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Bettie Serveert | |
|---|---|
 Carol van Dijk, lead singer of Bettie Serveert, performing inVondelpark in 2006 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| Genres | Indie rock Alternative rock |
| Years active | 1990–present |
| Labels | Matador Beggars Banquet Hidden Agenda Minty Fresh Second Motion Records |
| Members | Carol van Dijk Peter Visser Stephan Van Der Meijden |
| Past members | Berend Dubbe Reinier Veldman Stoffel Verlackt Jeroen Blankert Herman Bunskoeke Martijn Blankestijn Gino Geudens |
| Website | http://www.bettieserveert.com/ |
Bettie Serveert is a Dutchindie rock band. The name translates to "Bettie Serves", which is the title of a book written by Dutchtennis playerBetty Stöve, who made it to theWimbledon Ladies Singles final in 1977.[1]
The band as of 2025 is composed of Carol Van Dijk (or "van Dyk", born 22 April 1962, inVancouver, British Columbia) (vocals and guitar), Peter Visser (guitar) and Stephan Van Der Meijden (drums). The band originally formed in 1986, but its members split up for four years, following their first gig. They reformed in 1990, and released their debut album,Palomine, in 1992.[2] According toThe Guardian, the album was a "high point for European guitar music in an era dominated by the US and UK".[3]
In 1995, the group released their second album,Lamprey, which was well received by critics.[4] They subsequently obtained tour slots alongside artists includingBelly,Dinosaur Jr,Buffalo Tom,Superchunk,Come, andJeff Buckley.[5]
After releasing the full-length albumDust Bunnies in 1997, Bettie Serveert releaseda cover album featuring songs from the bandVelvet Underground.[6] Berend Dubbe left the band due to artistic differences and started his own band,Bauer.
In July 2001, Van Dijk and Pascal Deweze of Sukilove released their self-titled album asChitlin' Fooks. They followed it withDid it Again in January 2003.[7]
A number of drummers, such as Reinier Veldman (who played the drums in the Bettie Serveert proto-bandDe Artsen), stood in for Dubbe on their next album,Private Suit. Stoffel Verlackt, Jeroen Blankert, and Gino Geudens played the drums onLog 22 andAttagirl. Bettie Serveert continues to tour extensively through Western Europe, Canada, and the United States. Their cover of theBright Eyes track "Lover I Don't Have to Love" was featured in episode 18 of season 3 of theFOX showThe OC.Palomine's title track can be heard playing in the background during episode 4 ofMy So-Called Life. The band also coveredBob Dylan's "I'll Keep It with Mine" for the soundtrack of the 1996 indie filmI Shot Andy Warhol.[8]
Bettie Serveert released a digital onlyEP,Deny All, onSecond Motion Records, on 26 January 2010 in the United States. Their ninth full-length album,Pharmacy of Love, was also given a US release by Second Motion on 23 March of that year.[9]
2017 saw the release ofDamaged Good, again to positive reception. A pink vinyl version with agatefold cover, limited to 1,000 copies, was released as part ofRecord Store Day that year.
"Ta!", the group's first new song since 2017, was released as a single on 1 July 2025. A music video was also released.[10]
Carol van Dijk was born in Canada to Dutch parents. Her native language isEnglish. Her family moved to Holland in 1969, and van Dijk struggled with the subsequent language barrier, in particular the Amsterdam variation of the Dutch language.[4] Her voice has been praised for its beauty and clarity, as well as its unusual pronunciations.[11]
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