Musician Jean-Marie Aerts (72) has passed away after a prolonged illness, his wife Miet Ongena has announced. Aerts was best known as the guitarist for T.C. Matic (with the late Arno) and as a producer of over 200 Belgian and international albums.

To our readers he is mostly known for his work with bands such as Elisa Waut, Red Zebra, Luc Van Acker, The Neon Judgement, Arbeid Adelt!, and Jo Lemaire. He also later collaborated with Dirk Da Davo (The Neon Judgement). Below is an interview with Dirk and Jean-Marie in Dutch followed by a few productions he worked on.

Aerts’ first real job as a guitarist came through Vincent Rouffaer at the Royal Flemish Theatre in Brussels. Rouffaer, a classmate from the Rits and son of actor Senne Rouffaer, told Aerts that his father needed a guitarist for the play “As You Like It” by William Shakespeare. Aerts also studied music theory for one year, but admitted later on he couldn’t make much use of it throughout his entire career.

His first band was Split, led by Luk Vankessel. Aerts enjoyed experimenting with sounds and claims to be the first Belgian guitarist to turn his amplifier up to maximum volume, solely for the effect of the distortion.

Aerts achieved his first success as the guitarist for T.C. Matic, the band of the then very young Arno, who died two years ago. The group became one of the first major Belgian rock bands and had hits with classics like “Oh La La La” and “Putain Putain,” with Aerts’ guitar playing significantly contributing to the band’s recognizable and successful sound. However, an international career was not in the cards due to the lack of suitable management in Belgium at the time.

After T.C. Matic, Jean-Marie Aerts began a solo career with the group JMX and also produced music for artists.

An icon. Our sincere condolences to his family and friends.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil.

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In 2023, Dancedelicd collaborated with Brussels-based Je M’en Fish Records on three vinyl releases. Among these, The Neon Judgement’s compilation “Blue Screens” is scheduled for November 5th. This release will be on a 180-gram vinyl format and will come in three different colors.

In the early 1980s, Dirk Timmermans, also known as Dirk Da Davo, and Frank Vloeberghs, known as TB Frank, founded The Neon Judgement. They initially gained attention for their unique blend of stark industrial elements with intricate guitar and synthesizer work.

During the 1990s, the duo shifted their musical direction and also changed labels. They released Dazsoo under KK Records, known for artists like Bauhaus and Frontline Assembly; At Devil’s Fork with Synthetic Symphony, home to Die Krupps and Welle: Erdball; and Smack on LC Music/Dancedelic-D, Dirk Da Davo’s own label.

This 10-track compilation features a curated selection from these latter three albums, all of which have been fully remastered and are making their debut on vinyl.

Earlier this year Dirk Da Davo’s album “Retrospective 1987 – 2023” album was released in April. Additionally, June saw a reissue of The Neon Judgement’s “PIAS 40” vinyl, which includes several tracks from the 1980s.

A digital EP is planned for November 20th, involving Dirk’s side project DDDJMX and Jean-Marie Aerts (JMX). The EP is titled “23”.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil.

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Who says Dirk Da Davo thinks The Neon Judgement! Even if this band remains one of the pioneers and true references in the Electro-Underground scene, Dirk has been involved with numerous other projects. The recently released album “Retrospective 1987-2023” is an opportunity to discover those projects; a fine selection from Dirk Timmermans’ (he’s real name) work over the thirty six past years aside from The Neon Judgement. The album has been released on vinyl format by Je M’En Fish and features ten songs. Each title of the work inspired me to ask a questions to Dirk. This is a short story of this Belgian living legend of Electronic music… and more…

(Courtesy by Inferno Sound Diaries)

Q: The album takes off with “King Of Fools” which is probably the most surprising song from the album. It sounds sexy while the slide guitar has something pretty American-like. What is this song all about and what does it say about the music you’re listening to?  

DDD: The song is about the feeling that got created during the lockdown and the absurdity of certain measures taken which oppressed the people like never before. And I am questioning that in the song. ‘Will you obey the king of fools? Is there a way to neglect his rules? In a way he seems modified… Do you think he is justified?’ It is about this new created normality which I can’t get used to.

Musicaly it is not that far away for me. As a young kid I grew up with my father’s western music compilation records. And the music you listen to when you are a kid, stays forever in the back of your head… It’s a bit American/Western. It’s not the first time that it shows up. With The Neon Judgement we did the albums “Blood And Thunder” (1989) and “The Insult” (1991)who also have a American Tex Mex vibe in some album tracks. 

Q: “Ozz” is a track you composed together with Jean-Marie Aerts. I didn’t exactly expect you both composing music together. How did you get in touch and how was it working together? 

DDD: I know Jean-Marie already for a long time. He produced some album tracks for The Neon Judgement’s “Blood And Thunder”-album in 1989. He played the bass on The Neon Judgement’s “Jazzbox”-single in 1998 and we even did some experimental dub vinyl releases together in the 90s. And in a way we stayed connected. I live in Spain and Jean-Marie and his wife decided to come over for a vacation. I have a recording studio in the place where I live. It took exactly 2 days after his arrival and we started recording jam sessions. We finalized an EP and we decided to call our project DDDJMX. We released the digital EP in 2017 by the same title: “DDDJMX”. At the end he visited me 3 times which resulted in 10 recordings we digitally released in 2020 as the “Oceaned”-album. It was interesting. Jean–Marie left me completely free in production , arrangements and all regarding the tracks. An honor for me that he gave me his confidence! I feel flattered.

Q: “The Unreal” sounds to me as ‘modern’ The Neon Judgement. Are you sometimes nostalgic when evoking The Neon Judgement and do you think it’s really over now -especially because you went back on stage again since the so-called farewell concert in the A.B.? 

DDD: Oh really? It was not intended like that. No, I am not a nostalgic person at all or it must be about my childhood. I always prefer to look ahead and try to find new challenges. That is where the oxygen is! We had a fantastic trip with The Neon Judgement; I’m grateful to the fans but one day you have to call it a day. But never say never, I like to keep these things open… What I enjoy now is recording new music and develop myself further as a musician, not to play the same tracks over and over again. 

Q: “Where Even Angels Fall” sounds definitely 80s like. How much of the young Dirk Da Davo from the 80s do you still recognize in your music and approach today?  

DDD: That is a difficult question. I think through all my career I kept my personal touch, but it might have been influenced with the musical surroundings at certain periods… But I still carry the DDD label over all I think. No compromises for better business.

Q: “Sexhead” definitely is my favorite song from the album which reminds me of Cabaret Voltaire. I think to know Cabaret Voltaire have been one of your influences. What did you like in their sound and did you ever got the chance to get in touch with Richard H. Kirk -who passed away in 2021?  

DDD: An influence is perhaps a big word. We felt more like-minded. I liked the way they approached music from their first album on. The sound –experiments, the search for something new and with that sound they represented the times in which we lived. I met Richard once yes; I think that was during the first half of the 80s. We shared a venue in our hometown, Leuven, a venue named Lido with as line-up: The Neon Judgement, Cabaret Voltaire and 23 Skidoo. Oh what a night full of impressive music! ! 😉 

Q: “Meat Cathedral” is another 80s song which was released by your side-project If It Moves. It’s a project you set up with Glenn Frank -who also contributed to songs of The Neon Judgement right? What was this project all about?  

DDD: The project happened by coincidence. I joined Glenn’s band Street Ducks at the time as an extra guitar player. We shared a rehearsal room and one evening I was there alone with him. We started to program some industrial beats, I took a guitar and Glenn a microphone and what you hear happened on the spot. A week later we were recording the track together with Ludo Camberlin in his studio and it got released on vinyl. Glenn was part of The Neon Judgement for a short period as a bass player, but not as a song writer.  

Q: “157” reminds me of the early minimalism from Front 242. I can’t remember you ever did something together with the guys of ‘242’. Was there a connection or friendship? Rivalry? Just respect? 

DDD: There was an undercooled friendship, for sure no rivalry no. I remember a big party we had together in the 80s in Sweden, were we shared the stage in a double bill. We ended up throwing tables to each other during the after party, but it was just for fun! 🙂 Tour stress that is! 😉

Patrick Codenys also helped me out preparing the recordings of The Neon Judgement’s “Mafu Cage”-album. We were getting into sampling, but we didn’t have a sampler ourselves. That is when Patrick proposed that I could come over to his house to prepare samples for the “Mafu Cage”-sessions because they had a sampling machine.

“157”is one of my favorite Neon Electronics recordings produced by Glenn Keteleer (Radical G) who is my partner in the project now since 10 years. 

Q: “Strive” is one of your ‘new’ songs but what are you actually busy doing? And who are you working with? And is there an artist you really would like to work with?  

DDD: I am busy doing what a musician does: making music and enjoying it. And I try to run my digital label as good as I can. 

I am all the time working on songs and demos with Sanchez (the Mexican) under DD Sanchez, solo etc… Hopefully after summer we can produce new Neon Electronics music.. After summer I will release a digi-EP with new DDDJMX music. There is always something going! There’s not really a musician that I can directly think of , but for sure I would like to deliver music for a Quentin Tarantino movie if that counts also!  

Q: Talking about Sanchez, “Cities In Dust” is a song from your project together with him. The project DD Sanchez remains one of the most surprising ones and I dare to say a kind of antidote to your involvement with The Neon Judgement. What’s the ‘bonus’ in your career of DD Sanchez?  

DDD: It’s a challenge for myself. From the beginning of the project (first release 2019 “Z”-EP) I had the intention with DD Sanchez to write and create a less dark kind of music. A real challenge when you are mostly known in a darker scene and maybe not so wise but a musician should always follow his instinct and his heart . We released a full digi-album October 2022 and it got titled “HappyGrey” The title carries the load: it not really happy Pop music and neither very dark music. So it is “HappyGrey” music. 

Q: “In Dreams” was originally written in the early 90s and sounds to me as The Neon Judgement injected with Techno. What did you keep in mind from this (r)evolution in sound called Techno?  

DDD: “In Dreams” was recorded and released on vinyl format under DDD Program in 1992. During those times I was into club music and Techno. I think the Techno scene took over the thing that we started as the next generation. They distilled it down to its essence. Nowadays I still enjoy quality Techno music. I am a secret fan of Amelie Lens, also a Belgian DJ artist, but don’t tell anyone !

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

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Out on April 17th is the official release of the Dirk Da Davo “Retrospective 1987-2023” vinyl album in co-production with Je m’en Fish. The release will NOT be available on the streaming channels for the time being. However it will be available on DDD’s Bandcamp page from the 10th of April on, today that is.

Only the new album track “Strive” will be made available for streaming platforms from april 17th on. You can watch the brand new video for “Strive” right below.

And here is the album on Bandcamp.

In the early 1980s, Dirk Da Davo was a driving force in the Belgian (and European) electronic music scene with his initial project, The Neon Judgement. From the late 1980s onward, he started to diversify, beginning with the release of a solo EP, “Where Even Angels Fall,” and later reinventing himself as Neon Electronics while also establishing a record label (Dancedelic-D). Nowadays, having relocated to Spain, he collaborates with Mexican bass and slide guitarist Sanchez (under the DD Sanchez moniker) and Jean-Marie Aerts (under the DDDJMX alias).

This retrospective album provides a glimpse into his work, spanning from the early solo sessions of the 80s to present-day material.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil.

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Genre/Influences: Electronic, Cold-Wave, Dark-Wave, Dark-Techno.

Format: Digital, Vinyl.

Background/Info: Dirk Da Davo will be always connected to one of the most legendary and influential Electro bands in history: The Neon Judgement. From both members Dirk Timmermans aka ‘Dirk Da Davo’ has been the most creative and prolific one. Next to The Neon Judgement he also released solo-material working under his own nickname but also as Neon Electronics and collaborating with other artists like Glenn Keteleer (Radical G), Jean-Marie Aerts (formerly involved with TC Matic), Glenn Frank, The Hacker, Sanchez ao. This compilation is a selection of familiar, rare and unreleased tracks that were released between 1987 and 2023.

Content: This is a very diversified record where it sometimes is nearly impossible to recognize the sound of The Neon Judgement -as DDD will be always linked to this band. But Dirk feels clearly comfortable dealing and experimenting with different influences. “King Of Fools” is one of these cuts which has something like an American sound carried by this heavy, guitar play. Other tracks are reminding me of early Neon Judgement experiments which are mainly coming through in the Electronic sound treatments and rhythm box patterns. Other cuts are into Dark-Techno and that’s what Neon Electronics stands for -especially during the early years of the project. You’ll also discover two previously unreleased songs; one featuring Mexican artist Sanchez.

+ + + : I didn’t know what to expect when holding this vinyl in my hands but I was more than positively surprised. This album sounds somewhere in between a ‘best of’ from Da Davo’s work next to The Neon Judgement and a summary of all different kinds of productions and styles he has explored. I like the opening cut “King Of Fools” which has something sexy and pretty addictive in the guitar play and vocal lines. “Ozz” featuring Jean-Marie Aerts aka ‘JMX’ sounds as an instrumental from Neon Judgement with extra guitar on top. I also want to mention “Where Even Angels Fall” for its old-school Electro style and “Sexhead” originally written in 1987 and reminding me of Cabaret Voltaire. “1987” written together with Glenn Keteleer reminds me of early Front 242 minimalism. Last but not least I also recommend “In Dreams” sounding as Neon Judgement infected by Techno music.

– – – : I’ve just one regret -which has nothing to do with the content of the vinyl; but it would have been cool for this retrospective to get some inside information, pictures etc… featured as a booklet.

Conclusion: A great retrospective from a living legend of Electronic music.

Best songs: “Sexhead”, “In Dreams”, “King Of Fools”, “Where Even Angels Fall”, “157”.

Rate: 8.

Artist: www.facebook.com/dirk.dadavo

Label: www.facebook.com/JemenfishBE

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

www.side-line.com

The brand new Dirk Da Davo song and video, “Strive” – featured on the upcoming vinyl album “Retrospective 1987-2023” set for release on April 10th – is available now.

Watch the video for “Strive”.

“Retrospective 1987-2023” is a co-production between Dirk Da Davo and the Brussels-based Je M’en Fish label. The 180g high-quality vinyl album will be available in two editions: black with a red center blob, and red vinyl with a black marbled effect. The album also includes another previously unreleased track, “Cities In Dust”, featuring DD Sanchez.

Dirk Da Davo was a key figure in the Belgian and European electronic scene in the early 1980s with his first project, The Neon Judgement. He began branching out in the late 1980s, starting with the solo EP “Where Even Angels Fall,” later reinventing himself with Neon Electronics and founding the record label Dancedelic-D. Now based in Spain, he collaborates with Mexican bass and slide guitarist Sanchez (under the DD Sanchez moniker) and Jean-Marie Aerts (under the DDDJMX alias).

This retrospective album showcases Dirk Da Davo’s work, spanning from his early solo sessions in the 80s to his recent material.

Preview all tracks on the compilation below.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil.

side-line.com

Dirk Da Davo’s “Retrospective 1987-2023” vinyl album release will be out on April 10th. The release is a co-production with the Brussels (Belgium) based Je M’en Fish label.

“Retrospective 1987-2023” will be available as a high quality 180g vinyl record in black with a red center blob, or in red vinyl with a black ‘marbled’ effect. The album also contains 1 previously unreleased new track, “Cities In Dust” (featuring DD Sanchez).

In the early eighties Dirk Da Davo was the driving force in the Belgian (and European) electronic scene with his first project The Neon Judgement. Starting from the late 1980s, he also began to branch out, starting with the release of a solo EP “Where Even Angels Fall” and later revamping himself under the guise of Neon Electronics, as well as starting a record label (Dancedelic- D). Nowadays relocated to Spain he is now collaborating with the Mexican bass and slide guitarist Sanchez (under the DD Sanchez flag) and Jean-Marie Aerts (under the DDDJMX flag).

This retrospective album gives an idea of his work, from the early solo sessions of the 80s to current material.

You can check out the tracks below.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil.

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RED ZEBRA is part of the Belgian music history. Set up in the late ’70 they rapidly became a successful formation often linked to Punk- and New/Cold-Wave music. Singer and front man Peter Slabbynck doesn’t really care about genres, but the early success song “I Can’t Live In A Living Room” remains forty years later an absolute Punk- and New-Wave hymn. The band last year released the noticeable compilation “Songs And Stripes (1980 – 2020)” on Wool-E Discs, which is the perfect album to rediscover the magic of this formation. I talked about a few things with Peter Slabbynck.

(Courtesy by Inferno Sound Diaries)

Q: RED ZEBRA has been set up in 1978! How do you imagine your life without this alter-ego? And what has been the impact of RED ZEBRA on your life and the person you are today?

Peter: Before RED ZEBRA, there was THE BUNGALOWS. But I changed the name at the end of ’79. With the new name people took us more serious. But Punk changed my life; it said to me: ‘don’t wait, do it yourself’! It was perfect for a redhead kid with a big mouth, not afraid to sing and make a fool of himself on stage. So living without RED ZEBRA is difficult to imagine for me. But of course, all of this happened due to the song “I Can’t Live In A Living Room”.

Q: RED ZEBRA has been always linked with Punk and Cold-Wave music, but what remains today? And how did you see yourself evolving throughout the years?

Peter: I don’t like all those categories. What is Punk, what is New-Wave, what is Cold-Wave, what is RED ZEBRA? Sometimes we sounded this way, sometimes another way. I guess today we are mostly a Rock band with Punk and New-Wave roots. But apparently we do have some kind of own sound. That’s also due to my voice and certainly my lyrics and the topics I sing about. That makes me glad.

Q: You often said that the “Bastogne” remains your favorite work. I read that there’re plans to re-release the work this year as a kind of 40-years anniversary, right? What makes “Bastogne” that special and maybe different from other RED ZEBRA productions?

Peter: It’s without a doubt the best record we ever made. Due to many things. The songs first of all, with important role for Chery Derycke, the bass player at that time. It’s like he plays guitar on the bass. And the production by Jean-Marie Aerts of TC MATIC, was great. Everything was just right. Unfortunately Chery left the band short afterwards. So we couldn’t repeat the same level. That makes the album “Maquis” an album with ups and downs. There are indeed plans to re-release “Bastogne” this year for its 40 years anniversary.

Q: You last year released the compilation-album “Songs And Stripes (1980 – 2020)”. I would like to ask you for some comments about a few songs:

-“I Can’t Live In A Living Room” – the B-side, which became your biggest hit ever!

Peter: This song started to lead a life on it’s own. Not our best song, but I can live with the success of it.

-“The Art Of Conversation” – definitely one of your best songs ever?

Peter: One of my personal favorites an strangely enough the lyrics are still very actual, even more than ever.

-“Bastogne” – a great instrumental with a significant title?

Peter: I loved to learn about history at school. I convinced my parents to visit places as Ypres, Verdun, the beaches in Normandy, Bastogne… So that’s why I came up with this title for the song and the album.

-“John Wayne” – if you’d written this song today, would you eventually call it Donald Trump?

Peter: Maybe, but I don’t wanna honor Trump with a song. No way. But the story of Wayne is so unbelievable. He played in those war movies but never was a soldier himself. Quite funny. Or not.

-“My Boss, The Robot” – a new song?

Peter: It’s a song of EX-RZ, the Electronic version of RED ZEBRA I did for a few years with guitarist Frits Standaert, who’s now one the guitarists of RED ZEBRA. Some of my lyrics become true. So maybe it’s a robot writing this answer…

-“Always” – the song I’m missing and which according to me remained underrated?

Peter: Not so sure if this is a good song or not. Nice that you like it, but we never play it live.

Q: The music business -including ‘underground’ genres, has gone through important changes; advanced technology, streaming platforms versus decline physical releases, social media etc… RED ZEBRA always had a very critical perception about our Western World so what do these subjects and evolutions evoke to you?

Peter: What’s underground? If you want your songs to be heard, what most bands or artists want, can you be underground then? I’m only underground when I take the tube, I guess. And concerning the so-called Western World, it gives me plenty of subjects to think or write about. So thank you Western World.

Q: Tell us a bit more about the search for a new drummer and the EBM-side project PESCH? What are the further plans and how do you imagine further life without the ongoing pandemic..?

Peter: A lot of guys want to become the new drummer of RED ZEBRA. That’s good news. So we selected 8 drummers. The bad news? Because of Covid-19 we’re not allowed to do auditions. So RED ZEBRA is taking a nap, that’s why I started PESCH.

It was already a longtime my ambition to start an EBM band an do this with Chesko of DER KLINKE. But 2 is a bit lonely so we adopted Sam Claeys, who’s part of RED ZEBRA and DER KLINKE. It’s really great fun. For the moment it’s my main project. We are releasing a maxi with four songs in April, called “Melba”. Those silly jokes are part of PESCH. And for the rest, no idea what the future brings. But no future? I don’t think so.

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Electro-Rock, Cinematographic, Experimental.

Format: Digital.

Background/Info: “StRaNgE” is the second collaboration between Belgian Dirk Da Davo (Neon Judgement, Neon Electronics) and Mexican bass player Sanchez (El Caballo). After a first EP entitled “Z” they now strike back with a kind of mini-album featuring eight songs. It seems that the restrictions in the artistic life due to Covid-19 incited both protagonists –who recorded the album in Mexico, to meet again.

Content: “StRaNgE” sounds like the meeting between different influences and different worlds. It’s fully represented in the duality between electronic arrangements carried by typical rhythms reminding me of the trademark of Dirk Da Davo at one side and the particular, somewhat Country/Funky guitar playing at the other side. On top of it all you get a deep, vibrating bass play. Two worlds are joining hands to create an entertaining and evasive music style, which even revisited “People Are Strange” from The Doors in a totally new style.

+ + + : Sometimes Experimental, but always accessible, this duo is really surprising. Since the end of The Neon Judgement, Dirk Da Davo seems to be composing very different kinds of music. You can feel that he’s enjoying his work, exploring new paths and sometimes having fun with a good friend –referring to the EP together with Jean-Marie Aerts. DD Sanchez brings music to dance and to dream; music that creates to me the sensation of watching a road movie. It sounds like freedom… artistic freedom, but in the end I simply enjoy the ride! Songs like “When Strangers Pass By” and “Shine The Light” both reveal the true potential of this project.

– – – : Some of the songs are pretty similar, but globally speaking you don’t hear me complaining.

Conclusion: Dirk Da Davo is clearly taking some distance with his past although you will easily recognize some sounds and arrangements that will remind you of The Neon Judgement. This is the kind of work getting people happy.

Best songs: “Shine The Light”, “When Strangers Pass By”, “How Strange Can You Get”.

Rate: (7½).

Artist: www.facebook.com/dirk.dadavo

Label: www.dancedelicd.com / www.facebook.com/ddd.neon.electronics

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Electro-rock, funky, groovy.

Format: Digital.

Background/Info: DDDJMX is the meeting between two ‘giants’ from the Belgian music scene. DDD stands for Dirk Da Davo (The Neon Judgement, Neon Electronics) and JMX stands for Jean-Marie Aerts (producer, musician and of course involved long time ago with TC Matic). They previously released an EP and now achieved this full length album.

Content: “Oceaned” is a work mixing the influences of both musicians. Dirk Da Davo took care of the electronic loops and grooves while taking the vocals for him. Jean-Marie Aerts is playing guitar and added some bass as well. Most of the songs have something pretty funky, but in the end it all sounds a bit like a free-styled work. Some passages –especially at “New Normality” even have something cinematic-like.

+ + + : This work is quite surprising if you consider Dirk Da Davo is involved. This sound is far away from the coldness of The Neon Judgement, but sounds as the offspring of the groovy side of Neon Electronics mixed with the guitar playing of Jean-Marie Aerts. Some parts of the album make me think of urban-styled music. But it’s not that strange one of my favorite cuts is just a little darker and featuring more explicit electronic part (cf. “Ozz”).

– – – : I had some reservations reviewing this album or not because of its sound/influences. This is not exactly what I would call an underground or alternative release although it’s not commercial like. It might appeal for a very different audience, but I’m missing some of the cold-/darkness in it.

Conclusion: “Oceaned” is probably more an album that has to be seen as two mates making music and having fun together instead of an album that will enter into the Belgian music history… even if both members are already ‘history’!

Best songs: “Ozz”, “Bring It”, “We’re Slipping And Sliding”.

Rate: (6).

Artists: www.facebook.com/dirk.dadavo / www.facebook.com/JMX-Jean-Marie-Aerts-24932259011

Label: www.dancedelicd.com / www.facebook.com/ddd.neon.electronics

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

www.side-line.com

The Dancedelicd label announces that Dirk Da Davo (former The Neon Judgement) and Jean-Marie Aerts (a.k.a. JMX) (former TC Matic and producer of Luc Van Acker, Urban Dance Squad and many more) have finished a new digital album titled “Oceaned”. The album was mixed by Michel ‘Shelle’ Dierickx, enigneer of The Neon Judgement’s 1989 album “Blood and Thunder” which Jean-Marie Aert also partially produced.

It’s not the first time the duo work together on a project, a few years ago they also released the “DDD JMX” EP.

The digital release of “Oceaned” is scheduled for April 6th 2020. Prior to the album release 2 single releases will hit the stores. February 3th will see the release of “All is said” and March 2nd you can expect “Pray for rain”.

Here’s already a preview of “All is said”.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil.

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A few days ago we announced that Neon Judgment co-founder Dirk Da Davo had joined up on the island of Fuerteventura (Spain) with the fabulous Jean-Marie Aerts (TC Matic) for a recording session which is out now under the title “DDD JMX EP”.

Today we can offer you an exclusive stream of the bonus track “Attack Dogs Achieve (Noseda Remix)”. Check it out below!

https://soundcloud.com/the-neon-judgement/dddjmx-ep-bonus-track-attack-dogs-achieve-noseda-remix/s-3G3C1

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil.

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Neon Judgment co-founder Dirk Da Davo joined up on the island of Fuerteventura (Spain) with the fabulous Jean-Marie Aerts (TC Matic) who produced (next to Luc Van Acker) The Neon Judgement album “Blood and Thunder” from 1989.

The result of the recording sessions will be released on Dirk Da Davo’s independant digital label DanceDelic D under the title “DDD JMX EP” and will be available November 6th on. You can check out the album below.

Jean-Marie Aerts is a Belgian guitarist and producer, best known as the guitar player for TC Matic. Aerts was a session musician who had worked with Kaz Lux, Raymond van het Groenewoud, and Plastic Bertrand when he joined Arno Hintjens in TC Matic in 1980, replacing Paul Decoutere. He also produced the band’s first three albums, but also produced other artists’ albums as well, including Luc van Acker’s “KAZ” (1982) and Arbeid Adelt!’s “Jonge Helden” (1983).

After TC Matic broke up he continued as a producer, working with artists including The Neon Judgement, Jo Lemaire, and the Urban Dance Squad, for whom he produced the groundbreaking debut album “Mental Floss for the Globe”.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil.

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