WHO’S WHO

Also see the group line-ups here

Declan John Barclay (trumpet)

One of the founders of Animal Nightlife, Declan played trumpet on the Innervision records.

When Animal Nightlife left Innervision in late 1983 Declan, along with Steve and 'Mac’, decided to leave the group as well. It is not known what he has done since.

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Steve 'Flid' Brown (guitar)

Part of the founder members of Animal Nightlife, Flid played guitar on all the groups recordings.

In 1995 he was part of the group Lovehappy who had a UK top 40 hit with ‘Message of Love’ see video and interview. The single also reached No 1 in the UK Dance Chart, Kiss Radio and Galaxy Radio Charts, No 4 in the American Billboard Chart and No 1 in the Japan Dance Chart. Remixes of the single were done by C & C Music Factory & K-Klass.

Flid has also been DJ-ing, composing music with various producers and artists for films, ads and music projects. He is also on the books of a model agency.

Flid with Lovehappy 1995

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Billy Chapman (saxophone)

Another founding member, Billy primarily played saxophone but also contributed flute and keyboards on some tracks. Billy played live with the Style Council on tour 1983-1985 and also on their albums Café Bleu, Our Favourite Shop and The Cost of Loving.

After Animal Nightlife, Billy continued playing live. He is currently writing and recording new material with lyricist John Coughlan. Billy’s myspace site and Billy's myspace music site

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Leonardo Chignoli (bass)

Leonardo joined Animal Nightlife after the group left Innervision Records in 1983. He first appeared on the single Mr Solitaire and stayed until the group split up in 1988. He also played bass on Paul Weller’s Miners’ benefit record “Soul Deep” in 1984.

Since Animal Nightlife split, Leonardo has worked as a session musician and has also played with Steve Nieve as part of the house band on Jonathan Ross’s Channel 4 chat show.

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Chrysta Jones (vocals)

Chrysta joined the group during 1982, replacing Egidio. She sang backing vocals on the debut single and lead vocals on the follow up “The Mighty Hands of Love”.

In April 1983 Chrysta left the group along with Leah. They were replaced by various session singers or guest vocalists.

In 1986 Chrysta formed the group Workshy and released their first single in 1988 but it didn’t chart in the UK. They have been more successful in Japan and release most of their albums there.

Chrysta Jones 1998

Workshy 1993

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Steve Lewis (manager)

Steve was the DJ and “overlord of the hottest turntable in town” at Le Beat Route. The London nightclub was where the group used to go and Steve became their manager.

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Michael 'Mac’ Mc Dermott (percussion)

Another founding member, ‘Mac’ played percussion with the band.

When Animal Nightlife left Innervision in late 1983 ‘Mac’, along with Steve and Declan, decided to leave the group as well. It is not known what he has done since.

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Egidio ‘Frenchie’ Newton (vocals)

Egidio joined the group in July 1981 after meeting ‘Mac’ at a Blue Rondo A La Turk gig. She sang backing vocals at live gigs before leaving in 1982.

She then joined the new line-up of the Special AKA (after Terry, Lynval and Neville left to start the Fun Boy Three). Sharing vocals with Rhoda Dakar and Stan Campbell she sang on the album ‘In The Studio’. More recently Egidio has founded Young Music Explorers which offers interactive music workshops for children and is working on a solo album (see Egidio's myspace page).

The Special AKA

(Egidio Newton is on the

right in the front row)

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Andy Polaris (vocals)

Andy met the rest of the group through the London club scene in 1981, he sang lead vocals on all the groups records except “The Mighty Hands of Love”.

Andy (far right) with Boy George

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Leah Seresin (vocals)

Leah joined the group in 1981 after watching the band rehearse, Andy had met her before and invited her along.

She sang backing vocals on the first two singles before leaving in April 1983 along with Chrysta . They were replaced by various session singers or guest vocalists.

After Animal Nightlife Leah landed a modelling contract in Paris (unconfirmed). It was later reported that she was working as a waitress. A search on the Internet reveals that Leah Seresin wrote and directed a short film ‘Yoman’s Dance’ in 1997 based on her “own experience working as a cigarette girl in an upmarket London restaurant”.

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Steve Shanley (bass)

Another founding member, Steve played bass with the band.

When Animal Nightlife left Innervision in late 1983 Steve, along with ‘Mac’ and Declan, decided to leave the group as well. It is not known what he has done since.

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Nigel Vidal (drums)

Nigel joined the group as drummer around the end of 1981, and played many live gigs. Prior to the group signing a record contract with Innervision in 1982, Nigel left and was replaced by Paul Waller.

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Paul Waller (drums)

Paul joined Animal Nightlife when they signed to Innervison Records in 1982. He left in 1985 after the Shangri-la album and has since worked with various artists such as Eric Clapton and Bjork.

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