Biography

Los Angeles will be remembered for being the breeding ground for most of the glam/pop-metal bands that emerged in the '80s, but other areas birthed similar bands as well, including the Netherland's Sleeze Beez. The group (guitarists Chriz van Jaarsveld and Don van Spall, drummer Jan Koster, bassist Ed Jongsma) came together late in the decade, after van Jaarsveld and Koster attracted the attention of a local record company head (Red Bullet Records president Willem van Kooten), who helped the up-and-coming group get started. 1987 saw the release of their debut album, Look Like Hell, which was comparable to such raunch rock kings as AC/DC and Mötley Crüe. Sleeze Beez signed a U.S. deal with Atlantic Records shortly thereafter, issuing Screwed Blued & Tattooed in 1990. 1992 saw the release of their third album, Powertool (recorded by Aerosmith/UFO producer Gary Lyons), but with interest waning in their brand of rock, the Beez were dropped by Atlantic. The quintet carried on nonetheless, releasing a final studio album and live recording in 1994, Insanity Beach and Live in Tokyo, before splitting up. Elt and van Spall formed the rock band the Moon, while Koster and van Jaarsveld formed the outfit Jetland. Sleeze Beez reunited in 2001 for a tour and possible new album. ~ Greg Prato, Rovi