Bands » Walker Diver
Releases
- Black Flag Tribute (2011)
- For The Better Part Of Eternity (2002)
Song: "Outdoor Miner"
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Bio
After leaving indie rock band Mitch (1998-2002), Dutch singer-songwriter Stefan 't Hooft embarked on a solo adventure under the moniker of Walker Diver. His first effort (a 3 song vinyl E.P.) was released in 2002 by Black Death. The influence of American roots music, which was already present in some of the Mitch material, now became a prominent part of his songs. In the period of 2002-2003 Walker Diver really was a one man affair, but in 2003 Stefan assembled a new band, consisting of Mathijs Peeters (lead guitar), Michel van der Westen (bass and backing vocals), Jelmer de Haas (drums) and Stefan on lead vocals and guitar. The first full length album, "White Knuckle Ride" (Fount 2004), is a document of that time: some of the songs feature the new line up, whereas other songs were recorded with guest musicians. The album gets a warm welcome from the Dutch music press, praising its insightful lyrics and memorable song material. In the following two years the band concentrates on promoting the album with numerous live shows and working on new material. In 2007, the second Walker Diver album "Junior Blues" (Off The Records 2007) is released. This time around, the many band shows have led to a much rockier sound, evoking the likes of The Replacements or Guided By Voices. Still, the rootsy approach remains. Again the album is lauded with fine reviews, one reviewer placing the band "halfway between Austin and Minneapolis". Shortly before the album comes out, bassist Michel van der Westen leaves the band. Rinse Visser replaces him and for the shows immediately following the release of the album, the band is temporarily expanded with keyboard player Ferry Lagendijk. In 2008 Stefan takes a break from Walker Diver and temporarily joins another Utrecht-based band, Black Letter Day. In the meantime he starts writing material for what is to become the third Walker Diver album. 2010 sees the new album more or less completed, but as work in progress takes longer than expected, Stefan takes the opportunity to do "one of these things I always wanted to do, but never got round to", which is to make an album of cover versions. The result, the 10-track free download release "Songs From A Parallel Universe" reveals what songs by Kraftwerk, Wire (check out Stefan's version of "Outdoor Miner" in the audio player on this page), Larry Wallis, Human League and others would sound like if they were conceived by Walker Diver. One of the songs, the Black Flag cover "Nervous Breakdown" has been released on a 7" split EP with Half Mast at the very start of 2011 and marks the return of Walker Diver to Black Death Records.