“We started 14, 15 years ago,” Philip Bosschaerts recalls. Still, the singer, guitar player and lyricist of the band finds the title justified. The box set, he explains, compiles 10 years of recordings. “And 10 Years Mintzkov sounds better than 14 Years Mintzkov.”

He vividly remembers the band’s first show, in September of 1997. “The stage was the back of an open truck. We didn’t exactly master our instruments.”

At that point, the band was called Mintzkov Luna, and it’s goal was “having a good time,” laughs Bosschaerts. “We were 16, and it was an era of wonderment: With each new chord we learned to play, we made a new song.” Hesitantly, he adds: “But I was convinced that one day it would become a full-time activity.”

There were decisive moments. “First, our victory in the Rock Rally.” This bi-annual contest, organised by the weekly magazine Humo, is Flanders’ most important rock concours. “It was the confirmation of what we stood for, that we were valid.”

Entering a recording studio, though, was another matter. “I still clearly remember the first day of recording our first album in the famous Jet Studio in Brussels. We dreaded it; our producer had to calm us down,” recalls Bosschaerts. “But once we settled in, it went quite smoothly.”

Looking back on 10 years, does he have any regrets? “One always does, I think. But it’s important not to fret about it. As long as your learn from your mistakes, it’s OK.”

Rare Recordings 2001-2011 has a new song, some unplugged renditions played during radio sessions and some surprising covers collected over the years, like “Rippin Kittin” by Golden Boy with Miss Kittin and Marianne Faithfull’s “Broken English”.

“There are a few basic rules when we choose a cover,” says Bosschaerts, most importantly, “we have to like the original. And we have to feel like we can alter the song drastically. You won’t hear us covering a song by a guitar band, for instance. And it’s no coincidence that three of the four covers on the album were originally sung by women.”

Covers, he adds, “grab people’s attention at festivals, especially when you’re always playing for loads of people who don’t know you. It’s no use, under those circumstances, to play an obscure song. Nowadays we’re covering ‘Acapella’ by Kelis.” He smiles: “Another song by a woman.”

What’s in a name

Googling “Mintzkov”, you’ll only find references to the band. The name might sound Russian, but actually doesn’t mean anything. “We wanted a striking name,” Bosschaerts declares. “In the beginning of the band, everyone wanted to know what it meant, but we almost never get asked that anymore.” Which means that they have made a name for themselves.

What does the future bring? A new album, of course. They’re working on songs and hope to record them next year. But this autumn, they’ll tour sit-down theatres in Flanders with an acoustic show. “We’re really looking forward to it: It forces us to rethink our music,” explains Bosschaerts. “The dynamics of such a show are completely different from an electric rock show.”

It’s their second venture into the world of theatres; they also toured them in 2004. “We vowed we would never do it again!” laughs Bosschaerts. “We played a few intimate songs, but it was mostly a rock show. I can tell you, it didn’t suit the locations. But we have learned through playing unplugged radio sessions that we can handle an acoustic show this time around.” ➟➟ www.mintzkov.be

Mintzkov plays as part of Genk on Stage, 24-26 June in the centre of Genk, a two-minute walk from the Limburg city’s train station. The line-up of the free outdoor pop-rock festival also includes Lady Linn, Gabriel Rios and Arid. ➟➟ www.genkonstage.be