Since the late eighties, brother and sister Gert and Sarah Bettens have been active in the Belgian music scene. Whilst studying, they formed their own "hobby-band" called "The Basement Plugs", and predominantly covered popular songs in the Antwerp area. Rehearsals in a friendÍs basement (supplied with enough plugs), gave rise to the rather amusing band name! After a few years of innocent fun, Sarah's voice was "discovered", and this led to her first solo single. Released in 1992 under the name of Sara Beth (an abbreviation of Bettens - it sounded better and more Anglo-Saxon!), Sarah performed a cover of the Hank Williams classic "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" for the soundtrack of a Belgian short film "Vrouwen Willen Trouwen" (Women want to get married).

1993 - 1994 The Choice

Sarah's solo single faired well in the Belgian charts, and so when record company Double T Music offered her a contract for a full album, she informed them that she had a brother who was also into music. Although this proposal was received with some skepticism, Gert joined Sarah for a trial acoustic session, and together, they effortlessly managed to win over the DTM management: The Choice was born! In October 1993, their first full CD "The Great Subconscious Club" was presented to the press.

Step by step, The Choice gained a firm foothold in musical circles; in no small part due to Sarah's successful duet with Scots R&B singer Frankie Miller on " Why DonÍt You Try Me". The track was a Ry Cooder cover recorded for the soundtrack of Belgian movie "Ad Fundum". Very quickly, Belgium became too small for the Kapellen-based quintet. In 1994, brother and sister, accompanied by Jan Van Sichem Jr. on guitar, Koen Liekens on drums, and Erik Verheyden on bass, started to cross Europe supporting American band Morphine in France, The Proclaimers in the U.K., and the Indigo Girls in Germany. In the States too, where the band extended their support slot with the Indigo Girls, success was increasing; to such an extent that U.S. band The Choice claimed they had rights over the name The Choice, and wanted our Belgian songsmiths to change theirs!!

So, to avoid confusion (and potential lawsuits!), Sarah and Gert decide to change from "The Choice" to "K's Choice". The "K" is taken from Jozef K, the key protagonist in Kafka's "The Trial" who ironically, is continually confronted with situations where he has limited choices! The reworked name was the idea of Sarah's husband, and initially received a mixed response, but, after one stern, threatening glare, it was unanimously agreed. (A good book, by the way, for those who read!).

1995 - 1997 K's Choice.

In the Autumn of 1995, "Paradise in Me", the bandÍs second studio album, was released. The album was heavier and more guitar-orientated than the debut "The Great Subconscious Club". The opening track, "Not an Addict" was released upon the charts in Belgium and Holland, and subsequently in the rest of Europe. By now, KÍs Choice had become a real band, with regular Jan Van Sichem Jr. on guitar and Dutchman Bart Van der Zeeuw on drums. Only bass players kept coming and going! In May of 1996, K's Choice played at the famous Pinkpop festival in Holland, and a few weeks later, at Rock am Ring in Germany. During those festival performances, they attracted the attention of Canadian superstar Alanis Morissette. Alanis was so impressed by the Flemish band, that she invited them to join her on her American stadium tour in the Fall of that year. This opportunity led to even more invitations, so that between September ď96 and September Í97, K's Choice spent nearly a whole year in the States; supporting bands like The Verve Pipe and Tonic.

These support slots included a one-off appearance on the bill at 1997's celebrated Lilith Fair. As a result of this, "Paradise in Me" grabs the Number 1 spot for two consecutive weeks on Billboard's Heatseekers chart. In addition, "Not an Addict" spent nearly 30weeks on Billboard's "Modern Rock Tracks" chart; peaking at Number 5.

In between the numerous American tours, the band performed in Australia, where "Not an Addict" spent almost 6 months in the chart. They also made a few club appearances in Holland, combined with festivals in Switzerland, Germany and Denmark (Roskilde). In the rare free moments they spent at home in Belgium, Sarah and Gert worked on new songs for their third album, as eager fans (especially in Europe) were yelling for new material!

1998 Cocoon Crash

In November 1997, the die was finally cast! Together with producer Gil Norton (Foo Fighters, Counting Crows, The Pixies), Sarah, Gert, Jan, Bart and American Eric Grossman (who had been recruited as the permanent bass player), moved into the ICP studios in Brussels for the recording of their third studio album; "Cocoon Crash".

The album was officially released on the 6th of April 1998.

On "Cocoon Crash", K's Choice reaffirm their status as one of the most compelling bands on the contemporary music scene. The album marks the spot were bouyant pop melodies collide with propulsive rock rhythms and vivid, imaginative lyrics. It also captures the grace, emotion and fury of the band's acclaimed live performances.

Other fan sites:

• Addicted to K's Choice
• The Best of K's Choice