Out of the magical 1970s

The story

Countless legendary shows. Acclaimed albums.

Haarlem are two experienced musicians. Brian Faller and John Cole, who have been making music in the UK for over fifty years. Haarlem first started as a duo on Christmas day 1974 when they took the plunge, as inexperienced teenagers with stagefright, into the world of making music.

Over the decades, several bands, thousands of gigs, and dozens of recordings later, they have returned to the duo format.

The band’s setlist comprises an eclectic mix of pop, rock, Americana, Merseybeat and harmonies – all backed up by two professionals who know how to present and deliver a wonderful musical experience.

If you’re not convinced, pop into the live music section where you will hear the boys play live.

• 1972
  Brian & John meet at a Led Zeppelin concert and resolve to set up a band
• 1974
  After two years of rehearsing and honing, Haarlem plays its first gig on Xmas Day.
• 1975
  Haarlem becomes a trio with the addition of drummer Neil G.
• 1976
  Neil G leaves and Haarlem become a five piece with the additions of Iain Rogers on drums, Peter Donaldson on Guitar and Alan Renfrew on vocals
• 1977
  Band return to a trio format and Malcolm B takes the sticks
• 1978
  Malcolm leaves and is replaced by John B
• 1987
  Both Brian and John go their separate ways, playing with other musicians on various projects
• 2017
  Back together again, this time with further decades of experience and a ton of technology assisting performances
• 2025
  As The MoonRocks the guys release their first vinyl album ofr thirty years, entitled ‘A Room With A View’
• Now
  Two highly polished musicians, rock credentials second to none.

What we play

Classic pop, rock and soul. But with some surprises.

The result is a band dedicated to, but not exclusively the servant of, pop, rock and soul.

We have a huge sound which belies our duo status, and use state-of-the-art music technology allied to prodigious musical talents to deliver a studio-quality sound at live shows.

Admired along the way

• Buddy Holly
• Eddie Cochran
• Roy Orbison
• Foo Fighters
• REM
• The Beatles
• The Rolling Stones
• Fleetwood Mac

Guitars & Vocals

John Cole

John has been playing in bands in and around Glasgow for ever, alongside a career as a producer, session musician and teacher of Mathematics. Notable side projects include The MoonRocks, The Assassins and Tons of Sobs.

He co-wrote (with Brian) all of the songs and produced The MoonRocks’ A Room With A View album. His influences are : The Beatles: Free, Led Zeppelin, and Rory Gallagher.

Paul Kossoff, Jimmy Page and Rory are for me the best and most innovative of that great generation of guitar genius. The 60s and 70s were full of groups who produced well crafted songs, and we try to recapture that faithfully in the set.

Bass & Vocals

Brian Faller

The engine-room, and lead vocalist of Haarlem (and also The Moon Rocks, Brian has been playing in bands in Scotland and Australia for decades. His unique bass-playing style is uncompromising and brings a relentless and hypnotic impulse to the band.

As well as his Moon Rock writing and production credits, Brian co-wrote and produced The Assassins’ Missed Again album.

I’m a great fan of 70s bands and artists like Thin Lizzy and Frank Zappa, but I also love Badfinger. Great pop band they were!