Animal Nightlife

Animal Nightlife

Company type	Band
Industry	Music
Founded	1980
Headquarters	London , United Kingdom
Products	Music albums and singles

Animal Nightlife was a UK-based band active during the 1980s, consisting of Andy Polaris (vocals), Leonardo Chignoli (bass), Steve Brown (guitar), Billy Chapman (saxophone), and Paul Waller (drums).

History

Formed in 1980 amid London's vibrant nightclub culture, their musical style blended pop, jazz, blues, soul, R&B, and funk influences, often categorized as white funk or cool jazz. The group originated from a circle of friends who regularly attended venues such as Blitz and Le Beat Route, bonded by their mutual enthusiasm for swing, jazz, and funk genres. They brought on Andy Polaris—who was at the time Boy George’s roommate—to serve as their lead singer. By 1983, Animal Nightlife had supported bands including Blue Rondo à la Turk and gained popularity within gay club circuits.

Their initial singles, "Love Is Just The Great Pretender" and "Native Boy," were issued through Innervision Records; notably, "Native Boy" reached number 60 on the UK Singles Chart in 1983. Their highest-charting track, "Mr. Solitaire," climbed to number 25 in August 1984, followed by a re-recorded version of "Love Is Just the Great Pretender," which attained number 28 in July 1985.

The band’s debut album, Shangri-La, was launched by Island Records in August 1985. Their final studio release was Lush Life in 1988 under Virgin’s subsidiary 10 Records. A greatest hits compilation was released by Music Club in 2000.

In November 2016, Cherry Red reissued Shangri-La as an expanded two-CD deluxe edition.

After his music career, lead vocalist Andy Polaris moved into creative design, working on window displays for Oxfam in Dalston as of 2013.

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"

Released on Island Records (ILPS 9830), Shangri-La entered the UK Albums Chart on 24 August 1985, peaking at number 36 and remaining for six weeks. The original vinyl pressing omitted 'Lazy Afternoon' and 'Mr Solitaire'. The 2016 deluxe reissue included ten tracks on each disc, with remixes featured on the second CD.

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

This three-track compilation from Virgin Records showcased one song by Animal Nightlife alongside tracks by other artists.

1. "The Right Stuff" by Bryan Ferry
2. "Tu Menti" by CCCP - Fedeli Alla Linea
3. "Boys with the Best Intentions" (DJ edit) by Animal Nightlife

1988: 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"

2000: Unleashed - The Best of Animal Nightlife

Issued by Music Club, this compilation CD contains seventeen tracks including notable songs like "Mr. Solitaire," "Love is Just the Great Pretender '85," and a US remix version of "Mr. Solitaire."

1983: Native Boy

Released under the Inner Vision label, this single comprised two distinct mixes:

1. "Native Boy" (Cosmopolitan Mix)
2. "Native Boy" (Metropolitan Mix)

1983: The Mighty Hands of Love

Issued by Inner Vision, this single presented two versions:

1. "The Mighty Hands of Love" (parts 1 & 2)
2. "The Mighty Hands of Love" (Perversion/Mighty Mix)

Although the second track bears different titles on the record and sleeve, it denotes the identical mix.

1984: Mr. Solitaire

This single, released through Island Records, featured one track per side:

1. "Mr. Solitaire"
2. "Lazy Afternoon"

1985: Say You, Say Me / Preacher Preacher

Distributed by Ricordi, this release paired Lionel Richie's "Say You, Say Me" on Side A with Animal Nightlife's "Preacher, Preacher" on Side B.

1. "Say You, Say Me" by Lionel Richie
2. "Preacher, Preacher" by Animal Nightlife

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

Also launched by Ricordi, this record featured Stevie Wonder's "Part Time Lover" on Side A and Animal Nightlife's "Love is Just the Great Pretender" on Side B.

1. "Part Time Lover" by Stevie Wonder
2. "Love is Just the Great Pretender" by Animal Nightlife

1987: Boys with the Best Intentions

This 1987 single included two variations of the title track:

1. "Boys with the Best Intentions"
2. "Boys with the Best Intentions" (Dub version)

Chart Performance

During the 1980s, Animal Nightlife managed to place four singles within the UK Singles Chart:

Chart Entry Date	Single Title	Record Label	Peak Position	Duration on Chart (weeks)
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

1985: Preacher, Preacher

This EP was released by Island Records and contained three tracks:

1. "Preacher, Preacher"
2. "Bitterwseet"
3. "Preacher, Preacher" (Altered)

1988: Always Your Humble Slave

Issued through Virgin Records, this EP featured four songs:

1. "Always Your Humble Slave" (7" version)
2. "Boys with the Best Intentions" (12" version)
3. "Always Your Humble Slave" (Big Bang)
4. "Badlands"

Members of the Band

• Andy Polaris – lead 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)
• Declan John Barclay – trumpet (1980–1983)
• Steve Brown – guitar (1980–1988)
• Steve Shanley – bass guitar (1980–1983)
• Leonardo Chignoli – bass guitar (1984–1988)
• Michael "Mac" McDermott – percussion (1980–1983)
• Dee C. Lee – guest vocals (occasional appearances)
• Marc "Yellowcoat" Kingman – backing vocals (occasional appearances)
• Paul Waller – drums (1980–1986)

External links

• Glamour, Camaraderie, Culture, and Unity: Exploring Animal Nightlife