Normandie Blue

Bio:

Normandie Blue are a four-piece Rock band from Los Angeles California that play songs that will haunt you in so many ways. The lyrics are so personal and heartfelt that you could well find yourself looking hastily over your shoulder as an almost voyeuristic guilt overwhelms you. Like a nightmare where you are peering through a window as a tormented soul puts the finishing touches to his final letter, you hammer on the glass, you hammer as hard as you can but he can’t hear you. The blade is raised just above the pumping blue vein of the wrist. There is no sound apart from the deafening silence as tears of despair drop and the blade slices though the skin to release the heartache harboured within. Still you bang as the scene turns crimson, just as all seems lost the tormented figure turns his head, his face wears a smile of sincere serenity. Normandie Blue were founded by Alex Blue who had started writing and playing music from the age of 12, at 15 he had fled his family home and from which time he has been fending for himself. The solitary existence has been galvanized and softened in parallel by soaking up inspiration from all the pain and hardship that goes with being alone in the big cold world at such a tender age. He fled the lonely life he had inhabited for just one term into a career with the US Air Force, but soon realized he had to leave to court the love of his life, the only thing that had ever made him happy, music. This was in 2000, Alex was living in New York City at the time just after his forces discharge, he scraped together the little money he had and flew back to LA to form Normandie Blue. From his own admission he had problems finding solid musicians to back him which led to the embryonic band suffering many personal changes. Despite the fluid nature of the line-up they played plenty of shows and even managed to make a low budget recording that never saw the light of day. Sadly after devoting his life to Normandie Blue Alex had to face the realization that the band that was his everything, were going nowhere, so he disbanded them in 2004. Alex did not wander in the musical wilderness un-noticed. It wasn’t long before he was approached by a man who he describes as his biggest musical mentor, Cesar ‘Cejas’ of Psychobilly legends Calavera. He asked him to join the band as rhythm guitarist which he gladly did. Calavera had already gained a huge underground following and Alex rode on the crest of that wave in which time he toured the world and recorded two albums with the band. Whilst being on the road and recording with Calavera and becoming a name on the Psychobilly/Punk circuit was a whole lot of fun, the time was also a big education. There were real life lessons in becoming a better performer entwined with the understanding the finer workings of the music industry to be learned. Alex soaked them all in. In September 2008 Alex Blue took the decision to leave the bosom of Calavera. The initial plan was to start out alone as a solo artist, he wanted his own identity, he needed to vent the way he was feeling and an independent outlet for the songs he was writing. That creative cauldron that was boiling within him almost became a pressure too much to bear as he turned to drink and drugs for relief . The chemicals, booze and depression spin cycle perpetuated a downward spiral that left him in the depths of despair. At his lowest point suicide seemed the only way Alex could see to ease the almost unbearable pain that had consumed him. His one chance of salvation, music, could ease that pressure and save him and he knew it, but that other evil relation of depression, insecurity, had also reared its ugly unwelcome head and appeared to block that particular escape route. All seemed lost until a true friend managed to slay the toxic and mental tormentors with the magic bullet of inspiration. Kris S was the only one there for Alex in those dark lonely times. His continuous support persuaded him that the waste of life was one thing but the waste of music that was within him was certainly another and he wasn’t just going to sit back and let that happen. Those protestations from a man whose talent with a guitar Alex deeply admired worked their magic and he found the courage and more importantly inspiration and confidence to re-form Normandie Blue. He picked himself up, dusted off the remnants of any lingering doubts and got to work recruiting three of the best musicians in the business with Kris being the first, his right-hand man. Normandie Blue are, Alex Blue (Guitar/Vocals/Songwriter) Kris S – (Lead Guitar) Kris is Alex’s cohort in song writing and personal rock. He studied music at UCLA and is a top class guitarist who has worked with many big names as a studio/live and session musician. He is also known for his humble, caring and well-mannered personality which is considered a rarity in one so talented. Jose R – (Bass) He studied with Kris at UCLA and he was the one who introduced him into the band. He has an impressive resume having recorded in various projects in style ranging from Jazz to R&B and Hip Hop to Rock N Roll. Pumba – (Drums) The youngest in the band but has done plenty already in his own right including playing with Mad Marge and the Stonecutters, Total Chaos and The Triggers, he has toured extensively and is described as a true blue collar working class musician. By March 2009 the band had already gelled into a solid unit so Alex went about securing the services of, legendary producer and musician, John Avila, with a view to recording their debut album. This time there were going to be no half-measures so the band submerged themselves into six months of pre-production to ensure that they were going to at the top of their game when it came down to laying down the tracks. Recording the album itself was steeped in personal hardship with Alex selling his car to help finance the project that was already draining him emotionally. No wheels meant that the 25 miles to the studio had occasionally to be walked, but was small price to pay and fueled by the drive to see the album, so long just a dream, become a reality. ‘It Is What It Is’ is that reality, an album so full of emotion and sincerity that at first you feel the guilt of intrusion. That feeling soon washes way when despite the deeply personal nature of the lyrics the richness of the music swirls over you with an uplifting rush taking your breath away as if a Phoenix has emerged from the ashes and soared skywards leaving you open jawed and pole-axed in its wake. Alex wanted to start a band, not for fame or money but to write music people can relate to, you will be hard pressed to find anyone who won’t be inspired and moved but also think there go I but for the grace of God when hearing this album. Saying that, it’s got little to do with God because despite the beauty of the tunes and the talent displayed playing them, this is still the devils music. ‘It Is What It Is’ is due for release in Spring 2010 followed by a year touring the album. Simon Nott www.simonnott.co.uk ..
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Member Since:

June 28, 2004

Members:

Alex Blue - Lead Vocals, Guitars J.R. - Bass Kris S. - Lead Guitars Pumba - Drums

Sounds Like:

Rock and Roll!

Label Type:

Indie