BIOGRAPHY
The Arthurs is an alternative/indie rock band from Amsterdam/Rotterdam (The Netherlands) formed around Dutch singer/songwriter Robin den Drijver.
In their music you may hear influences from bands such as The Pixies, The Doors, The Smiths and Nirvana, but The Arthurs distinguish themselves by their own unique style and sound. Listening to their melodic, dynamic, raw, beautiful, aggressive, dreamlike and always heartfelt music, will be worth your while.
Their debut album 'When I'm Sane’ (2017) gained Dutch positive press reviews. Popunie described it as a "very strong debut and the perfect ticket to the biggest festivals" and 3voor12 called it an "enthralling debut album." Den Drijver recorded almost all of the instruments on the album himself in his living room, accompanied by drummer Jetske Blonk.
On June 25th 2021, The Arthurs released their second album 'Glass', this time as a full band with Dylano Hahury on lead guitar and Martin Memelink on bass. 'Glass' received positive Dutch and international press reviews. Belgian Luminous Dash stated that "this top band deserves all our attention. Glass is a strong long player with ten rock-solid songs that we can’t get enough of", while UK Indie Dock Music Blog concluded that "The Arthurs sets the tone with their album, showing the leading position of true rock n roll in the future of all quality music. Thanks to bands like The Arthurs, rock n roll is alive and will live forever." Dutch Nine Licks "counted more than 9 licks that deserve a 10."
Just like their debut album ‘When I’m Sane’, 'Glass’ was mostly recorded and produced at home by Den Drijver.
The band has been a three-piece since June 2023, with Boudewijn Geels on bass and Jetske Blonk on drums and Robin also as a lead guitarist. They are currently recording their third album with producer Tammo Kersbergen. Friday January 26th 2024 they released their first single in 2,5 years: ' The Gloaming'.
The Arthurs show their ambition with a strong live performance, like the Dutch Jitters Blog described in their Westerpop Festival review: "a unique indie rock band, different from others, that grabbed our attention to the stage immediately." According to 3voor12, the 'Glass' album release show in Cinetol Amsterdam was "a live show of over an hour, as solid as a rock.”
The Arthurs supported UK new wave legends Fischer-Z in De Boerderij in Zoetermeer in 2022 and UK rockband The Subways in Rotown Rotterdam in 2023. They also played notable venues and festivals in The Netherlands, like Westerpop, Bevrijdingsfestival Zuid-Holland, Big Rivers Festival, Nacht van de Kaap, Eendracht Festival, Eurosonic Showcases, Q-Factory, Bibelot, De Vorstin, Vessel 11, Taverne, Kroepoekfabriek, Altstadt and Cinetol and shows in England and Belgium.