Rediscovering Rotjoch: The Lost Demos and Unfinished Reunion – An Exposed Vocals Interview

After decades of dormancy, Dutch power pop band Rotjoch is making noise again—this time by digging into their archives and unearthing a raw, unfiltered snapshot of what could’ve been. Their new EP, Bootlek, is a time capsule of 2011 demos originally meant to ignite a full-blown reunion of the original lineup. Though that reunion never fully materialized, the recordings lingered—haunting, honest, and full of that unmistakable Rotjoch energy. With the 2025 release of Bootlek, fans are finally getting a chance to hear the band’s never-before-released spark rekindled.

In this exclusive interview with Exposed Vocals, founding member Ronald walks us through the band’s past and present—reminiscing on the unexpected resurgence of their 1981 LP Bad Boy, the twists and turns behind the Bootlek sessions, and the evolution of Rotjoch’s songwriting over the years. From heartfelt reflections to hard-earned lessons, this conversation offers a front-row seat to one of power pop’s most resilient underground stories.

Exposed Vocals: Unrealized Reunion – The Bootlek demos were intended to initiate a reunion of the original Rotjoch members, which ultimately didn’t materialize. Can you discuss the circumstances that led to this outcome and how it influenced the band’s trajectory?

Rotjoch: I approached the old members of the band. Drummer René van der Velden was up for it, but bassist Michiel ten Veen told me he was too busy with work and family. Guitarist Pim Bilderbeek said he didn’t have much time either, but still wanted to get together to play. I sent him four new songs, and he worked on them from home. Soon after, he sent me the guitar parts he’d come up with — and just like the old days, they were great.

The difference this time was that it all happened via online contact instead of in the rehearsal room. I programmed a drum computer and synth bass to fill it out. Eventually, I found a bassist — the brother of a guitarist from the last Rotjoch lineup — and we started rehearsing. But we never managed to fully reunite the original band. I became frustrated with the delays, and when studio owner Frank van de Woord offered to record a few songs for free, I accepted. That’s how we ended up recording what became Bootlek.

Exposed Vocals: Evolution of Sound – How do the tracks on Bootlek compare to your earlier works, such as the 1981 Bad Boy album? In what ways has Rotjoch’s sound evolved over the years?

Rotjoch: In my opinion, the new songs are still very much typical Rotjoch songs. But my songwriting had naturally evolved over time. Some elements are simpler, others more complex. The goal wasn’t to copy the old sound exactly, but the same feel is definitely there — the same energy, those signature Rotjoch melodies, the compact songwriting, and of course, Pim’s guitar lines.

Exposed Vocals: Songwriting Dynamics – Ronald, as the primary songwriter, how did your collaboration with Pim during the Bootlek sessions differ from previous collaborations? Can you describe your creative process during these recordings?

Rotjoch: In the old days, we wrote together in the rehearsal room. For Bootlek, it was all online. I’d send Pim demos of new songs, and he’d send back guitar parts he created at home. I built the arrangements using a drum machine and synth bass. Even though we weren’t in the same room, he still instinctively knew how to write the kind of guitar lines that defined our sound.

Exposed Vocals: Decision to Release Bootlek in 2025 – What motivated you to release the Bootlek EP now, over a decade after its recording? How do you feel these songs resonate with today’s audience?

Rotjoch: Due to health problems and the COVID period, not much was happening musically for a while. I started listening back to old recordings — solo projects, but also the unreleased Rotjoch demos. I realized the four Bootlek songs were worth revisiting. I added bass guitar, remixed, and mastered them. With music now focused so much on streaming, it felt like the right time to release them — and also to finally make Bad Boy available digitally.

Exposed Vocals: Reflections on Bad Boy – With the digital release of your Bad Boy LP, how do you perceive its impact on the power pop genre, and what significance does it hold for you today?

Rotjoch: I think Bad Boy made some impact in power pop, especially the title track — a kind of statement song. There are two covers of “Bad Boy” on YouTube: one by the U.S. band Sticks N Stones and another by Finnish band Rivette. I’ve received a lot of positive reactions from fans and musicians all over the world — from Germany, France, Finland, the U.S., the UK, even Japan.

Will the digital release increase the impact? Hard to say. Power pop fans love vinyl. But maybe it’ll attract a younger audience.

Exposed Vocals: Challenges and Triumphs – Reflecting on Rotjoch’s journey since its formation in 1978, what have been some of the most significant challenges and achievements you’ve experienced?

Rotjoch: The most impressive moment was how quickly things took off. We went from a locally known band in 1978 to suddenly being on the radar nationwide. Someone saw us live and tipped off record company Egmond, who had a deal with Polydor. We were in the studio quickly and recorded our debut single — which was surprisingly successful. Before we knew it, we were on the radio and touring all over the Netherlands. Everything moved fast.

Exposed Vocals: Future Endeavors – Following the release of Bootlek, what are your plans for Rotjoch? Can fans anticipate new music or live performances in the near future?

Rotjoch: Right now, there’s no live band, but I’m working on that. What’s certain is that a new single is coming — it’s called “Identity Fraud.” It’s a response to a Dutch rapper who calls himself Rotjoch… basically, he stole our name!

Exposed Vocals: Legacy and Influence – How do you hope Rotjoch’s music has influenced the Dutch power pop scene and the broader music community? What legacy do you wish to leave?

Rotjoch: I think Rotjoch may have had more influence outside the Netherlands than within, especially because our career here was short-lived. Our fame really took off internationally after “Bad Boy” was included on the Power Pearls LP in 1999. In the Netherlands, I’m mostly known among fellow musicians from the 70s and 80s — and by fans who bought the original LP. But globally, there’s been a surprising level of appreciation.

Exposed Vocals: Personal Reflections – Looking back on your careers, what moments stand out as particularly meaningful or transformative for you both, individually and as a band?

Rotjoch: For me, that transformation came when we suddenly went from a slow-building local band to one in the national spotlight. Being heard on all the radio stations and touring the country — it was overwhelming and exciting. Our debut single’s quick success really changed everything.