Milk Inc.
Regi Penxten (left) and Linda Mertens in 2008
Regi Penxten (left) and Linda Mertens in 2008
Background information
OriginBelgium
GenresEurodance, techno, electronic, vocal trance
Years active1995–present
LabelsARS Entertainment
Antler Subway
Zooland Records
MembersRegi Penxten
Filip Vandueren
Linda Mertens
Merel Cappaert
Michael Schack
Peter Schreurs
Past membersIvo Donckers
Nikkie van Lierop
Sofie Winters
John Miles Jr.
Ann Vervoort
Websitewww.milkinc.be

Milk Inc. is a dance music group that formed in the commercial dance scene in Belgium in 1995.[1][2] The discography of the group includes a total of seven studio albums and 41 singles.[3][4]

History

Milk Inc. released their first hit single "La Vache" in April 1997. Milk Inc. have had several tours throughout Europe. In its early days as Milk Inc., the band had also had a guitarist and harpist, John Miles Jr.

The band has had many line-up changes throughout its history. The band has found much success in Europe, with many of their singles charting in countries such as the Netherlands, United Kingdom, France and Spain. They are most successful in their native country Belgium, where they have 27 hit singles which have been in the Ultratop Chart, 22 of them being in the top ten and four of them being number ones.[5] Furthermore, all of their seven albums have charted there, with two of them reaching number one.[6] Milk Inc. is the current record holder for the number of TMF Awards in Belgium and the Netherlands, with a total of 17 awards received.

In 2006, to celebrate their 10th anniversary, Milk Inc. surprised fans with a two-hour live concert at the Sportpaleis Arena in Belgium.

Members

Current

Regi Penxten

Regi was born on 4 March 1976 at Hasselt in Belgium. At the age of 12, he got his first computer connected to a synthesizer. He studied at the music academy to learn to read music and he also played the guitar from an early age. Milk Inc's and Regi's hit success started with "La Vache" in 1996, which was a big hit successor. He has also worked with several singers and other producers.

Linda Mertens

Linda was born on 20 July 1978 in Wilrijk, Belgium. She studied art and after high school spent two years studying hairdressing. In 2000, Linda went to a club with some friends where Regi was deejaying, whilst there she asked him if he needed a singer for any of his projects and was asked to audition. In 2017, her 2-year-old daughter Lio died of cancer.[7] In 2023, Linda returned to the stage for several festival and 90s concerts, as a solo artist.

Filip Vandueren

Filip Vandueren was the last one that co-produced Milk Inc. along with Regi Penxten and played keyboards in the band's full live shows and concerts in the past.

Former

Ivo Donckers

Co-founder and member from the start of the project Milk Inc. until 2000. Studio technician at Antler Subway (EMI), he was responsible for many projects and remixes for 2Unlimited, Ace of Base, 2 Fabiola, and more.

Nikkie Van Lierop

Born 7 March 1963 in Simmern, Germany, Anita Dominika Cornelia van Lierop, better known as Nikkie Van Lierop, and by her artist name "Jade 4U" and as a co-founder of Lords of Acid. In 1992, she had a UK Top 20 hit as the featured vocalist on Praga Khan's "Injected With a Poison".[8] Five years later, in the spring of 1997 Praga Khan produced a remix of the song "La Vache" for the band (then known as Milk Incorporated), with the becoming a Top 40 hit in the UK under the name of "Good Enough (La Vache)".[9] In the music video "La Vache" that was filmed in England, Jade 4U can be seen. Since then the singer Nikkie along with Praga Khan contributed parts in lyrics and melody. After the resounding success of the songs, she sang in the performances during the first tour of Milk Inc. In France, she left the band in order to concentrate on Praga Khan and Lords of Acid, which had gained a cult following in the United States.

Sofie Winters

Sofie Winters was born 22 May 1976 in Leuven, Belgium. She replaced Van Lierop for a few months. During her time at Milk Inc, Winters was a singer in the song "Free Your Mind". Winters was also a model and actress.

Ann Vervoort

Graphic designer Ann Vervoort (10 March 1977 – 22 April 2010) was a dancer for Pat Krimson before she joined Milk Inc. She was brought in by Regi Penxten in 1997 as a replacement for Sofie Winters as a singer for appearances. Karine Boelaerts, a Belgian studio singer, who was already working for other projects such as 2 Fabiola was hired to record all the songs.[10]

In the middle of September 2000, Vervoort left Milk Inc. and moved to Ibiza with her boyfriend Patrick Claesen (alias Pat Krimson) producer of 2Fabiola, Nunca and Leopold 3, where they founded the record label Beni Musa Records. Vervoort was replaced by Linda Mertens. On 22 April 2010, Vervoort was found dead at her house in Houthalen-Helchteren. According to the newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws, an amount of alcohol and drugs were involved.[11][12]

John Miles Jnr.

John Miles Jnr. is the son of the renowned musician John Miles. Miles studied pop music at Newcastle College and worked as a guitarist already known as "Popmusikern", with artists including Debbie Harry, Bryan Ferry, Joe Cocker and Andrea Bocelli. Miles co-wrote songs with Regi Penxten and Filip Vandueren when he became a group member in 1997 and performed as their guitarist on stage. The first single he was involved in making, "In My Eyes", was a commercial success. This in combination with the voice of Karine Boelaerts brought the music to a new level. All the songs he co-wrote were published during his time at Milk Inc. At the same time Vervoort stopped as playback, Miles wanted to leave Milk Inc. as well. He accompanied the group until the beginning of 2001. In 2002, the group had two top ten hits in the UK with "In My Eyes" (UK #9) and "Walk on Water" (UK #10). In the years 2006–2008, he rejoined Milk Inc. as a guitarist on their Supersized and Forever shows at the Antwerp Sportpaleis. He has since gone on to join another Belgian dance act, Sylver, co-produced by Regi Penxten.

Timeline

Discography

Albums

Year Title Chart positions Certifications
(Ultratop)[13]
BEL
(FL)
NLD
[14]
UK
[15]
1998 Apocalyps(e) Cow 5
2000 Land of the Living 2658
2001 Double Cream 39
2002 Milk Inc. 47
2003 Closer 11
2004 Best of Milk Inc.
2005 Essential
2006 Supersized 3
  • Platinum
2007 Best Of 2
  • Gold
2008 Forever 1
  • 2× Platinum
2011 Nomansland 1
  • Gold
15: The Very Best Of 4
2013 Undercover 1

Singles

Year Song Album Chart positions
BEL
(FL)

[5]
BEL
(WA)

[16]
BEL
(Dance)
AUS
[17]
FRA
[18]
GER NLD
[19]
SPA SWE
[20]
UK
[21]
1996 "Cream" Apocalypse Cow Vinyl only
"La Vache" 24183862623
1997 "Free Your Mind" 1954
1998 "Inside of Me" 662
1999 "In My Eyes" 22299
"Promise" 33
"Oceans" 82748
"Losing Love" Land of the Living 214
2000 "Walk on Water" 1170473110
"Land of the Living" 2216718
2001 "Livin' a Lie" 3356444
"Don't Cry" Promotional single only
"Never Again" 172691
"Wide Awake" Closer 29501
2002 "Sleepwalker" 625
"Breathe Without You" 7792455
2003 "Time" 104
"The Sun Always Shines on T.V." 52718286
2004 "I Don't Care"
(featuring Silvy)
3766
"Whisper" Supersized 114
2005 "Blind" 52
"Go to Hell" 47
2006 "Tainted Love" 7237
"Run" 71456
"No Angel" 1012
2007 "Sunrise" Forever 313
"Tonight" 644
2008 "Forever" 791
"Race" 1810
2009 "Blackout"Nomansland 16784
"Guilty"Forever Canadian digital single only
2010 "Storm" Nomansland 173
"Chasing the Wind" 1017
2011 "Fire" 5
"Shadow" 42
"I'll Be There (La Vache)"15: The Very Best Of 686
2012 "Miracle"Undercover 16
2013 "Last Night a D.J. Saved My Life" 33248
"Sweet Child o' Mine" 5
"Imagination" 3
2014 "Don't Say Goodbye" 7

Filmography

Music videos

Year Title Director
1997 "La Vache" Caswell Coggins
"Free Your Mind"
1998 "Inside of Me"
1999 "Oceans" Steven Buyse
2000 "Land of the Living" Filip Vandueren
2001 "Walk on Water" Frank Schneider
"Livin' a Lie" Peter van Eyndt
"Never Again"
"Wide Awake"
2002 "Walk on Water" Stuart Fryer
"In My Eyes" Damian Bromley
"Land of the Living" Andreas Tibblin
"Sleepwalker" Peter van Eyndt
"Breathe Without You"
2003 "Time"
"The Sun Always Shines on T.V." Alex Diezinger
2004 "I Don't Care" Raf Verbeemen
"Whisper" Peter van Eyndt
2005 "Blind"
"Go to Hell"
2006 "Tainted Love" The Black Sheep
"Run" Peter van Eyndt
"No Angel"
2007 "Sunrise"
"Tonight"
2008 "Forever" Alex Diezinger
"Race"
2009 "Blackout" Peter van Eyndt
2010 "Storm" Peter van Eyndt
2010 "Chasing the Wind"
2011 "Fire"
2011 "Shadow"
2012 "Miracle"

DVDs

Year Title Notes BEL DVD
Chart
2004 Milk Inc. - The DVD
2006 Milk Inc. - Supersized
  • Contains footage of a concert.
2008 Milk Inc. - Forever in Sportpaleis
  • Footage of a Concert in Sportpaleis.

Awards

Year Award
2010
  • MIA Award – Beste Dance/Elektro
2009
  • MIA Award – Beste Dance/Elektro
  • Kids Awards 2009
  • TMF Awards Belgium – Best Dance Act National
  • TMF Awards Belgium – Best Live Act National
2008
  • MIA Award – Beste Dance/Elektro
  • TMF Awards Belgium – Best Dance Act National
  • TMF Awards Belgium – Best Live Act National
  • TMF Awards Belgium – Best Album National
2007
  • TMF Awards Belgium – Best Dance Act National
2006
  • TMF Awards Belgium – Best Dance Act National
2005
  • TMF Awards Belgium – Best Dance Act National
  • BelgaDance Awards Belgium – Best Producer Regi Penxten
2004
  • TMF Awards Belgium – Best Dance Act National
  • TMF Awards Belgium – Life Time Achievement
2003
  • TMF Awards Belgium – Best Dance Act National
2002
  • TMF Awards Belgium – Best Dance Act National
2001
  • Hitkrant The Netherlands – Best International Artists
  • Hitkrant The Netherlands – Best International Single "Walk on Water"
  • TMF Awards The Netherlands – Best Dance Act International
  • TMF Awards Belgium – Best Dance Act National
  • TMF Awards Belgium – Best Video "Never Again"
2000
  • Top Radio Awards Belgium – Best Vocalist Ann Vervoort
  • Radio Donna Awards Belgium – Best Holidaysong of the year "Oceans"
  • TMF Awards Belgium – Best Single National "Walk on Water"
1999
  • Radio Donna Awards Belgium – Peper Award "In My Eyes"
  • Move X Dance Awards Belgium – Best Dance Single "In My Eyes"
  • TMF Awards Belgium – Best Dance Act National

References

  1. "Euro house – definition of Euro techno by the Free Online Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia". Thefreedictionary.com. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
  2. "Official Milk Inc. Website". Milkinc.be. 11 November 2008. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
  3. "Milk Inc.: Go To Hell (Live @ Sportpaleis, 2009)". YouTube. 19 April 2011. Archived from the original on 13 December 2021. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
  4. "Official Milk Inc. Website". Milkinc.be. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
  5. 1 2 "Ultratop Belgian Charts". ultratop.be. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
  6. "Ultratop Belgian Charts". ultratop.be. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
  7. "Regi: "Milk Inc is nog niet afgelopen. We komen terug wanneer Linda er zin in heeft"". Nieuwsblad.be. 21 May 2020. Retrieved 11 April 2021.
  8. "PRAGA KHAN | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". OfficialCharts.com.
  9. "MILK INCORPORATED | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". OfficialCharts.com.
  10. "Milk Inc". Dancevibes.be. Retrieved 18 December 2012.
  11. "Milk Inc. singer dies of drug overdose – Milk Inc. news at". Side-line.com. 22 February 1999. Retrieved 18 December 2012.
  12. "Voormalige zangeres van Milk Inc. (33) overleden" (in Dutch). HLN.be. 24 April 2010. Retrieved 18 December 2012.
  13. "Ultratop Belgian Charts". ultratop.be. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
  14. Steffen Hung. "Dutch charts portal". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
  15. "Milk Inc. - Milk Inc". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
  16. "Ultratop Belgian Charts". ultratop.be. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
  17. Peaks in Australia:
    • "In My Eyes": "Australian charts portal". australian-charts.com. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
    • "Oceans" and "Walk on Water": Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 188.
  18. "Les charts français". lescharts.com. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
  19. "Dutch charts portal". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
  20. "Swedish Charts Portal". swedishcharts.com. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
  21. "Milk Inc". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
  22. "Milk Inc. - The DVD [DVD]". ultratop.be. 16 October 2004. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
  23. "Milk Inc. - Supersized – Live At Sportpaleis [DVD]". ultratop.be. 23 December 2006. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
  24. "Milk Inc. - Forever – Live At Sportpaleis [DVD]". ultratop.be. 29 November 2008. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
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