Kicking off Matadors Revisionist History Series for 2023, today we celebrate the 30th
anniversary of Bettie Serveerts debut album, Palomine. Heralded in its original four-
star review by Rolling Stone as “untamed and free as pop gets, this 1993 classic will
see its first pressing by Matador since the album’s original release on July 7th on
limited-edition translucent orange vinyl, accompanied by the Brain-Tag 7, which was
included with the original pressing.

Looking back on recording the Palomine album, we were as green as grass, say the
bands Carol van Dyk and Peter Visser, but we loved music and most of all, we loved
playing our own songs. When we started our band in the summer of 91, we never had
any ambitions, never thought about a ‘career’ in music, beyond maybe playing a gig to
two. But then Matador Records responded to our 1st demo, offering us a record deal,
which started the ball rolling and it changed our lives for ever! Pal o mine will always
be like a dear friend to us and even after 30 years, we still enjoy playing those songs.

While a debut album, Palomine marked the second time around for Bettie Serveert.
The band first formed in Arnhem in 1986, first calling themselves Betty Serveert, with
bassist Herman Bunskoeke, guitarist Peter Visser, and singer/guitarist Carol van Dyk.
At that time, Bunskoeke and Visser were also playing in a more established band, De
Artsen, and decided to focus on their main gig. Betty Serveert ceased to exist after 6
months and van Dyk joined up as De Artsens sound engineer.

By late 1990 De Artsen had split. Bettie Serveert, as they now called themselves,
reconvened, joined by drummer Berend Dubbe. A seven-song demo was recorded in
December 1991 and one copy ended up in the Matador Records mailroom. Watch a
short video introducing the band and their history Who is Bettie Serveert? HERE.
Its important to note that nobody in this band is named Bettie Serveert. The name
which translates into Bettie served (as in tennis) was suggested by drummer Berend
Dubbe, who had seen a tennis-instruction book by famous Dutch tennis player, Betty
Stve.