Buddy Odor Stop - Buddy Odor is a Gas 12" Vinyl LP Album
- Hans Vandenburg's 1979 Solo Project After Gruppo Sportivo's Breakup
Buddy Odor Stop – Buddy Odor is a Gas is the adventurous 1979 solo debut by Hans Vandenburg, frontman of Dutch cult band Gruppo Sportivo. Released shortly after the group's breakup, the album channels the playful, ironic style of Nederpop and new wave, adding a sharp edge of post-punk experimentation.
Produced by Vandenburg (alias Van DeFruits) and Robert Jan Stips, the record features layered instrumentation, punchy horn sections, and a rotating cast of guest vocalists including Barry Hay. The photography, by the now-legendary Anton Corbijn, captures the offbeat energy that defines this record’s mood. More than a novelty, this LP became a vibrant chapter in late ’70s Dutch pop history.
Album Description
"Buddy Odor Stop - Buddy Odor is a Gas" is a notable album in the music career of Hans Vandenburg, best known as the frontman of the Dutch band Gruppo Sportivo. Released in 1979, this solo album marked Vandenburg's first endeavor after the breakup of Gruppo Sportivo. The album was produced by Hans Vandenburg himself, also known by his alias Van DeFruits, along with Robert Jan Stips.
The album cover design for "Buddy Odor Stop - Buddy Odor is a Gas" was created by Young and Ugly, while the photography was done by Anton Corbijn. Anton Corbijn, whose full name is Anton Johannes Gerrit Corbijn van Willenswaard, is a well-regarded Dutch photographer and director known for his work with various musicians and bands.
The album features a range of talented musicians who contributed to its unique sound. Gerard van Dooren and Ernst Glerum handle the bass and double bass, respectively, while Hans Vandenburg takes the lead vocals and plays the guitar. The horns section includes Fred Leeflang and Ruud Bos. Multiple drummers were involved in the album's production, namely Bart Terlaak, Huub Janssen, and Max Mollinger. The keyboards were played by Peter Calicher and Robert Jan Stips. In addition to Vandenburg's lead vocals, other vocalists on the album include Barry Hay, Josee Van Iersel, and Meike Touw.
"Buddy Odor Stop - Buddy Odor is a Gas" showcases Vandenburg's musical style, which blends elements of rock, pop, and new wave. The album's sound is characterized by catchy melodies, energetic guitar riffs, and playful lyrics. Vandenburg's songwriting skills shine through the album, with tracks that vary in tempo and mood, offering listeners a diverse listening experience.
The release of "Buddy Odor Stop - Buddy Odor is a Gas" contributed to the musical landscape of the Netherlands in the late 1970s. While the album may not have achieved widespread international recognition, it remains a significant piece of Vandenburg's discography and a testament to his talent as a musician and songwriter.
Music Genre:
Nederpop, New Wave , Post-Punk
Album Production Information:
Produced by: Hans Vandenburg (alias: Van DeFruits)
Hans Vandenburg , born on 26 April 1952, is a renowned Dutch musician, singer, and songwriter. With his distinctive voice and eclectic musical style, Vandenburg has left an indelible mark on the Dutch music scene, both as a solo artist and as a founding member of the influential band Gruppo Sportivo. Throughout his career, he has displayed a remarkable versatility, effortlessly transitioning between genres and leaving audiences captivated by his unique sound.
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Hans Vandenburg was born and raised in The Hague, Netherlands. Growing up in a musically inclined family, he developed a deep passion for music from an early age. His parents recognized his talent and encouraged his musical pursuits, providing him with a supportive environment to nurture his skills.
In his teenage years, Vandenburg began playing the guitar and quickly showed an aptitude for the instrument. Inspired by the burgeoning rock 'n' roll movement of the 1960s, he immersed himself in the music of artists like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and Jimi Hendrix, among others. Their influence sparked his desire to pursue a career in music, and he started performing in local bands and honing his songwriting abilities.
The Formation of Gruppo Sportivo
In 1976, Vandenburg founded Gruppo Sportivo, a band that would go on to achieve both critical acclaim and commercial success. Blending elements of rock, new wave, and pop, the band's sound was characterized by catchy melodies, clever lyrics, and a distinct sense of humor. Vandenburg's songwriting prowess, combined with his charismatic stage presence, became the driving force behind the group's popularity.
Gruppo Sportivo released their debut album, "10 Mistakes", in 1977, which spawned the hit single "Hey Girl". The album showcased Vandenburg's ability to craft infectious pop songs while infusing them with his own unique style. With subsequent albums like "Back to 78" (1978) and "Copy Copy" (1980), the band continued to gain recognition both in the Netherlands and internationally.
Solo Career and Collaborations
Following the disbandment of Gruppo Sportivo in the early 1980s, Vandenburg embarked on a solo career. He released his first solo album, "The Escape", in 1982, which showcased a more introspective and intimate side of his musicality. The album demonstrated Vandenburg's versatility as he explored different musical genres, ranging from rock to folk and blues.
Throughout his solo career, Vandenburg collaborated with various artists, including Dutch musician and producer Robert Jan Stips. Together, they created albums like "Future Street" (1983) and "Stips" (1985), which demonstrated Vandenburg's ability to adapt his sound to different musical contexts while maintaining his artistic integrity.
Continued Influence and Legacy
Hans Vandenburg's contributions to the Dutch music scene have left an enduring impact. His innovative songwriting, coupled with his captivating performances, has earned him a dedicated following and admiration from fellow musicians. His work with Gruppo Sportivo and as a solo artist has inspired generations of musicians and continues to resonate with fans worldwide.
In recent years, Vandenburg has remained active in the music industry, participating in various projects and occasionally reuniting with Gruppo Sportivo for live performances. His talent, passion, and commitment to his craft serve as an inspiration for aspiring musicians, embodying the spirit of artistic exploration and innovation.
Produced by: Robert Jan Stips
Biography of: Robert Jan Stips is a highly talented and versatile Dutch musician, singer, songwriter, and composer. Born on 4 December 1950, in The Hague, Netherlands, Stips has had a significant impact on the Dutch music scene and has garnered international recognition for his contributions. With a career spanning over five decades, Stips has showcased his exceptional skills across various genres and has been an influential figure in the progressive rock and pop music scenes.
Stips' musical journey began in the late 1960s when he formed his first band, Supersister. As the lead vocalist, keyboardist, and main songwriter for the group, he helped shape their unique sound, characterized by complex arrangements, witty lyrics, and a fusion of jazz, rock, and classical influences. Supersister achieved considerable success, releasing several critically acclaimed albums, including "Present from Nancy" and "To the Highest Bidder", and captivating audiences with their energetic live performances.
Following the disbandment of Supersister in 1974, Stips embarked on a diverse and illustrious career, collaborating with numerous renowned artists and bands. He became a member of the Dutch progressive rock band Golden Earring, lending his keyboard skills to their music and contributing to their albums "Contraband" and "Prisoner of the Night". Stips also collaborated with the legendary English musician Robert Fripp, known for his work with King Crimson, resulting in the creation of the album "God Save the Queen/Under Heavy Manners".
In the 1980s, Stips formed a new band called Sweet d'Buster, which explored a more pop-oriented sound. The group achieved considerable commercial success, releasing albums such as "Friction" and "Gigs". Stips also contributed his talents as a keyboardist and songwriter to other Dutch bands like Transister and Nits, further establishing his reputation as a sought-after musician and collaborator.
As a solo artist, Stips released several albums, showcasing his abilities as a singer-songwriter and exploring different musical styles. His solo work includes the albums "Egotrip", "Greyhound", and "Rum & Coca Cola". Each release demonstrated Stips' versatility, as he seamlessly transitioned between genres and experimented with innovative sounds and arrangements.
In addition to his work as a performer, Stips has made significant contributions as a composer for film, television, and theater. He has composed music for numerous Dutch films and theater productions, infusing his compositions with his distinctive style and musicality.
Throughout his career, Stips has received recognition and accolades for his contributions to the music industry. He was honored with the Edison Award, the most prestigious music award in the Netherlands, and has been recognized as one of the most influential Dutch musicians of his generation.
Album cover design: Young and Ugly
Album cover photography: Anton Corbijn
Record Label Information
Ariola 200.931
Media Format:
Record Format: 12" Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record
Total Album (Cover+Record) weight: 230 gram
Year & Country:
1979 Netherlands
Music Genre:
Nederpop, New Wave , Post-Punk
Label & Catalognr:
Ariola 200.931
Media Format:
Record Format: 12" Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record
Total Album (Cover+Record) weight: 230 gram
Year & Country:
1979 Netherlands
Musicians:
- Gerard van Dooren – Bass
- Ernst Glerum – Double Bass
- Hans Vandenburg (Lead Vocals, Guitars)
- Horns: Fred Leeflang, Ruud Bos
- Drums: Bart Terlaak, Huub Janssen, Max Mollinger
- Keyboards: Peter Calicher, Robert Jan Stips
- Lead Vocals: Barry Hay, Josee Van Iersel, Meike Touw
Tracklisting Side One:
- Buddy Odor Is A Gas! – 2:34
- (Gimme That) Lipstick – 2:22
- Redskins – 2:26
- Lock Yourself Up – 2:22
- I Want It Now – 3:10
- If I Were You – 1:44
- Teardrops And Two Broken Hearts – 3:32
Tracklisting Side Two:
- I Love You Madly 2:33
- Cats Hiss 2:24
- For Pim 0:55
- It Feels So Good 3:26
- Men 1:52
- My Little Man And I 2:17
- Jazz It Up! 1:59
High Resolution & Quality Photos
Front Cover Photo Of Gruppo Sportivo / Buddy Odor Stop - Buddy Odor is a Gas
Front cover of the 1979 vinyl album "Buddy Odor is a Gas!" by Buddy Odor Stop (Hans Vandenburg). This surreal black-and-white photo features two opposing bust-length profiles in exaggerated poses.
On the left, a man with short dark hair and black-framed glasses puckers his lips forward dramatically. He wears a horizontally striped shirt, slightly out of focus due to the intense visual tension of the scene.
On the right, a figure with exaggerated feminine features, long wavy hair, lipstick, and a beauty mark poses as a woman but bears a striking resemblance to the same man—possibly a gender-bending double portrait. A neon green clothespin clips the bridge of "her" nose.
Between them, a comic-style speech bubble emanates from the woman, reading "BUDDY ODOR IS A GAS!" in all caps. Five small dots trail from her mouth to the bubble, mimicking thought bubbles in cartoons.
The plain white background gives the image a collage-like absurdity, underscoring the album's quirky tone. In the top right corner, a worn price sticker faintly reads "EMI ƒ10", subtly reminding the viewer of the record’s original Dutch retail context.
Photo Of The Back Cover Gruppo Sportivo / Buddy Odor Stop - Buddy Odor is a Gas
Back cover of the 1979 album "Buddy Odor is a Gas!" by Buddy Odor Stop. The design resembles a contact sheet or photo collage, consisting of 12 individual candid color portraits arranged in a 4 x 3 grid. Each square captures two people in a casual or humorous pose, likely band members and collaborators.
Across the top in hand-drawn black lettering is the title “THE BUDDY ODOR STOP”. Each photo is numbered and labeled with the name(s) of the people depicted, written in thick marker directly over the image. The names include Peter Calicher, Meike Touw, Jan Cees Tams, José van Iersel, Huub Janssen, Ruud Bos, Fred Leeflang, R.J. Stips, Barry Hay, Gerard van Dooren, Bart Terlaak, Max Mollinger, and Ernst Glerum.
The mood is whimsical and playful—several people wear sunglasses or make exaggerated expressions. Many subjects are shirtless or dressed in informal summer clothes, reinforcing a sense of spontaneity and humor. Lighting is bright and flat, evoking a photo booth or instant camera feel, with slight pink and blue overtones typical of late-70s color processing.
At the bottom center, the Ariola catalog number STEREO 200 931 is printed, along with copyright dates for 1979 and 1980 and the text Manufactured and Marketed by Ariola Benelux BV – Made in Holland. The overall design exudes a DIY, collaborative spirit, inviting listeners into the quirky world behind the record.
Photo of the custom inner sleeve Gruppo Sportivo / Buddy Odor Stop - Buddy Odor is a Gas
Custom inner sleeve of the 1979 LP "Buddy Odor is a Gas!" by Buddy Odor Stop. The sleeve is designed in a handwritten, DIY aesthetic, giving it a personal and playful tone. Black ink on a cream-colored background presents all album details with loose, irregular lettering, adding to its charm.
At the top, the album title is scrawled: "BUDDY ODOR IS A GAS!" Below that, production credits name R.J. Stips and Hans Vandenburg as producers. Songwriting is attributed mostly to "Van DeFruits" (Hans Vandenburg), with exceptions noted: "If I Were You" by Van DeFruits and Barry Hay, "I Love You Madly" by Van DeFruits and Meike Touw, and "My Little Man and I" by Meike Touw alone.
Design credits include sleeve by Young and Ugly, sticker design by Koos O, and cover photo by Anton Corbijn. Guest musician credits for Gerard van Dooren and Bart Terlaak are noted, as well as record label affiliations: Dureco and Polydor.
The center of the sleeve is divided into two tracklists:
Side 1:
1. Buddy Odor is a Gas!
2. (Gimme That) Lipstick
3. Redskins
4. Lock Yourself Up
5. I Want It Now
6. If I Were You
7. Teardrops and Two Broken Hearts
Side 2 – Pop for Jazzholes:
1. I Love You Madly
2. Cats Hiss
3. For Pim
4. It Feels So Good
5. Men
6. My Little Man and I
7. Jazz It Up!
Each track has small numbers in circles next to it, likely referencing individual musicians or take numbers. At the bottom, the ensemble is introduced as The Buddy Odor Stop, listing roles such as keyboards (Peter Calicher, R.J. Stips), sax (Jan Cees Tans), lead & backup vocals (Meike Touw, José van Iersel, Barry Hay), drums (Bart Terlaak, Max Mollinger, Huub Janssen), horns (Ruud Bos, Fred Leeflang), bass (Gerard van Dooren), and double bass (Ernst Glerum).
The layout closes with a simple cartoon sketch of two clothespins over the word “Buddy Odor”, playfully linking back to the album's olfactory-themed title and visual humor.
Photo of the custom inner sleeve Gruppo Sportivo / Buddy Odor Stop - Buddy Odor is a Gas
Reverse side of the custom inner sleeve for the 1979 album "Buddy Odor is a Gas!" by Buddy Odor Stop. This side of the sleeve features the full lyrics to all fourteen tracks handwritten in black ink, arranged in five vertical columns across a light grey or off-white paper background.
The lyrics are presented in a rough but legible hand, emphasizing the album's casual and irreverent style. Each song title is underlined or distinguished by spacing, followed by its corresponding lyrics, tightly packed with little margin. Titles include “Buddy Odor is a Gas!”, “(Gimme That) Lipstick”, “Redskins”, “Teardrops and Two Broken Hearts”, “Cats Hiss”, “My Little Man and I”, “Jazz It Up!”, among others.
Humor, irony, and satire are prominent in the lyrics, matching the quirky tone of the music. Themes range from pop culture references and domestic absurdities to emotional satire and musical parody. The lyrics to “Men” and “Jazz It Up!” display a self-aware tone, poking fun at genre conventions.
Near the bottom center of the layout, breaking the visual rhythm of text, is a small black-and-white photograph of a young boy wearing shorts and a T-shirt, standing on a brick pavement beside a classic three-wheeled scooter. The child is staring toward the camera with a neutral expression, injecting a note of childlike innocence or possible visual irony into the otherwise cheeky lyric spread.
In the lower right corner, printed in a small sans-serif font, is the catalog number 200 931-B, marking this as the B-side insert. The overall layout reinforces the album’s DIY ethos and artistic independence.
Photo Side One Gruppo Sportivo / Buddy Odor Stop - Buddy Odor is a Gas
Side One record label of the 12-inch vinyl LP "Buddy Odor is a Gas!" by The Buddy Odor Stop. The label is printed in black on a cream background and encircled by a bold black ring denoting the edge of the vinyl. The top of the label features the album and band name in all caps: THE BUDDY ODOR STOP – BUDDY ODOR IS A GAS! displayed inside a cartoon-style speech bubble.
Below the title is a credit line: Produced by R.J. Stips and Hans Vandenburg © 1979 Ariola Music Benelux B.V. Cutting across the center of the label horizontally is a bright green clothespin graphic, the same visual motif used on the album cover—this time rendered flat and horizontal, with its clip surrounding the center hole.
The left side bears the iconic Ariola globe logo, and to the right appear the legal and catalog details: STEMRA 200.931 and STEREO 33 RPM. The track listing for Side 1 is numbered clearly, including:
1. Buddy Odor is a Gas!
2. (Gimme that) Lipstick
3. Redskins
4. Lock Yourself Up
5. I Want It Now
6. If I Were You
7. Teardrops and Two Broken Hearts
A note below the tracklist states: All songs by Van DeFruits except * lyrics by Van DeFruits and Barry Hay. The publishing rights are credited to Soss / Blah Blah Music.
Around the outer edge, small text warns against unauthorized reproduction, copying, or public performance, as typical for commercial vinyl releases. The label design fuses functional information with quirky visual branding, staying true to the record’s tongue-in-cheek spirit.
Photo of Side Two Gruppo Sportivo / Buddy Odor Stop - Buddy Odor is a Gas
Side Two record label of the 1979 vinyl LP "Buddy Odor is a Gas!" by The Buddy Odor Stop. This playful, tongue-in-cheek design continues the visual motif established on Side One. The center label is cream-colored with black print and features the bold title "BUDDY ODOR IS A GAS!" inside a stylized comic speech bubble.
Just below the title is the subtitle "Pop for jazzholes", an irreverent genre descriptor that reflects the band's self-aware, humorous tone. The producer credits read: Produced by R.J. Stips and Hans Vandenburg © 1979 Ariola Music Benelux B.V.
A bold green clothespin graphic again cuts through the center hole horizontally, tying in with the album’s cover art. On the left side is the classic Ariola globe logo, while the right side displays the catalog number STEMRA 200.931 and STEREO 33 RPM.
The track listing for Side 2 includes:
1. I Love You Madly
2. Cats Hiss
3. For Pim
4. It Feels So Good
5. Men
6. My Little Man and I
7. Jazz It Up!
A footnote clarifies the songwriting: All songs by Van DeFruits except ** lyrics by Van DeFruits and Meike Touw; * lyrics by Meike Touw. All songs are published by Soss / Blah Blah Music.
An orange rectangular sticker is affixed diagonally over the lower part of the label, reading "SIDE 2 NR.1", possibly a reference marker or cataloging label from a previous owner or record shop. This adds a layer of analog history and personal usage to the artifact.
The entire label is bordered by a legal disclaimer warning against unauthorized reproduction, broadcasting, or copying—standard for commercial pressings but neatly wrapped within the album’s eccentric branding.
Index of GRUPPP SPORTIVO & BUDDY ODOR STOP Album Cover Photos & 12" Vinyl LP Discography Information
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Buddy Odor Stop - Buddy Odor is a Gas 12" Vinyl LP
The album cover design for "Buddy Odor Stop - Buddy Odor is a Gas" was created by Young and Ugly, while the photography was done by Anton Corbijn. Anton Corbijn, is a well-regarded Dutch photographer
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