Early Years.... Dirk Van Distanz and Bert Vertigo travelled in a beat up VW Campervan the length of the United States throughout 1964 following closely behind the more famous "Magic Bus" of Ken Kesey's Merry Pranksters, at a formative Acid Test somewhere in the Sierra Madre Mountains in 1965 Bert first declared the need for "Progress". Moving to Frisco they joined an early version of the Family Dog and were ever present at the Avalon Ballroom through 67. Recalling the period 1968-69 as "one long crazhed acid comedown" Bert and Dirk felt estranged from the pie-in-the-sky flowerheads of the Vietnam-era USA and headed back to Europe in late 1969 to "discover the truth of Progress". .. Regulars at every major Prog Rock Happening from Knebworth to Middle Earth to Cologne throughout the early 70's, it was only a matter of time before they formed their own band- a band so futuristic they could not be named. ......Mystery & Disapearance.... April 16, 1973... Bert & Dirk performed their epic 7-vinyl album "NEON TROLL ROBE" in it's entirety at a remote undiscovered Pyramid in the Mexican Jungle. Witnessing were a crowd of exactly 999 hand-picked astronomers, philosophers, linguistic experts and Mathemeticians. At the apex of Dirk's 19 minute moog solo (during the track "Diamond Encrusted Hoof Of The Galactic Unicorn", fact fans) a blinding multi-coloured light engulfed the stage, accompanied by a chord of such utter Progressiveness that all who heard it were rendered unable to listen to mere "Static" music again and were hence driven mad. When the crowd awoke, three days later, Bert & Dirk were gone, never to be seen again..... Communications from the Future.... Various spirit mediums have claimed to have received communications from the duo over the intervening years in which they report that during the gig they were literally transported 20,000 years into the future on a beam of Pure Prog to the 7th moon of Alpha Centurai... While the facts are unclear, it appears that via some as-yet-unknown medium of time/sound transit Wizardry, Bert and Dirk are somehow still with us, spreading the Gospel According To Prog. Now using the Internet to help in their goal of Progression, they show us the way to the future. Remember, we musht keep it Cosmic, and forever utter those immortal words... "Lets Progress !"

Trees, coffee, broken hearts, moon nymphs, birds & dragonflies are the elements with which Frederik crafts his songs, seasoned with psychedelia, blues, reggae and eclectic folk. Cheerful, melancholic, belligrent and adventurous music for travellers, warriors of the heart, brave lovers & bon vivants.

DJ Socrates is on a mission to spread uplifting vibes & spicy grooves. To broaden musical horizons, to inspire & exchange.

Bert Vertigo is following