Bots is a Dutch language folk rock group from the southern city of Eindhoven that is successful in both the Netherlands and Germany. The band was formed in 1974 by Hans Sanders and is mainly known for the song "Zeven Dagen Lang" ("Sieben Tage Lang" in German, "Seven Days Long" in English). The first albums were produced by Peter Koelewijn. In 2005 a new version of "Zeven Dagen Lang" was recorded with the rapper Ali B on the occasion of the Muziek10Daagse. On 3 November 2007 Hans Sanders died at the age of 61.
Line-up
Bonkie Bongaerts : guitar, piano, vocals
Frans Meijer : drums, bongos
: guitar, vocals
; guitar, piano, vocals
Noudt Janssen ; bass guitar, vocals
Peter de Vries : bass guitar
Piet Engel : flute, saxophone
Sjors Van De Molengraft : flute, saxophone
Other musicians
Anton Wannemakers : bass guitar
Bert Smaak : drums
Broer Bogaart : drums
Erik van Donkersgoed : backing vocals, guitar
Floris Teunissen Van Manen : drums
George Koenraad : backing vocals, drums
Sjoerd Van Bommel : drums
Biography
1970s
Bots was formed in 1974 by Bonkie Bongaerts and Bertus Borgers. After leaving the band Dirty Underwear, Hans Sanders – stuck with a band with no pianist and no saxophone support – chose to team up with Bonkie Bongaerts and form the new group Bots (Dutch botsen: "to clash" / BO-nkie Bongaer-TS).
In 1975 the band recorded its first album, Van Kwaad Tot Erger (From Bad To Worse), with producer Peter Koelewijn. The album places Bots in the centre of attention and the band also makes its debut on national TV. The singles "Het Lied Van De Werkende Jeugd" ("The Song Of The Working Youth") and "De Man" ("The Man") are released. The band tours frequently, also in Belgium. By this time Hans Sanders started to claim texts and lyrics he did not actually write. This was only discovered in 1981 when gold-record awards resulted in increased payments for Hans Sanders but not for the other band members.
In 1976 the song "Zeven Dagen Lang" ("Seven Days On End"), a cover version of the Breton folk song Son ar Chistr popularised by singer-songwriter Alan Stivell and Bots' best known song today, ended up on the album Voor God En Vaderland (For God And Country). Co-producer of the album was Peter Koelewijn. The single reached number 23 in the charts. Themes on the album included feminism, racism, solidarity and militarism. The music showed influences of both folk and pop.
In 1977 Bots toured East Germany. Bots recorded the poem "Rond" ("Round") by Bert Schierbeek.
In 1978 the third Bots album, Wie Zwijgt Stemt Toe (Silence Lends Consent), and is also recorded with Peter Koelewijn. The band's lineup includes Sanders and Bongaerts expanded with sax and flute player Piet Engel, Peter de Vries (bass) and Frans Meijer (drums). The single "Popmuzikant" ("Pop Musician") hit the charts. Together with Eindhoven-based theatre group Proloog, Bots created the musical Barst.
In 1979 Bots worked with Proloog on the Bots Rood Show. This musical theatre production was not very successful. Bots also played in West Germany. They started with Dutch-language songs but soon they are asked to sing in German.
1980s
In 1980 Bots recorded the album Je Voelt Pas Nattigheid Als Je Droog Komt Te Staan (You Won't Smell A Rat Until You Come Across One) with producer Peter Koelewijn. In the autumn the band's first German-language album came out. Aufstehn! (Stand Up!) contains German versions of songs like "Zeven Dagen Lang" (de:"Sieben Tage Lang" en:"Seven Days On End") and Ali. The songs were translated by German authors Günter Wallraff, Henning Venske and Peter Tobiasch.
In 1981 Bots sold over 400,000 copies of Aufstehn! and its followup Entrüstung (Indignation, also Ent-Rüstung = Dis-Armament (correctly: en:disarmament = de:Abrüstung) ). The songs were translated by German authors Günter Wallraff, Dieter Hildebrandt, Hanns Dieter Hüsch and Henning Venske. The success also had a downside and there were many changes in the band's lineup. Bots now includes Broer Bogaart (drums) and Noudt Jansen (bass).
In 1981–1982 there was a major dispute within the band and between the band and producers/record companies. Hans Sanders had been holding back money from everyone. Due to these disputes, the band's lineup changed completely. The band has not been supported by a major record company nor recorded a popular hit since.