Dozens of bands sing about their lost love and the setbacks of life during the 37th Asser Blues Days. DVHN went backstage with turf rockers Cat Fever Band. “If you only know three chords, you have to play the blues.”
In front of Stadscafé de Pelikaan in Assen, the sidewalk is full of black guitar cases, speakers and bags of equipment on Saturday afternoon. The six members of Cat Fever Band stand inside looking at the small stage in despair. “We have performed on small stages before, but this is a challenge,” says drummer Joop de Haan (60).
Owner Mirjam de Jager has to laugh. “That’s what all the bands that come to play here say, but it always fits. We have had eight musicians at times.” Bassist Michiel Boerman (50) remains cheerful. “It’s an adventure guys,” he says cheerfully as he lifts his bass amplifier off the ground.
Battle of attrition
Cat Fever Band will play at the 37th edition of the Asser Blues Days on Saturday. Familiar territory for the men, who have already performed at the festival five times before. In De Pelikaan they play two sets of three hours. Quite a war of attrition, says singer-guitarist John Klad (71) while stirring his cup of tea. No special preparations or prohibited substances are involved. “I’ll just grab a barstool for the second half.”
The six musicians were all born in Stadskanaal, except for bassist Boerman from Steenwijkerwold. Some band members have known each other since their high school days. “It’s going peacefully today,” Klad jokes. “Normally we always hit each other in the mouth during setup.”
Professional amateurs
Drenthe is a grateful province for blues musicians and enthusiasts. The legacy of Harry Muskee and his Cuby + Blizzards can be seen in the many blues festivals that are organized annually in Emmen, Assen, Hoogeveen and Grolloo. Cat Fever Band – in varying formations for eighteen years – plays about twenty shows a year, mainly in the North. The group of ‘professional amateurs’ meets weekly to rehearse and work on their own material. The band is satisfied with that, says singer Klad. “It’s a hobby, isn’t it? Then you don’t want to go back and forth to Brabant for a performance. It shouldn’t look like work.”
While he gives the order for dinner to the bartender, saxophonist Rolf Smook (66) – also the sound engineer during performances – urges drummer De Haan towards the stage for the sound check. “Luckily I brought my smallest drum kit,” he sighs. De Haan initially came as a substitute for the band founded by his brother Klaas (70). “A temporary job that has lasted for ten years now,” he says with a grin.
Own songs best
The band plays its own work and covers, “but with its own sauce,” says De Haan. When I listen to our first CD, I think our own songs are the best.” Singer John Klad, who writes the songs, turns around indignantly. “While you are always the hardest to convince when I come up with something new!” De Haan shrugs. “I’m just critical.”
His brother Klaas can just hide behind his Hammond organ next to the window when dinner is on the table. “I missed making music with friends,” he explains when the band was founded eighteen years ago. Cat Fever Band has been playing in its current composition for eight years. “I started making further selections, as football coaches so beautifully say.”
The band members all grew up with the blues, he says. “Clapton, the Stones, that is music of our time. And if you only know three chords as a teenager, you have to play the blues.”
Break down and pack up
The band brings all the equipment with it to smaller performances, from microphone stands to speaker systems. Tonight they will be playing until 12:30 am, after which everything has to be taken down and packed up again. The band members then drive back to Zwolle, Emmen and Groningen. Night work for the no longer very young band members. “And yet that is exactly what makes it fun to do,” says drummer De Haan, chuckling. Singer Klad nods. “A band needs an audience. Enthusiasts come here on the Blues Days, which is rewarding to play.”
That audience consists mainly of peers. “And hot women,” jokes Klad. Young people do not know how to find their way to the small festivals. “While I am convinced that they will love our music.” Keyboardist Klaas de Haan nods. “My children have confiscated my record player and are playing the Beatles, The Band. You won’t make them happy with Merol or S10. At the Holland International Blues Festival in Grolloo you will see many people in their thirties and forties. They are swinging at our shows.”
France
Maybe a new single from Cat Fever Band can turn the tide, the band says half seriously. The members are ambitious. “It’s good for us to have a goal,” says Klad. Next year, Cat Fever Band hopes to play a week in France and release live recordings. There is a budget, the income is well monitored by treasurer guitarist Harry Geerdink (73). “We want to make a new CD. That easily costs a few thousand euros.”
When the waiter takes away the empty plates, the first visitors trickle in. The band walks to the party room behind the bar that functions as a backstage. “It’s a fantastic hobby,” says John Klad. “Making music with a bunch of guys. And after you retire you are automatically a full-time musician, we can continue for a while!”