The Nits

8-7-09 The Nits

The Nits were recommended to me by a guy at Boudisque Record Shop in Amsterdam, Netherlands named Eric Heuseveldt. He knew I was a big Supersister fan, so – naturlijk, I would enjoy The Nits – and, besides, after producing some great music for The Nits – Robert-Jan Stips of Supersister actually joined The Nits on keyboards! So, my era of Nits expertise is up until approx. the album “Ting”.

These are the albums I can unconditionally recommend by The Nits:

LP NITS, THE SCRAMBLE NL 910.033

1978 12 TRKS

LP TENT CBS NL CBS 84051

1979 15 TRKS

CD TENT CBS NL CDCBS 32228

1979 18 TRKS (3 x bonus tracks)

LP NEW FLAT CBS NL CBS 84725

1980 14 TRKS

CD NEW FLAT CBS NL 461189.2

1980 14 TRKS

LP WORK CBS NL CBS 85427

1981 13 TRKS

CD WORK CBS NL 461190.2

1981 15 TRKS (2 x bonus tracks)

LP OMSK CBS NL CBS 25364

1983 12 TRKS

CD OMSK CBS NL 460652.2

1983 15 TRKS (3 x bonus tracks)

LP ADIEU SWEET BAHNHOF CBS NL CBS 25985

1983 11 TRKS

CD ADIEU SWEET BAHNHOF CBS NL CDCBS 25985

1984 13 TRKS (2 x bonus tracks)

LP HENK CBS NL CBS 26870

1986 12 TRKS

CD HENK / KILO CBS NL 450471.2

1986 18 TRKS 2 on 1

LP IN THE DUTCH MOUNTAINS CBS NL 460071.1

1987 12 TRKS

CD IN THE DUTCH MOUNTAINS CBS NL 460071.2

1987 15 TRKS (3 x bonus tracks)

CDx2 URK CBS NL 465843.2

1989 29 TRKS Live

CD3 TORNI promo CBS NL PRO 597

1990 1 TRK CD Single CD3, promo

CD GIANT NORMAL DWARF CBS NL 467496.2

1990 14 TRKS

LP GIANT NORMAL DWARF CBS NL 467496.1

1990 14 TRKS

CD TING COLUMBIA NL 472213.2

1992 15 TRKS

I was very friendly with The Nits from approx. ’82 – ’92. I visited Holland many times during those years. I only ever saw them live twice (once in Tilburg, Netherlands and once in Paris, France).

My favorite is likely still “New Flat” – which made a giant impression on me in 1981. I stayed with them through their fame & fortune in Holland (“In The Dutch Mountains” era), I was present when they made their video for “Radio Shoes”; I was also around for “La Grande Parade”, the LP of various artists that Henk Hofstede produced for Werf Records (The Nits’ label). I was who recommended Mam to Henk, for inclusion on this project.

Yes, I have tons of 7” & 12” singles – CD Singles etc. But if I listed everything here, it would make today’s blog too long. I also have lots of neat Nits video, which I’ve had ever since about ’85 or so – when the band gave it to me. In the new century, I understand it is possible to obtain Nits DVD’s. That’s great – it was so cool to have those videos 20+ years ago!

I really liked the single that goes with “Next”, their “Best Of” CD – “Broken Wing” – both English and French language versions. I was also fond of their ’98 CD “Alankomatt”. Alas, I have not followed The Nits much after ’98 – we lost track of one another.

I am also very friendly with their manager, Aad Link. I saw Aad less than 10 years ago, at ProgFest, when Supersister came and played live in L.A. – Aad and I get along real well. He has a real amusing sense of humor. I think I was video’d raving about Supersister at that show – and I’m a bonus feature on a Supersister DVD now. I do not have a copy of that, however.

I must also admit that I really enjoy the solo album by Michiel Peters, the original Nits’ guitarist – “The Infant King” (Werf Records). Michiel was who answered my fan letter in the early 80’s – I am out of touch with him at present, which is unfortunate, as he & I used to talk “record collector” stuff with each other. He always wanted ‘mono’ records – because he had significant hearing loss!

In the mid-80’s, Henk and his girlfriend Riemke came to the west coast of the US for a visit – Warren & I drove them to San Francisco from L.A. in Warren’s convertible (which Henk always called “an open car”). Good times, good times.

The Nits were one of those bands that I “Johnny Appleseeded” to anybody who would LISTEN. How did you find out about The Nits? From me or Brian Ware or Mark Moerman? (both of whom I told about The Nits) What’s your favorite Nits album?

Vive Les Nits!