PureVolume

Members: Jamie - Drums, Tim - Vocals & Guitar, Spike - Guitar & Backing vocals, Bas - Bass

"All Systems Go!" is the third album of the young, versatile rock act Di-rect. Singer Tim Akkerman, guitarist Frans 'Spike' van Zoest, bass player Bas van Wageningen and drummer Jamie Westland continue to improve since their high quality debut "Discover" from 2001 and its successor, 2003's "Over The Moon". As soon as they met each other there was a unique chemistry, and their friendship has only gotten stronger. A strength that plays an important part in the energetic sound of the band.

Various musical influences can be found on "All Systems Go!" from the ska-ish 'Webcam Girl' to the beautiful ballad 'Cool Without You' and from the powerful punk rock song 'Hey Boy' to the collaboration with classical pianist Wibi Soerjadi 'Blind For You', which features an unique combination of rock and classical music. The blend of pop and rock is also included in the mix.

For instance the catchy anthem 'Hungry For Love', the first single that did very well in the Dutch charts; it peaked at number three. "All Systems Go!" debuted at number one in the Dutch album charts, selling twice as much as for instance, Canadian newcomer Michael Bubl and veteran rockers U2.

Having played in Italy and Indonesia amongst other places, Di-rect are now ready to take on the rest of the world. On Monday May 16th Di-rect will play at the famous Pinkpop Festival in Holland for the second time, which is one of the oldest open-air festivals in Europe. There they will prove once again that they are more than capable to present their energetic and catchy songs just as enthusiastically live on stage. Thousands of people will be jumping in the air.

In their young, but powerful career Di-rect have already received lots of recognition. In 2001 they won the Edison Award, the Dutch equivalent of the Grammy, Brit and Echo Awards, for 'Inside My Head', as voted by the public. The 'Slagwerkkrant', the Dutch trade magazine for percussionists, named drummer Jamie one of the five best drummers in Holland.

All together, All Systems are Go! for a glorious future, both on Dutch soil as internationally.