Calamity 74

The Calamity 74 were a Brunanter rock band, established in 1998 and dissolved in 2009. The band was known for its humorous and sometimes caustic lyrics, as well as their numerous appearances in films. Calamity 74 were a popular group, but they broke down due to the unexpected death of the drummer Tim de Vos.

Early steps
The group was formed in Koningstad by friends and former co-students Oswald "Ossie" Meijer (guitar/vocals), Andrew Hill (guitar), Rob de Jong (bass guitar) and Tim de Vos (drumms). The name was Hill's idea and it refers to their birth year (1974).

Initially, Calamity 74 played in some pubs of Koningstad, making a name for themselves, and released Introduction in 2000. The album wasn't that successful, but it made the band known nationwide. In 2001 the band appeared in the quite successful teen comedy Between Rosa and Fiona, an event that amplified their popularity.

Success
Their first major success came with Made in Brunant (2002), an album known for its cheerful and fast music. For the first time, Calamity 74 toured around Brunant, together with famed Torqy Donaldson.

In 2005, they released Olives of Wrath (a wordplay with Grapes of Wrath); the album was praised by the critics, who considered Calamity 74 as the fresh new fruit of Brunanter music. Nevertheless, it sold thousands of copies and reached #2 of Hit Parade 20.

In 2004, rumours had it that Andrew Hill was about to leave the band, but nothing happened. The group released Why not? in 2006; the album featured some punk influences and it was a modest success. The same year, Meijer and de Jong appeared in the highly controversial comedy film Long Trip.

Calamity 74 toured Brunant for almost a month; they were also making plans for appearing at Lovia, but the concerts were canceled. Instead, the band released their first and only live album (Calamity 74 Live), accompanied with a CD.

Last years and disestablishment
The group restored their fame with Inglorious but Rich, which was released in 2008 and reached #8 at Brunanter Charts. In November 2008, Meijer stated that they were working on another project, that would be completed in 2010.

However, in March 2009, Tim De Vos unexpectedly died, from cardiac arrest. The band hired drummer Jimmy Jonn, in order to relase a last album, in honour of de Vos. Indeed the album was named Dedicated and it sold several units, reaching #11. The band announced their dessolvement in 2009.

Discography

 * Introduction (2000)
 * Made in Brunant (2002)
 * Olives of Wrath (2005)
 * Why not? (2006)
 * Calamity 74 Live (2007 - live album)
 * Inglorious but Rich (2008)
 * Dedicated (2009)

Filmography

 * 2001 - Between Rosa and Fiona (Entire band)
 * 2003 - Crazy Family (Ossie Meijer)
 * 2006 - Long Trip (Ossie Meijer/Rob de Jong)
 * 2007 - The Brave Fisher (Entire band)