Experimental Post-Punk / Psychedelia
Orpington, Kent
1979 to 1986
Band Members[]
- Guy Smith (Guitar + Vocals)
The band / collective had an ever-changing line-up, with 2 distinct periods:
Members and contributors between 1979-1981:
- Jim Lusted (guitar, vocals)
- Janet Armstrong (vocals)
- Kev Armstrong (guitar)
- Colin Donaldson (bass)
- Chris Westerman (drums)
- Nick Rose (bass)
- Sue Leeves (backing vocals)
- Sarah Harley (backing vocals)
- The Famous Delfonso (sax)
- Roger Smith (violin)
- Brian Kealy (drums)
- Stephen Berlin (Bertie) (vocals)
Members and contributors between 1981-1986:
- Simon Marchant (guitar)
- Cliff McLenehan (bass)
- Noel Blanden (drums)
- Mark Tyler (string synth)
- Dave Anderson (bass)
- Alun 'Wilf' Williams (bass)
Info[]
Originally formed in the chaos that ensued following Punk's burn-out, Normil Hawaiians were an ever-changing collective based around guitarist / vocalist Guy Smith. A self-produced demo resulted in a session for John Peel and a 7" single deal. The Peel session was broadcast 3 times over a period of 6 months (Thurs 19/06/80, Mon 07/07/80, and Thurs 02/10/80, according to my Peel Sessions book), whilst the single ('The Beat Goes On') reached #44 in the independent chart in Nov 1980.
A fresh line-up in 1981 resulted in two LPs released on Illuminated Records that were well-received in the underground scene, despite minimal releases in the UK (most copies were released in Europe due to the record company not paying bills...). Appearances at festivals (including Stonehenge) and a short tour of Switzerland occured around this time, following which the band split in 1986.
Musically, the earlier recordings mix Post-Punk with an anarchic Funk edge, a sound that contains hints of A Certain Ratio, Joy Divison and early Killing Joke. Later works lose the Funk, and become ever more experimental and Psychedelic, with exploratory improvisations and strange recordings
Related Bands[]
- The Heartbeats - Chris
- Greenfield Leisure - Simon, Cliff
- A Circle Charmed - Noel
- Amon Düül II - Dave
- Hawkwind - Dave
- Jacob's Ladder - Simon
Recordings[]
- 1979 1st demo
- 1980 'The Beat Goes On / Ventilation' 7" single (TUX 13)
- 1980 John Peel session
- 1981 'Gala Failed' 12" e.p. (RED 8)
- 1981 'Still Obedient / Should You Forget' 7" single (Ill 7)
- 1982 'More Wealth Than Money' 2xLP (JAMS 23)
- 1984 'What's Going On?' LP (JAMS 38)
- 1986 'Return Of The Levellers' Unreleased LP (released in 2015 as 'Return of the Ranters')