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.

History

Founded in 1980 in the London night club scene, 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. They are described by one reviewer as "a staunchly Labour collective" whose instrumentals tended to impart escapism. The group started as friends who enjoyed the nightlife at various clubs, including Blitz and Le Beat Route. They decided to create a group with their "love of swing, jazz, and funk", but needed a lead vocalist. They joined up with Andy Polaris, who at the time was Boy George's roommate. By 1983, they had opened for bands like Blue Rondo à la Turk and gained a following in gay clubs. Their debut single, "Love Is Just The Great Pretender" and the follow-up "Native Boy", came out on the Innervision label. 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 non-compilation album, Lush Life, on Virgin subsidiary 10 Records. A "best of" album was released on the Music Club label in 2000. In November 2016, Shangri-la was re-issued in a deluxe two-CD edition by Cherry Red. Frontman Andy Polaris resurfaced in 2013 creating fashionable window displays in Dalston's Oxfam shop.

Discography

Albums

1985: Shangri-La

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. The original vinyl release did not include 'Lazy Afternoon' or 'Mr Solitaire'. The 2016 re-release featured 10 songs on each disc, with disc 2 having several remixes.

1987: The Right Stuff / Tu Menti / Boys with the Best Intentions (DJ edit)

This 1987 release was a three track compilation album with only the third track by Animal Nightlife. The album was released by Virgin Records.

1988: Lush Life

2000: Unleashed - The Best of Animal Nightlife

This CD was released on the Music Club label and featured 17 tracks.

Singles

1983: Native Boy

Released on Inner Vision label in 1983, the single had two mixes of "Native Boy".

1983: The Mighty Hands of Love

Released on Inner Vision label in 1983, the single had two versions of "The Mighty Hands of Love". The labels on the record refer to track 2 as the "Mighty Mix" as opposed to the "Perversion" that's listed on the sleeve.

1984: Mr. Solitaire

Released by Island Records, this single featured one track on Side A and one on Side B.

1985: Say You, Say Me / Preacher Preacher

Released by Ricordi, the record featured Lionel Ritchie on side A with Animal Nightlife on Side B.

1985: Part Time Lover / Love is Just the Great Pretender

Also released by Ricordi, the record featured Stevie Wonder on Side A and Animal Nightlife on Side B.

1987: Boys with the Best Intentions

Recorded in 1987, it features two versions of "Boys with the Best intentions".

In the charts

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

EPs

1985: Preacher, Preacher

Released on Island Records, the EP featured 3 tracks.

1988: Always Your Humble Slave

Released on Virgin records, the EP featured 4 tracks.

Band members