One of the first rehearsals of Modern Management, probably somewhere in 1980. From left to right: Jan-Bart Kok, Hans Willers, Wout den Braber, Gert van Santen. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Listen to Medley1 of Modern Management tracks from 1980-1983 (mp3; 128kbps; 3MB). Please note that the 3 medleys on this page are not considered ‘release material’. Check here for new releases.

Gert playing his (then) new Ibanez Musician. He still owns the guitar; playing it is like lifting a tree log! – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Listen to Medley2 of Modern Management tracks from 1980-1983 (mp3; 128kbps; 3MB) Please note that the 3 medleys on this page are purely meant to be an example of what we did in the early days. Although these recordings might be interesting for insiders and music-lovers, we do not consider them to be ‘release material’. Check here for new releases. More recent songs (1983-1990), on the other hand, are now ready for release in the form of two mp3-albums – and it’s about time after 20 years! (See below for info.) Mp3-samples of these albums can be found on this page (See below).

Multiple vocals were considered important from the beginning. Good thing we didn’t have bad breath then. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Listen to Medley3 of Modern Management tracks from 1980-1983 (mp3; 128kbps; 3MB; no release material!) May 2007 will see the official release of two mp3-albums from 80’s cult bands MODERN MANAGEMENT and TSLLOHTS. The old recordings were digitally remastered to remove noise and open up the sound. After a careful selection of songs by the original members, two mp3-albums (256kbps) with some 20 tracks each have been produced. The albums, released by Virtual Factory Records, will be made available as free mp3-download. There will also be a CDR-version on sale for 6,95 euro plus p&p. Check The Official Website for more information on MODERN MANAGEMENT and TSLLOHTS.

Promotional pictures can easily be made with your own camera. We thought we were rather smart at the time, but we actually never used any of these photographs. Check out the brand-new official website of Modern Management and The Secret Love Life of Harry the Shark.

Somehow that car seemed way cooler in the eighties…

So when was the last time you had the chance to play an unplugged solo gig in the woods?

This was when everyone thought it was ‘heavy’ to picture yourself close to any army barracks.

And suddenly Modern Management had a producer: Eric Hol. Eric had proven himself as a bass player for Tiznix, and would later start What’s Left, a fusion style rock band, sort of.

The first Modern Management gig in Beneden. Probably 1981.

The same Modern Management gig in Beneden.

Modern Management drummer Wout den Braber.

Modern Management bass player and vocalist Hans Willers.

Modern Management and de Rest have done several recording sessions in Roermond, at the parental house of KBL’s Thei Munten. Here Gert (left) and Hans are rehearsing in the shed. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Play a sample from Cry of the Empty. This track is included in the mp3-album Cry of the Empty. Order it here.

The most terrible gig poster I’ve ever seen – and I made it myself! OK, it was 1982, but that still doesn’t make it something to be proud of.

Hanging out in the garden at night. Beer, fire and a load of blablah. Brilliant!

Breakfast, lunch or perhaps just chilling out.

The end of each recording week was marked by an open air gig, which always resulted in so much noise, that it had to be shut down by the police – no, not that famous band.

The stage at night, during the gig.

Thei behind his homemade desk. The big tape deck was for recording the gig.

Some old gig posters. Yep, those were the days. Oranjebal, Dingus, De Rest at SSR, Some old Tiznix and Modern Management buttons. The first Modern Management poster (terrible ín general). But it brings back good memories…

A gig without Gaffer (that’s what we called Ernst) is no good.

Modern Management gig in Beneden. Gert. Picture by Jessica van Wijngaarden. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Play a sample from Calling This track is included in the mp3-album Cry of the Empty. Order it here.

Modern Management gig in Beneden. Hans. Picture by Jessica van Wijngaarden

Modern Management gig in Beneden. Wout. Picture by Jessica van Wijngaarden

Modern Management poster with Gert’s head. Picture taken by Perry.

Modern Management gig in Beneden. Perry. Picture by Jessica van Wijngaarden. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Play a sample from Berlin This track is included in the album Cry of the Empty. Order it here.

Modern Management gig in Beneden. Picture by Jessica van Wijngaarden

Photo shoot for the cover of the new (summer 1983) Modern Management demo cassette. Picture by Perry Winkel

Somewhere in 1984 Modern Management decided to start making music that was more upbeat and danceable. ‘Moddy’, as the band was known by insiders, changed its name to The Secret Love Life of Harry the Shark (yeah right, as if someone was ever going to remember that!) The name was, of course, a typical Perry Winkel invention. For obvious reasons, we often called ourselves TSLLOHTS. This is a TSLLOHTS gig in the summer of 1985 in Café ‘t Gat. Gert. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Play a sample from Dancing in the Bunkers This track is included in the mp3-album The World is Running out of Time. Order it here.

Poster for the Oranjebal. That particular evening, there were 3 RAM bands playing at SSR.

TSLLOHTS, Summer of 1985, café ‘t Gat. Hans. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Play a sample from No Love on Mars This track is included in the mp3-album The World is Running out of Time. Order it here.

TSLLOHTS. The final gig in ‘t Laag, Bennekom, 1987. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Play a sample from Trolley This track is included in the mp3-album The World is Running out of Time. Order it here.

Eric Hol (left) and Gert, somewhere in Spain in February 1982. For lack of proper pictures, this one was used in a local newspaper for promotion of a What’s Left gig. Play a sample from What’s Left Live at SSR (1984).

The official What’s Left poster. Play a sample from What’s Left Live at SSR (1984)

What’s Left gig, probably in that joint in Groningen, where some guy tried to steal Tom’s gear – while Tom had it in his hands! Play a sample from What’s Left Live at SSR (1984)

What’s Left gig in Beneden. Somewhere around 1983. Play a sample from What’s Left Live at SSR (1984)