Years active 1980–1988 Origin United Kingdom (1980) Albums Lush life, Shangri La | Active until 1988 Genres Pop music, Jazz | |
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Past members Andy Polaris (vocalist)Leonardo Chignoli (bassist)Steve Brown (guitarist)Billy Chapman (saxophonist)Paul Waller (drummer) Similar Dee C Lee, Blue Rondo à la Turk, The Style Council, Rusty Egan, Haircut One Hundred |
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.
Contents

Animal nightlife native boy
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. Their debut single, "Native Boy", came out on the Innervision label and 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 "Love is 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 Soul II Soul. In November 2016 Shangri-la was re-issued in a deluxe two-CD edition by Cherry Red.
Frontman Andy Polaris has recently resurfaced creating fashionable window displays in Dalston's Oxfam shop.
Albums

- "Native Boy"
- "Waiting for the Bait to Bite"
- "Perfect Match"
- "Love is Just the Great Pretender '85"
- "Insomniazz"
- "Lazy Afternoon"
- "Between Lovers"
- "After Hours"
- "Basic Ingredients"
- "Throw in the Towel"
- "Bittersweet"
- "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.
- "Why Couldn't Your Black Heart Tell a White Lie"
- "Always Your Humble Slave"
- "TV Scene"
- "Sweet Smell of Success"
- "Boys With the Best Intentions"
- "Luck"
- "The War I Lost"
- "Mouth"
- "Last Hotel of the World"
- "Breakaway"
Singles
Animal Nightlife had four singles in the UK Singles Chart during the 1980s.
Band members
Songs
Mr SolitaireShangri La · 1985
Love Is Just the Great Pretender1994
Native BoyShangri La · 1985