Nuclear Kazoo = Ken, Kris, Berk, Daan and Frans
Nuclear Kazoo was formed in early 2004 when Celtic harp player, and
entertainer Ken Parsons invited Kris, Daan and Berk from the Zibabu
band to play at a session he was running. 
Frans
the bag-piping boatman got involved and they performed their first
ever gigs on St Patricks Day and at the Best of Cult Shock evening at the P60 in
Amstelveen, the recording of which
is available as their first live CD.
Since then they have toured in Berlin, developed their sound and have
played many high energy gigs.
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Ken
Ken is a versatile performing artist. He has achieved much acclaim as
Celtic harp player and singer, performing regularly at weddings,
corporate events, cruises, exhibitions as well as work as a session
player for everything from folk music to rap and hip hop. His debut CD,
"Home is where the harp is", is a very beautiful compilation of
traditional tunes from Britain and Ireland, baroque music and original
compositions. You can order this CD by e-mail from this web-site. Check
under gigs for upcoming shows.
He first came to attention as bass player, co-writer and singer for "Who's Rachel?" in Berlin and has continued his activities as singer-songwriter on the Amsterdam circuit, hosting open stages with his colleague Jono Jack.
Ken plays original songs with distinctive lyrics and covers from his extensive repertoire with guitar in clubs and pubs. He combines this with poetry recital and story telling accompanied by Celtic harp at social functions as well as performing off-the-wall comedy routines in fringe theatres and at festivals. He is multilingual, a natural MC and at home with all manner of audiences. He is the founder of folk rock band Nuclear Kazoo.
You can order a copy of Ken's comedy CD: "Life's a Beech (I)", his songwriter's CD: "Life's a Beech (II)" or Nuclear Kazoo's first CD: "Live in the P60" from this web-site.
Major influences include The Beatles, Bowie, Jethro Tull, Ray Davies of the Kinks, Small Faces,Lionel Bart, John Hartford, Monty Python's Eric Idle, the Incredible String Band, Joy Division, Crosby, Stills & Nash and countless underground & gothic bands, fringe acts and comedians.
Ken is often found presenting open stages for poetry and music and has his thumb on the pulse of many up and coming trends; more than half of the CDs he owns were given to him by personal acquaintances he has presented at open stages.
Ken spent his (first!) childhood in Devon, studied languages in London and then travelled for many years in Europe from which experiences he draws inspiration for his song-writing, satire and comedy. He's spent time in all sorts of places; from Ireland to Thailand.
He leads a curious double life as lost-in-space performer and down-to-earth father of two but not to worry: seven years on the Berlin underground music scene (yes, he was also there before the wall came down!) only served to strengthen his resolve to remain a professional oddball and in accordance with the demands of the job he has been stubbornly refusing to grow up ever since!
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Berk & Kris
You can always tell when there are brothers in a band. The sound, drive and dynamic musical scope of both Nuclear Kazoo and Zibabu owe a lot to their seemingly telepathic exchange of rhythm, timing subtleties and musical nuances.
You notice it in their close harmony singing, where they share not just the force and intensity of the tune but also the passionate belief in the lyrics and you notice it also in the interaction of Kris's sharp, slick drumming with Berk's energetic and joyful violin playing. Not a beat is missed; the conviction and power of their musicality is overwhelming. Given the fact that they are still very young, their potential for making a real impact on the world of modern music is without bounds.
They were born in the states, raised in Tennessee and then travelled extensively with their parents and this diverse upbringing manifests itself in the music of Nuclear Kazoo and in the music and song-writing of Zibabu; in short the desire to make a better, more just and more pleasant world.
They have maintained their international character and outlook but, being half-Dutch, they are at one and the same time thoroughly localised and at home in Holland. Berk is a real boy wonder in the Amsterdam underground scene whether it's sorting out generators or water supply, helping out with the programming of bands or running his own sessions , he is always in the thick of it. He is multi-instrumental: violin, vocals, guitar, saxophone and also five string banjo.
Kris works as a postman, is a baseball player and writes poetry, the profundity and maturity of which belies his eighteen years. Having played drums in professional bands at the tender age of thirteen he is already an accomplished musician and has a very bright future in store. He is also keen to take up playing the miramba again, so, any one out there who has one to donate to the cause, drop us a line!
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Daan
Daan, the man with the bass guitar and the gravelly, deep voice is an artist through and through. He provides a basis, a sold focus in both Nuclear Kazoo and Zibabu around which the other musicians can weave their magic. He just loves to communicate and get things across whether on a sofa at a party or on stage to the audience and he is equally natural in both settings. His laughter is infectious and once he sees the funny side of something there is no stopping him!
He is never short on ideas for songs, ditties and sketches; be they on stage as potential cabaret pieces; or be they on canvas, as he is also an accomplished painter and art teacher; he recently completed his teacher training course at college, he does most of the art work for the bands and has produced a very compelling short film of one of his projects entitled "Ideals not Idols".
He is relatively new to the world of music but the fact that he can already play a mean bass guitar in just a few short months is only further testament to his artistic integrity and his innate sense of timing and groove.
It was primarily his enthusiasm, combined with the musicality of Berk & Kris and the experience gained with professional gigs with Nuclear Kazoo which proved more than enough to convince the judges in a regional band competition that Zibabu should be rightful winners. Those with Dutch can read about it atwww.GPVDBS.nl
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If ever you've seen Nuclear Kazoo in action in full glory with the fullline-up, then Frans is a quite unmistakable character: he's the big guy with the tattoos, the wee glasses and the bagpipes! The pipes are his passion and you'll find him playing regularly and breathtakingly at all sorts of events, festivals and parties. Frans
There is more to him then that; he adds a beautiful texture, clarity and emotion to our Celtic harp songs and to numbers like Sandcastles with his tin whistle playing and his mandolin is a subtle yet very noticeable accompaniment to our sound.
He is a traveler with many a wild story to tell and he has been playing music for many years. Initially he played in bands like "Insubmisssion". Nowadays he writes his own tunes and works on other independent musical projects including with his friend Joerie in the "McBastard Clan". He writes very moving poetry in both English and Dutch.
He's a Mokkumer, basically, an Amsterdammer and then some and his voice lends itself to the traditional style of singing which originated in the city's Jordaan neighbourhood. His Dutch rendition of the Jungle Book song "The King of the Swingers" is pure magic.
He's a carpenter and he's currently welding and fixing up his pride and joy, his boat "De Welmoed". He lives at theADM site in the west harbour area.