Clouseau

pop

Clouseau (a Belgian band) started as a group of friends back in 1984. Only Karel Theys, the bass-player, had some previous experience in a band with The Employees. 1987 sees them coming out of the garage for the first time : they play Marktrock in Leuven en get a record deal for their first single Brandweer. In '88 they have a small hit with Alleen met Jou (Only with you) and win the Baccara-trophy in the squad of Raymond Van Het Groenewoud. In 1989 they participated in the preselection to determine the Belgian delegate to the Eurovision Song Festival. Clouseau finishes second (behind Ingeborg), but now has a foot in the door. The breakthrough comes immediately with the single Anne and an album Hoezo ? (How so?). Screaming teenagers all over the place and smashed record sales in Belgium are the consequence. The Netherlands follow, when Daar Gaat Ze (There she goes) becomes a big hit. The 2nd album Of zo (Or so) also proves to be very successful. 1990 is a year which can only be described as the year of Clouseau-mania. Everything the boys touch turns to gold. Manager Hans Kusters : They really appeal to the teens. Simple songs, but also lyrics in the form of She comes, she goes or she is. No fuss about apartheid or the nuclear missiles. Clean, cute, sometimes rocking, sometimes slowing, always charming melodies with innocent and easily recognizable love- and dance stories. In 1991, the Benelux is getting too small for the group so they (or at least the record company...