Junkie XL. A new band which presents itself so self - assuredly, and it�s own inimitable way, on "SaturdayTeenage kick" that it`s almost impossible to believe that this is a new group`s very first record. the sound created on the album ("Billy Club" has already been released as a 12 inch and a CD single) is hot , the tracks storm out of the loudspeakers and the song material is varied but always strong. Admittedly, junkie XL didn�t just fall from the sky, there have been rumours of new Tom Holkenborg band for several months now.
Over the years Holkenborg - renowned for his production and remix work with Nerve, Kong, Fear Factory and Dog Eat Dog- has built up a reputation for himself as a popular producer in the international metal and rock world. But his more recent projects have shown a definite leaning towards dance. in 1996 he won the Grand Prix of the Netherlands in the category Dance Music (as best house producer and best sounding act) more or less by chance with his first series of experiments. this success was followed by an album with Lords of Mulu, a project which allowed Holkenborg to elaborate his ideas even further and one which served as bridging link between his musical past and the next step Junkie XL.
Without doubt, Junkie XL is the best Holkenborg has done to date. While many electronic dance groups have recently begun to include more and more rock elements in their music, the Amsterdam producer approaches the same dance - rock territory from a completely different angle, On "Saturday Teenage kick" his tried and tested energetic rock sound has been moulded into an uncompromising dance groove, with heavy hip - hop beat as the power source. the result is alluring an dcompelling, and international
The nervous energy of junkie XL reflects Holkenborg`s own character, he`s a hopless workaholic who almost lives in his studio, where you will find him working on new ideas and upcoming releases until early hours. But above all he is an inspired musician with boundless energy and infectious enthusiasm, which comes through� loud and clear in the music on "Saturday Teenage Kick".
In contrast to many dance producers, Holkenborg did not need to rely on samples of music by others to create Junkie XL`s special sound. He not only played keyboards, guitar and bass on "Saturday Teenage kick", but also provided a number of live drumbeat patches. He was ablyassisted by guitarist Dino Cazares (Fear Factory) and urban Dance Squad`s frontman Rude Boy, his funky rap complementing the Junkie XL sound and producing an effect in this new envirorment which is quite different to the Dance Squad sound.
The tracks on "Saturday Teenage Kick" (the first releaseon the new medcom label) have already had successful try outs on the stages of clubs such as the "Roxy" and "Melkweg" in Amsterdam. In november1997 Junkie XL sets out on it�s first nation - wide Dutch tour, one on which Holkenberg will be backed by a full band including DJ Franki D (one of the Netherlands`s best known funky trip hop Dj`s), and of course Rude Boy,(Urban Dance Squad). A foreign tour is Scheaduled for Junkie XL in the near future.