1) A Dutch rock band from Amsterdam called The Scene, formed around singer Thé Lau.
The band was formed in 1979 and had its glory days in the Nineties. The band had a great variety of members throughout the years, but the sound remained basically the same. Thé Lau's characteristic raw and hoarse voice and his hypnotising compositions are the focal point of the band.
At the beginning of 1980, the band is called 'best Dutch band without an album' by magazine OOR.
In May of the same year, the first album is released. All the songs are sung in English save for two tracks with lyrics in Dutch. The album is received well by the magazines, yet was commercially less successful.
It took seven years to make a follow-up (Rij Rij Rij), due to various occasions. The members in 1987 are, next to Thé Lau, Emilie Blom van Assendelft (bass) and Wim Zeeman (drums).
In 1989, the band welcomes two new members: Otto Cooymans (piano) and Eus van Someren (guitar). The single Rauw, Hees, Teder is released. Wim Zeeman is replaced by Jeroen Booy in January of 1990. The band also signs a record deal with Phonogram.
The results are the singles Rigoreus and Iedereen is van de Wereld and the album Blauw with all-Dutch lyrics. Everybody is very enthusiastic about this album, especially the people in Belgium.
One year later, the band is invited for the international Torhout/Werchter-festival. 'Rij Rij Rij' is released again.
The 1992 album Open receives an Edison, a Dutch music award, followed by the 'Popprijs' in 1993.
In October 1993 the next album is released: Avenue de la Scene. This album is a bit darker than the previous ones, and is a bit of a setback. The three singles get some airplay, but aren't big hits.
In April 1996, the album Arena is released on the Island label. This album is produced by Emile den Tex and tells the story about the battle against the nonchalance of existence. It's one of the best albums recorded bij The Scene.
Otto Cooymans leaves the band in 1997, due to 'artistic disagreements' as he calls it. He is replaced by Dante Oei, only 20 years old at that time.
Marlene is the first album with Dante Oei and is produced bij Thé Lau himself and is released in 1998.
It takes until 2000 before The Scene releases another album. The compilation album Rauw, Hees, Teder: Het Beste Van contains the hit single Helden, part of a Dutch commercial. That year, the band also receives a platinum record (100.000 albums sold) for 'Blauw'.
In 2002, the band can't get to an agreement for a new album, so Thé decides to make a second solo album. This appears to be the end of this band and in November, Thé tells the press that The Scene has disbanded.
In 2007 the band get together again for a series of concerts (mainly festivals). They release another album, simply called 2007, which contains new versions of old songs and two brand new songs.
The reunion becomes more solid when the album Liefde Op Doorreis gets released at the end of 2009.
Official website: www.thescene.nu
2) There was a UK band by the same name, a mod revival band from Bradford, Yorkshire, England.
The band formed in 1978 with Ian Harding (guitar & vocals), Phill Harding (guitar & keyboards), Dave Green (guitar), Ian James (bass) and George Mazur (drums). They performed all over northern England until they disbanded in 1981. They played a mixture of soul, R&B, 1960s rock & roll and punk rock. They started out performing cover songs, but soon began mainly playing original material. The band released one record — a vinyl 7-inch single with "Hey Girl" on one side and "Reach The Top" on the other — on their own 'Hole in the Wall' record label. Both tracks are now available for free download from the band's website. George Mazur went on to play with The Godfathers. Phill Harding became a composer and sonic artist. Ian Harding went on to play in various bands including Buddy Valentine and the Lonely Hearts, The Muskrats, The Gathering, The Men From The Mountains, TNT, The Doctors of Love, and Johnny 7.
3) The Scene are also a Canadian rock band formed in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada in 2004, by Matthew Crowley (vocals, guitar), Mark Chamberlain (bass guitar), and Jeff Gutteridge (drums). All members share a common interest and inspiration from Britpop bands from the early 90's, and as such, their sound is a combination of powerful guitar rock and beautiful melodies. The Scene have played many festivals in the United States and Canada, including 2 appearances at the North by Northeast festival in Toronto, Ontario, and at the historic CBGB's in September of 2004 with New York based group Hanslick Rebellion. They have released one EP - "The Orange EP" in December of 2005. In 2007 The Scene is one of 10 bands in UBL.com's final of the Ultimate Band of Bands competition.
4) There is also a fourth band from Germany using this name.
5) Selena Gomez's band name is The Scene. If you're listening to them, please scrobble under Selena Gomez & The Scene
Beschaving
The Scene Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
zijn de vrienden bij elkaar
de kat, de hond, het lam, de adelaar
geen motto, geen vlag, geen uniform
en we zingen zachtjes op het plein
is ons dorp klein, is ons dorp groot
dit is de beschaving, dit is mooi en groot
en domheid eist de dood
en op de avond voor de dag
is ons gezichtsveld onbeperkt
tussen kroeg, moskee en kerk
geen volksheld, geen volkslied, geen vlag
en we zingen zachtjes op het plein
is ons dorp klein, is ons dorp groot
dit is de beschaving, dit is mooi en gaaf
en dus kwetsbaar voor beschadiging
en domheid eist de dood
en in de stilte voor de storm
grijpt een kleine rat zijn kans
vraagt een grauwe muis ten dans
in de stilte voor de storm
dit is de beschaving, dit is mooi en groot
en dus kwetsbaar voor beschadiging
en domheid eist de dood
van Grieken naar Romeinen
van Romeinen naar barbaren
van barbaren naar gelovigen
van gelovigen naar christenen
van christenen naar heidenen
en terug naar de barbaren
en een barbaar doet wat?
vormt een horde en brandt plat
dit is de beschaving, dit is mooi en groot
en dus kwetsbaar voor beschadiging
en domheid eist de dood
These lyrics are about the fragility of civilization and the importance of recognizing and valuing what it means to be civilized. The first verse talks about how friends gather together before a storm, and how in that moment they share a sense of unity and peace despite their differences. The chorus reinforces this idea by stating that civilization is beautiful and great, but also very vulnerable and susceptible to harm. The second verse expands upon this, mentioning the diverse places of worship in the village and how they coexist peacefully without a nationalistic agenda. Again, the chorus emphasizes the idea that civilization must be protected against ignorance, which can lead to destruction. The final verse talks of how throughout history, civilizations have risen and fallen, and barbaric behavior has led to chaos and destruction. The song concludes with a final plea to recognize and protect the fragile beauty of our civilization.
Line by Line Meaning
en in de stilte voor de storm
Before the chaos that is to come, when all is calm
zijn de vrienden bij elkaar
Friends gather together
de kat, de hond, het lam, de adelaar
Different animals coexist without conflict
geen motto, geen vlag, geen uniform
No specific ideology, nationalism, or dress codes to identify with
en we zingen zachtjes op het plein
Singing softly in the square
is ons dorp klein, is ons dorp groot
Wondering if our village is small or big
dit is de beschaving, dit is mooi en groot
This is civilization, which is beautiful and grand
en dus kwetsbaar voor beschadiging
And thus vulnerable to damage
en domheid eist de dood
And ignorance leads to death
en op de avond voor de dag
On the night before the day
is ons gezichtsveld onbeperkt
Our sight is limitless
tussen kroeg, moskee en kerk
Between the pub, mosque, and church
geen volksheld, geen volkslied, geen vlag
No national heroes, anthems, or flags
en we zingen zachtjes op het plein
Singing softly in the square
is ons dorp klein, is ons dorp groot
Wondering if our village is small or big
dit is de beschaving, dit is mooi en gaaf
This is civilization, which is beautiful and pristine
en dus kwetsbaar voor beschadiging
And thus vulnerable to damage
en domheid eist de dood
And ignorance leads to death
en in de stilte voor de storm
Before the chaos that is to come, when all is calm
grijpt een kleine rat zijn kans
A small rat takes the opportunity
vraagt een grauwe muis ten dans
Asks a gray mouse to dance
in de stilte voor de storm
Before the chaos that is to come, when all is calm
dit is de beschaving, dit is mooi en groot
This is civilization, which is beautiful and grand
en dus kwetsbaar voor beschadiging
And thus vulnerable to damage
en domheid eist de dood
And ignorance leads to death
van Grieken naar Romeinen
From Greeks to Romans
van Romeinen naar barbaren
From Romans to barbarians
van barbaren naar gelovigen
From barbarians to believers
van gelovigen naar christenen
From believers to Christians
van christenen naar heidenen
From Christians to pagans
en terug naar de barbaren
And back to the barbarians
en een barbaar doet wat?
And what does a barbarian do?
vormt een horde en brandt plat
Forms a horde and burns everything down
dit is de beschaving, dit is mooi en groot
This is civilization, which is beautiful and grand
en dus kwetsbaar voor beschadiging
And thus vulnerable to damage
en domheid eist de dood
And ignorance leads to death
Contributed by Blake H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.