The Scene is the name of at least five bands; one Dutch, one Canadian, one … Read Full Bio ↴The Scene is the name of at least five bands; one Dutch, one Canadian, one British, one German, and one English.

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

Soldaat
The Scene Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Het regent en de nacht is koud
m’n weerzin is compleet
ik staar naar het trillen van m’n handen
de vrouw hier voor me
zou wel willen dat ik jou vergeet
ik vraag of ze doorloopt naar een ander

Ik wilde dat het lichter was

zodat ik jou kon zien
maar ik ben aan de duisternis gebonden
het vreemde is, het voelt
alsof ik krijg wat ik verdien
alsof ik onze code heb geschonden

De dingen die je meemaakt
alles wat je ziet
het is niet nutteloos of overbodig
jij weet net zo goed als ik
dat je krijgt wat je verdient
wat je vreest heb je het meeste nodig

Hier is een brief van een geliefde
van een die het meent en het niet meer houdt

die niets vertrouwt dan waar zijn hart naar uitgaat
Brief van een verliefde soldaat

Overall Meaning

The Scene's song "Soldaat" tells a story of a soldier who is facing various internal conflicts while standing out in the cold, rainy night. He is struggling with his disgust and staring at his trembling hands while a woman stands before him. Though he wants to forget her, his code of conduct prohibits him from having a relationship with her. He asks her to move away from him and finds himself bound to the darkness. As he is getting what he deserves, he feels strange as if he has violated his code.

The song delves deep into the complexities of human emotions and how they can conflict with our duties and beliefs. The soldier is in a dilemma where his heart wishes to be with the woman, but his strict code forbids him from pursuing her. The reference to the letter from a loved one emphasizes the longing of the soldier to be with someone he loves but is unable to because of the situation he is in. The song captures the pain and suffering that comes with being torn between duty and love.

Line by Line Meaning

Het regent en de nacht is koud
It's raining and the night is cold.

m’n weerzin is compleet
I'm completely disgusted.

ik staar naar het trillen van m’n handen
I stare at my trembling hands.

de vrouw hier voor me
The woman in front of me.

zou wel willen dat ik jou vergeet
She would like me to forget about you.

ik vraag of ze doorloopt naar een ander
I ask her to go to someone else.

Ik wilde dat het lichter was
I wish it was lighter.

zodat ik jou kon zien
So I could see you.

maar ik ben aan de duisternis gebonden
But I'm bound to darkness.

het vreemde is, het voelt
The strange thing is it feels like

alsof ik krijg wat ik verdien
I'm getting what I deserve.