Chef'Special is a Dutch indie pop band from Haarlem, the Netherlands.[1] Chef'Special's lineup consists of lead vocalist Joshua Nolet, guitarist Guido Joseph, bass player Jan Derks, keyboard player Wouter Heeren and drummer Wouter Jerry Prudon. They have released three albums and three EPs since their formation in 2008. They became known in the Netherlands for being house band for the popular Dutch TV program "De Wereld Draait Door" in 2011.[2] In 2015 the band went on its first US tour as support act for indie band Aer.[3] They have joined Twenty One Pilots on their Emotional Roadshow World Tour as an opening act in the summer of 2016, alongside Mutemath.[4]

In February 2016 the band's song "In Your Arms" charted at position 40 in Billboard's Alternative Songs chart.[5]

The band became War Child ambassadors in November 2020, for the 160 million children growing up in conflict. Chef’Special joined forces with jewellery designer Bas Verdonk to design a fundraising charm for the War Child Bracelet – which contains links made from the melted down steel from an AK-47 machine gun.

Band member Joshua Nolet was one of the contestants in the twenty-first season of the Dutch television series Wie is de Mol? (Who is the Mole?).[6]

Band members

  • Jan Derks – bass guitar, vocals, percussion (2008–present)
  • Guido "G" Joseph – guitars, samples, backing vocals (2008–present)
  • Wouter "Dub" Heeren – keyboards, synthesizers, organs, melodica, backing vocals (2008–present)
  • Joshua Nolet – lead vocals (2008–present)
  • Wouter Jerry Prudon – drums, percussion (2008–present)

Discography

Studio albums

Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications
NLD
[7]
One for the Mrs. 2011 25
Passing Through 2014 1
Amigo 2017 2
Unfold 2020 1

Extended plays

Title Year
Hungry
(Self-published)
2009
Shot in the Dark 2015
Chef'Special EP
(US release, Fueled by Ramen)
2015

Singles

Title Year Peak chart positions Album / EP
NLD
Dutch
Top 40

[8]
NLD
Single
Top 100

[7]
"Birds" 2011 Tip1* 48 One for the Mrs.
"Thank Life For"  – 89
"In Your Arms" 2014 20 17 Passing Through
"On Shoulders" Tip1*  –
"Still Don't Know" 2015 Tip3*  –
"Amigo" 2016 Tip2*  – Amigo EP
"Try Again" 2017 18  –
"Because I Love You" Tip 18*  –
"Nicotine" 2018 19 46
"Into the Future" 28  –
"Trouble" 2020 32 49 Unfold
"Maybe This Is Love" Tip4  –
"Kaleidoscope" Tip28*  –
"Afraid of the Dark" 2021 2 12 Non-album singles
"Miracles" 2023 25 64
"Speed of Light" 14 41

*Tip means the release did not chart on the Dutch Top 40, but appeared on the Tipparade for "bubbling under" hits

References

  1. ^ Donelson, Marcy. "Chef'Special : Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 2016-07-25.
  2. ^ "Chef'Special nieuwe huisband DWDD". nu.nl. 16 August 2011. Retrieved July 31, 2015.
  3. ^ "US tour news". chefspecial.com. Retrieved December 11, 2015.
  4. ^ Scott, Abigail (15 July 2016). "Review – What You Missed at Twenty One Pilots' Red Rocks Show". Retrieved 14 August 2016.
  5. ^ Hoffman, Rob (February 19, 2016). "Tomorrow's Hits: Chef'Special, Jordan Rager & Jacob Forever". Billboard. Retrieved 2016-07-25.
  6. ^ "Deze tien BN'ers doen mee aan 21e seizoen Wie is de Mol?". NU.nl (in Dutch). 21 December 2020. Archived from the original on 21 December 2020. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
  7. ^ a b "Chef'Special Discografie" (in Dutch). Dutch Charts Portal. Hung Medien. Retrieved 13 November 2020.
  8. ^ "Chef'Special Discografie" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 16 March 2024.