Arend started drumming at the age of seven, playing various styles such as samba, latin, rock, and jazz in the music school ensemble in Waalwijk. From the age of fifteen, he played in several bands with original music, including Fictrious and The Office, with whom he performed as the opening act for Handsome Poets and Jett Rebel. Arend studied drumming at the Dutch Pop Academy and later at the pop department of the Conservatory of Amsterdam.
He is currently the regular drummer for the Dutch artist Marilu and also plays in various other bands, with which he has toured Europe as a supporting act for Steve Rothery (Marillion) and Rick Astley. In addition to drumming, Arend teaches drum lessons at music schools and writes his own songs, handling both vocals and music production himself.