Animal Nightlife

Animal Nightlife was a British group in the 1980s. It consisted of Andy Polaris on vocals, Leonardo Chignoli on bass, Steve Brown on guitar, Billy Chapman on saxophone and Paul Waller on drums.[2]

Animal Nightlife
OriginUnited Kingdom
GenresPop,[1] jazz[1]
Years active1980–1988
LabelsInnervision, Island Records
Past membersAndy Polaris (vocalist)
Leonardo Chignoli (bassist)
Steve Brown (guitarist)
Billy Chapman (saxophonist)
Paul Waller (drummer)

History

Founded in 1980 in the London night club scene,[3][4] their sound has been described as white funk or cool jazz – a 1980s dance sound that is rooted in blues, soul, R&B and jazz.[5] Their debut single, "Love Is Just The Great Pretender" and the follow-up "Native Boy", came out on the Innervision label.[6] The latter entered the UK Singles Chart at Number 60 in 1983. In August 1984, they reached Number 25 with "Mr. Solitaire", their most successful release. They hit the chart again in July 1985 with a re-recording of "Love is Just the Great Pretender", which reached Number 28.

Their first album, Shangri-La, was released on Island Records a month later in August 1985. The band ended its recording career in 1988 after the release of their second album, Lush Life, on Virgin subsidiary 10 Records.[7] In November 2016, Shangri-la was re-issued in a deluxe two-CD edition by Cherry Red.[8]

Frontman Andy Polaris has recently resurfaced creating fashionable window displays in Dalston's Oxfam shop.[9]

Discography

Albums
  • 1985: Shangri-La
  1. "Native Boy"
  2. "Waiting for the Bait to Bite"
  3. "Perfect Match"
  4. "Love is Just the Great Pretender '85"
  5. "Insomniazz"
  6. "Lazy Afternoon"
  7. "Between Lovers"
  8. "After Hours"
  9. "Basic Ingredients"
  10. "Throw in the Towel"
  11. "Bittersweet"
  12. "Mr Solitaire"

Shangri-la was released on Island Records (ILPS 9830). It entered the UK Albums Chart on 24 August 1985, and remained in the chart for six weeks, reaching number 36.[2] The original vinyl release did not include 'Lazy Afternoon' or 'Mr Solitaire'.

  • 1987: Lush Life
  1. "Why Couldn't Your Black Heart Tell a White Lie"
  2. "Always Your Humble Slave"
  3. "TV Scene"
  4. "Sweet Smell of Success"
  5. "Boys With the Best Intentions"
  6. "Luck"
  7. "The War I Lost"
  8. "Mouth"
  9. "Last Hotel of the World"
  10. "Breakaway"

Singles

Animal Nightlife had four singles in the UK Singles Chart during the 1980s.[2]

Date of chart entry Title Label and reference Highest position Weeks in the chart
13 August 1983 "Native Boy (Uptown)" Innervision A3584 60 3
18 August 1984 "Mr. Solitaire" Island Records IS 193 25 12
6 July 1985 "Love is Just the Great Pretender" Island Records IS 200 28 6
5 October 1985 "Preacher, Preacher" Island Records IS 245 67 1

Band members
  • Andy Polaris: vocals (1980–1988)
  • Sally Gissing: vocals (1980–1981)
  • Lynn Harding: vocals (1980–1981)
  • Leah Seresin: vocals (1981–1983)
  • Chrysta Jones: vocals (1981–1983)
  • Billy Chapman: saxophone (1980–1988) [10]
  • Declan John Barclay: trumpet (1980–1983)
  • Steve Brown: guitar (1980–1988)
  • Steve Shanley: bass (1980–1983)
  • Leonardo Chignoli: bass (1984–1988)
  • Michael 'Mac' McDermott: percussion (1980–1983)
  • Dee C. Lee: Vocals (Occasional)[11]
  • Marc 'Yellowcoat' Kingman: Backing Vocals (Occasional)
  • Paul Waller: drums (1980–1986) [12]

References
  1. "Animal Nightlife – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
  2. Rice, Tim; Rice, Jonathan; Gambaccini, Paul (1990), Guinness Book of British Hit Singles & Albums, Enfield, Middlesex: Guinness World Records and Guinness Publishing, ISBN 0-85112-398-8
  3. "Animal Nightlife - History". Myweb.tiscali.co.uk. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  4. "108 acts who set the style for the new music of the 1980s | Shapers of the 80s". Shapersofthe80s.com. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
  5. "inlay+bio2.jpg (image)". 1.bp.blogspot.com. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  6. "Animal Nightlife". Api.discogs.com.
  7. "inlay+bio1.jpg (image)". 4.bp.blogspot.com. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  8. "Shangri-la". Cherry Red. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
  9. "Beeb turns Nightlife Andy into Dalston superstar". Shapersofthe80s.com. 13 December 2013.
  10. "Billy Chapman (BILLY CHAPMAN) op Myspace". Myspace.com. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  11. "Dee C Lee | Gratis muziek, tourneedata, foto's, video's". Myspace.com. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  12. "Music Blog of Saltyka And His Friends: Animal Nightlife – Unleashed -The Best Of". Saltyka.blogspot.co.uk. 10 May 2007. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
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