1976 - 1981

Loomis Gang was formed in 1976 by 5 session musicians from Rotterdam: guitarist Jaap Spigt, keyboard player Elbert Waller, bass player Robert Zwaan, drummer Peter Koomen and singer Peter Kunst.

The band gained considerable renown in the region, which attracted the attention of Alfred Lagarde, one of the Netherlands’ leading DJs at the time. Lagarde regularly played Loomis Gang songs on Radio 3 Rock station and introduced the band as the support act to Van Halen in 1978. Loomis Gang’s performance was very well received, which quickly increased the regional popularity of the band. Meanwhile, singer Peter Kunst had left the band and had been replaced by Hans Vos. Shortly after that, Jaap Spigt’s sister Frédérique, currently a well-known singer and entertainer in the Netherlands, was part of the band for a brief period of time.

In the years that followed, Loomis Gang were a popular act on the regional club circuit and played at large festivals like Rotterdam New Pop, Midsummer Nightmare and Rottepop. Their popular song “Trouble Maker” was released on “The Rotterdam Collection” an album with contributions from the most distinctive Rotterdam-based bands at the time.

Because most Loomis Gang members combined their musical activities with a university education, having a professional musical career was impossible for them and, after the graduation of some of the members, the band was discontinued in early 1981.

Link to 'Archive'

2019 - present

It was more than likely that this would be forever, until Robert Zwaan brought the band back together on the occasion of a reunion organized by him. The great chemistry between the band members was still there, which led to a new start in 2019 with 3 of the original players in the lineup, completed with new members Walter Maas and Bert de Bruijne.

The first result from their renewed musical collaboration was the release of the album “Back in Trouble” in 2020.

In 2021 Elbert Waller moved to another part of the country, which caused him to leave the band. After a lengthy search process his place was taken by Toine van Rijthoven in 2023.

Loomis Gang’s lineup is complete again! Most of their songs from the past are part of the current set and the band still visibly enjoys performing on stage. The successful try-outs and first gigs have marked Loomis Gang’s intent to yet again become a recognized value in the Dutch music scene.