rebel justice

Genre: Modern Rock
Starting Date: 2005-08-29
Members: Stephen Leece, Lianne Brantley , Jean van de Pol, Torrie Paris.
Ex-members: Anna Morgansson, Darlene Votruba, Alma Barre.

Rebel Justice is formed after the break-up of Stillwater. Drummer Stephen Leece asked former Stillwatermembers Alma Barre (vocals) and Darlene Votruba (bass guitar) to join the new group and help to add a new meaning to 'passion in the music'. Rebel Justice made a jumpstart and almost from the beginning it was heading straight to the top of the Modern Rock-rankings. A first place in a newcomers-competition was achieved and many proven Rockstars as Des Swink believed in a succesfull career for the new group. Unfortunately Alma Barre became seriously ill, and after a wasting disease Alma dies on 23-02-2006. Darlene and Stephen decide to continue their project and release their first album, on which Alma Barre is still present. This album opens the road to the top and from that moment succes is guaranteed. Every show on the whole world is sold out and radio-stations all spread the word of Rebel Justice. After the death of Alma a small break is inserted and the Darlene and Stephen decide to honour Alma by dedicating a song to her, Angel Back Home. Darlene takes the singing part and Stephen learned how to play the harmonica and that should pave a new way to a new musical area. With succes, the new single Lady Vendetta is a big hit and #1 on the most radiocharts. Still Stephen is missing something. The old Stillwater-sound returns by the arrival of Jean van de Pol with his saxophone.

In the same time the band switches from record studio. After being at Longbaech for quite some time Stephen Leece starts his own label 'Excelsior Recordings' that still is the band's label today. The first tour with Jean turns out to be a big succes. The band tours the world with a theatrical show, playing accoustical songs and a stage which creates intimate moments with the crowd. The theme of the sessions is released as a collector's item and turns out to be such a big hit that the band decides to use some live songs for a serie of liverecordings: 'Live & Rare limited'. The album 'The Rebel Fever Sessions' is still one of their most succesfull albums and really gives the band it's deserved breakthrough to the top regions of the rankings. The third album (On Speed) is all about this fast raise to the top. Obsessed by the theme death, with hits such as 'Perfect song for a funeral' and 'Dance of the zombies' the music makes you realise everything will come to an end once, you have to enjoy the moment. As if the band was already knowing what lay ahead of them. Some say it's faith, thought the theme of their third album gets very close all of a sudden when Darlene Votruba is kicked out of the band after some personal problems. Darlene dies in a tragical car accident with the tourbus of her new soloband and takes two children with her.

What follows are some hard times for Jean and Stephen, nog knowing what to do exactly and they finish the tour with just the two of them. Though already clear is that won't be such a succes. They need the female voice. Stephen starts looking for a new talent to join the band. Maybe it's luck or maybe it's faith but the friends of Eye One Two split up after the exit of Darlene. Anna Morgansson accepts to join Rebel Justice with her amazing looks and famous voice. Could it be any better? The tragic and the rising of the band is summarised on their fourth album 'Impressions of an aching soul' where we can hear Anna for the first time. The hit 'Come on, tickle tickle, let me know you're alive!' shows the courage of the band to continue what they once started. Rebel Justice becomes the #1 artist in the Modern Rock ranking and enters the Who-is-Winning-chart several times. The tours are a succession of successes with sold out crowds in every city they play.

After 14 years Rebel Justice the band names the next album “Art 14: Turn your eyes from the window” to encourage younger talents to work hard to achieve something. The message don't stay staring out the window reflects the years of hard work Rebel Justice did to grow to a band like this. In Year 33 Rebel Justice plays at the official opening of the Rebel Justice Park. This is the last concert for a long while. For the first time in history the band goes on a sabbatical and has no shows scheduled for the future. The trio decides to take things easier for a while and plan a break after the 'Back to Basics'-tour. It's time to spend some time with the family, to teach the younger talents in Amsterdam and to write some new stuff before they will hit the road again.

After a break of more than a year the band starts touring again. It takes a while to get going again, but surely enough they reach the #1 position of their genre once more in Year 36, shortly after the release of their GOD SMACKLINGLY GLORIOUS reviewed album “Illegible Volumes”. They re-enter the Who Is Winning list and start negotiations with bassist Lianne Brantley to join up with them after the first Giants world tour. Lianne is received warmly by both fans and bandmates and the band continues to dominate the Modern Rock charts, not leaving the top 10 for the next ten years to come.

In Year 38 they celebrate their 20th anniversary with three album releases. AX#<3 becomes their second GSG album. Sadly enough though, soon afterwards the band calls a press conference to announce that Anna Morgansson will leave the band, because of personal reasons. Happier news comes in the form that the lead vocals will be taken over by the talented leadsinger of The Masterplan Torrie Paris. Unexpected, because the band was on a short break: Rebel Justice comes in at #4 in the Who Is Winning list. At an emotional gig on day 34 of Year 39 at the Will Acosta Memorial in Vondelpark, Amsterdam Torrie joins the band for her first gig and Anna plays her last gig with the band, resulting in a unique lineup with five people on stage.

The band continues touring as its always done and reaches #1 in the Modern Rock artist ranking again on day 11 of Year 40, for the first time with the new line up. Their third GSG album “Remember, remember” that contains material of the unique show at the Will Acosta Memorial us released shortly after. Critical and fan acclaim is overwhelming as they climb their way through the Who Is Winning charts, reaching #3 in the Who is winning list in early Year 41. The band feels on top of the world, so they call their next album “The way it should be”. It is once again reviewed as GSG.,

Year 42 does not find the band on top of its game. Competition in the Modern Rock charts is tough and there is a lot of relationship troubles brewing within the band as Torrie Paris' marriage ends in divorce and Lianne Brantley falls pregnant with Jean van de Pol's baby, while she is the lifepartner of boyfriend Stephen Leece. The bandmembers quickly assure the fans that this will not have an effect on the future of the band, but the song material that is released on “Sensing Nightfall” tells a different story. The paparazzi have a field day following the band members about, until Lianne and Stephen patch up their relationship while they are on the road to the seventh Popmundo Festival.

Year 18

Day 20: Stephen Leece decides to end Stillwater and start his own project Rebel Justice. Darlene Votruba (bassist) and Alma Barre (vocals) follow me from Stillwater and join the new band.

Day 23: First gig in The Cave of Caerbannogh in Stockholm for 41 people. Day 36: First single released: OST Lord of the Pings

Year 19

Day 14: Rebel Justice plays for 10.000 people for the first time in the club that’s now called MR Reflection -NYC- in NY Day 49: Alma Barre decides to quit the music business and dies some time later after a regrettable disease. Darlene takes over the vocals.

Year 20

Day 8: Our third single smoke is our first humble hit with a top 10 ranking in the radio charts. Day 12: The B-side of that single Knockin on jamplace's door is our first #1 notation in the critic’s top choice. Day 16: The release of our first album On your knees for Rebel Justice with our first 10 songs.

Year 22

Day 43: Angel Back Home is #3 in the radio charts. This special song, in loving memory of Alma Barre, was recorded together with Regina Dijkhuijs.

Year 23

Day 8: Lady Vendetta is the first #1 radio hit. Day 21: Our first terrific gig. Day 33: Jean van de Pol joins the band with his saxophone and accoustic guitar skills as our third band member.

Year 24

Day 29: Released our first revolutionary album (5* rating) We create our own…

Year 25

Day 1: We released Collectors EP” - Rebel Fever Sessions Intro which meant the start for our first themed world tour The Rebel Fever Sessions. The Collectors EP was also Rebel Justice's first release at the Excelsior Recordings label. Day 22: Rebel Justice officially enters the top of the Modern Rock artist ranking at #9. Day 53: Played our first revolutionary gig in the club we enjoyed playing most: Zantetsuken in LA.

Year 26

Day 36: Again in Zantetsuken in LA, we played our first mind melting gig.

Year 27

Day 15: Released our first perfect single (5* rating) Dance of the zombies Day 16: Achieved #5 in the Modern Rock Artist ranking Day 29: Entered the Who is Winning list for the first time on #8 (and #4 in MR artist ranking) Day 50: The release of the festival edition of an old Stillwater song Rebelinde (recorded with Mo's) which entered the radio charts at #1 brought us to the #2 of the artist ranking.

Year 28

Day 42: With a wonderful gig in Madrid we qualified ourselves to play at the sixth Official Popomundo Festival in Mexico City.

Year 29

Day 4: For the first time we played at the Official Popomundo Festival in Parque de Chapultepec, Mexico City. Day 6: Because of private reasons Darlene Votruba is fired from the band. After a long period of health problems she dies in a tragical car crash together with two kids of Stephen and Darlene. Day 19: Former Eye One Two-member Anna Morgansson joins the band as new leadsinger. Day 43: After a period of drama and mediocre shows Rebel Justice is back and rated #2 in the artist ranking again. Day 47: Rebel Justice is #1 Modern Rock Artist for the very first time!!

Year 31

The band gets one success after another. Several #1 hits in the radio charts, like Waterfall, Focus, Shadow with an attitude and a mind melting album Impressions of an aching soul. The band stays continuously on the #1 spot of the artist ranking and achieves the #6 spot in the Who is Winning list. Day 33: The band gets it’s own park in Amsterdam after a donation made to the city: Rebel Justice Park.

Year 33

Day 11: Rebel Justice plays at the official opening of the Rebel Justice Park. This is the last concert for a long while. For the first time in history the band goes on a sabbatical and has no shows scheduled for the future.

Year 34

Day 21: After a break of more then a year Rebel Justice plays the first try out show for the new tour in Budapest.

Year 36

Day 8: We released our first GOD SMACKINGLY GLORIOUS album: Illegible volumes Day 13: Again Rebel Justice is #1, for the first time since the long break. Day 40: #7 in the Who is Winning list again. Day 56: Lianne Brantley joins Rebel Justice at the last gig of the Giants I tour in Amsterdam with her bass guitar and backup vocals.

Year 38

Day 15: Celebrated our 20th anniversary with three album releases. AX#<3 becomes our second GSG album. Day 44: We announce Anna Morgansson will leave the band, because of personal reasons. Lead vocals will be taken over by the talented leadsinger of The Masterplan Torrie Paris.

Year 39

Day 12: Unexpected, because the band was on a short break: #4 in the Who Is Winning list. Day 34: At an emotional gig at the Will Acosta Memorial in Vondelpark, Amsterdam Torrie joins us for her first gig and Anna plays her last gig with the band, resulting in a unique lineup with five people on stage.

Year 40

Day 11: #1 in the artist ranking again, for the first time with the new line up. Day 15: Our third GSG album Remember, remember that contains material of the unique show at the Will Acosta Memorial.

Year 41

Day 8: Again #4 in the Who is Winning chart. Day 18: #3 in the Who is winning list. Day 29: The release of our fourth GSG album The way it should be

Year 43

Day 9: #1 in the artist ranking again. Day 18: Rebel Justice exists 25 years!

Year 44

Day 44: Published our fifth GOD SMACKINGLY GLORIOUS album: RUSH - The Paris sessions. Day 44: Qualified for Popmundo Festival VII with a revolutionary gig in the Montreal preliminary.

Year 45

Day 2: Played a mindmelting gig at Popmundo Festival VII. It meant a 16# spot the overall ranking.

The next interview was published in the Nashville edition of It's Pop right before the band takes a break in december 2007. An amazing job by Geraldine Muldoway. Interviewed are Stephen Leece and Jean van de Pol.

Rebel Justice, signed by Excelsior Recordings, is currently #3 on the global modern rock charts. They are considered an awesome band in the American market. Led by Stephen Leece (Rebel X) and Jean van de Pol (Rebel DaSkalot), the band (albeit with different members, RIP) has been together since 8.29.2005. Rebel Justice is completed by lead singer Anna Morgansson (A Rebel). Their latest record is the Indie Rock “I wanna be your XTC” which sold over 1.6 million copies and received a perfect review. It includes both the popular title song as well as “Rule the PopoWorld” written by Jean van de Pol. Their last show was part of their “Back to Basic tour” in Melbourne on 11.22.07 at the Church of the Nephilim. It was terrific. We are expecting at least one more terrific show at their upcoming special performance at Rebel Justice Park in Amsterdam. Stephen Leece is 35 and has been in popo 1044 days. He is the leader of Rebel Justice but you won’t find him front and center. Instead, he’ll be at the back of the stage wailing on his drum set. Occasionally, you’ll also catch him playing the harmonica. Stephen really is perfect in almost every way. At first glance, Stephen appears to be a tough guy with all his tattoos and his leather jacket, but you’ll find out he’s really a very charming man. Perhaps Nashville loves him most because he seems to have a little cowboy on the inside. You’ll often see him walking around in cowboy boots and a cowboy hat. Jean van de Pol is 36 and has been in popo 883 days. He is just as perfect as his bandmate Stephen in all the right ways. Jean was recruited to Rebel Justice because of his saxophone skills, which add a layer of harmony that many modern rock bands lack. He also plays acoustic guitar when the music calls for it. The eccentric one in the band, Jean wears whatever tickles his fancy. The day I did this interview, I saw him walking around the university wearing a crazy wig and a pinstriped suit…with chaps! Maybe there is a little cowboy in him after all, but I think he’s mostly just a crazy rocker. He also has a nosebone, something you generally see on African tribals, but a trend that seems to be slowly infiltrating the rock scene. Jean tried to go to film school, but ended up a rock star instead and Rebel Justice is that much better because of it. Anna Morgansson is 36 and has been in popo for 1036 days. She is perfect in every way…well except for her Mind Melting looks!!! Seriously, her beauty is amazing, I was immediately jealous when Stephen showed me the latest pictures of her! Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to see her incredible beauty in person. Anna is taking the band’s break as an opportunity to tend to the many things that get put to the wayside whilst one is touring. Still, even in pictures, I can tell Anna’s a girl after my own heart. She loves jewelry and of course included in that is a generous sprinkle of a girl’s best friend. Diamonds! Anna is Rebel Justice’s center stage highlight as their lead singer and dancer. She had her own style and flair in a belted, retro popomundo shirt and white knee high boots. I also wonder if she’s a bit of a hippy with her “legalize it” and “say no to violence” pins proudly displayed on her shirt. She is mind meltingly gorgeous and any typeset description of her truly cannot do her justice. She also wears a crucifix, which seems to be a signature mark of her and her band mates. I hope you enjoy this interview as much as I did. Rebel Justice is truly a great collection of musicians and people.

Interview: GM: First, let me thank ya’ll for agreeing to let me have so much of your time today. GM: Let’s get some history about Rebel Justice first. When and where did ya’ll meet? Have the three of you been together since the beginning?

SL: About 15 years ago I started this band together with some band members from my previous band. Because of some tragic incidents they're no longer around anymore. *stays silent for some moments*

I invited Jean to join our band, because I thought the saxophone would add an incredible sound to our music. It indeed turned out very good. Later we had to replace our lead singer, and that is where Anna came in. I'd known her for quite some time already, because I adored her previous band (Eye One Two Red). I was as happy as a child when she agreed to join us with her music, and of course her stunning looks. And well, I’ve got to say, at this moment I feel Rebel Justice has never been better. The three of us get along very well, and at this moment, now we're on a temporary break, it is pretty weird not to have them around all the time.

JvdP: (paraphrased) Once Anna enlightened us with her stunning voice and looks, Rebel Justice rose to an even higher level. “Thank you Stephen and Anna for giving me this pleasure!”

GM: Many fledgling bands in popo die out before they ever really have a chance for success. What made your band different? How did you get from newbie garage band to #3 on the modern rock charts?

SL: Hmm, that's a difficult one. I don't really know to be honest. Maybe it is because we see the music we make as a part of our lives. I never did anything else other than making music, and well, I had to turn quite a few other things down to achieve this. To achieve something, you really have to believe in what you're doing. Probably saying that we make music isn't right either. We are the music, you know? We just do what we think is best, and I guess we started doing that at just the right moment.

JvdP: Cooperation and understanding is the key.

GM: I noticed that each member of your band wears a crucifix. What significance does this have to Rebel Justice?

SL: Ha, well noticed. *thinks for a moment* I guess that also has to do with believing in what you're doing, and believing in the world around you. If you don't believe, you're lost. Cause what keeps you going then, you know? The sound of Rebel Justice is all about the pain and the luck a human being has to overcome to survive. Never ignore the feelings you have, but use them instead, it will make you stronger. If you believe in that, nothing can ever stop you.

JvdP: We are all rich bustards and we all love antiques!

GM: What is one of the most memorable moments while touring you have had as a band?

SL: Every time a crowd applauds or yells to ask for an encore is a highlight for me. The fact that they appreciate what we're doing makes it worthwhile. But if I had to mention one particular moment, it has to be playing at the last festival. We tried to play it several times, and the last time we succeeded. Being a part of it is great. Another memorable moment is yet to come, in a few days we will play in the park that has been named after us in Amsterdam. I'm already looking forward to it.

JvdP: Worst event: gay driver left me, and I missed one gig. Best event: Anna striptease, of course. She's damn sexy.

GM: What is it like to be so close to the top? Are you constantly barraged by adoring fans and groupies? Do you enjoy the fame, or do you long for quieter days?

SL: Oh yeah, I enjoy it. Sure, being so popular has it's side effects, but it should never be the reason to stop with what we're doing. Living the rock star life is just great. Meeting beautiful reporters like you is another example of that. But there are times I only like to spend with my family, that's only human I guess.

GM: What is it like to be so close to the top? Are you constantly barraged by adoring fans and groupies? Do you enjoy the fame, or do you long for quieter days?

SL: Oh yeah, I enjoy it. Sure, being so popular has it's side effects, but it should never be the reason to stop with what we're doing. Living the rock star life is just great. Meeting beautiful reporters like you is another example of that. But there are times I only like to spend with my family, that's only human I guess. I’d like to apologize if I seem to be an arrogant bum sometimes, but it's really impossible to please everybody at once. I love talking with the fans though, before or after a gig, that doesn't matter. You know, even our gay bus driver has groupies sometimes.

GM: Thanks for the compliment, you're making me blush!

JvdP: We are in a period where we are trying to find ourselves, and deciding how to go on in the future.

GM: Why do you think your band has continued to be successful after all these years?

SL: Haha, because we never stopped I guess. From the start I've been busy with this band and this music. It’s also because of the incredible amount of support we get from our fans. I’d like to thank them for that. Sometimes I can't understand how they don't get tired of us, well, I'm glad actually [that they don’t].

JvdP: Dedication, passion and understanding between the band members.

GM: Rebel Justice is taking a teaching break in Amsterdam after their terrific Back to Basics tour. Why have you decided to take a break at this moment in time?

SL: For over 15 years I toured the world nonstop. Never had a break from performing or composing and we were kind of getting tired. We wanted to take this break after the upcoming Octopus-tour, but we decided to cancel it, because it wouldn't improve our performance knowing we would stop after the tour. Now we got some time to relax and spend with the family. The gig in the Rebel Justice Park will be the last one in quite a while.

JvdP: Lost ego.

GM: For my hometown fans, what do you consider to be your fondest memory of performing in Nashville? What is your favorite club to go to when you’re in town? What are some of your other favorite places to visit in our city?

SL: When I think of Nashville I have to think of the place where I met my lovely plant some years ago. Although that affair is over now, I must admit I never thought dating a plant would be so much fun. But in the end our personalities were too different to continue. The club I can remember we played a few times was The Left Lounge. Yeah, we like to come back there more often. Also I like to have a drink in The Castle of Arrgh cause that club is pure history, well managed by my youth-idol Des Swink.

JvdP: The Left Lounge.

GM: What does the future hold for Rebel Justice? When can we expect a new album? Will we see you in Nashville anytime soon?

SL: I can't tell yet when we will start touring and recording again. When it starts itching again we will think about touring again, not yet. We just released a new album, a next album is not yet in the planning. We will release a “Live&Rare-limited”-EP soon though, probably some recordings of the gig in the Rebel Justice Park in Amsterdam.

JvdP: Stay tuned.

GM: Do you have any other secrets you think your fans would die to know?

SL: I like to say to my fans they just need to rebel on. Spread the love like a fever, and we'll meet again. And I guess we should date sometime when I'm in Nashville again, ok?

GM:Stop…you're making me blush again.

JvdP: I'm still single, looking for Ms. Perfect.

It’s easy to tell that I had an incredible visit with the members of Rebel Justice. The best thing about it was getting to know a little about who each of the members are as individuals. You can tell right when you meet Stephen that he’s a jokester and a mind melting charmer, but the most intriguing thing about him is that he is truly thoughtful…a real deep thinker. We rarely think of rock stars being real people when they’re off stage, and I got a great opportunity to see that they really are. The guys have nothing but good things to say about Anna as well, but for now, she’ll remain a mystery to us…and maybe we’ll like her and Rebel Justice even more for that! A beauty is always more alluring when she is a mystery. Jean was easy to fall for too, though he is pensive, stoic and overall pretty quiet. Throughout our interview he mostly seconded Stephen’s answers, but it was simply because he didn’t feel the need to add anything to them. And ladies, don’t forget that Jean is single! Are you Ms. Perfect?? This is one band I certainly wouldn’t mind getting involved with. I will certainly take Stephen up on that date next time we're in the same city!

Became #1 on the best newcomerschart
Scored the first #1-hit with Lady Vendetta
Scored over 20 #1 hits
Performed at Live Aid III in Hyde Park, London
Rated #6 on the Who Is Winning-Chart
Played at the Popomundo festival VI
Become the #1 Modern Rock artist
Became #3 on the Who Is Winning list
Became #16 in Popmundo Festival VII

18 wheeler luxury rig

Released by Twentieth Century Fox

Released by Longbeach Studios

Released by Excelsior Recordings

• rebel justice Artist Page