Voicst are a three-piece indie rock

Indie rock

Indie rock is a genre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1980s. Indie rock is extremely diverse, with sub-genres that include lo-fi, post-rock, math rock, indie pop, dream pop, noise rock, space rock, sadcore, riot grrrl and emo, among others...

 band hailing from Amsterdam

Amsterdam

Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...

, The Netherlands. "Voicst" was the name of a stray cat at the band's very first practice space in Amsterdam.

Band members

• Tjeerd Bomhof (lead vocals/guitar)
• Sven Woodside (bass/vocals)
• Joppe Molenaar (drums/samples)

Biography

Originally formed as a school band in 1994, Voicst went on hiatus until 2001, when they decided to revive their band.

In 2002, Voicst kicked off their career with a much anticipated show at the Winston in Amsterdam. After their show they were asked to support various artists, such as Millionaire

Millionaire (band)

Millionaire is a Belgian indie rock band led by Tim Vanhamel, drawing on influences from stoner rock, indie and industrial rock music.-History:Millionaire was formed in 1999 by former Evil Superstars and dEUS guitarist Tim Vanhamel...

, Enon

Enon

Enon was an indie rock band founded by John Schmersal, Rick Lee and Steve Calhoon. Currently, Enon is situated in Philadelphia, though the band is known for being part of the New York music scene.-Biography:...

, and Mclusky

Mclusky

Mclusky , originally known as Best, were a three-piece post-hardcore group formed in Cardiff, Wales. The group consisted of Englishman Andy "Falco" Falkous from Newcastle Upon Tyne, Jonathan Chapple and Jack Egglestone , who replaced previous drummer Matthew Harding in late...

.

In the following years, Voicst opened for other bands like Tenacious D

Tenacious D

Tenacious D is an American rock band that was formed in Los Angeles, California in 1994. Composed of lead vocalist and guitarist Jack Black and lead guitarist and vocalist Kyle Gass, the band has released two albums – Tenacious D and The Pick of Destiny...

, The Raveonettes

The Raveonettes

The Raveonettes are a Danish indie rock duo, consisting of Sune Rose Wagner on guitar, instruments, and vocals, and Sharin Foo on bass, guitar and vocals...

, and Nada Surf

Nada Surf

Nada Surf is an American alternative rock band. Formed in 1992, the New York band consists of Matthew Caws , Ira Elliot and Daniel Lorca .-Early years:...

. Voicst built a solid live reputation and were invited to play at the Noorderslag Festival. The trio won the Essent Award in 2003, and played at major Dutch festivals like Metropolis and Lowlands

A Campingflight to Lowlands Paradise

A Campingflight to Lowlands Paradise, also known as simply Lowlands, is a music festival, held annually in the Netherlands in August. Lowlands has about 55,000 visitors, over 200 acts and more than ten stages every year which are named according to the NATO phonetic alphabet apart from the Grolsch...

. The band also traveled to New York

New York

New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...

 to perform at the CMJ Music Marathon

College Music Journal

College Music Journal, commonly known as CMJ, is a music events/publishing company which hosts an annual festival in New York City, the CMJ Music Marathon, as well as a weekly magazine of and for the music industry and college radio stations in the United States and Canada. It publishes top 30...

.

Their first official release was in 2003: the six track Eat the Evidence EP, released on the independent Labelman label.

In 2004, the band journeyed back to New York for five weeks where they recorded their album, working with producer Eli Janney

Eli Janney

Eli Janney is an American record producer and engineer born in Washington, D.C.. Janney also plays bass and keyboards, as well as singing backing vocals in indie rock/post-hardcore band Girls Against Boys.-Biography:...

 (Girls Against Boys

Girls Against Boys

Girls Against Boys are an indie rock/post-hardcore band, originally forming in Washington, D.C. in 1988 and currently based in New York City.-Career:...

), at James Iha

James Iha

James Yoshinobu Iha b. March 26, 1968 in Chicago, Illinois) is a Japanese American rock musician. He is best known as having been a guitarist and co-founder of the alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins and for his eclectic musical projects of recent years, most notably being a permanent...

's (Smashing Pumpkins) privately owned studio. Because of the long working days (11am to 11pm), their album was aptly titled 11-11. 11-11 was released Fall 2004 in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Spain.

The first single released from 11-11 was Dazzled Kids, and was a modest hit. Their follow-up single, Whatever You Want From Life, was used in a Heineken

Heineken

Heineken is a Dutch beer which has been brewed by Heineken International since 1873. It is available in a 4.6% alcohol variety in countries such as Ireland. It is the flagship product of the Heineken company and is made of purified water, malted barley, hops, and yeast. In 1886 H...

 commercial, and was also featured in the video game 2006 FIFA World Cup

2006 FIFA World Cup (video game)

2006 FIFA World Cup is the official video game for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, published by EA Sports. 2006 FIFA World Cup was released simultaneously on the GameCube, PC, PlayStation 2, Xbox and Xbox 360 on April 24, 2006. In Europe it was simultaneously released on April 28, 2006...

.

The years after the release of their maiden album would be marked by tours and performances at the many festivals in the Netherlands; their album also won several awards. Voicst embarked on a UK and European tour, during which they supported The Bravery

The Bravery

The Bravery is an American rock band from New York City that consists of Sam Endicott , Michael Zakarin , John Conway , Mike Hindert , and Anthony Burulcich...

, The Presidents of the United States of America

The Presidents of the United States of America (band)

The Presidents of the United States of America, commonly referred to as Pot USA or "PUSA" or The Presidents, are a twice Grammy-nominated American alternative rock band. The band formed in Seattle, USA, in 1993. The three-piece group currently comprises vocalist and "basitarist" Chris Ballew,...

, Juliette and The Licks

Juliette and the Licks

Juliette and the Licks was an American rock band led by actress Juliette Lewis. Other band members included guitarist Craig Fairbaugh and guitarist Emilio Cueto, bassist Jason Womack and drummer Ed Davis. Their popular songs include "You're Speaking My Language" and "Hot Kiss"...

, The Posies

The Posies

The Posies are an alternative rock/power pop group. The band was formed in 1987 in Bellingham, Washington by primary songwriters Jon Auer and Ken Stringfellow. They are best known for their radio hits "Golden Blunders" , as well as "Dream All Day", "Solar Sister" and "Flavor of the Month"...

, and others. A remastered version of 11-11 was released in the United States in 2005, followed by Australia in 2006 and Japan in 2007.

Voicst went back to the studios to record their second album A Tale of Two Devils in early 2007. They partnered with Peter Katis

Peter Katis

Peter Katis is an American record producer, engineer, mixer and musician.Working primarily out of his own residential studio in Bridgeport, Connecticut, Katis is best known for producing alternative and indie rock bands, especially for Fat Cat Records.-Biography:Katis attended New Canaan Country...

 (producer for Interpol

Interpol (band)

Interpol is an American indie rock and post-punk revival band from New York City. Formed in 1997, the band's original line-up consisted of Paul Banks , Daniel Kessler , Carlos Dengler and Greg Drudy . Drudy left the band in 2000 and was replaced by Sam Fogarino...

 and The National

The National (band)

The National is an indie rock band formed in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1999 and currently based in Brooklyn, New York. The band's lyrics are written and sung by Matt Berninger, a baritone...

 among others), and Rutger Hoedemaeker from the Dutch band About.

A Tale of Two Devils was released January 11, 2008, the first single Everyday I Work On The Road was released February 2, 2008.

Albums

• 11-11 (2004, Duurtlang Records)
  • US re-release: 2005, Intrigue Music
  • AU re-release: 2006, Cortex Records
  • JP re-release: 2007, Kurofune Records
• A Tale of Two Devils (2008, Play It Again Sam/Goodbusy Records)

Singles

• Sgt.Gonzo/Major Tom (7" split single w/ Buffoon; 2001, Labelman)
• Dazzled Kids (2005, Duurtlang Records)
• Whatever You Want From Life (2006, Duurtlang Records)
• Acts Of Fire (2006, Duurtlang Records)
• Everyday I Work On The Road (2008, Play It Again Sam/Goodbusy Records)
• Feel Like A Rocket (2008, Play It Again Sam/Goodbusy Records)
• A Year and a Bit (2009, Intrigue Music)