In 1978, Dirk started as singer and guitar player in the punk band Slaughterhouse, but broke up the group one year later to form the more new wave minded project The Few.
Influenced by bands like Suicide and Deutsch Amerikanische Freundschaft and the UK electronic scene, he appears from 1980 on under the name Absolute Body Control on several compilations. The first single Is There An Exit ? became a local underground hit. The line-up changed very soon but with Eric Van Wonterghem he finds himself a partner for the next coming years regarding mixing, producing and collaborating.
In 1985, the Absolute Controlled Clinical Maniacs, a project with members of three Belgian bands, were invited to do a tour in Norway. When they returned, they changed their name to The Klinik. Dirk was a member of The Klinik until 1991. When they decided to split up, they already built themselves a very good live reputation with their unique sound and visual gigs and became, besides Front 242 and The Neon Judgement, one of the biggest names in the Belgian electonic/industrial scene. Even today they are still an influence for many young bands.
In 1990, Dirk released a self-titled solo album under the name Dive. It was released on his own label Body Records. The album was very primitive, harsh and experimental, with lyrics about hope, death, love and fear, but hits like 10000 volts. This was the start of many products with an evolving sound. With a minimum on equipment, Dirk creates a maximum of power. His sound is copied by a lot of newcomers in the last couple of years and he proved on many stages that less means more.
In 1996, Dirk starts Sonar with the aim to create rhythmical noise and dark soundscapes. The music is created with a combination of analogue and digital instruments.
Martial CanterelView profile
Nitzer EbbView profile