Normil Hawaiians are an English post-punk and experimental rock band formed in Orpington, South London, in late 1979. With their fluid lineup, the band released two studio albums in the 1980s before disbanding in 1986. Following an archival reissue campaign initiated by the independent label Upset The Rhythm in the 2010s, the band reformed and released their fourth studio album, Empires into Sand, in 2024.
History Formation and early releases (1979–1981) The band was formed in late 1979 by vocalist Guy Smith alongside a collective of local South London musicians including guitarists Jim Lusted and Kev Armstrong, vocalist Janet Armstrong, bassist Colin Donaldson, and drummer Chris Westerman. Their debut 7-inch single, "The Beat Goes On" / "Ventilation", was released in October 1980 on the Dining Out Records label and reached number 44 on the UK Independent Chart.
In May 1980, the band recorded a radio session for John Peel on BBC Radio 1, produced by Bob Sargeant. The lineup for the session featured new members Nick Rose on bass and Brian Kealy on drums. In November 1980, the group recorded material at Mousehole Studio in Orpington, released in 1981 as the 12-inch EP Gala Failed on Red Rhino Records. The EP featured poet Bertie Marshall on guest vocals for the track "Sang Sang".
Later in 1981, the band released the 7-inch single "Still Obedient" / "Should You Forget?" on Illuminated Records, recorded at Rhino Studios in Dorking. Following Janet Armstrong's departure to pursue solo work, multi-instrumentalist Simon Marchant, drummer Noel Blanden, and keyboardist/flautist Mark Tyler joined the band.
Studio albums and communal period (1982–1986) In 1982, Normil Hawaiians shifted toward expansive, tape-loop-driven experimental music and Krautrock structures. They recorded their debut double studio album, More Wealth Than Money, at Foel Studio in Wales with engineer Dave Anderson (formerly of Hawkwind and Amon Düül II). Released in January 1983 through Illuminated Records, the album received retrospective critical acclaim for its blend of dark psychedelia and art-punk.
By 1984, the band members were living communally in South London squats. Their second studio album, What's Going On?, was released in 1984 by Illuminated Records. The album incorporated industrial noise, dub arrangements, and extended explorations of eastern modal music.
In 1985 and 1986, the band returned to Foel Studio to record their third album, Return of the Ranters, inspired by the 17th-century radical political movements of the English Civil War. Due to financial difficulties, the closure of Illuminated Records, and member departures, the album was shelved and the group disbanded in 1986.
Archival rediscoveries and reformation (2014–present) In 2015, London-based independent label Upset The Rhythm unreleased and issued the 1986 sessions as Return of the Ranters. The label subsequently reissued expanded editions of More Wealth Than Money (2017), What's Going On? (2019), and the early singles compilation Dark World (79-81) (2022).
Core members Guy Smith and Simon Marchant reformed the band for live performances, including appearances at Cafe OTO and the Edinburgh Festival. In May 2024, Normil Hawaiians released Empires into Sand, their first album of new material in 40 years.
Discography
Studio albums Year Release Details Tracklist Personnel & Label Credits 1983 More Wealth Than Money Released: January 1983 Label: Illuminated Records (JAMS 23) Formats: 2×LP 1984 What's Going On? Released: 1984 Label: Illuminated Records (JAMS 38) Formats: LP 2015 Return of the Ranters Recorded: 1985–1986 Released: 11 May 2015 Label: Upset The Rhythm (UTR 076) Formats: LP, CD, Digital 2024 Empires into Sand Released: 24 May 2024 Label: Upset The Rhythm (UTR 163) Formats: LP, CD, Digital
EPs Year Release Details Tracklist Personnel & Label Credits 1980 Normil Hawaiians (& Berlin) Released: 1980 Label: Corporation Cassettes (CORP three) Formats: Cassette 1981 Gala Failed Released: February 1981 Label: Red Rhino Records (RED 8) Formats: 12" EP
Commercial Singles Year Release Details Tracklist Personnel & Label Credits 1980 "The Beat Goes On" Released: October 1980 Label: Dining Out Records (TUX 13) Formats: 7" Single 1981 "Still Obedient" Released: 1981 Label: Illuminated Records (ILL 7) Formats: 7" Single 2020 "In The Stone / Where Is Living?" Released: 16 September 2020 Label: Upset The Rhythm (UTR 134) Formats: 7" Single
References
External links
Normil Hawaiians at Bandcamp