Belgian Popcorn

Posted on May 24, 2011 by BlastKid |

Belgium, 1970. While most radio stations and discotheques are playing the pop and rock hits of the day, a new venue opens in the small village of Vrasene, near Sint-Niklaas. The place is called The Popcorn and the dj’s play obscure soul records which they slow down in order to create their own sound. A few years later, music lovers and dancers come from all over Belgium, France and The Netherlands to enjoy this unique music. More and more venues start playing this style of music, which they refer to as ‘the Popcorn sound’ or ‘Popcorn Oldies’.

Somewhat the Belgian equivalent of England’s better known Northern Soul movement, Popcorn was an underground, at first regional, phenomenon led by dj’s who dug deep to find musical treasures that would please their specific crowd. Both scenes show a lot of similarities: the crowd (mostly working class youngsters), the dance temples (The Wigan’s Casino and The Twisted Wheel in the UK, The Groove and The Popcorn in Belgium), the own dance style, the quest for obscure soul records, the covering up of labels so that competitors couldn’t see what they were playing, the bootlegs and so on.

And although both scenes are sometimes named in one breath, they yield a lot of differences too: where Northern Soul is mostly uptempo, the Popcorn dj’s chose softer songs and slowed them down most of the time. Some artists who were popular in Northern Soul clubs, might’ve never been played in Popcorn venues and vice versa. Northern Soul is a name given to a specific group of soul songs, while Popcorn is a melting pot of styles, ranging from rhythm ‘n’ blues to latin and ska.

Fast forward forty years, and Popcorn is known all over the world. American specialized record dealers advertise some of their soul records with the typical afterbeat rhythm as ‘Belgian Popcorn’, although it are songs by American artists. In their landmark book ‘Last Night A Dj Saved My Life’, authors Bill Brewster and Frank Broughton write that Popcorn made Belgians love slow music, and thus paved the way for New Beat, Belgium’s most influential musical style yet and the foundations for a lot of today’s contemporary dance music.

And yet, in those forty years, mainstream media have hardly paid any attention to this phenomenon. Although the Popcorn scene is very vivid these days, the history of it is hardly documented. In an attempt to change this, I made the short documentary ‘Belgian Popcorn’. The film tells the story of Popcorn through the eyes of dj’s Gerry and Gibbe, two of the founding fathers of the genre. They speak about the early days of the scene, about record digging in basements in the UK, and they return for a last time to The Popcorn, which closed in 2003. As the building is currently in the process of being demolished, this is the last footage ever shot of one of the most legendary discotheques in Belgium.

This documentary is far from a complete historical overview of Belgian Popcorn. Making such a film would be nearly impossible, as there are many people who have contributed to the movement at different times and in different places. This short documentary puts the focus on the early days of the scene, as seen by two of its key figures.

For more info, visit www.popcornoldies.com and www.popcornoldies.be


Published by BlastKid - Lander L. is a record collector and DJ. He has this thing with European jazz music.
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38 Responses to “Belgian Popcorn”

  1. Laid Back » Belgian Popcorn | Today Headlines, on May 24th, 2011 at 6:37 pm Said:

    [...] find musical treasures that would please their specific crowd. … Originally posted here: Laid Back » Belgian Popcorn Share [...]

  2. Luigi, on May 24th, 2011 at 10:07 pm Said:

    Good job Lander! Another historical moment in Belgium’s musical heritage.

  3. falk, on May 25th, 2011 at 12:23 pm Said:

    What’s the name and artist of the track that starts at 08:14 ?
    Thank you

  4. Robbe, on May 25th, 2011 at 1:02 pm Said:

    Geweldig! Ik had nog nooooit van The Popcorn gehoord!

  5. DJE, on May 25th, 2011 at 7:54 pm Said:

    Goe bezig pa !!!

  6. gibbe, on May 25th, 2011 at 8:03 pm Said:

    @ falk:artist is Marvin jenkins-i’ve got the blues-palomar(label)

  7. gibbe, on May 25th, 2011 at 8:06 pm Said:

    hé Lander,knap document,met goede weergave over het fenomeen”popcorn”
    en hele goeie bijpassende muziek!
    grtjs gib

  8. Jan Van Deyck (Popcorn City), on May 25th, 2011 at 9:16 pm Said:

    Leuke waarheidsgetrouwe reportage.
    Knap gemaakt !
    Graag zou ik ze op de website plaatsen.

  9. Julius, on May 25th, 2011 at 9:20 pm Said:

    Jan, Feel free to spread this video everyywhere!

  10. Jean Meeusen, on May 25th, 2011 at 10:23 pm Said:

    Great Documentary ! ! !

  11. Marc De Schepper, on May 25th, 2011 at 10:36 pm Said:

    SUPER DOCUMENTAIRE ! ! !
    We zullen het nog lang “levend” houden !
    Marc

  12. pjdepreeuw, on May 26th, 2011 at 12:43 am Said:

    I want to hear Gerry and Gibbe play some popcorn in Brussels! Tavernier?

  13. Godzilla, on May 26th, 2011 at 8:08 am Said:

    Excellent work! Just posted on a link on Soul Source forum.

  14. Brecht, on May 26th, 2011 at 10:41 am Said:

    Nice work man! Really enjoyed watching this!

  15. kwak, on May 26th, 2011 at 11:33 am Said:

    Great work, Lander … thanks for the schooling

    I reposted on my blog with complete links leading to your internet pages and the laidback blog …

  16. Glen, on May 26th, 2011 at 1:05 pm Said:

    Popcorn oldies every two months also @ http://www.tarchief.com
    with Dj Jerry & Ron! next: 4 june in Hombeek
    They also play in Antwerp at “The Popcorn” on the keizerlei nearby the station the 29th may!
    Check out http://www.popcornsound.be for more history & fact!
    http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=100145203410826

    Cheers
    Glen

  17. DJ Harry aka Zooty, on May 26th, 2011 at 1:13 pm Said:

    Luk en Harry where the better Popcorn Deejyas in the scene 1971 1977 :-)

  18. gibbe, on May 26th, 2011 at 3:50 pm Said:

    welke harry,nooit van gehoord!

  19. LINDA COULDSTONE, on May 26th, 2011 at 7:38 pm Said:

    Hi Gibbe & Jerry…Loved this to bits…Hope to see you both again very soon.
    I will remember always how welcome you made me on my visit last year.
    xxx Linda Popcorn ;-))

  20. Benji, on May 26th, 2011 at 10:39 pm Said:

    Eindelijk een mijlpaal : ‘ the originals ‘ aan het woord , nog enkelen zijn vergeten en niet genoemd maar uiteindelijk was hier het begin van alle pret .. De originele Popcorn in Vrasene is nu afgebroken en verdwenen , maar de muziek blijft !! en hopelijk pikken de nieuwe generaties er wat van op want het dansen is een kunst op zich ;Ik was erbij in september 68 toen de Oude Hoeve werd geopend en nadien ook bij de uitbreiding tot de Popcorn , ondertussen worden we ouder en verdwijnen één na één de oorspronkelijke musikanten en zangers en ook de figuranten die nu de leeftijd bereiken tussen de 60 tot bijna de 70 jr aan , er dient zich al een jongere generatie aan om te dansen en te genieten van deze prachtige popcorn hits , hopelijk vergeten ze de ‘oude garde ‘ niet . ik wens jullie allen nog veel luisterpret en dansgenot .. . Gibbe en Gerry ( nu is hij ‘klakske’ , vroeger was hij ‘de pruik’ :-) en de ‘wurtel’ is eigenlijk walterke ) …….proficiat voor deze clip ,
    Benji nu 63 j jong

  21. Haydn Bye, on May 27th, 2011 at 11:36 am Said:

    Great doc, Keep it sweet!!!!!!!!!!
    Haydn

  22. Popcorn - mini-documentary | On-Point, on May 27th, 2011 at 1:35 pm Said:

    [...] (via LDBK) [...]

  23. Franske, on May 27th, 2011 at 9:14 pm Said:

    Ben blij dat ik de begin periode van de Popcorn heb meegemaakt en we nu nog steeds naar party’s kunnen gaan.
    Eenmaal van dit fenomeen geproefd laat dit je nooit meer los.
    Prachtige documentaire.

    grtz
    franske

  24. Tom, on May 30th, 2011 at 10:34 am Said:

    Fantastische documentaire! Tot voor een jaar of vijf had ik er zelf nog nooit van gehoord tot een wat oudere collega er eens over begon gezien hij wist dat ik veel soul en disco verzamelde. Ik dacht tot nu toe dat het eerder om oude ‘hitjes’ ging. This made my day…

  25. Soulman5, on June 4th, 2011 at 5:02 am Said:

    I live in Cape Coral, Florida, USA. I’m constantly amazed at the reach of American soul music and while I’d heard of Popcorn Soul, I didn’t really understand. This great documentary is very helpful & enjoyable. It’s nice to know that we all share the love of the same kind of great music. Thank you for this! Keep on - keepin’ on!

  26. The story of the Belgian Popcorn sound | PASTIME RECORDS, on June 9th, 2011 at 10:09 am Said:

    [...] to Blastkid and Laid Back for producing and sharing. This entry was posted in Featured, Miscelaneous. Bookmark the [...]

  27. Glen, on June 24th, 2011 at 10:17 am Said:

    One Dj not to be forgotten in the scene: DJ Ron!!
    check out more history, stories and music : http://www.popcornsound.be/
    Bigg ups for bringing out Belgian Popcorn Lander & Julien!!
    Grts fr the Archief boys

  28. Dj Ron, on June 25th, 2011 at 2:57 am Said:

    Many thanks to “ALL” popcorn-dj’s, popcorn record collectors and the popcorn audience, for more than 40 years loyalty and fun with this Belgian made music and dance style !

    Dj Ron.

  29. Stylons, on July 13th, 2011 at 12:57 pm Said:

    I love this kind of music. always wanted a record with it but never found one. Maybe this could be a hint for me what to look for :)

  30. elnino, on July 13th, 2011 at 3:07 pm Said:

    Hi stylons if you are after this kind of music check out http://www.ladyluckclub.co.uk go to merchandise you will be able to order some great music there are samples to listen to,
    regards
    dj el nino

  31. The Jazz Meet / Podcast #28 - 27.07.11 Blast Kid The Jazz Kid, on August 4th, 2011 at 12:32 am Said:

    [...] Make sure to check it out and let us know what you think, but more importantly go stop by his own Mixcloud and if you need more Blast Kid in your life check out his Tumblr for more amazing mixes. He's also been involved with Laid Back Radio, an online radio station/weblog where he hosts an online radio show called Snap Your Fingers, writes articles and has even made a short documentary about Belgian Popcorn. [...]

  32. Raphy, on September 12th, 2011 at 10:28 pm Said:

    I would love to see a showdown between Jamaica vs Belgium…

    That would be one clash I wouldn’t want to miss.

  33. serge, on October 27th, 2011 at 3:55 pm Said:

    je me suis toujours demandé pourquoi ceux qui ont le plus mal interprété notre style musical sont ceux qui en parle le plus ; voila les pionniers de ce style en Belgique , les piliers fondateurs de ce mouvement exclusif mad in Belgium et pourtant qui en parle ?qui les écoute ? .
    Les DJs actuels qui se réclament du même mouvement , de la même famille , seraient bien inspirés de regarder et écouter ce que ces deux merveilleux ambassadeurs de la bonne musique ont fait et travaillé pour que le genre Popcorn sans oublier le Groove ait une résonance dans toute la Belgique , mais également à l’extérieur de ses frontières , il serait opportun qu’ils y puisent également l’humilité qui caractérise nos deux DJs une qualité qui fait bien défaut de nos jours à beaucoup d’aficionados qui se réclament ou ( pire ) se proclament être les dignes descendants de ce style .
    Aujourd’hui comme je l’ai déjà expliqué à plusieurs reprises sur le web y compris sur ce post ,si dans un premier temps le Popcorn à porter cette musique je dois dire également qu’à l’instar du Wigan Casino avec la Northern soul , le popcorn à contribué par une mauvaise lecture une mauvaise interprétation ou compréhension des fondamentaux à banaliser sa musique son style et par delà les frontière musicales sa crédibilité . aujourd’hui les soirées dites Popcorn ne sont plus l’ombre de ce dernier et exit la Soul , la funky et le latin jazz , mis au placard des ALvin Cash , Andre Williams , Barbara Acklin ,J.J.Barnes , Ramsey Lewis , Syl Johnson , Billy Larkin et qui se souvient d’avoir entendu dans une soirée ” hanks groove ” de Hank Jacobs ? ou les titres de Jamo Thomas comme son fameux ” i spy for the F.B.I ” et que dire de l’oubli totale de ce titre de Jimmy McCracklin et son DOG merveilleux ? ou de ” Earthquake ” de Al’TNT’ Braggs qui ne sont plus que des souvenirs lointains , sacrifié sur l’hôtel de l’Oldies commerciales , musique d’ascenseur de magasin des années 60 s ; un comble pour un mouvement qui faisait un point d’honneur de se réclamer de lutter contre une musique facile et effet de mode pour plaire aux ménagères de moins de 50 ans et aux amateurs d’âge tendre et tête de bois ou slt les copains et de succomber à la mode Yé yé et plus tard au Disco .
    deux erreurs majeurs sont responsables de cette dérive , en 1 avoir confondu genre musical et époque
    2 avoir donné plus d’importance au tempo qu’a la qualité intrinsèque de la musique ; est ce que quelqu’un ici peut m’expliquer le lien qui peut y avoir entre un Alvin Cash et ALICE DONA ou CONNIE FRANCIS et son stupide ” pretty little Baby ” ? à part le mi tempo qui va super bien pour le Bop et le fait que ces titres et chanteurs soient de la même période , voilà ou nous en sommes arrivé est- ce cela l’évolution que nous voulions ? merci pour cette article et la vidéo qui nous éclaire sur ce que fut et aurait dû être et rester notre musique .
    Un grand merci aux Djs de la grande époque et de collectionneurs tel que Jean Roger qui collectionne avant tout la qualité et non la quantité ou l’originalité ou la rareté en faisant fi de cette exigence .
    Que la Soul , la Funky et le latin jazz reprennent leur place que la qualité revienne sur les platines des DJ s c’est tout le mal que je souhaite pour les défenseurs de la musique GROOVEPOPCORN

  34. Laid Back » Looking back at 2011, on January 1st, 2012 at 2:26 pm Said:

    [...] on Czech Jazz … one that even got noticed by the Czech Arts and Theatre Institute while his pop corn documentary ended up being one of the most popular piece on the blog this [...]

  35. jr, on April 21st, 2012 at 11:42 pm Said:

    thanks to both of you ,you made my live as i am a crate digger always searching for a new groovy trippy sound ,as i remenber both of u ,long hair ,cool ,open, just for the good soul sound;; thanks to u soul brothers jr

  36. Benji, on June 15th, 2012 at 5:48 pm Said:

    Be there !!! we are coming to Holland ( Nederland ?? ) Rotterdam , the oldy-baldies uit Belgie die op de planken stonden bij de opening van de enige echte VRASENSE POPCORN DANCING !

    We schudden voor jullie de echte ouwe originele popcorn hits uit onze mouwen ! Gibbe en Gery staan er en ik doe hopelijk ook eventjes mijn best , ik was er ook meer dan 40 jaren geleden in september bij toen de dancing geopend werd! ik woon nog steeds maar 5 km van de place to be .. spijtig genoeg is ze nu weg , maar we houden de muziek en de dansstijl hoog !

    Keep on turning those players … Benji en….. BE THERE !!!!

    http://www.djguide.nl/party.p?id=119246

  37. Robert, on October 28th, 2012 at 2:47 pm Said:

    Popcorn oldies Party in Brussel met Mr Fine Wine(US)
    vrijdag 9/11 @ Les Cercle des voyageurs - Brussels

    Mr Fine Wine is al 18 jaar soul dj op the Downtown Soulville show radio WFMU Jersey City, NJ, Woonachtig te Brooklyn NY maar afkomstig van Detroit hij heeft al voor de laaste 18 jaar door heel Amerika en Europa soul feestjes meegemaakt maar nu voor de eerste keer komt hij naar Belgie special om op een popcorn oldies feestje te draaien.

    Playing in Brussels Les Cercle des voyageurs (rue des grands carmes 18 - 1000 Brussels) Friday 9/11 Party starts 10pm
    Popcorn oldies night!
    with
    Mr Fine Wine, Laurence B. JR the Canadian and Raphi Scorcher.
    Entee is 8€

    Lawrence B. has been a digger for many years. Once a Pacha ibiza funky room resident and ibiza global radio dj. He has played in clubs from NY to Ibiza for the past 20 years.

    JR the Canadian is a Charleoi resident with roots in Canada. He has been a digger for many years both in Belgium and Quebec. He has a massive music collection. He was also a regular at the Groove Oostend in the late 70′s. Checkout Wallifornia Soul documentary http://vimeo.com/7533607

    Raphi Scorcher is a Brussels resident that has played in various venue’s from Manchester to Perpignan.

  38. Soulbag, on November 11th, 2012 at 7:51 pm Said:

    Quality time spent with two pillars of sound groove/popcorn. Damage as one of the first DJ and certainly the catalyst forgot in the report : LUK FRANKEN, the brother of Gerrit.
    I have been a witness to this heyday of 1970 with the GROOVE in OSTEND in 1980 with the Vrasene POPCORN and I continue now by collecting and facilitating evenings POPCORN/NORTHERN on the French riviera
    Keep the Faith

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