Netherlands

Bettie Serveert

Artist information

The story begins when Canadian-born (Vancouver), Netherlands-reared Carol van Dyk was hired as the live-sound mixer for the celebrated underground band de Artsen (the Doctors). Herman Bunskoeke and Peter Visser were already members, Berend Dubbe was their roadie and the musical side project in which all four friends participated became Bettie Serveert. (Since you ask, the name means "Bettie to serve" after Dutch tennis player Bettie Stöve, who lost the Wimbledon Ladies Final in 1977).

After a false start in 1986 when they dissolved after only one gig, the band reformed in 1991 and quickly caught the ear of Matador, Brinkman and 4AD's Guernica label for whom they kindly agreed to record their first album 'Palomine'. A full year later in January 1995 the band recorded their second album 'Lamprey', which was hailed by Melody Maker as the most tangled, desolate, real life guitar sound of the year.

They toured extensively with the likes of Belly, Dinosaur Jr, Buffalo Tom, Superchunk, Come and Jeff Buckley.

1997 saw the return of Bettie Serveert in fine form with the release of the long awaited third album 'Dust Bunnies'. It was the first time the Betties benefited from the studio guidance of producer Bryce Goggin. It was the first Bettie Serveert disc that was recorded entirely within the United States, at Bearsville studio in scenic Woodstock, New York. In 1998 the group released a live album of Velvet Underground cover versions 'Bettie Serveert plays Venus In Furs and other Velvet Underground songs'. After touring with Wilco & Counting Crows, Berend Dubbe left the band early 1998 and was replaced by Reinier Veldman, former drummer of De Artsen.

In 2000 Bettie Serveert started their own label, Palomine Records.Then, after a period of relative radio silence, Bettie Serveert entered the new millennium with ‘Private Suit’, their first studio album in two years. Produced by John Parish.In 2001, the band decided to take a break. The sabbatical was spent refueling, studying and writing. Peter Visser was a hired gun for a while, Herman Bunskoeke learned to be a cook and Carol released 2 records of 'Americana' songs under the guise of Chitlin' Fooks (a collaboration with Antwerp based songwriter Pascal Deweze).

After a year the band returned with 'Log 22' in March 2003. Their newfound freedom and Peter's 16-track home recorder made for a veritable sonic trip. The CD was recorded in Peter’s living room and at the E-Sound studio in Weesp and was mixed in Belgium. After extensive touring from March until November 2003 in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and USA, they received their first gold record for their CD ‘Palomine’ in the Netherlands. March 2004 they played at SWSX in Austin, Texas and toured the East coast of the USA. On October 9th ’04 their 6th CD ‘Attagirl’ was released in the Benelux, Germany, USA, Canada and Japan. Summer 2006 they celebrated their 15th birthday, releasing a new semi-acoustic CD & their first DVD 'Bare Stripped Naked'. In October ‘09 Peter and Carol did a project with 'In A Cabin With' in Australia. In cooperation with Australian musicians like Russell Hopkinson (You Am I), Matt Wicks, Andrew Morris and Ben Salter (The Gin Club) they recorded an album in Sydney and Byron Bay. The project was called 'ME & STUPID' and was released in Jan 2011.

Between April 6 and 10 2009 the Betties were in the La Chapelle Recording Studios in Belgium, recording a CD with Joppe Molenaar (of the Dutch band Voicst) as their special guest on drums. On their new CD which was called 'Pharmacy of Love', the band finds itself 'back to basic': capturing their raw, contagious energy people have come to know from their many live performances through out the years. On Nov 27th 2009 their Single/EP 'Deny All' was released on iTunes, together with their entire back catalog. Their 9th CD 'Pharmacy of Love' was released on January 11th 2010, followed by a tour in the Netherlands, Belgium, UK, Canada & the USA. August 2011 the Betties had their 20th Birthday Party at the Paradiso in Amsterdam, playing the entire ‘Palomine’ cd with Berend Dubbe on drums. In April 2012 they returned to the La Chapelle Studios in Belgium to record an album with Joppe Molenaar on drums. The single/EP 'Had2Byou' was released on Oct 18th ’12 (digital only). Their 10th album 'Oh, Mayhem!' was released on Jan 11th '13.

Their single 'Never Be Over' feat. Prof. Nomad & Co was released (digital only) on January 11th ’16 worldwide through PIAS. On their 25th Birthday, Bettie Serveert released their brand new album ‘Damaged Good’ and the ballad ‘Never Be Over’ was included on their 11th record, followed by an extensive tour in the Netherlands.

‘Damaged Good’ is one of the Betties’ most diverse albums so far, including songs barely 60 sec long up to an 8 min epos and everything in between. It’s a ‘big story’: intense, raw, tender, but mostly passionate and fierce. Some songs will definitely remind people of their classic ‘Palomine’, the debut album that started everything 26 years ago. The album was recorded and mixed with Jesse Beuker, with whom Peter and Carol have worked before on their Australian project 'ME & STUPID’.

The release date of the CD ‘Damaged Good’ was Oct 28th 2016, the LP was out a week later on Nov 4th and it was released digitally worldwide on Palomine Records and PIAS (Distribution). Prior to the album there was a single called ‘Love Sick’ on Oct 14th: a rock-duet with Peter te Bos, the singer of the famous Dutch band Claw Boys Claw. Good was also released on April 22 ’17 as a limited edition pink vinyl LP on Schoolkids Records in North America.

Almost 26 years after starting the band, Bettie Serveert finally met the Dutch tennis player Betty on April 13. Her tennis instruction books called ‘Betty Serveert’ were the inspiration for their band name.

In 2023 Matador Records reissued their debut album Palomine worldwide as a special 30th Anniversary edition on translucent orange vinyl, including the original 7”. The band did 2 sold-out shows at the Paradiso (Amsterdam) and Tivoli (Utrecht) to celebrate their ‘birthday’, where they played the entire album with their 1st drummer Berend Dubbe and also a 2nd set containing all the other favorites of the past 20 years with their current drummer and keyboard player. At the forthcoming shows the Betties will play a combination of all their favorite songs, including the best-loved Palomine tunes.

Bookings

For all info on current bookings and concerts contact:

Upcoming shows

No shows scheduled currently

Past shows

2023

Bettie Serveert Utrecht, TivoliVredenburg
Sold out
Bettie Serveert Amsterdam , Paradiso
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2021

Bettie Serveert Amen, De Amer
Sold out
Bettie Serveert Amstelveen, P60

2019

Bettie Serveert Katwijk aan Zee, De Schuit
Bettie Serveert Utrecht, Bevrijdingsfestival Utrecht

2018

Bettie Serveert Enschede , Metropool Enschede
Bettie Serveert Hoofddorp, Duycker
Bettie Serveert Gouda, So What
Bettie Serveert Leiden, Gebr. De Nobel
Bettie Serveert Eindhoven , Effenaar
Bettie Serveert Hilversum , Vorstin, De
Bettie Serveert Goes, Beest, 't
Bettie Serveert Oss , De Groene Engel
Bettie Serveert Arnhem , Luxor Live
Bettie Serveert Amstelveen, P60

2017

Bettie Serveert Sneek , Bolwerk, Het
Bettie Serveert Tilburg, 013
Bettie Serveert Vlaardingen, Kroepoekfabriek
Bettie Serveert Alkmaar, Victorie
Bettie Serveert Vorden, Manana Manana
Bettie Serveert Amsterdam , Paradiso
Bettie Serveert Den Haag , Paard
Sold out
Bettie Serveert Breda , Mezz
Bettie Serveert Den Bosch, Willem Twee Poppodium
Bettie Serveert Dordrecht , Bibelot
Bettie Serveert Utrecht, De Helling
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Bettie Serveert Almere , De Meester Almere
Bettie Serveert Amersfoort, Fluor
Bettie Serveert Deventer , Burgerweeshuis
Bettie Serveert Leeuwarden, Neushoorn
Bettie Serveert Rotterdam, Rotown
Bettie Serveert Bergen op Zoom, Poppodium Gebouw-T
Bettie Serveert Haarlem , Patronaat
Sold out

2016

Bettie Serveert Groningen, Vera
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Bettie Serveert Hengelo, Metropool
Bettie Serveert Zwolle , Hedon
Bettie Serveert Zaandam, Podium de Flux
Bettie Serveert Nijmegen , Doornroosje
Bettie Serveert Apeldoorn, Gigant
Bettie Serveert Vlissingen , Piek, De
Bettie Serveert Landgraaf, Oefenbunker
Bettie Serveert Roermond, ECI Cultuurfabriek
Bettie Serveert Roermond, ECI Cultuurfabriek
Bettie Serveert Eindhoven , Effenaar

2015

Bettie Serveert Amsterdam, London Calling
Bettie Serveert Amstelveen, P60

2014

Bettie Serveert Goes, Beest, 't
Bettie Serveert Maastricht , Muziekgieterij
Bettie Serveert Eindhoven , Effenaar
Sold out

2013

Bettie Serveert Amstelveen, P60
Bettie Serveert Amsterdam , Paradiso
Sold out
Bettie Serveert Hoorn, Manifesto
Bettie Serveert Hoorn, Manifesto
Bettie Serveert Vlaardingen, Kroepoekfabriek
Bettie Serveert Amsterdam , Paradiso
Bettie Serveert Arnhem , Luxor Live
Bettie Serveert Leiden , LVC
Bettie Serveert Ulft , Dru Cultuurfabriek
Bettie Serveert Amersfoort, De Kelder
Bettie Serveert Groningen, Vera
Bettie Serveert Venlo , Perron 55
Bettie Serveert Hengelo, Metropool
Bettie Serveert Den Haag , Paard
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Bettie Serveert Heerlen , Nieuwe Nor
Bettie Serveert Den Bosch, Willem Twee Poppodium
Bettie Serveert Utrecht, De Helling
Bettie Serveert Lelystad, Underground
Bettie Serveert Zwolle , Hedon
Bettie Serveert Drachten , Iduna
Bettie Serveert Alkmaar, Victorie
Bettie Serveert Eindhoven , Effenaar
Bettie Serveert Middelburg, De Spot
Bettie Serveert Rotterdam, Rotown
Sold out
Bettie Serveert Deventer , Burgerweeshuis
Bettie Serveert Nijmegen , Doornroosje
Bettie Serveert Tilburg, 013

2012

Bettie Serveert Haarlem , Patronaat
Bettie Serveert Breda , Mezz
Bettie Serveert Utrecht, EKKO
Bettie Serveert Leeuwarden, Asteriks
Sold out

2011

Bettie Serveert Amsterdam , Paradiso
Bettie Serveert Heerhugowaard, Waerdse Tempel

2010

Bettie Serveert Hilversum , Vorstin, De
Bettie Serveert Maastricht , Muziekgieterij
Bettie Serveert Goes, Beest, 't
Bettie Serveert Leeuwarden, Asteriks
Bettie Serveert Austerlitz, Beauforthuis
Bettie Serveert Groningen , Oosterpoort
Bettie Serveert Amsterdam , AFAS Live
Bettie Serveert Apeldoorn, Gigant
Bettie Serveert Hengelo, Metropool
Bettie Serveert Arnhem , Luxor Live
Bettie Serveert Purmerend , P3
Bettie Serveert Amsterdam , Paradiso
Bettie Serveert Rotterdam, WATT
Sold out
Bettie Serveert Zwolle , Hedon
Bettie Serveert Groningen, Vera
Sold out
Bettie Serveert Heerlen , Nieuwe Nor
Bettie Serveert Tilburg, 013
Sold out
Bettie Serveert Utrecht , Tivoli
Sold out
Bettie Serveert Breda , Mezz
Bettie Serveert Enschede , Metropool Enschede
Bettie Serveert Den Bosch, Willem Twee Poppodium
Bettie Serveert Haarlem , Patronaat
Sold out
Bettie Serveert Nijmegen , Doornroosje
Sold out
Bettie Serveert Den Haag , Paard
Sold out
Bettie Serveert Sittard, Fenix
Bettie Serveert Sneek , Bolwerk, Het
Bettie Serveert Groningen , Oosterpoort
Sold out
Bettie Serveert Groningen, De Opera
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Photos