FRANKENSTEIN - ZUIDWOLDE/DEDEMSVAART (DRENTHE) 1972 - 1987

BIOGRAPHY: Frankenstein (yes, these guys found theirselves very attractive I guess) was formed in 1972, heavily inspired by Jimi Hendrix’ music, but also Black Sabbath’s first record. Soon the band had the reputation of being a heavy and raw one. Where Frankenstein played, people drank beer and raised hell. The band even came up wearing clogs in the early days! Next to that, they did even crazier acts, like using a vibrator to play guitar solo’s (hello Anvil!). In the late 70’s the band was quite popular and played about 50/60 gigs a year, of which a lot gigs with the famous beer/farmer rock band Normaal. Normaal wanted Frankenstein to sing in east-Dutch dialect too, but Frankenstein decided to have English lyrics. In 1979 they entered the Flowertree Studio to record some songs for the “Northern Lights” compilation LP. One years later Frankenstein appeared on the famous Aardschok/Rave-on Records “Metal Clogs” LP together with bands like Impact and Gilgamesj (and of course Crossfire, clog wearing Belgians I suppose?). The two tracks on the compilation LP (“I sold my soul” and “Lady Luck”) are pretty nice heavy hard rock (and roll) songs. In this time the band even opened for Motörhead on a popfestival in Lochem. Then the band splits up for a while, because of different opinions and because vocalist Bert Slomp moved to Finland.
In 1983 guitarist Berthus Westerhuis decides to bring new life into Frankenstein, with 3 other and new members. Guitarist Berthus and the new bass player Harrie van Ingen own a lot of amps, which always looked impressive on stage. Next to that Frankenstein, which still didn’t release a record or whatever, owned a big truck too. They even had 6 roadies in that time! Most of the time they concentrated on drinking beer though…..
They also started to give special liveshows, like in the Tamboer in Hoogeveen. The band came on stage with a coffin and presented the crowd a horror show, inspired by Alice Cooper. In 1984 the band starts their “Back from the grave” tour, and finally releases something; a 7” named “Don’t cry when I die”. It’s limited to 1000 copies and considered a rarity nowadays. In 1985 the band welcomes two new members again (a new drummer and bassist). Nothing really special happened with the band and in 1987 they call it a quit. Berthus Westhuis is still active in the music though; now as a producer. He recorded and produced the CD of Elise, but also stuff of death metal bands like God Dethroned and Altar and more Dutch bands. The only question that’s left is; why did a such long running and successful (on stage) band not release any full-length album?

(Julian)

MEMBERS:

Line up 1972 - 1978
Bert Slomp - Vocals
Berthus Westerhuis - Guitar
Roelof Kloeze - Bass
Rieks Vogelzang - Drums (Other bands: Elise)

Line-up 1982:
Ruud Stevens - Vocals
Berthus Westerhuis - Guitar
Harrie van Ingen - Bass
Rob Bredewoud - Drums

Line-up 1984:
Ruud Stevens - Vocals
Berthus Westerhuis - Guitar
Henk Kamermans - Bass (Other bands: Dark Wizard)
Alfred Kers - Drums (Other bands: Blackout)

Last line-up since 1985:
Ruud Stevens - Vocals
Berthus Westerhuis - Guitar
Rikky Leegsma - Bass
Rob Poelman - Drums  

DISCOGRAPHY:

1979 Northern Lights (Compilation LP - Tracks: I sold my soul)
1980 Metal Clogs (Compilation LP Rave on records/Aardschok - Tracks: I sold my soul & Lady Luck)
1984 Don't cry when I die (7")

MEMORABILIA


Cover of the 7" single from '84


Line up picture


Picture of the band (used on "Metal Clogs")