Born on 16 June: Rob Kloet, master percussionist of the Dutch Nits

He was born in Amsterdam in 1952 and has spent most of his career weaving delicate rhythms into the songs of his friend Henk Hofstede. A true master craftsman...

Since founding Nits in 1974, a band he co-founded with Henk Hofstede, he has played the role of drummer and percussionist. Without any showiness but with undeniable inventiveness that often borders on genius. Thanks in no small part to him—indeed, to a large extent—the Nits have become one of the cornerstones of Dutch pop, alongside Gruppo Sportivo, the wild combo led by Hans Vandenburg from The Hague, who came onto the scene a few years later.

From the very beginning, Rob Kloet admitted to being inspired by 1960s English pop, in particular the Beatles for their natural melodicism, The Kinks for their ambitious concept albums like "Muswell Hillbillies" as well as The Move led by Roy Wood. 

These rich and varied influences can be found throughout the prolific discography of the Nits. From the naive new wave of their early days (such as "Tutti ragazzi" in 1979), they quickly evolved towards a refined pop sound, often melancholic but always accessible. "Tree House Fire" (2023), the searing album recorded after the fire at their studio retreat in the Amsterdam suburbs, is clear proof not only of their resilience but also of their ability to draw artistic strength from such a dramatic event. Yet another masterpiece from the Nits!

The playing style of Rob Kloet is distinguished by its subtlety and sense of nuance. He undoubtedly contributes to the group’s unique sonic identity. And when the Nits give him a bit of free time, Rob broadens his horizons with evident enthusiasm. He has collaborated with other musicians, including the Swiss percussionist Fritz Hauser, the Russian singer Marynka Nicolaï and the Dutch group Chelsea Hotel. Never seeking to hog the limelight there, either…

From 2006 onwards, he also organised workshops on creating percussion instruments. In 2008, he published "Drumset With Dog", a book-CD featuring 14 percussion compositions inspired by the British artist Helen Frik.

In short, the drummer-percussionist mainly aims to push the boundaries of rhythmic language while always serving the emotion and songs of Henk. In fact, it’s a safe bet that the stick tricks and thunderous rolls of Ian Paice on "Made In Japan" by Deep Purple leave him unmoved. He doesn’t need to hide behind a wall of imposing drums. A snare drum, (not even a big) bass drum and an array of often surprisingly sounding trinkets are more than enough for him.

Concert:

20 December: Cirque Royal - Brussels (Belgium)

(MH with Stéphane Soupart – Photo: © Etienne Tordoir)

Photo: Rob Kloet with the Nits on stage at the Cirque Royal in Brussels (Belgium) in December 1990