Dutch Psychedelic Rock: An Introductory Guide

In this blog post, we’ll be taking a look at Dutch Psychedelic Rock. We’ll be discussing what the genre is, its origins, and some of the key bands and artists that have shaped it.

Dutch Psychedelic Rock Basics

Psychedelic rock is a subgenre of rock music that emerged in the 1960s and was inspired by psychedelic culture. The genre is characterized by distorted guitars, mind-altering lyrics, and trippy sound effects. Dutch psychedelic rock is a subgenre of psychedelic rock that emerged in the Netherlands in the late 1960s. The genre is characterized by its use of Dutch-language lyrics, distorted guitars, and trippy sound effects.

Defining Dutch Psychedelic Rock

Psychedelic rock, also referred to as “acid rock”, is a subgenre of rock music that emerged during the mid-1960s. The genre is generally defined by its aggressive, driving sound, which often incorporates distorted electric guitars, heavy drug use, and sexually suggestive lyrics.

Dutch psychedelic rock is a subgenre of psychedelic rock that emerged in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The genre is defined by its use of dissonant chords, extended electric guitar solos, and heavy drug use. Dutch psychedelic rock bands often incorporated synthesizers and other electronic instruments into their sound.

The first Dutch psychedelic rock band was Gruppo Sportivo, who released their self-titled debut album in 1968. Other notable Dutch psychedelic rock bands include Joop Visser & De Volkskranten (1969), Orange Peel (1971), and Zenobia (1972).

Origins of Dutch Psychedelic Rock

Though the origins of Dutch psychedelic rock are often debated, most experts agree that the genre first emerged in the late 1960s. Some say that the Dutch band Group 1850 was one of the first to pioneers the sound, while others credit American band The Electric Prunes for inspiring Dutch musicians to experiment with new, mind-bending soundscapes.

Interestingly, many of the earliest Dutch psychedelic rock bands were actually quite popular in their home country. Bands like Zipps, Alquin, and Fläsket Brinner were all well-known in the Netherlands during the late 1960s and early 1970s. However, these bands never managed to gain much traction outside of their home country.

It wasn’t until the early 2000s that Dutch psychedelic rock started to gain international attention. In 2002, Australia’s Psychic Ills released their debut album Dins fan la Noche, which featured contributions from several prominent Dutch musicians. This album helped to put Dutch psychedelic rock on the map, and since then, the genre has continued to grow in popularity.

Today, there are a number of excellent Dutch psychedelic rock bands worth checking out. If you’re looking to explore this fascinating genre, be sure to check out bands like Asteroid Deluxe, The Guilty Hearts, and Radio Moscow.

Key Dutch Psychedelic Rock Bands

The history of Dutch psychedelic rock is a relatively short but significant one. Although the Netherlands is not generally known as a hotbed for psychedelia, a number of Dutch bands made surprising and innovative contributions to the genre in the late 1960s and early 1970s. These bands combined elements of Western pop and rock with Eastern sounds and influences, creating a unique and memorable form of psychedelia that stands out from the rest.

The Outsiders

The Outsiders were a Dutch psychedelic rock band that was formed in 1965. The band’s sound was heavily influenced by British Invasion bands such as the Rolling Stones and the Animals, as well as British psychedelia. The Outsiders are best known for their 1967 hit single, “Lying All the Time.” The band’s other notable songs include “Keep on Trying” and “I Can’t Control Myself.”

Q65

Q65 was a Dutch rock band, formed in The Hague in 1965. The band’s only hit single, “Afraid of Heights”, was released in 1967. The band released four albums between 1966 and 1969 before disbanding.

The Avengers
The Avengers were a Dutch psychedelic rock band, formed in Amsterdam in 1966. The band released two albums between 1967 and 1968 before disbanding.

Sam Gopal
Sam Gopal was a Dutch psychedelic rock band, formed in Amsterdam in 1967. The band’s only album, Escalator, was released in 1968. The band disbanded shortly afterwards.

Gorky Park
Gorky Park was a Dutch rock band, formed in Amsterdam in 1968. The band’s only album, Gorky Park, was released in 1969. The band disbanded shortly afterwards.

The Motions

The Motions were a Dutch band that was active from 1966 to 1972. They are best known for their 1967 hit “Why Don’t You Take It”, which reached number five in the Netherlands. The band was formed in Arnhem in 1966 by lead singer Ricky lens (born in Amsterdam), guitarist Rob Kruisman, bassist Jac van Bussel, and drummer Cees Meerman. They were soon joined by second guitarist Jan Akkerman, who would later achieve fame with Focus.

Notable Dutch Psychedelic Rock Songs

Psychedelic rock is a type of rock music that is inspired by or attempts to replicate the experience of psychedelic drugs. The music is intended to replicate the experience of altered consciousness and is often characterized by extended jams, trippy lyrics, and distorted guitars. Dutch psychedelic rock is a subgenre of psychedelic rock that originated in the Netherlands in the late 1960s.

“Fever” by The Outsiders

“Fever” by The Outsiders is a perfect example of Dutch Psychedelic Rock. The song was released in 1966 on the album CQ and is one of the few DutchPsychedelic Rock songs to be released in the United States. The song features a heavy psychedelic sound with creepy and distorted vocals that create an eerie atmosphere. The Outsiders were a Rotterdam-based band who were active from 1965 to 1969 and are considered one of the forerunners of Dutch Psychedelic Rock.

“Just Can’t Control Myself” by The Motions

Formed in 1964, The Motions were a Dutch rock band from The Hague. One of the first Dutch bands to achieve international success, they are best known for their 1966 hit “Just Can’t Control Myself”. The song was written by band member Rudie Wolters and was originally released as the B-side to the Motions’ single “Everything That’s Mine”. It failed to chart in the Netherlands but was later picked up by radio DJs in the UK and Ireland, where it became a top ten hit. “Just Can’t Control Myself” has since been covered by a number of artists, including the Animals, who had a top 40 hit with their version in 1967.

“I Want You” by Q65

“I Want You” is a song by Dutch psychedelic rock band Q65. It was released as a single in 1966, and later appeared on the band’s 1967 album Revolution. The song was a minor hit in the Netherlands, reaching number 29 on the Dutch Top 40 chart.

The song is noted for its soaring, feedback-drenched guitar solo, which has been described as “one of the most influential solos in all of rock history.”