Norma Loy

CHELSEA and USHER meet in 1977, beginning of a close collaboration, placed under the auguries of the punk movement, which will carry them to several productions.

In 1981, they form NORMA LOY (this name is blown to them by Alan Vega), around which will gravitate a variable number of musicians.

In the 80s, the band released several founding albums of the French Cold Wave scene, with a recognizable universe, a strong visual and sound identity where their research for graphics, photography, video projections, performance and Buto dance put in scene their favorite themes (viral electronic mediums, paranoia, mysticism, cathodic sex, the illusion of the Real…)

“PSYCHIC ALTERCATION” (1984), “REWIND/T.VISION” (1986) and the remarkable “SACRIFICE” (1988) where the title “Power of Spirit” is played in loop in the Parisian subway while the cover of “L’Homme à la Moto” of Édith Piaf makes its way on the radio.

This record marks an evolution in the band’s sound but still proposes this singular mix of cold wave, psychedelic tribal rock and experimental music.

In 1993, following a concert in Berlin, the band takes a break, devoting itself to other musical projects, film music, Peep Hole, Die Puppet, Usher Shield, Anthon Shield, Black Egg, Adan & Lise…

A few participations in compilations, and a few reissues later, the band released in 2010 “UN/REAL” on the label Infrastition, presented as a journey to the heart of the unconscious.

In 2016, Norma Loy returns with Baphomet (Unknown Pleasures Records), the album synthesizes all the history of the group since its beginnings in 1977 and testifies to a unique journey, deeply original and without compromise.

At the beginning of 2023, Norma Loy returns again to its history with “Ouroboros” (Manic Depression Records), an album of covers as heterogeneous, unexpected, classy and bewitching as the music he has created for more than 40 years.