Established in 1978 by Truus de Groot in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, she tinkered with toy and electronic instruments in her flat - amidst the explosion of Punk Rock. Even though Truus was very active in that genre and “New Wave” as well, the more experimental side gradually took over and the concept of Plus Instruments was born. Plus Instruments released their first e.p. single in 1979 on Dutch label Plurex:

Playing odd electronic instruments, Bass and vocals, most of their performances were improvised. They teamed up Michel Waisvisz, the inventor of the Crackle Synthesizer in numerous performances where they peddled their strange single. 

At the same time she was also the lead singer in the popular Dutch New Wave Band “Nasmak”.  In 1980 they also released an album also on the Dutch label Plurex. That album was entitled Nasmak Plus Instruments, Instruments Plus Nasmak, indicating that the experimental side of Plus Instruments had already vastly infused Nasmak.

After hundreds of performances all through Europe Truus was looking for more challenges and in 1980 that became a possibility after she went to see Rhys Chatham play in her hometown of Eindhoven she struck up a friendship with the drummer, David Linton. He extended an invitation to her for a NYC visit. In 1981 she got on a plane to NYC never to call the Netherlands her home again.

Armed with background tapes of electronic percussion she reformed Plus Instruments with Lee Ranaldo (now in Sonic Youth) on guitar and David Linton on Drums, while Truus played Bass and sang Lead Vocals.

They quickly recorded and released an album "February - April 1981" on the Dutch Kremlin label. With this line-up they hit the New York club scene, released an Album and on to a European Tour. 

After returning to the US, David and Lee went their own way and Truus reformed the band with a variety of NY musicians (Jonathan Schneider, Craig Kafton) , always very active on the club scene both in NY and Europe.

They recorded another album still unreleased until today recorded between Europe and the US in 1982/83.

From the vaults of Truus de Groot, VOD Records presents this compilation of never before released material by the legendary, yet still active, Plus Instruments.