The Kids

The Kids are a punk rock group from Antwerp, Belgium, active from 1976 to the present. They are one of the first Belgian bands to connect strongly with the international punk scene of 1976–77, and their early material is rooted in the first wave of punk while also carrying a raw rhythm and blues edge. The group is formed by Danny De Haes, Ludo Mariman, Eddy De Haes, Luc Van De Poel, Yves Van Lommel, Pieter Van Buyten, Cesar Janssens and Franky Saenen.

Early years and style

The band begins in 1976 as Crash, with Ludo Mariman saying none of the members can play well at first and that they simply play hard and fast. Mariman goes to London after hearing about the punk explosion in Britain, and seeing Eddie & The Hot Rods and the Ramones convinces him that the band shares the same musical impulse. Early songs include “Bloody Belgium”, “Fascist cops”, “No Monarchy” and “Rock over Belgium”.

The Kids are described as a group formed by three dock workers, and their sound develops over time from the direct energy of the first album into a broader style with more varied, mature songs. Mariman later comments that the band becomes more like a normal rock group, plays better, includes a slow song, and stops spitting on the audience.

Recordings and releases

Their first two albums are produced by Leo Caerts, who is also known for working with performers such as Will Tura and for writing “Eviva España”. The band releases a 1979 single with Jo Lemaire & Flouze, with Jo Lemaire singing “Tintarella di Luna” and The Kids covering “Louie Louie”. The album Living in the 20th century becomes a classic, and the group also reaches the charts with “Dancing”. “There will be no next time” becomes one of their best-known songs.

Their albums include The Kids and Naughty kids in 1978, Living in the 20th century in 1979, Black out in 1981, If the kids ... in 1982, and Gotcha! in 1985. A later CD issue combines the first two albums with bonus tracks, and The Kids Anthology collects the albums from 1978 to 1985 with extra material and a live DVD.

Break-up, reunion and later activity

The band stops in 1985 after about ten years, and Ludo Mariman begins a solo career. Mariman later records You never know what's yours in 1989 and They say in 1994. The Kids reunite in 1996 for a reunion tour, and their first two albums are reissued together. They later appear on the soundtrack of the Belgian film Dief and on national television. A live concert at the Ancienne Belgique is recorded in 2001, and a live CD follows. In 2005 they release the single “Freedom, Liberty, Democracy”.

Membership changes

At different points in the band’s later history, Frankie Saenen plays drums and Pieter Van Buyten plays bass, while Ludo Mariman and Luc Van De Poel remain central members. The group’s line-up also includes Danny De Haes, Eddy De Haes, Yves Van Lommel, Cesar Janssens, and Franky Saenen.

Live reputation

The Kids support acts for Iggy Pop and Patti Smith in 1977. They are also noted for attracting interest in eastern Germany, where the band says there is strong demand for first-generation punk groups.