was released in the Netherlands in 1980.[2] One of its tracks, "Going Back to China", was released in the Netherlands as a single in 1979 and became a top 40 hit.[2] Two other singles from this album, "Down In The Silvermine" and "Sausalito Summernight" (also misspelled "Sausolito Summernight"), were released in 1980 and also became charted hits.[2][3] Koopman left the band in 1980 and was replaced by drummer Kim Weemhoff. Bass player Wijnand Ott and guitarist Bas Krumperman also joined the band in 1980, moving the band's sound in a country-rock direction.[1]

In 1981, Watts in a Tank was released in the United States.[4][5] The single "Sausalito Summernight" rose to #25 on the U.S. Top 40.[1] It reached #1 in Canada.[4] Watts in a Tank itself went up to #68 on the Billboard 200.[6] Diesel, fuelled by this success, recorded another album, Unleaded, in 1982, but it was not a success.[1][7] In the next few years the group had many new members, such as Leen Barbier (guitar/vocals), André Versluijs (bass), Jan Loomans (guitar/vocals), and Henk Hager (guitar/vocals), before disbanding in 1985.[1]

Diesel was reconstituted in 1988 and had a hit with their single "Samantha", sung by Jeroen Englebert. The band broke up again in 1989; Mark Boon and André Versluijs would later be part of The Zoo. Diesel was again reformed in 2000 with members Koopman, Vunderink, Versluijs, Thomas Kroon (drums) and Otto Lenselink (guitar.) They recorded a new album, Diesel On The Rocks; this album, released in 2001, consisted of covers and previously recorded material, along with three new tracks.[8][1][2]

Watts in a Tank was reissued in 2002, including the original five-minute version of "Sausalito Summernight".[9]

[edit] Discography

  • "Alibi" (Polydor, 1979; 7" single)
  • "Goin' Back To China" (Polydor, 1979; 7" single)
  • "Down In The Silvermine" (Polydor, 1980; 7" single)
  • "Sausalito Summernight" (Polydor, 1980; 7" single); also titled "Sausolito Summernight"
  • Watts In A Tank (Polydor, 1980; LP album)
  • Unleaded (Atco/Regency, 1982; LP album)[7]
  • "Leader Of The Pacman" (1982; 7" single)
  • "Sound Of The 60's" (Boni, 1984; 7" single)
  • "Stormy Waters" (Boni, 1985; 7" single)
  • "Samantha" (1988; CD single)
  • Diesel On The Rocks (Red Bullet, 2001; CD album)
  • "Rocky Mountain Way" (Red Bullet, 2001; CD single)[2]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d e f (Dutch) Diesel biographie, Nationaal Pop Instituut. Accessed on line December 27, 2007.
  2. ^ a b c d e (Dutch) Diesel discografie, Nationaal Pop Instituut. Accessed on line December 27, 2007.
  3. ^ Diesel, Nederpop Encyclopedia. Accessed on line December 27, 2007.
  4. ^ a b Diesel, biography, All Music Guide. Accessed on line December 27, 2007.
  5. ^ Diesel, The International Encyclopedia of Hard Rock & Heavy Metal, Tony Jasper and Derek Oliver, New York: Facts on File Publications, 1983. ISBN 0-8160-1100-1.
  6. ^ Diesel, Muze, February 1, 2007. Accessed on line December 27, 2007.
  7. ^ a b Unleaded, credits, All Music Guide. Accessed on line December 27, 2007.
  8. ^ (Dutch) Rob Vunderink biografie, Nationaal Pop Instituut. Accessed on line December 27, 2007.
  9. ^ Watts in a Tank, review, All Music Guide. Accessed on line December 27, 2007.

[edit] External Links