Tom van der Meulen | Drums

In the beginning I start playing drums when I am about 16 years old. My brother is drumming in a drum band and there is a snare drum at our house. I am practising in a cellar with a few friends, we play 2 songs, including My Generation by the Who .. I buy a real drum kit from an indo band The Residents and start practicing diligently, much to my neighbors' sadness. The Mooches 1967 - 1971

One day there are a few guys at the door, asking if I would like to play in a band. After an affirmative answer, the next day I play with them in an old school. I've never been in a band before and never played the songs. We play covers by, among others, BeeGees, Lovin'Spoonful and Jeff Beck. My first drum kit is being replaced by a real Ludwig. We are driven to the gigs by the father of Henk and Ed, who has a trailer. When Frits has to be employed, he is replaced by Werner. At the audition we ask him if he has ever played in a band and he tells us that he plays in Hu And The Hilltops. At that time the same as if you ask George Kooimans this and he answers The Golden Earrings (then with an s). Learned a lot in my first band. Instrumentation: Henk van Hien (vocals) and Ed van Hien (bass guitar), Frits ??, later replaced by Werner den Heijer (solo guitar) Rockin Martin and his Delta’s 1972-1976

With Ewald Schrader I founded the band on Silly Human Race (style Pinkfloyd), which developed into the band Delta. Delta makes rather technical music (Soft Machine, Jethro Tull, etc.), even a flutist is part of the band. The harder the better, we'll go for it. The then Princess Beatrix comes by during a practice session in Don Bosco. In this youth center there are several rehearsal rooms and there I see a beautiful double bass Slingerland. This has already been exchanged, but I was able to buy it quickly from Servaas. One day someone (Martin Hakkaart) enters the rehearsal room. He proposes to play rock 'n roll from the 60s with in it, just like Long Tall Ernie opening act Delta. At first he is almost lynched, but led by Joop Lelieveld the bass player (an old rocker) the band is persuaded to do this. We get a contract with Paul Acket, now Mojo and have a lot success, especially with the Rock and Roll. Even Ahoy is reached. Singer Martin Hakkaart quits and is succeeded by Bert Nuhn, "mister Elvis Presley from the Benelux". In this period I also have my first real drum lessons from Hans Cleuver, our manager. Every Sunday morning first bake bouncers, then drum lessons and then table tennis. Bandmembers over several periods: Guus van Beek (Solo guitar), Joop Lelieveld (Bass guitar), Jimmy ten Boske (Solo Guitar), Hans den Otter (Solo guitar). Martin Hakkaart (vocals), Ed van Nuhn (vocals) and Eric Mulder (flute) Plackband 1977 - 1985

In 1977 I was approached by Kees Bik for the band Haemorrhoid, until then more or less a punk band. Maarten Mens (keys) and Marko Verhoeven (bass guitar) play in this band. At that time I was still taking lessons from Hans Cleuver and I am completely crazy about jazz rock (John McLaughlin, Chick Corea, Billy Cobham). I visit many of them together with Hans those concerts. The playing of odd time signatures also dates from that time. I get to know the music of YES, my first LP on my first stereo installation was YES Album. This is followed by the previous album from YES Time And A Word. After the arrival of Ronald, Albert and Michel the music style becomes symphonic rock and the name is changed to Plackband. My Slingerland is completed with rototoms, but then replaced by Sonor percussion. Studio Sounddesign 1990 - 1999

Plackband breaks up and John and I start a studio called Sound Design in the Haags Popcentrum We purchase a Barth mixing console, which is completely overhauled by Peter Snel. This is the first quadraphonic table and comes from the EMI studio. We will work together with Rob Rehorst from Hollandspoor studio and when he dies with Chris Muller. He has namely already an 8 track recorder. Over time this will be exchanged for a 16 and later a 24 track recorder. In this studio we do the recordings for the band November, which includes Ronald and Michel. In 2000 Plackband reunites and we stop studio work. Plackband 2000 - 2008

At the Plackband reunion in 2000 it is as if I come home again I bought an electronic percussion system to practice at home (Yamaha DTXpress) This will be replaced by a Roland TD-20 and then by a Roland TD30. We decide as a band to use it live, but with real cymbals. I also buy such a set with digital cymbals at home. PBII 2009 - heden

In 2008 Albert de Keizer decides to leave the band. We will then find a new bass player in the person of Harry den Hartog. With him we will make music inspired by the English band Frost, with which we performed in Rotherham the year before. I think I still have a lot to learn and take lessons with Ernst van Ee. The advantage of lessons is that you are extra motivated to practice at home. Harry den Hartog is replaced by Alex van Elswijk this collaboration is fantastic. After the death of Karel Ruud becomes the singer. I am replacing the TD30 with the Roland TD50, quite an improvement. 1000Wishes

After our first outing with a social theme (Plastic Soup) we are looking for a new form of performance, The number of performances runs n.l. drastically back. It will be a rock opera with the Hofstad youth orchestra consisting of 70 young musicians. The new for me is working with a conductor anyway. If you used to am to indicate the measure it is an experience to do this do with a swinging baton. A great experience is also playing in a large theatre. Unfortunately, the performance is only performed 5 times. Save The Earth

This show based on the ideas of Wubbo Ockels a Dutch astronaut, who said on his deathbed: I have cancer but so does the Earth We did this show in 25 theatres.