Just another story……
“Although they grew up together, the first time Ivo Poelman (guitar) and Martin Kuipers (drums) revealed their love for all kinds of music, shaped a form in the band “Gracious Souls.” This band lasted for two years, but made clear that it was serious business between Ivo and Martin.
Ivo came out as a very strong songwriter and an instinctive colorful guitar player. Martin joined heavy metal formation “Harrow” and gained a great deal of experience in his passion: recording in studios.
Packed with ideas, knowledge and experience, they looked for musicians to start a new band ……The name came about when Martin discussed Music with friends at a local pub, seated behind a bar on a barstool he spoke like a true philosopher (drunk); “The Barstool Philosophers” were born.
The third person in this story is Mark Portier (bass.) When Ivo and Martin tell this story
about a new band, Mark is interested. This is also interesting for “The Barstool Philosophers” because Mark has gained experience with “Jaggannath” and “Liquid Baby” (former “Ulcerate Fester,”) in which Mark plays guitar.
There was this buzz going on all over town, about this great keyboard player. Martin checked it out and met Rene Kroon (keys). While Rene studied at the Conservatory of Music he also played in the black metal formation “Stigmatheist”, that means that the man plays it all. The first rehearsal was simply awesome, because we almost wrote two songs! Our style was a mix of all kinds of music; from Jazz to Metal and everything in between. The biggest influence was Sympho and Jazz-rock (Fusion) from the 70’s area. After a very fanatic period of playing and writing songs we missed a very important element: Someone who could sing this shit!
As auditions began we rolled in some serious rough times, because we couldn’t find someone to match the band. We slowed it down for a while, because our music needed a singer and we were all focussed on our side projects. Then Martin got this call from Erik de Boer (guitar player, producer and great friend of The Barstool Philosophers.) Erik asked Martin if he could check out his new band called “Great Big Lie.” Martin did and enjoyed the music, but was impressed about this amazing voice! The man behind this amazing voice was Leon Brouwer (vocals.) “Great Big Lie” only lasted for two years and it was obvious that Martin knew a band where Leon could do what he wanted to do: “The Barstool Philosophers!”
As Leon joined the band, the style was changing. Suddenly we had structure and stories to tell. You can easily loose yourself into Leon’s voice, but don’t underestimate his Lyrics; they are personal and beautiful. We started to write all kinds of songs and struggled our way to our first CD “Sparrows.”
When Mark (bass) joines the folkband “Filthy Nelly” he decides to leave the Barstools and set his goal as a regular live-performer.
Mark still is a great friend of ours and we wish him all the luck in his future in music.
The auditions for a new bass player were very ….ehh…. inspiring (snap ie dat?) When Martin tells this story to his friend and bandmate Bas Hoebink(“Symmetry”) they decide that Bas should play bass on the “Sparrows” album. After more than 10 years and a forever search for a second guitarplayer “Symmetry” stops their progressive career. If timing couldn’t be better our dream comes true…. Bas joines “The Barstool Philosophers.” Bas is groove, taste, pulse and technique combined in one humble person. We welcome him in our inspiring sessions.
We hope people will enjoy our music and maybe learn something out of the lyrics. Our music stands for all things in everyday life; positive and negative, but always let the negative inspire you to the positive…………
Catch our drift and ride with us!”
The Barstool Philosophers – Martin Kuipers