Milk Inc.

Milk Inc.
Regi Penxten (left) and Linda Mertens in 2008
Background information
Origin	Belgium
Genres	Eurodance, techno, electronic, vocal trance
Years active	1996–2014 [lower-alpha 1]
Labels	ARS Entertainment Antler Subway Zooland Records
Members	Regi Penxten Filip Vandueren Linda Mertens Merel Cappaert Michael Schack Peter Schreurs
Past members	Ivo Donckers Nikkie van Lierop Sofie Winters John Miles Jr. Ann Vervoort
Website	www.milkinc.be

Milk Inc. is a dance music group that formed in the commercial dance scene in Belgium in 1996. ^[1] The discography of the group includes a total of seven studio albums and 41 singles. ^{[2] [3]}

It has been suspended indefinitely since 2014.

History

The group started out as "Milk Incorporated" ("La Vache" for French-language releases), later shortening their name to "Milk Inc." 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. ^[4] Furthermore, all of their seven albums have charted there, with two of them reaching number one. ^[5] 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.

In October 2014, Milk Inc. released the single Don't Say Goodbye. At the same time, the group announced that it would be taking an indefinite break. The reason for this was the birth of Linda's first daughter. ^[6]

In April 2017, Linda Mertens' daughter died of cancer when she was only 2 years old. ^[7] Regi stated that he wanted to give Linda all the time she needed to recover and that she did not want to pressure her to sing again. ^[8] Regi continued composing and doing collaborations with other artists as well as solo. Linda did not return to music for several years.

In 2022, Linda returned to the stage during an event in Blackpool, United Kingdom. On October 27, 2023, Linda returned by surprise with Regi in a symbolic way at the Sportpaleis in Antwerp during the “Regi - The Return” concert. It remains to be seen whether this is a definitive return for Milk Inc. ^[9]

Members

Current

Regi Penxten

Main article: 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.

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". ^[10] 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)". ^[11] 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. ^[12]

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. ^{[13] [14]}

John Miles Jr.

John Miles Jr. 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

Note: Dates are approximate.

Discography

Albums

Year	Title	Chart positions			Certifications (Ultratop) [15]
		BEL (FL)	NLD [16]	UK [17]
1998	Apocalyps(e) Cow	5	—	—
2000	Land of the Living	26	58	—
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) [4]	BEL (WA) [18]	BEL (Dance)	AUS [19]	FRA [20]	GER	NLD [21]	SPA	SWE [22]	UK [23]
1996	"Cream"	Apocalypse Cow	Vinyl only
	"La Vache"		–	24	18	–	3	–	86	–	26	23
1997	"Free Your Mind"		–	–	–	–	19	–	–	–	54	–
1998	"Inside of Me"		–	–	6	–	62	–	–	–	–	–
1999	"In My Eyes"		2	–	2	29	–	–	–	–	–	9
	"Promise"		3	–	3	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
	"Oceans"		8	–	2	74	–	–	–	8	–	–
	"Losing Love"	Land of the Living	2	–	1	–	–	–	–	4	–	–
2000	"Walk on Water"		1	–	1	70	–	47	3	1	–	10
	"Land of the Living"		2	–	2	–	–	–	16	7	–	18
2001	"Livin' a Lie"		3	–	3	–	–	56	44	4	–	–
	"Don't Cry"		Promotional single only
	"Never Again"		17	–	2	–	–	–	69	1	–	–
	"Wide Awake"	Closer	2	–	9	–	–	–	50	1	–	–
2002	"Sleepwalker"		6	–	2	–	–	–	–	5	–	–
	"Breathe Without You"		7	–	7	–	–	92	45	5	–	–
2003	"Time"		10	–	4	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
	"The Sun Always Shines on T.V."		5	–	2	–	–	71	82	–	–	86
2004	"I Don't Care" (featuring Silvy)		3	–	7	–	–	–	66	–	–	–
	"Whisper"	Supersized	1	–	14	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
2005	"Blind"		5	–	2	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
	"Go to Hell"		4	–	7	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
2006	"Tainted Love"		7	–	2	–	–	–	37	–	–	–
	"Run"		7	–	14	–	–	–	56	–	–	–
	"No Angel"		10	–	12	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
2007	"Sunrise"	Forever	3	–	–	–	–	–	13	–	–	–
	"Tonight"		6	–	–	–	–	–	44	–	–	–
2008	"Forever"		7	–	–	–	–	–	91	–	–	–
	"Race"		18	–	10	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
2009	"Blackout"	Nomansland	1	67	–	–	–	–	84	–	–	–
	"Guilty"	Forever	Canadian digital single only
2010	"Storm"	Nomansland	1	7	3	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
	"Chasing the Wind"		10	–	17	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
2011	"Fire"		5	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
	"Shadow"		42	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
	"I'll Be There (La Vache)"	15: The Very Best Of	6	86	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
2012	"Miracle"	Undercover	16	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
2013	"Last Night a D.J. Saved My Life"		3	32	–	–	48	–	–	–	–	–
	"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	Acoustic sessions and a collection of Music Videos.	3 [24]
2006	Milk Inc. - Supersized	Contains footage of a concert.	4 [25]
2008	Milk Inc. - Forever in Sportpaleis	Footage of a Concert in Sportpaleis.	1 [26]

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

Notes

1. Indefinite hiatus

References

1. "Official Milk Inc. Website". Milkinc.be. 11 November 2008. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
2. "Milk Inc.: Go To Hell (Live @ Sportpaleis, 2009)". YouTube. 19 April 2011. Archived from the original on 13 December 2021. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
3. "Official Milk Inc. Website". Milkinc.be. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
4. "Ultratop Belgian Charts". ultratop.be. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
5. "Ultratop Belgian Charts". ultratop.be. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
6. "Milk Inc. wuift fans uit met (voorlopig) laatste single" (in Dutch).
7. "Dochtertje (2,5) van zangeres Milk Inc. overleden" (in Dutch).
8. "Regi openhartig over vriendin Linda nadat ze dochtertje verloor: "Een hele zware slag"" (in Dutch).
9. "Milk Inc.-zangeres Linda Mertens verschijnt op podium tijdens "The return"-shows van Regi in het Sportpaleis" (in Dutch).
10. "PRAGA KHAN | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". OfficialCharts.com .
11. "MILK INCORPORATED | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". OfficialCharts.com .
12. "Milk Inc". Dancevibes.be. Retrieved 18 December 2012.
13. "Milk Inc. singer dies of drug overdose – Milk Inc. news at". Side-line.com. 22 February 1999. Retrieved 18 December 2012.
14. "Voormalige zangeres van Milk Inc. (33) overleden" (in Dutch). HLN.be. 24 April 2010. Retrieved 18 December 2012.
15. "Ultratop Belgian Charts". ultratop.be. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
16. Steffen Hung. "Dutch charts portal". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
17. "Milk Inc. - Milk Inc". Official Charts Company . Retrieved 4 January 2012.
18. "Ultratop Belgian Charts". ultratop.be. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
19. 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.
20. "Les charts français". lescharts.com. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
21. "Dutch charts portal". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
22. "Swedish Charts Portal". swedishcharts.com. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
23. "Milk Inc". Official Charts Company . Retrieved 28 August 2022.
24. "Milk Inc. - The DVD [DVD]". ultratop.be. 16 October 2004. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
25. "Milk Inc. - Supersized – Live At Sportpaleis [DVD]". ultratop.be. 23 December 2006. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
26. "Milk Inc. - Forever – Live At Sportpaleis [DVD]". ultratop.be. 29 November 2008. Retrieved 4 January 2012.

External links

• Official site
• Linda Mertens official site
• Regi Penxten official site
• Milk Inc. at discogs.com