Sjako!

In the summer of 2025, the band retreated to the French Ardennes to work on new repertoire. They had about ten songs ready to be put through the Sjako! approach. But if you give these young, 65+ year-olds a chance, they quickly ignite their now-characteristic Improvs, with which they regularly give audiences a glimpse into the Sjako! DNA during live performances. This is how the idea arose to release a combination of Songs & Improvs (which also became the working title). In the first week of September, the songs found their final versions in Erik Spanjers' Silvester studio in Utrecht. Wouter Planteijdt then locked himself in his studio to create a four-sided LP from all the collected material. The result is called Senior Citizens – a reference, among other things, to their time backing Adrian Borland as The Citizens. The Rob Becker artwork consists of paintings by Haarlem visual artist and musician Steven van den Broeke, who died in the spring of 2025. Steven played guitar in Sjako! from 1981 to 1983. The song To Steve is dedicated to him Wouter Planteijdt - vocals, guitars, keyboard Thijs Vermeulen - bass, loops, soundscapes Jaap J. Vrenegoor - drums, percussives, backing vocals www.sjako.eu