Photo gallery 76

Angus at de Bliksem, Brummen, The Netherlands, 6th of March 1987.

Angus was formed in the spring of 1983 by four friends who started to rehearse on the attic of an old Amsterdam canal house. And was one of the first Dutch hard rock bands that quickly transformed into a heavy metal band. With this metamorphose things started to happen, released their first 4-track demo tape and got some local gigs. In 1985 Angus recorded two songs, “Aliens” and “Lonesome Fighter”, for the compilation album “The Heavy Touch” where besides them also other promising Dutch Metal bands were represented. Very unique was the follow-up promotion tour of the album throughout the Dutch club scene, which was attended by all the bands who appeared on the release. This was never done before and the offered package to the venues drew a lot of publicity for the record itself but also for the bands. Angus got signed by Megaton Records, the label of the Amsterdam based record store, and recorded their self produced debut album “Track of Doom (1986)” within seven days. Halfway through the 80s the musical landscape changes, became more commercial and more focused on the American market, and many traditional bands had undergone this style change. So too did the headlining act Martyr and that was noticeable that evening. But support act Angus stayed true to their Heavy Metal roots and served the audience with up tempo and speed metal guitar riffs, combined with classic etudes and fast double bass action. The band who had firmly their roots in the working class did not allow itself to be dictated by the imposed values and norms of the ruling elite. And certainly not because of commerce. This attitude resulted in a parody of Madonna's world hit 'Papa Don't Preach', called “Papa don't Freak (1986)”. And that wasn’t all….The cover where the band members, dressed in bright make-up and dressed in revealing women's lingerie, posed in front of the entrance of a peep show somewhere in the Amsterdam Red Light District, caused a lot of controversy. And was years later voted as the most disgusting cover photo of the 1980s era. The song itself became an anthem of a counterculture.

 

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© Deze gallery bevat beeldmateriaal van Marko van Haren. Hij heeft alle rechten op het beeldmateriaal. Het ongevraagd gebruiken van de beelden valt onder auteursrecht en rechten zoals creatief eigendom. © This gallery contains images from Marko van Haren. He has all rights to the image material. Unsolicited use of the images falls under copyright and rights such as creative property.