Crew

Jankees Braam - Live Sound Engineer

Gerben and I have know each other for a long time now, almost 18 years I think. We used to be in the same band called Sangamo for 10 years. I played bass-guitar in that band. And of course we played progressive rock!
I had some experience with recording and doing FOH sound, so when Gerben asked me to join the team in the summer of 2004, I didn't have to think twice! I agreed right away, ready to take this challenge upon me.
And a challenge it is, because the music is very complex and there is a lot going on musically, there is no time to relax until the end of the show. But it feels good to be part of this great team, and although not visibly active, it is good for the guys to know who is behind the mixing desk, someone who knows what they want, where and when. Making it more easy and relaxed for them to do their thing: performing on stage and giving a great show!
Beside trying to get the best life sound for this band, I am busy with my own project IXION. I write all the material, do the recordings and the art work and up until now (spring 2008) I have released 2 albums, am currently recording the 3rd and in the process of writing the 4th.

Contact Jankees Braam

Arie Groen - Light Technician

Light effects!! WOW!! That's what I like since I was a little boy. So, I made my own running lights when I was about 12 years old. Years later, I even made my first computer controlled light show (good old Commodore 64!). Besides light effects, I played keys and guitars for years, composed my own songs and played guitars in my band NoXQs and did the lead vocals too. Unfortunately, due to different musical opinions, we broke up after 10 years. Now I occasionally sing in Pieter's metal band XtraLars. Besides making music, I also picked up an old hobby, my own drive-in show (www.ggdriveinshow.nl). Specialized in 70's, 80's and of course ROCK music.
A little over 10 years ago I met Mark Smit when he played keys in Toyz and we became friends. Two other Toyz members (Ron & Peter, both played on The Sun Also Rises) also formed a coverband (JukeBoxNight) in which Gerben played the keys. And so I met Gerben. Since they were looking for a drummer, I told them about my friend an co-worker Pieter and so Gerben and Pieter met. The rest is history.
Since I did have a little experience with light effects, I gave Gerben some ideas about how to add certain light effects to their music to make it a complete Knight Area experience. He liked the ideas and the band asked me to join the team, which of course I did.

Contact Arie Groen

Gert-Jan van Middelkoop - Promotion

Since the release of their CD 'Realm of Shadows' in 2009, I'm supporting Knight Area in their promotional activities. I got to know the band a couple of years before that, and from that point on I became a fan and followed the band to many concerts.
I started with designing and building the new website, and step by step got more involved in the alround promotion of the band. My work varies from making promotional plans to the design of posters and merchandise articles. I really enjoy this and I am proud that I can offer some of my knowledge and time to the Knight Area team! 

Contact Gert-Jan van Middelkoop

Rob van der Veer - Merchandise

In 2008, a colleague of mine asked me if I ever had heard of Knight Area.... Well, to be honest, I didn't. So, I began to listen to their music, I bought their albums and became a fan. Especially the performance of the bass player Gijs was what I liked most in their music. I even bought a bass guitar and take lessons now. After the release of Realm of Shadows, I became an even greater fan. I visit almost all of their concerts. At some time, I started thinking: if I am at these concerts, I might as well give the band a hand. So, most of the time, you can find me on stage building up the set, or behind the merchandise table. To me, it's a great honour to be crew member of Knight Area.

Michel Blanken - Merchandise

In the 90s, Gerben and I were colleagues. Back then, I was introduced to Progressive Rock for the first time. I visited some rehearsels of Sangamo,who at first actually took place in the bedroom of Gerben, and later on in his house where now Gerben's Studio is located. This kind of music makes me very excited. I was the roadie / bus driver for the first Sangamo Gig. Due to circumstances, Gerben and I lost contact. It was in 2004 when I accidentally read a message on the internet in which the first Knight Area gig was announced. I visited the gig and from that moment on I was a fan. To this day, I have visited almost all the gigs of Knight Area. In 2009, Pieter send a message to a number of fans to help the band. Because I feel the music of Knight Area in my heart, I was more than willing to support the band with all kind of things. At the Knight Area gigs you can find me behind the merchandise desk, or on stage to help them with the equipment. It makes me very proud that I can do these things for Knight Area.