Address: 611 Red River
Date: Thursday, March 16
Showtime: 9:00 p.m.
First the facts, and then the hype? With no further ado, let's skip this golden rule for a change. Probably the Dutch band that keeps up with rock's Zeitgeist best, Gem have the pop and dress sense to win over crowds at both sides of the Atlantic. Word has it that this lot is tipped as the next Hives to 'kick ass in the US.' Yes they're that good! Moreover, Singer Maurits ('Maurice') has the word star stamped in neon letters on his forehead. Now check this space.
Okay, we still owe you the facts. Well, here they are: first proper show ever as support to Pete-less Libertines. Press darlings at home. Loved by the punters. What's more: girls go wild. Two albums out in less then 20 months. At least a 100 shows per year, half of those abroad. Germany is the first country to really dig Gem. U want more? Then continue reading.
Now then, now then, now then. What's next? The new album is out. Out with a bang! One of the biggest clichés in rock is the 'second album syndrome' that each band apparently has to face. At live8 Bono advised the Killers not to rush things and take their time for a solid second album. Meanwhile Franz Ferdinand churned out album no 2 just like that. Gem follows along the same tracks. Ladies and gentlemen, here it is in absolutely no time at all: Escapades, Gem's sophomore, sorry second album, only a little over one and a half year after debut CD Tell Me What's New. No problem whatsoever. Come on, don't say these lads haven't been successful at what they did, coz they have. The facts, yes the facts, say it all.
More facts? For those who still don't believe: Good To Know You is Gem's first Top 20 hit at home. For three weeks in a row they appeared on the Dutch edition Top Of The Pops. The album is at least six singles deep, according to a UK expert at a recent Gem show. Just after the album release at home on February 27, the band jumps on the plane, off to the South By South West (SXSW) international music conference and festival in Austin, Texas for a show at the new European stage (sharing the bill with Belgium's dEUS among others). Of course a German tour is mapped out as well for 2006. The album will be out in Germany through Haldern Pop, the label of the same named festival just over the Dutch border.
BAND INFO
contact: Robert Swarts / Van der Zwaard Management
phone: +31 20 689 9999
cell: +31 6 4578 0901
e-mail: robert@vdzwaardmanagement.nl
website: www.gemmusic.nl
+ www.myspace.com/gemmusic