Focus

  • Netherlands
    hometown
  • Rock
    genre
  • 1969
    started
  • Bio
    full story
  • Share
  • Similar
Close

About Focus

Focus is a Dutch rock band which was founded by classically trained organist/flautist Thijs van Leer in 1969, and is most famous for the instrumental pieces "Hocus Pocus" and "Sylvia". The band broke-up in 1978, but reformed in 2002 and has been recording and touring since. They have found also renewed fame due to the use of "Hocus Pocus" by guitarist Gary Hoey on his 1993 album Animal Instinct, and as the theme for the Nike 2010 World Cup commercial, Write The Future, directed by the Mexican filmmaker Alejandro González Iñárritu. History edit: The 1970s edit: At the release of their first album Focus Plays Focus (aka In and Out of Focus) (1970), Focus comprised keyboardist and flutist Thijs van Leer, guitarist Jan Akkerman, bassist Martin Dresden, and drummer Hans Cleuver. The album was little noticed outside the Netherlands, where a small but avid fan base developed. Akkerman left the group to form another band with bassist Cyril Havermans and Pierre van der Linden, a drummer he had previously performed with in Johnny and the Cellar Rockers, The Hunters, and Brainbox. When Cleuver and Dresden left Focus shortly after, Van Leer joined Akkerman, Van der Linden, and Havermans as the new lineup of Focus. In 1971, the group released Focus II (aka Moving Waves), which brought the band international acclaim and a hit on both sides of the Atlantic with the radio edit of "Hocus Pocus". This rock classic consists of Akkerman's guitar chord sequence used as a recurring theme, with quirky and energetic interludes that include alto flute riffs, accordion, guitar, and drum solos - along with Van Leer's whistling, nonsensical vocals, falsetto singing, and yodeling. But in September 1971, shortly before the band went on tour to support the album, Havermans quit and was replaced by Bert Ruiter. He released a solo album, Cyril, in 1973, on which he was backed by all three of his former bandmates from Focus. The Focus 3 double album was released in 1972. Van Leer and Akkerman were still producing much of their most seminal work, but critics claimed that the album was not as cohesive as Focus II/Moving Waves and the material did not support the length of a double album. However, the album contained the Van Leer-penned "Sylvia" which became a major hit in many markets outside the US and was spent eleven weeks in the UK Singles Chart where it peaked at No. 4. In late 1973, Focus released the album At the Rainbow. In 1974, Van der Linden was replaced by ex-Stone the Crows drummer Colin Allen, before the Focus recorded the Hamburger Concerto album. An attempt to repeat the chart-topping performance of the "Hocus Pocus" sound in the single "Harem Scarem" was not successful, and this contributed to the band's declining fortunes at this time. The album Mother Focus (1975), featuring new drummer David Kemper, was released to mostly negative reviews. In 1976, frustrated with group's lack of direction and the constraints of working with its commercial ambitions, Akkerman left on the eve of a sell-out UK tour. His last minute replacement was Belgian jazz-fusion guitarist Philip Catherine. The group's US label Sire Records released Ship of Memories, an album of largely unfinished Focus tracks from the aborted 1973-1974 rehearsal sessions to produce a follow-up album to Focus 3. The liner notes were written by Mike Vernon who was the group's producer at the time, and claimed that Akkerman's lack of interest in the project was the reason the sessions fell through. Ship of Memories was released largely due to the effort of Vernon and without the active involvement of the band. The title track is a Van der Linden composition. American singer P. J. Proby, drummer Steve Smith (later of Journey) and guitarist Eef Albers joined Philip Catherine and the rest of Focus to record Focus con Proby (1978). The album received dismal reviews and a lack of interest, and after a short tour the band decided to call it quits. 1980s edit: In 1985, Van Leer and Akkerman reunited for a joint project (because of contractual obligation) which resulted in the commercially unsuccessful album Focus. 1990s edit: In 1990, the "classic" lineup of Akkerman, Van Leer, Ruiter, and Van der Linden performed old and new compositions on the Dutch TV shows Veronika and Goud van Oud. An unsuccessful attempt was made to formally restart the band at this time. Van Leer and Akkerman shared the stage and performed Focus compositions at the North Sea Jazz Festival in 1993. Six years later, Van Leer attempted to reform Focus with original drummer Hans Cleuver, bassist Bert Ruiter, and new guitarist Menno Gootjes. They performed several live dates in the Netherlands, but internal wrangling over material intended for a CD release effectively split up the group. 2000s edit: In 2002, Thijs van Leer re-formed Focus with himself, stepson Bobby Jacobs on bass, guitarist Jan Dumée, and drummer Ruben van Roon (all are former members of the band CONXI). Van Roon was soon replaced by Bert Smaak. The result was the well-received Focus 8 album and world tour. In 2004, Pierre van der Linden replaced Bert Smaak on drums. Due to "musical differences", Dumée was dismissed from the band in 2006. In the same year, the band released the album Focus 9 / New Skin, on the Red Bullet label, which currently owns the entire back catalogue of Focus. In July 2006, Niels van der Steenhoven joined the group and the Focus 9 / New Skin CD was recorded. Jan Dumée formed the group On The Rocks with the British singer John Lawton (ex-Uriah Heep and Lucifer's Friend). 2010s edit: In May 2010, Nike included "Hocus Pocus" as the main theme tune in their extended FIFA World Cup commercial. The advert was first aired on US Network TV during the UEFA Champions League Final between Bayern Munich and Inter Milan on 22 May and then throughout the World Cup. A re-release of "Hocus Pocus", due to the Nike commercial, led to the song entering the UK Singles Chart at No. 57. As of 2011, Menno Gootjes has rejoined the band, replacing Niels van der Steenhoven. Also in 2011, American rapper J. Cole sampled "Hocus Pocus" in his song "Blow Up", which is featured in the game MLB 11: The Show. The band released a studio album, Focus X, with cover art by Roger Dean in October, 2012. Music edit: Akkerman's "House of the King" (from the Focus Plays Focus album) was the title theme of Don't Ask Me, a science-based British TV show of the 1970s that made household names of Dr. Magnus Pyke and Professor David Bellamy. It is also the title theme of Steve Coogan's BBC 2 sitcom, Saxondale. Personnel edit: Members edit: Current members Thijs van Leer - keyboards, flute, vocals (1969-1978, 1985, 1990, 1999, 2002-present), Pierre van der Linden - drums (1970-1974, 1975, 1990, 2004-present), Menno Gootjes - guitar (1999, 2011-present), Bobby Jacobs - bass (2002-present), Former members Jan Akkerman - guitar (1969-1976, 1985, 1990), Hans Cleuver - drums (1969-1970, 1999), Martin Dresden - bass (1969-1970), Cyril Havermans - bass (1970-1971), Bert Ruiter - bass (1971-1978, 1990, 1999), Colin Allen - drums (1974-1975), David Kemper - drums (1975-1977), Philip Catherine - guitar (1976-1978), Eef Albers - guitar (1977-1978), P.J. Proby - vocals (1977-1978), Tato Gómez - bass (1985), Mario Argandoña - drums (1985), Jan Dumée - guitar (2002-2006), Ruben van Roon - drums (2002), Bert Smaak - drums (2002-2004), Niels van der Steenhoven - guitar, vocals (2006-2011), Lineups edit: 1969-1970 1970-1971 1971-1974 1974-1975 Thijs van Leer - keyboards, flute, vocals, Jan Akkerman - guitar, Hans Cleuver - drums, Martin Dresden - bass, Thijs van Leer - keyboards, flute, vocals, Jan Akkerman - guitar, Cyril Havermans - bass, Pierre van der Linden - drums, Thijs van Leer - keyboards, flute, vocals, Jan Akkerman - guitar, Pierre van der Linden - drums, Bert Ruiter - bass, Thijs van Leer - keyboards, flute, vocals, Jan Akkerman - guitar, Bert Ruiter - bass, Colin Allen - drums, 1975 1975-1976 1976-1977 1977-1978 Thijs van Leer - keyboards, flute, vocals, Jan Akkerman - guitar, Bert Ruiter - bass, Pierre van der Linden - drums, Thijs van Leer - keyboards, flute, vocals, Jan Akkerman - guitar, Bert Ruiter - bass, David Kemper - drums, Thijs van Leer - keyboards, flute, vocals, Bert Ruiter - bass, David Kemper - drums, Philip Catherine - guitar, Thijs van Leer - keyboards, flute, vocals, Bert Ruiter - bass, Philip Catherine - guitar, Eef Albers - guitar, P.J. Proby - vocals, Steve Smith - drums, 1978-1985 1985 1985-1990 1990 Disbanded Thijs van Leer - keyboards, flute, vocals, Jan Akkerman - guitar, Tato Gómez - bass, Mario Argandoña - drums, Disbanded Thijs van Leer - keyboards, flute, vocals, Jan Akkerman - guitar, Bert Ruiter - bass, Pierre van der Linden - drums, 1990-1999 1999 1999-2002 2002 Disbanded Thijs van Leer - keyboards, flute, vocals, Bert Ruiter - bass, Hans Cleuver - drums, Menno Gootjes - guitar, Disbanded Thijs van Leer - keyboards, flute, vocals, Jan Dumée - guitar, Bobby Jacobs - bass, Ruben van Roon - drums, 2002-2004 2004-2006 2006-2011 2011-present Thijs van Leer - keyboards, flute, vocals, Jan Dumée - guitar, Bobby Jacobs - bass, Bert Smaak - drums, Thijs van Leer - keyboards, flute, vocals, Jan Dumée - guitar, Bobby Jacobs - bass, Pierre van der Linden - drums, Thijs van Leer - keyboards, flute, vocals, Bobby Jacobs - bass, Pierre van der Linden - drums, Niels van der Steenhoven - guitar, vocals, Thijs van Leer - keyboards, flute, vocals, Bobby Jacobs - bass, Pierre van der Linden - drums, Menno Gootjes - guitar

Source: Wikipedia

Text from this biography licensed under creative commons license
Scroll up Scroll down

News

From position 0, showing 11 items, asking 10
See All
Next Page
  • Focus
    Best Coast Become 'Taylor Swift For Stoners' On New EP
    MTV News
    May 24, 2013
    Bethany Cosentino says band's new EP was inspired by none other than Taylor Swift.
    Read More
  • Focus
    Best Coast Become 'Taylor Swift For Stoners' On New EP
    MTV News
    May 24, 2013
    Bethany Cosentino says band's new EP was inspired by none other than Taylor Swift.
    Read More
  • Focus
    'Realm of the Underworld': The Greatest 1980s Action Figures Never Made
    MTV Geek
    May 24, 2013
    Don’t call it a knock-off.  ZoloWorld’s “Realm of the Underworld” line of figures , which launches their second wave today, pays homage to the less-h...
    Read More
  • Focus
    Kleefeld's Fanthropology #11: Kindle Worlds And Professional(?) Fanfic
    MTV Geek
    May 24, 2013
    There's big news in the world of fandom this week as Amazon announced its Kindle Worlds program. It's a program in which anyone can submit a story t...
    Read More
  • Focus
    2 Chainz Announces Release Date For Sophomore Album
    MTV RapFix
    May 24, 2013
    By Maurice Bobb 2 Chainz took to Twitter Thursday (May 23) night to announce to the world that he’s putting all “features on hault” to focus his e...
    Read More
  • Focus
    'Hangover Part III': Is This Really The End?
    MTV News
    May 24, 2013
    Bradley Cooper and director Todd Phillips dig in with MTV News about a potential fourth movie.
    Read More
  • Focus
    Paris Hilton Joins Lil Wayne's Cash Money Family?
    MTV News
    May 22, 2013
    Heiress says she's signed to Weezy's label and will focus on house music on her summer sophomore album.
    Read More
  • Focus
    Paris Hilton Joins Lil Wayne's Cash Money Family?
    MTV News
    May 22, 2013
    Heiress says she's signed to Weezy's label and will focus on house music on her summer sophomore album.
    Read More
  • Focus
    Kim Kardashian's Baby Shower Invite Plays Kanye West Music
    MTV News
    May 22, 2013
    Ballerina invite features West's 'Hey Mama'; 'garden chic' party is set for June 2.‬
    Read More
  • Focus
    Microsoft Revealed A New Set-Top Box That May Also Play Games
    Multiplayer Blog
    May 22, 2013
      It finally happened. After all of the rumors, speculation, hype and nonsense, Microsoft has revealed the next-generation Xbox console, strangely...
    Read More
  • Focus
    Swedish House Mafia Focus On Future Releases, Expanding Tour
    MTV News
    charting new territories and pushing the boundaries, all the while making us smile. "You've seen how we work through the years," Angello said. "It's j...
    Read More

Tour Dates

From position 0, showing 9 items, asking 50
See All
  • May 25 Saturday
    Uden, Netherlands De Pul
    Buy Ticket
  • Jun 8 Saturday
    Roermond, Netherlands Eci Cultuurfabriek
    Buy Ticket
  • Sep 20 Friday
    Uden, Netherlands De Pul
    Buy Ticket
  • Oct 9 Wednesday
    Bristol, UK The Tunnels
    Buy Ticket
  • Oct 13 Sunday
    Hertford, UK Hertford Corn Exchange
    Buy Ticket
  • Oct 16 Wednesday
    Norwich, UK Open Norwich
    Buy Ticket
  • Oct 17 Thursday
    Southampton, UK The Brook
    Buy Ticket
  • Oct 20 Sunday
    Bilston, UK Robin 2
    Buy Ticket
  • Oct 26 Saturday
    Carlisle, UK The Brickyard
    Buy Ticket
Are You Focus? Claim this page | Learn more about Artists.MTV | FAQ for Artists
Focus Bio | Focus Tour Dates |
MTV | MTV Jobs | Privacy Policy | User Content Agreement | Copyright | Artist Index | Social Projects Agreements | Ad Choices |
Portions of this page powered by
This site contains content from artists, fans, and writers from around the internet in it's natural form. Such content is not representative of Viacom Media Networks.

©2012 Viacom International Inc. All Rights Reserved. MTV and all related titles and logos are trademarks of Viacom International Inc.

  • Explore
    • Popular
    • Emerging
    • Genres
      • Rock
      • Hip Hop
      • Indie
      • Electronic/EDM
      • Country
      • Pop
    • Collections
    • Artist To Watch
  • Search
  • Are you an artist?
    • Claim Your Page
    • Learn More
    • FAQ
    • Opportunities