19 October 2009 ~ 22 Comments

Yvo pulls the plug

band/personal

The times they are a-changing in the Dutch punk rock scene. After the break up of befriended bands like Smash the Statues, 1000 Miles Ahead and Progress Antillectual couldn’t fall behind. For some it might be a surprise, others might have seen it coming since Pieter (Omission, Rush n Attack) replaced Yvo on the past three tours. But Yvo has decided to leave Antillectual. Read his statement on how and what below.

“This is it, I quit! I could not combine my family life with the band anymore. I always gave everything I had for this band, and I wouldn’t want to give any less. As much as I love Antillectual, I want to focus on my family life now. They need me, I need them. It sounds as simple as that, but we all know decisions like this are tough … This is probably one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made in my life. Antillectual is the very first band I ever played in. When we started I never would’ve thought this band would have such a huge influence on me. On every single tour I was overwhelmed by the inspiring social centres we’d play, I was touched by the people and collectives taking care of us, I was moved by the late night talks and discussions. Beautiful landscapes and fucked up border cops. Endless drives and endless landscapes.

Above all, Antillectual was the proof of taking matters in our own hands. We wrote the songs, we screamed from the top of our lungs, we booked the tours, we brought political books to shows, we organized shows, we almost killed ourselves a couple of times. We trusted strangers on the other side of the world, we made friends who we might never see ever again. Why? Because it felt like the right thing to do. And that’s exactly the reason why I’m stepping off this crazy train ride. Antillectual was my place, my home, and my safe haven. I could say what I want, do what I want, I could be the person who I am. Something that can be hard in daily life I’ve discovered. I’ve read several articles and books describing Autonomous Free Zones. Well, Antillectual was one of those zones for me. At least that’s how I experienced it. Now is the time to create those autonomous zones/ spaces in daily life.

Even though a part of my world has crumbled into pieces, I’m also looking forward to new challenges. Raising my kids in a loving and caring way is the biggest, most intense and beautiful challenge of all. Next to that I’ve always said I should spend more time on political ideals so I’ll be working on that. So I hope to see you on the barricades!

I wish my dearest friends in Antillectual all the best in the world. Thanks to everyone.

Love & rage, Yvo”

Riekus and I understand Yvo’s decision, even though we would have loved to continue with him. We wish Yvo all the best in his future life and activities. In “true Antillectual style” Riekus and I have already been working hard on our next chapter. And with the break up of Smash the Statues it seemed the most logical step to ask our friend Tom if he felt like playing bass in our band. And he did. This makes us more eager and ready to go on than ever before. We are sorry for Yvo to leave, but Tom is the best replacement we could hope for. A lot of new perspectives are opening up to us. New songs are being practised; new tours are being booked.

Tom’s first show will be our next show in Walhalla, Sevenum (NL) on November 21. Yvo’s last show will be on January 23 in De Onderbroek in Nijmegen (NL), which coincides with Smash the Statues’ farewell show. Be there! We are playing all previously booked shows and we are looking for new shows to get both Tom and the newly written songs kicked into shape. Antillectual will continue to bring the Typewriter book distro to shows.

22 Responses to “Yvo pulls the plug”

  1. 19 October 2009 at 10:20 pm Permalink

    keep the dream alive boys!!!

  2. 19 October 2009 at 10:21 pm Permalink

    Don't let Tom drive! Good luck Yvo, and good luck Antillectual! Sweet love from Sörmland!

  3. 19 October 2009 at 10:24 pm Permalink

    Good luck to the Antis and good luck to Yvo. You'll always have a place inour hearts down here.

  4. 19 October 2009 at 10:33 pm Permalink

    too bad! wish you all the best with tom and greetings to yvo! unfortunately, i only had the pleasure to meet him once…

  5. 19 October 2009 at 10:40 pm Permalink

    Maybe Dutch punk rock itself needs a hiatus! Good luck on ya fellas!

  6. 19 October 2009 at 10:46 pm Permalink

    ahhh yvo! Jammer..het was zo tof in de acu laatst 😀 Maar goed, nu heb je vast een keer tijd om te bbq-en! Kus!

  7. 19 October 2009 at 10:52 pm Permalink

    Jammer, maar te begrijpen! Kids en in bands spelen, het is niet altijd een evidente combinatie en zeker niet met zo'n tourschema's als die van Antillectual. Het ga je goed Yvo en de rest van de band!!!

  8. 19 October 2009 at 11:07 pm Permalink

    YVO! BEDANKT! TOM! SUCCES! X

  9. 19 October 2009 at 11:20 pm Permalink

    De grote vraag is natuurlijk; waarom is de Bunzing niet door de audities heen gekomen??

  10. 19 October 2009 at 11:24 pm Permalink

    ai! jammer!

  11. 20 October 2009 at 12:02 am Permalink

    You are going to be missed!!! Snap je beslissing.

  12. 20 October 2009 at 12:12 am Permalink

    Ik denk dat de Bunzing niet de vereiste lengte had. 😉

  13. 20 October 2009 at 2:49 am Permalink

    Good luck one and all!

  14. 20 October 2009 at 5:11 am Permalink

    hey sorry to see Yvo go! It’s been a while since we met but I’ve been following all the news of Antillectual. Wish Yvo all the best and Antillectual as well! When I’m back from my trip I’ll check out some shows!

    Ciao
    Falco

  15. 20 October 2009 at 3:36 am Permalink

    He yvo!You will always be remembered on the road buddy!Antillectual is and was for me, just like you, the start of a new era in my life… It was good to see a band grow, and still is growing in its own way. I'm sure Tom will take over your torch. Have fun with the family and be carefull when you go bbq-ing….Respect and love!Dream but don't fall asleep

  16. 20 October 2009 at 10:13 am Permalink

    Helaas, maar tof om te zien hoe jullie altijd weer keihard verdergaan! Succes en tot gauw.
    Groet,
    Joris

  17. 20 October 2009 at 11:12 am Permalink

    Niets dan liefde voor dit hele team, ook voor Yvo, ook voor de kids, het gaat jullie allemaal goed! Ik ben er bij in januari.

  18. 20 October 2009 at 12:14 pm Permalink

    Jammer! Het voelde al een beetje vreemd pieter op het podium en yvo in de zaal in tilburg te zien, ook al is dat logisch aan het einde van een tour en ook al deed pieter het ook erg lekker.

    Volgens mij heb ik ivo dan voor het laatst op zien treden in belgië bij propagandhi dus dat is wel een waardige afsluiter hehe.

    Maar ook de eerste keer in Breda in een pandje lang geleden toen de microfoons het begaven blijft memorabel! Net als alle andere..

    Veel geluk jullie allen.

  19. 20 October 2009 at 12:31 pm Permalink

    zonde man! maar heel veel succes verder!

  20. 20 October 2009 at 2:41 pm Permalink

    Heftige beslissing. Yvo, heel veel geluk gewenst. Tom, mooi dat je een nieuw stekkie hebt gevonden. De show op 23 januari zal de punkrock-geschiedenis in gaan als een legendarische avond.

  21. 20 October 2009 at 10:11 pm Permalink

    Jammer, maar een verstaanbare beslissing
    Nog steeds de volle support vanuit het biav kamp en veel geluk voor Yvo


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