Korneel Evers

So who played in a movie with Rutger Hauer, played Fluff Fest with one of his bands, appeared on national Dutch TV a bunch of times, played football / soccer (whatever) with Leo Beenhakker and is a big supporter of Ajax? Oh wait, scratch that last part. But the rest is true. That’s why Pim had a chat with Korneel Evers.

Hey Korneel, what are you up to? What’s on your mind at the moment?

On my mind… no worries. Busy writing a new show for Brokstukken (comedy group). Just finished filming for some TV series. And preparing for a movie in May. Waiting for responses on some auditions (like always)..

Bust most of all I’m a father now. Which is the coolest thing in the world. It’s like my life started over again.. But way cooler.

I’m hearing that all the time haha. Could you give some examples of how it changed your life for the better?

Well, every cliché is true. You become so aware of your own mortality. You have to take care of this new human being. And because it has got your own DNA, your love is unconditionally. Every step he makes in his development feels like a miracle. And I laugh out loud at least 5 times a day since the little dude is in my life.

Since I’m a father I realize even more that we are just animals. Here to create offspring. Just a really small step in evolution. And because we have this stupid developed brain, we care about lots of nonsense, while the only thing that matters is that my boy will have a life full of laughter and friends. So politics can make me mad cause the right wing tries to create this egocentric intolerant environment in which Axel has to find a way. But I also know it’s all bullshit in the end. I hope I can teach my son to treat everybody equally. To be kind. Fun people have a much better life. You only live once. Afterlife is bullshit. Do what makes you happy. And always make sure you won’t be a burden to anybody else. Except to intolerant sons of bitches.

I hope I can teach my son to treat everybody equally. To be kind. Fun people have a much better life. You only live once. Afterlife is bullshit.

Wow, lots of life lessons right off the bat. Nice. Let’s go, way, way, way back. To a galaxy… to your childhood. What’s your first memory you can actually remember?

Wow. I lived in Almelo till I was 8. The first possible memory is when you’re 3 years old. I remember the house. The car-free street where I played with my friends. I remember celebrating Christmas and Sinterklaas. I think I do remember when my two brothers were born and had to stay in the hospital for a while. But I was 2,5 years old back then. So maybe I don’t really remember.

Almelo. Ilse De Lange, Cafe de Stam (from hardcore shows) & Heracles. That are the only things that come to mind. Anything else I really should know about?

Herman Finkers Duncan Slotje. Pff

Holy shit, how could I forget about him. Of course! Let’s see… How did music creep into your life?

At our place the radio was always playing. Always. I think I have always loved music. We never missed Toppop, Countdown or “Op Volle Toeren”. My parents made me take lessons to learn how to play the recorder and to choose a different musical instrument after two years (I played the accordion for almost 7 years). My mom always had a great motto. “A kid who loves to read, or can play a musical instrument, will never have to be bored”. A great motto. She was totally right. (And I never really loved to read)

That’s a great motto indeed. And cool that your parents influenced you like that. That probably means they are pretty proud of what you’re doing?

They are now. In the beginning they were quite worried. The chance to make a bit of a living as an artist is so small. I can understand that they first wanted me to do a “normal” study. When they saw I couldn’t get happy anywhere else they let me audition for acting school. When I got in they were very happy for me and supported me for 100% ever since.

That’s great. Something else. I’ve never seen Fairfight, that stuff was before my time. But I think I have a 7” somewhere. Was that your first band or?

No. When I was 15 I started playing bass in a band called P.I.P. Our search for a singer wasn’t successful . So the band decided I had to sing. The brother of our drummer was great on guitar, so he had no problem playing bass. We started as a coverband and played lots of shows in the eastern part of Holland. Later on we we wrote our own material.

During that time I learned to love hardcore. And with my two little brothers I started a band called M.O. Me on Guitar/vocals, Simon on Bass/vocals and Jaap on drums. We rehearsed every evening in my bedroom. Later on my best friend Jorrit Aka de Wulip joined the band on vocals. Name was changed in Strike Hands.

One day, I just moved to Utrecht, we played a show in Goudvishal . I think it was Mainstrike and Ensign headlining. We opened and after us was a band called Fairfight. They just finished their first 7″ and were looking for a second guitarplayer. I was the dude.

Looking back this was a great day. Not just because the Fairfight years were such fun. But mostly because many of my closest friends, I know thanks to those days.

Aah cool. Are your brothers still playing music?

Simon still plays bass in several bands. He’s quite good actually. Jaap doesn’t play drums anymore.

What’s the best memory you have of your time in Fairfight?

I think the tours we did. A group of friends in a bus . Driving through different countries and playing their music. Constantly jumping up and down on stage. Thank god we were a bit lighter back then. I think our coolest show was the day before our last show, at Fluff-fest. Crowd went Mad. Never seen such big circle-pitts. Very very cool.

I can imagine. Never been there, but heard great stories about Fluff. So why did you guys decide to throw in the towel?

I was in my fourth year in acting school and had to do an internship at a theatre group. I had to play a lot. So I told the guys. The other guys didn’t really feel like asking somebody else. We got as much out of this band as possible. Good memories and great friends.

As a kid I saw Herman Finkers play and thought it was such a miracle he could make people laugh. Making something for people to enjoy is magical. On stage you witness that firsthand. It really is magical. And taking people’s minds away from everyday worries is worth a lot.

You also played (or play?) in The Guides. What’s up with that band?

It’s a hard rock band with some guys I play with since I was 15. Last year we all became father of a son. We will play again. But now it has been quiet for a while.

Ok, back to the acting. When did you find out you wanted to act?

At my highschool there was this musical group called Titsing. I told my music teacher I wanted to be in the band to play bass. Because there already was a bassplayer and due to the shortage of male singers, my teacher asked me to audition for a part.

Actually I never sung before. I thought what the hell, and auditioned. I had to sing “Under My Thumb”, a Rolling Stones song. All people who auditioned were very nervous. I wasn’t. I was a bassplayer, not a singer. I just did the song and watched the others audition. When the director told us who got a part I was pretty shocked actually. I got one of the main parts.

The rehearsals were during the same period I became singer in my band. So.. Music is music. I was a singer. Being on stage acting showed me one thing. Music was my biggest passion, but most of all I wanted to be on stage. Acting was another way to get there.

That’s interesting. Where does that love for the stage come from? You like the attention? Want to entertain people?

I don’t know. I just want to do something I’m good at. As a kid I saw Herman Finkers play and thought it was such a miracle he could make people laugh. Making something for people to enjoy is magical. On stage you witness that firsthand. It really is magical. And taking people’s minds away from everyday worries is worth a lot. I still think I’m one of those people who can do that.

If you could pick any movie. Can be one made already, one in the works right now, or a book / idea you would like to see made into a movie… In short; ANYTHING. What movie would you pick to play in? And maybe more interesting, why?

I would love to be in a good comedy. A Dutch comedy. I really don’t understand that in a country with a big tradition in comedy/cabaret, there are (almost) no really funny movies. If it doesn’t have to be Dutch I would loose my left ball to play in a movie with Owen Wilson, Will Ferrel and Ben Stiller. But.. I never played the main character in a movie. Still one goal to reach.

Sounds like a good movie haha. As for that goal, how about taking hardcore DIY to your acting and writing / creating something for yourself to play the main character in?

I have lots of those plans.

How about your best experience in acting until now? De Heineken Ontvoering?

No doubt. I was called by the casting agency to come and audition. Of Course I was siked immediately, but I had to call it off cause we had to play some brokstukken-shows during the time they were shooting the movie. Also I had to be there the day I would get married. I already asked the guys of Brokstukken if they would mind canceling some shows so I could do the movie. They understood. And of course I promised them to pay for the cancellation. Canceling my wedding wasn’t an option though. After a few weeks the casting agency called again. Many actors auditioned for the part, but the director wanted me. So almost two weeks of many, many phone calls went by. Then the casting agency called the puzzle was done. There would be a day of for everyone at my wedding day, but I didn’t have to cancel any Brokstukken shows. I was siked to the max. Asked them to email the audition scene so I could be there as fast as possible. The answer was I didn’t have to come. I got the part. Two days later I was in the rehearsal room with the other main-actors and Rutger Hauer. They cut my hair. Dyed it brown. Shaved my beard. And made me be a part of a really cool movie. Fun thing is, I don’t look like myself at all on my wedding pics.

Hahaha, that’s an amazing story to tell every time someone mentions your wedding photos haha. Really cool that you didn’t even had to audition for the part either. Why did the director wanted you that bad? On what previous work or something did he base that?

Maarten Treurniet, the director, also directed a tv-series called “lijn32” . I played a really small part in one of the episodes. Think I had like 3 sentences. There he saw something he thought would fit the role of Jan Boellaard. It was a good day.

You can say that again. Nice. And the worst experience? Not getting a part?

As an actor you audition all the time. At my first audition I really waited for the telephone to hear the result. Now I know you really got the part when you are on the set and you hear “action”! So many things can go wrong. So with really cool auditions I really hope for a positive outcome, but I learned not to think I’m rich before I know I really got the part.

Two days later I was in the rehearsal room with the other main-actors and Rutger Hauer. They cut my hair. Dyed it brown. Shaved my beard. And made me be a part of a really cool movie. Fun thing is, I don’t look like myself at all on my wedding pics.

You also played in a couple of commercials. Including one with Leo Beenhakker, must have been quite the experience?

Leo Beenhakker is exactly how he is on television. Luckily he liked me. The shoot was at Tenerife. So there I was. 3 days Tenerife, really nice weather, some models from Barcelona in bikini as extras, good food, filming and talking about football all day long. I had a blast.

It’s fun to realise that, by making a choice like trying to become an actor, it lets you meet some really interesting people. Highlight was a friendly footballmatch during a break with cast and crew. I can play football. Like any Dutch guy. But that’s it. But on that beach I got the ball, saw Leo Beenhakker watching, had to pass three opponents.. Did that (how the hell?) and scored with a sliding. Next thing I heard was “Hey Korneel! Do you have any relatives at Trinidad or Tobago? I’ll take you with me to the Worldcup!” (Beenhakker was coach for Trinidad and Tobago back then.)

Off course it was a joke . But for a moment I was a small boy again. Who had not yet given up on the dream ever to become a famous footballplayer.

Hahaha great. While we’re on the subject of football (let’s not call it soccer), how did you become a supporter of FC Utrecht?

Simple. I lived in a studenthome. A roommate was a big FC Utrecht-supporter. We lived almost next to the stadium, so one day I went to a match with him. I guess it was FC Utrecht – De Graafschap. I immediately fell in love with the atmosphere in stadium de Galgenwaard. Supporters are from the region (we would say a “volksclub” in Dutch, a club of the people) and they don’t expect the team to win. But they want them to work their ass of trying to get the best result possible. After that match I got myself a seasonticket and my own seat. Think this was 12 years ago. And I’m really siked for the day Axel is old enough to join me.

How do you feel about the current season. Must hurt to see Ajax win the league again…

Ajax won. But hey. They are supposed to win. That’s why I don’t understand people who aren’t from the Amsterdam-region who are Ajaxfans. It’s like comedian Doug Stanhope said bout Yankeesfans. “It’s like going to a casino and cheer for the house” “and be a Dick about it” “they’re supposed to win”. I love matchday when we have to play against Ajax. Everybody is siked to the max, supporters and players. And, as you know, Utrecht won most of those matches last few years.

You like cheering for the underdog, that’s cool. I love listening to Underdog too 😉 Doug Stanhope’s cool. Ajax is cooler. And indeed, matches against Utrecht are always hard for Ajax. And as far as I’m concerned you guys can win em all 😉 In the end it’s all good haha.

You’ve already mentioned it, but you’re also a part of Brokstukken. Could you tell our readers a little bit about that?

Brokstukken is a comedy group. It’s Arjan Smit, Chris King Perryman and myself. We were in the same class at acting school. We became good friends during second year and decided we would start a group after graduating. After our diploma we all worked as actors at different theatre groups. Then we decided to give it a shot when we heard there were auditions for the prestigious VARA Leids Cabaret Festival. A comedy festival were many of the big names in comedy started. We had to play 20 minutes. So we did. Those 20 minutes took us to the finals. Which got us on the winner’s tour, playing lots of theatres in Holland. We got ourselves an impresario and kept playing ever since. What we do is physical comedy. Absurd sketches and music. All nonsense. It’s great. Next season we’ll tour with our new show called “Heavy Balls”.

Heavy balls? Sounds good haha. Can you tell anything about that yet?

We just started writing the show. Which means get together and brainstorm. Just telling each other ideas for new sketches. If the basic idea is good enough we will improvise around the idea for as long as it takes to make it funny. Theaters book your show about a year before you play it for the first time. So you have to pick a title before you even wrote one sketch. This time we actually already had one sketch we wanted to be part of the new show. A sketch we call “heavy balls”. It’s about heavy balls.

Uhuh haha. You even played Lowlands with Brokstukken. How did that go?

When we played the Finals of the VARA Leids Cabaret Festival in 2005, Tijl Beckand was in the audience. He was responsible for programming comedy at the Lowlands festival. After the show he came to me and asked us if we wanted to play there. Of course I said yes immediately.

I got the ball, saw Leo Beenhakker watching, had to pass three opponents.. Did that (how the hell?) and scored with a sliding. Next thing I heard was “Hey Korneel! Do you have any relatives at Trinidad or Tobago? I’ll take you with me to the Worldcup!”

I actually meant “how did the show go?”, but interesting to hear how you ended up there though.

The show sucked. On the stage next to us MXPX were playing very very loud. But hey, there were over a 1000 people in the tent. And they seemed to like it. Last song we did we had Dennis Huige (he’s a friend of Brokstukken and guitarplayer of Racoon. Very solid dude) jam with us on stage, which was cool. After the show we had to change clothes really fast because Foo Fighters just started their show. It’s cool to play festivals like Lowlands, Paaspop or Zwarte Cross. We party all weekend. Including free drinks and backstagepasses. Shows aren’t the best, but the audience is great.

Like De Zwarte Cross. I think it was like 50 degrees celcius in the tent in which we had to play. Not fun for anybody. But luckily we played on the opening day. So we could party all weekend. (Go there. Love that festival)

You’re doing shows in Belgium at the moment. Is it different from playing the Netherlands?

Yes it is. First of all there are not many acts who don’t do stand-up. So they need a few minutes to get used to what we do. But, they are very willing. They don’t expect you to talk about politics or anything. Also they only make a sound when they are laughing. In between it’s silent. They really listen. In the Netherlands it’s almost never totally quiet. We really liked playing belgium.

How did you experience De Badgasten? Do you feel that show did get a proper chance? Either way, I thought that action you did, were you asked Dutch hardcore bands for t-shirts to wear on the show was really cool. It might have helped that you did wear one of ours though haha.

The show never got a fair chance. Being aired friday night at primetime as a new show. That’s killing. We knew we’d probably only do one season. But it was lots of fun doing it. And a great learning school.

The show had a stylist, but I wanted to wear stuff I liked. And how cool is it, when you’re in a position to promote some bands you like. Don’t know if it helped, but hey.. I supported my local scene. Felt like a good idea.

Talking about hardcore… Do you still keep up with it?

I still play hardcore. The bands I know that is. But I don’t really know what’s going on right now. Sometimes I listen to new stuff cause Emile Som (State Of Mind) sends many, many links to all of his friends, we all have to check out (I don’t know anyone who loves hardcore more than Emile).

But, to be honest, I most of the times miss the spark. I still love singers who have something to say. I always loved the energy on hardcoreshows. Energy in the crowd. As well as on stage. Maybe it’s because I’m old and boring. But the few times I was on a show the last few years, it seemed image was more important than the words. Maybe it has always been this way. Maybe memories are always a bit false. Maybe I only remember the good times. Still love hardcore, still listening to my records.. But most of them are over 10 years old.

Emile is great. I’m going to miss State Of Mind. But I get what you’re saying. There are still great new hardcore bands, but when you enter this scene of ours at first…. Everything’s new, everything’s exciting. You’re probably less picky. Love is blind right? Aside from that, most of us are still developing, finding out who we are when we start listening to this stuff. People change. Memories get better though. Oh wait, I’m interviewing you right? I’ll shut up.

I just went to see “Walking Papers” (with Duff McKagan on bass) in Winston Amsterdam. During the whole show I was just 1 meter away from one of my biggest heroes ever. 20 years ago I would have passed out. So I guess you’re right.

And maybe, and we all promised to stay young until we’d die, age made me a bit cynical. As a teenager I was sure we could change the world. Now I hope we can. Or at least I hope it won’t get fucked up any further.

Maybe, and we all promised to stay young until we’d die, age made me a bit cynical. As a teenager I was sure we could change the world. Now I hope we can. Or at least I hope it won’t get fucked up any further.

I hear you. You just mentioned still listening to those old records. What are your favorite records?

I listen a lot to Sick of it All. Every time I listen these albums they seem to get better. Other bands I play a lot are Battery, Madball, Minor Threat, Mainstrike, Strife, Judge, Ten Yard Fight, Slapshot, Know Your Enemy and No Warning..

What are you upcoming plans? Any movies planned?

In September we will start with a new show with Brokstukken. Touring Holland and Belgium till June. Next month I’m filming for a movie. A spin-of of the TV-series “Feuten”. This summer I will be taking my first steps as a co-director, which is pretty exciting.

I read about that “Feuten” spin-of and meant to ask you if you were in it (since the article didn’t mention you), but you beat me to it. As for that “co-director” remark, tell me more about that? If you can, that is?

I can’t.. Sorry.

Any final words then?

Well.. Hope my answers will do. I also hope my English doesn’t suck that much. Still really believe in unity!

BOEM!

BOEM? That’s not an Ovo Drenth reference is it? And world peace can’t be done Korneel.

No. Boem is just what it is. I don’t need world peace.. Just want every right winged person to get really ill.. Really ill… Including throwing up, itchy balls and diarrhea.

Glad it isn’t. But let’s leave it at that haha. Thanks for your time Korneel!

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