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Read also: - Reviews - Interview Nort - Albrow |
The Sheffield based band Hula was
founded in november 1980. Three members (Mark Albrow, Alan Fisch and
Ron Wright) lived with Stephen Mallinder (Cabaret Voltaire) and Paul
Widger (They must be Russians,
Clock DVA, the Box) in a villa called
Hula Kula. After trying the bass players Alan Watt, the notorious Chris
Brain (Tense,
NOS) and Mark Brydon (Chakk,
Moloko), and after the
replacement of Alan Fish (a.k.a. Fisch) by Nort (both drummed for the Cabs), Hula
released Fever Car, which became an indie hit. Then they recorded the impressive album Murmur. Ingredients like cut ups,
steady rhythms, and paranoia vocals were blended together into a unique white funky
sound.
Hula recruited John Avery as a bass player. A bass player was necessary for the exciting live shows with lots of video material (Peter Care). Hula continued to bring out danceable 12 inches and more experimental albums. With this line-up Hula was more or less successful. International tours were made. Radio sessions for VPRO and John Peel were recorded and broadcasted. Being a support act for Depeche Mode implied performing live in Wembley Arena for huge crowds. After Nort left the band in 1986 the music changed, but still remained interesting. Later on Mark Albrow quit as well. When their record company Red Rhino went bankrupt they moved on to Wax Trax. They released the last Hula record: a Jimmy Hendrix cover of Voodoo Chile. Afther the release, guest singer Jocelyn Cammack joined in officially. Ron moved on to bass and John to keyboards. In this new line up they made new songs. Intimates say these songs are the best Hula ever made. For the public it is hard to judge, for the material is still in the vaults of the studio. Eventually Hula broke up in 1992.
** NEWS ** HULA back in the studio? Some members (at least 3 out of 4) "have been chatting about getting together and making a few new tunes...the public has to be patient. Progress is slow.. With some luck in 2010 we might hear some tunes ..." |
