Get to know, GG Deluxe!

About GG Deluxe: From Beat-Era Echoes to 8-Bit Realities

The story of GG Deluxe is a sixty-year odyssey through the heart of Dutch rock history. It begins in the late 1960s with Nicky and the Shouts, a band that defined the raw, energetic beat sound of the northern Netherlands. At the center was Ger Bol, a musician and founder of the legendary Studio Popsesjun, whose creative hunger eventually led him far beyond the local borders.

The 1975 Sessions

After traveling through the vast American landscape with his close friend Albert ‘Appie’ Alberts (Later well known for the group AA and the Doctors), Bol found the inspiration for what would become his most personal work. The vista roads of Big Sur and the silence of the desert were translated into music back in Groningen in 1975.

For these sessions, Bol assembled a formidable lineup: the steady pulse of drummer Lucas Kruizenga (former Nikcy and the Shouts drummer) and the driving bass of a young Gerrit Veen (who would soon after find international fame as a member of Herman Brood’s Wild Romance). The recordings captured a unique blend of 70s analog warmth and adventurous songwriting.

Then, the tapes disappeared. For half a century, they remained silent, tucked away in an attic, surviving the passage of time only as a memory.

A Father-Son Dialogue

The silence was broken when Lukas gave Ger’s son, FilanysZ, a copy of the original analog reels. What started as a preservation project turned into a creative revelation. By intertwining his own contemporary vocals and harmonies with his father’s original 1975 performances, FilanysZ transformed the archives into a living, breathing conversation.

The resulting album, "Film of Familiarity," is headlined by the single "Springtime"—a rare posthumous duet that bridges two generations.

Bridging Eras: From TI-Chips to ZX Spectrum

Today, GG Deluxe exists at the intersection of eras. It honors the 1975 analog soul while embracing the future of the Podcastindex, where Adam Curry dubbed them "The Beatles of the Podcastindex." The project also pays tribute to Ger Bol’s other great passion: technology. As one of the first Dutch importers of Texas Instruments chips in the late 70s, he hand-built desktop PCs that were—quite literally—the size of a desk. In honor of this pioneering spirit, the release crosses over into 8-bit gaming with a custom ZX Spectrum title, Music Mogul Madness, included on the limited-edition cassette.

GG Deluxe is more than a musical project; it is a family archive opened to the world, proving that great music—and great innovation—never truly expires. It just waits for the right moment to be heard.

Ger Bol:

Nicky and the Shouts. A time for dancing and feeling free.

Ger Bol, a cornerstone of the Groningen music scene, began his musical journey in 1962 as the bassist for the skiffle group Gold Stars. In 1964, a pivotal moment arrived when the Gold Stars merged with Garry Wiltens and Nico Jans, giving birth to the iconic Dutch beat band, Nicky and the Shouts. In Nicky and the Shouts, Bol was not only the bassist and rhythm guitarist but also a key songwriter, contributing to many of their popular hits.

Check out the 6 hit singles here!

Following his tenure with Nicky and the Shouts, Bol's musical exploration continued with The Band of Hope and Glory. The 1970s saw him deeply immersed in Groningen's thriving music scene, collaborating with bands like Progenitive and Plant. His creative energy extended to spin-off projects like Fongers Band and Balloon, further solidifying his reputation as a versatile musician.

Nicky and the Shout backstage with Dave Berry

Ger Bol in the early sixties

Band of Hope and Glory

Bol's dedication to fostering the local music community led him to establish the first non-profit recording studio in Groningen, Popsesjun Studio (later known as Stichting Geluid), alongside Plant drummer Eddy Korma.

This rich musical history laid the foundation for the enigmatic GG Deluxe, a project close to Bol's heart. Conceived as a platform to showcase his original compositions, GG Deluxe featured a lineup of talented musicians, including Ruud Banus (piano), Gerrit Veen (bass guitar), Lukas Kruizenga (drums), and Albert (Appie) Alberts (saxophone).

The release of the GG Deluxe single is also significant because it will be done via wavlake.com, a platform that champions the value4value model, empowering fans to directly support artists and their work. This innovative approach aligns with the spirit of GG Deluxe, a band that always prioritized artistic expression and connection with their audience.

Stay tuned for more updates on the upcoming single release and the rediscovery of GG Deluxe's music. This is a unique opportunity to delve into the rich musical heritage of Groningen and experience the talent of a band whose legacy has endured through the years.

GG Deluxe:

A passion for sound.

Ger Bol playing piano in the Popsesjun studio.

Or read and listen more here!