For the Austin, Texas–based funk band The Scabs, see Bob Schneider.
The Scabs performing in 2012
The Scabs are a Belgian punk rock group. They are best known for their hit singles "Matchbox Car" (1983) and "Hard Times" (1991), which have become classics on Belgian radio.[1][2]
History
The band was founded in Diest in 1979.[3][4][5] The original core members were Guy Swinnen (vocals/guitar), Berre Bergen (bass), Francis Vangeel (guitar) and Frankie Saenen (drums). In 1983 Vangeel was replaced by Mark Lakke Vanbinst who left two years later to join the band La Fille d'Ernest. His replacement was Willy Willy, a former member of Vaya Con Dios. In 1989, Fons Sijmons replaced Berre Bergen, who joined De Kreuners.
The Scabs achieved their greatest success with their third album, Royalty in Exile (1990), earning a gold disc, and the album Jumping the Tracks (1991).[6] In 1994 Willy Willy left the group and was replaced by Tjenne Berghmans. In 1996 the group was disbanded. They started touring again in 2007.
Three of the members are dead; Sijmons died on 18 July 2013 from lung cancer and Korsakov's syndrome,[7][8] Bergen died of emphysema on 7 February 2016,[9] and Willy died from cancer at the age of 59 on 13 February 2019.[1][2]
Albums
Here's to you gang (1983) - EP
For all the wolf calls (1984)
Rockery (1986)
Skintight (1988)
Gangbang + Rockery (1989) - compilation of earlier work
Royalty in Exile (1990)
Jumping the Tracks (1991)
Dog days are over (1993)
Inbetweenies (1993) - mini-compilation plus new tracks
Live dog (1993) - live
Odds & Outtakes (1993) - mini-compilation plus new tracks
Sunset over wasteland (1995)
Ways Of A Wild Heart (2015) - majority of tracks written by drummer Frank Saenen
^André Lange Stratégies de la musique - 1986 Page 268 "les groupes «after-neo-punk» T.C.-Matic et The Scabs obtiennent un certain succès, en Flandre et en Hollande surtout."
^Denis Gerardy Histoire du rock et de la chanson française - 1987 Page 151 "Les Scabs vont aussi enthousiasmer le public liégeois, d'abord à La Chapelle puis lors de la dernière Fête de Mai"
^Een muziekgeschiedenis der Nederlanden Louis Peter Grijp, Ignace Bossuyt - 2001 - 9053564888 Page 866 "Ieder zichzelf respecterend Vlaams dorp kende in de jaren negentig zijn eigen zomerfestival of plaatste een feesttent tijdens de ... Noordkaap), Brussel (Channel Zero, Venus, Sharko, De Mens), Mechelen (Dildo Warheads), Diest (The Scabs), ..."
^Winkler Prins encyclopedisch jaarboek -1991 Page 162 "Mindere goden brachten ook mooie elpees uit zoals The Romans en The Scabs (Royalty in Exile), "
