Normalsi
Encyclopedia
Normalsi is a Polish
rock
band from Łódź formed in 1999 by a group of friends. Their music can be described as a blend of classical rock and grunge
with poetic lyrics touching upon existential problems.
, country
and blues
. Soon, however, Pachulski and Marszałkowski decided to leave the group and create a new project closer to their musical inclinations. As a result, in 1999 Normalsi came into being. Shortly afterwards, the band became an essential part of the rock underground in Łódź.
, in which each song is an interpretation of one of the Ten Commandments
. The album can be seen as a continuation of the themes taken up in Soliloquium at both lyrical and musical level. Not only does it present direct and intimate conversations with God but some songs also feature stories of such biblical characters as Pontius Pilate
, Judas
, Matthew the Evangelist
, or Cain and Abel. In Dekalog… Normalsi do not instruct how to live and deal with everyday problems – they only ask questions which the listeners have to answer themselves.
Former members
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band from Łódź formed in 1999 by a group of friends. Their music can be described as a blend of classical rock and grunge
Grunge
Grunge is a subgenre of alternative rock that emerged during the mid-1980s in the American state of Washington, particularly in the Seattle area. Inspired by hardcore punk, heavy metal, and indie rock, grunge is generally characterized by heavily distorted electric guitars, contrasting song...
with poetic lyrics touching upon existential problems.
Name
The name comes from the title of David Gilbert's novel The Normals (Polish Normalsi) that tells a story of a young university graduate, Billy Schine, who decides to take part in an experimental testing of a new anti-psychotic drug in order to earn some money needed to pay his student loan. Gilbert shows the change in the behaviour of the normal, that is, the physically healthy, mentally stable, sober people, who, under the influences of the drug and constant testing, become everything but normal.The early days
The founders of the band, namely, Piotr Pachulski and Adam Marszałkowski, made their first musical steps in Colorado Band. The music of that band oscillated between rockRock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
, country
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
and blues
Blues
Blues is the name given to both a musical form and a music genre that originated in African-American communities of primarily the "Deep South" of the United States at the end of the 19th century from spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts and chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads...
. Soon, however, Pachulski and Marszałkowski decided to leave the group and create a new project closer to their musical inclinations. As a result, in 1999 Normalsi came into being. Shortly afterwards, the band became an essential part of the rock underground in Łódź.
Soliloquium (2005)
After a series of difficulties with the publisher, six years after the establishment of the band, Normalsi finally released their first album entitled Soliloquium. The whole album is an internal monologue of an artist – a musician at the edge of sanity, who is unable to find himself in the world where people are numb and indifferent. It is a story of a lonely man who tries to preserve his sanity while being entangled in the web of contradictory feelings. When everything fails, the music seems to be the only antidote to his madness.Dekalog, czyli piekło muzykantów (2006)
A year after the release of the band’s debut, Soliloquium, Normalsi prepared the second album entitled Dekalog, czyli piekło muzykantów. This time it is a concept album based on the DecalogueDecalogue
The Decalogue, also known as the Ten Commandments, is a list of religious and moral imperatives that, according to the Abrahamic religions, was given by God to the people of Israel...
, in which each song is an interpretation of one of the Ten Commandments
Ten Commandments
The Ten Commandments, also known as the Decalogue , are a set of biblical principles relating to ethics and worship, which play a fundamental role in Judaism and most forms of Christianity. They include instructions to worship only God and to keep the Sabbath, and prohibitions against idolatry,...
. The album can be seen as a continuation of the themes taken up in Soliloquium at both lyrical and musical level. Not only does it present direct and intimate conversations with God but some songs also feature stories of such biblical characters as Pontius Pilate
Pontius Pilate
Pontius Pilatus , known in the English-speaking world as Pontius Pilate , was the fifth Prefect of the Roman province of Judaea, from AD 26–36. He is best known as the judge at Jesus' trial and the man who authorized the crucifixion of Jesus...
, Judas
Judas Iscariot
Judas Iscariot was, according to the New Testament, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus. He is best known for his betrayal of Jesus to the hands of the chief priests for 30 pieces of silver.-Etymology:...
, Matthew the Evangelist
Matthew the Evangelist
Matthew the Evangelist was, according to the Bible, one of the twelve Apostles of Jesus and one of the four Evangelists.-Identity:...
, or Cain and Abel. In Dekalog… Normalsi do not instruct how to live and deal with everyday problems – they only ask questions which the listeners have to answer themselves.
Pokój z widokiem na wojnę (2009)
The third album of the band, entitled Pokój z widokiem na wojnę, by similarity to their two previous albums, proves that Normalsi consciously decided not to change their musical style. Despite the lack of musical surprises, the album is not repetitive or monotonous. Once again the listeners are challenged by the band that does not allow them to stay indifferent and forces them to take their stand on the messages conveyed in the songs.Members
Current members- Piotr "Chypis" Pachulski – lead vocalist, guitar, lyrics (1999–present)
- Mirek "Koniu" Mazurczyk – guitar (1999–present)
- Marcin "Rittus" Ritter – bass (1999–present)
- Krzysztof Szewczyk – drums (2008–present)
Former members
- Adam "Marszałek" Marszałkowski - drums (1999–2008)
Discography
Studio albums- Soliloquium (2005)
- Dekalog, czyli piekło muzykantów (2006)
- Pokój z widokiem na wojnę (2009)