The Normals Anorexia Nervosa / Monkey Out of Me 7″
Not the KBD degenerate NORMALS from New Orleans, but rather one of the earliest punk bands to form in Wellington, New Zealand, making their first appearance on vinyl here almost a half-century after they broke up. Kiwi DIY enthusiasts should immediately pick up on some clues in these songs, recorded in 1979 shortly before the band splintered, that help situate the NORMALS within a very specific, time-fixed regional context—right off the bat, the lyrically direct, personal/political femme-punk of A-side “Anorexia Nervosa” effectively foreshadows Wellington’s late ’70s/early ’80s Terrace scene as documented on the essential **** (Four Stars) comp, in particular LIFE IN THE FRIDGE EXISTS and the WALLSOCKETS (see the latter’s “Euthanasia” for some clear musical and thematic parallels). B-side “Bananas” (alternately referred to as “Monkey Out of Me”) is far more lighthearted, a no-frills, pogo-primed and pop-minded first wave rush like a North Island counterpart to TOY LOVE, complete with a big, dumb (positive) “Going tutti frutti!” chanted hook from vocalist Dazee Day. Go ape for both of them!