# Milk Inc.

Milk Inc. is a dance music group that formed in the commercial dance scene in Belgium in 1996. The discography of the group includes a total of seven studio albums and 41 singles.

## 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 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. Furthermore, all of their seven albums have charted there, with two of them reaching number one. 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.
In April 2017, Linda Mertens' daughter died of cancer when she was only 2 years old. Regi stated that he wanted to give Linda all the time she needed to recover and that he did not want to pressure her to sing again. 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.

## 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.

#### 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". 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)". 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.
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.

### Timeline

Note: Dates are approximate.

## Discography
### Albums

| Year | Title | Chart positions | Chart positions | Chart positions | Certifications (Ultratop) |
| Year | Title | BEL (FL) | NLD | UK | Certifications (Ultratop) |
| 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 |
| 2011 | 15: The Very Best Of | 4 | — | — | |
| 2013 | Undercover | 1 | — | — | |

### Singles

| Year | Song | Album | Chart positions | Chart positions | Chart positions | Chart positions | Chart positions | Chart positions | Chart positions | Chart positions | Chart positions | Chart positions |
| Year | Song | Album | BEL (FL) | BEL (WA) | BEL (Dance) | AUS | FRA | GER | NLD | SPA | SWE | UK |
| 1996 | "Cream" | Apocalypse Cow | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 1996 | "La Vache" | Apocalypse Cow | – | 24 | 18 | – | 3 | – | 86 | – | 26 | 23 |
| 1997 | "Free Your Mind" | Apocalypse Cow | – | – | – | – | 19 | – | – | – | 54 | – |
| 1998 | "Inside of Me" | Apocalypse Cow | – | – | 6 | – | 62 | – | – | – | – | – |
| 1999 | "In My Eyes" | Apocalypse Cow | 2 | – | 2 | 29 | – | – | – | – | – | 9 |
| 1999 | "Promise" | Apocalypse Cow | 3 | – | 3 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 1999 | "Oceans" | Apocalypse Cow | 8 | – | 2 | 74 | – | – | – | 8 | – | – |
| 1999 | "Losing Love" | Land of the Living | 2 | – | 1 | – | – | – | – | 4 | – | – |
| 2000 | "Walk on Water" | Land of the Living | 1 | – | 1 | 70 | – | 47 | 3 | 1 | – | 10 |
| 2000 | "Land of the Living" | Land of the Living | 2 | – | 2 | – | – | – | 16 | 7 | – | 18 |
| 2001 | "Livin' a Lie" | Land of the Living | 3 | – | 3 | – | – | 56 | 44 | 4 | – | – |
| 2001 | "Don't Cry" | Land of the Living | Promotional single only | Promotional single only | Promotional single only | Promotional single only | Promotional single only | Promotional single only | Promotional single only | Promotional single only | Promotional single only | Promotional single only |
| 2001 | "Never Again" | Land of the Living | 17 | – | 2 | – | – | – | 69 | 1 | – | – |
| 2001 | "Wide Awake" | Closer | 2 | – | 9 | – | – | – | 50 | 1 | – | – |
| 2002 | "Sleepwalker" | Closer | 6 | – | 2 | – | – | – | – | 5 | – | – |
| 2002 | "Breathe Without You" | Closer | 7 | – | 7 | – | – | 92 | 45 | 5 | – | – |
| 2003 | "Time" | Closer | 10 | – | 4 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2003 | "The Sun Always Shines on T.V." | Closer | 5 | – | 2 | – | – | 71 | 82 | – | – | 86 |
| 2004 | "I Don't Care" (featuring Silvy) | Closer | 3 | – | 7 | – | – | – | 66 | – | – | – |
| 2004 | "Whisper" | Supersized | 1 | – | 14 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2005 | "Blind" | Supersized | 5 | – | 2 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2005 | "Go to Hell" | Supersized | 4 | – | 7 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2006 | "Tainted Love" | Supersized | 7 | – | 2 | – | – | – | 37 | – | – | – |
| 2006 | "Run" | Supersized | 7 | – | 14 | – | – | – | 56 | – | – | – |
| 2006 | "No Angel" | Supersized | 10 | – | 12 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2007 | "Sunrise" | Forever | 3 | – | – | – | – | – | 13 | – | – | – |
| 2007 | "Tonight" | Forever | 6 | – | – | – | – | – | 44 | – | – | – |
| 2008 | "Forever" | Forever | 7 | – | – | – | – | – | 91 | – | – | – |
| 2008 | "Race" | Forever | 18 | – | 10 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2009 | "Blackout" | Nomansland | 1 | 67 | – | – | – | – | 84 | – | – | – |
| 2009 | "Guilty" | Forever | Canadian digital single only | Canadian digital single only | Canadian digital single only | Canadian digital single only | Canadian digital single only | Canadian digital single only | Canadian digital single only | Canadian digital single only | Canadian digital single only | Canadian digital single only |
| 2010 | "Storm" | Nomansland | 1 | 7 | 3 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2010 | "Chasing the Wind" | Nomansland | 10 | – | 17 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2011 | "Fire" | Nomansland | 5 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2011 | "Shadow" | Nomansland | 42 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2011 | "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" | Undercover | 3 | 32 | – | – | 48 | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2013 | "Sweet Child o' Mine" | Undercover | 5 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2013 | "Imagination" | Undercover | 3 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2014 | "Don't Say Goodbye" | | 7 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |

## Filmography
### Music videos

| Year | Title | Director |
| 1997 | "La Vache" | Caswell Coggins |
| 1997 | "Free Your Mind" | Caswell Coggins |
| 1998 | "Inside of Me" | Caswell Coggins |
| 1999 | "Oceans" | Steven Buyse |
| 2000 | "Land of the Living" | Filip Vandueren |
| 2001 | "Walk on Water" | Frank Schneider |
| 2001 | "Livin' a Lie" | Peter van Eyndt |
| 2001 | "Never Again" | Peter van Eyndt |
| 2001 | "Wide Awake" | Peter van Eyndt |
| 2002 | "Walk on Water" | Stuart Fryer |
| 2002 | "In My Eyes" | Damian Bromley |
| 2002 | "Land of the Living" | Andreas Tibblin |
| 2002 | "Sleepwalker" | Peter van Eyndt |
| 2002 | "Breathe Without You" | Peter van Eyndt |
| 2003 | "Time" | Peter van Eyndt |
| 2003 | "The Sun Always Shines on T.V." | Alex Diezinger |
| 2004 | "I Don't Care" | Raf Verbeemen |
| 2004 | "Whisper" | Peter van Eyndt |
| 2005 | "Blind" | Peter van Eyndt |
| 2005 | "Go to Hell" | — |
| 2006 | "Tainted Love" | The Black Sheep |
| 2006 | "Run" | Peter van Eyndt |
| 2006 | "No Angel" | Peter van Eyndt |
| 2007 | "Sunrise" | Peter van Eyndt |
| 2007 | "Tonight" | Peter van Eyndt |
| 2008 | "Forever" | Alex Diezinger |
| 2008 | "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 |
| 2006 | Milk Inc. - Supersized | Contains footage of a concert. | 4 |
| 2008 | Milk Inc. - Forever in Sportpaleis | Footage of a Concert in Sportpaleis. | 1 |

## Concerts in Sportpaleis

| Year | Title | Date |
| 2006 | Supersized | Saturday Sept. 30th 2006 |
| 2007 | Supersized 2 | Friday Sept 29th 2007 Saturday Sept. 30th 2007 |
| 2008 | Forever | Friday Sept. 26th 2008 Saturday Sept. 27th 2008 Friday Oct. 3rd 2008 Friday Oct. 10th 2008 Friday Oct. 17th 2008 Saturday Oct. 18th 2008 |
| 2009 | Blackout | Friday Sept. 25th 2009 Saturday Sept. 26th 2009 Thursday Oct. 1st 2009 Friday Oct. 2nd 2009 Saturday Oct. 3rd 2009 Friday Oct. 9th 2009 |
| 2010 | Eclipse | Fri Sept. 24th 2010 Sat Sept. 25th 2010 Fri Oct. 1st 2010 Sat Oct. 2nd 2010 Fri Oct. 8th 2010 |
| 2011 | 15 | Friday Sept. 23th 2011 Saturday Sept. 24th 2011 Saturday Oct. 1st 2011 |
| 2012 | Miracle | Friday Oct. 12th 2012 Saturday Oct. 13th 2012 |
| 2013 | Milkfest | Saturday Oct. 19th 2013 |
| 2024 | Regi vs Milk Inc. | Friday Oct. 18th 2024 Saturday Oct. 19th 2024 Saturday Nov. 2nd 2024 Sunday Nov. 3rd 2024 Friday Nov. 8th 2024 Saturday Nov. 9th 2024 Sunday Nov. 10th 2024 |

## 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 |