The Renaming of the Band – Rejection Ratio’s Story
From Ton CS to Rejection Ratio
In the early eighties, the Rotterdam band began as Ton CS, with Peter (guitar), Ruud (bass), and Ton (drums). When Nelly joined as lead singer in 1983, the line‑up gained its defining voice. In 1991, the band briefly became Indecision, reflecting uncertainty about a name. By 1992, the group embraced the title Rejection Ratio, a name that continues to define their indie rock and new wave sound from Rotterdam.
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Bass Player Ruud and Ton the Drummer
Ruud and Ton’s friendship started in high school, bonded by their love for new wave, post‑punk, and funk. Early rehearsals took place under the Wilhelmina Bridge in Rotterdam with Hoo Gan (guitar) and Irene (vocals, Ruud’s sister). After Hoo Gan left, Peter joined, and rehearsals later moved to music center Dynamo, a hub for Rotterdam’s underground music scene.
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Audition of Nelly the Singer
In 1983, Nelly was invited to audition after being noticed dancing at a concert—her energy was so striking that the crowd thought she was already part of the band. Ton, who knew her from school, encouraged her to audition.
Nelly recalls singing Morning Dawning by The Creatures (Siouxsie) a cappella, nervous but determined. She was accepted, and the band became her creative family. Through Rejection Ratio, she discovered songwriting, pouring emotion into the lyrics.
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Peter the Guitarist
Peter, a left‑handed guitarist, was introduced to Ruud by Ton. His style shaped the band’s early sound, but a quarrel eventually led to his departure. While Peter recalls feeling “thrown out,” the band remembers it differently. His contribution remains vital: the music created with Peter will be released in 2026, honoring his role as a talented Rotterdam guitarist whose departure left a lasting impact.
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Pityu the Guitarist – A New Era
In 1994, Pityu joined Rejection Ratio as guitarist. Ruud met him at a local music bar and invited him to rehearse. Pityu quickly mastered the songs originally written with Peter and brought fresh energy to the group.
Together, the band created new tracks that blended authentic indie rock riffs with post‑punk edge. Pityu’s versatility allowed Rejection Ratio to evolve. His arrival marked a turning point. Pityu’s guitar style added both precision and raw emotion, complementing Nelly’s vocals and Ruud’s bass lines and Ton’s drums. His ability to adapt and innovate gave Rejection Ratio a renewed identity.
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Disbanding of Rejection Ratio
Later, Nelly developed hearing problems and had to step away. Performing a cappella felt incomplete without the band’s unique sound. With Pityu on guitar, Ton on drums, and Ruud on bass, the musicianship remained strong, but eventually the group disbanded. Ton and Pityu continued making music at Dynamo, keeping the creative spirit alive.
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Lost and Found – Rediscovering the Music
Years later, Nelly purchased a record player with a built‑in cassette deck and rediscovered her old tapes. The songs sounded unexpectedly fresh and still relevant. Reconnecting with the band, Nelly and Ruud began transferring the original recordings from reels and DAT tapes into digital format. These recordings had not been lost—only waiting to be found. Among them were live sessions from Dynamo and intimate home studio recordings in Delft.
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Rejection Ratio Today
Currently, the music recorded with Peter is being mixed, while the songs with Pityu have been mastered and published. The band remains committed to authenticity: no autotune, no pitch correction—just pure Rotterdam indie rock and new wave energy.
Rejection Ratio’s legacy continues, proving that their timeless sound still resonates with audiences today.