On the morning of May 30th 1931, eleven-year-old Wilbur Brink was just a regular kid. By the evening, he was a legend.
Wilbur Brink was living with his parents in 2316 Georgetown Road, Indianapolis, USA. Just across the road of the Indianapolis brick yard motor speedway. That day, the Indy 500 race was held at the speedway and Wilbur was playing in the front yard of his parents’ house.
On lap 162, defending champion Billy Arnold was leading the race. Suddenly the rear axle of his car broke at turn number four of the track. Arnold could not control the car anymore. At high speed, it rolled over the wall and one of its wheels sailed high over a metal fence, far beyond the perimeter of the track, bouncing several times before it eventually struck and killed Wilbur Brink who was still playing in the front yard.
Never in the history of bad luck, did bad luck get so bad.
For instance, the odds of being killed by lightning are 2,320,000 to 1.
And the odds of dying from parts falling off an airplane are 1 in 10,000,000. But Wilbur Brink’s unbelievable cause of death is more like the odds of say a meteor landing on your house. For the record: those odds are 182,138,880,000,000 to 1.And while you may wonder about the odds of a band dedicating an album to your life almost a hundred years after your death, the chance is very real that it just might happen. Because the proof is right here with Norma’s full length debut “Bad Luck for Wilbur Brinkâ€.It’s an album featuring ten songs about something, absolutely nothing or sticky chewing gum between one of your shoes and the sidewalk. All this, drenched in beautiful melody, sweet harmony and the occasional beer too.
There’s guitars, drums, Ricky bass, voices and the legendary Juno keyboard sound for that 1982 je ne sais quoi in 2009. Think of the Falklands War in a plastic box with black and white keys. And portamento.It’s really just a bunch of songs on a plastic disc in a cardboard box but it’s a magical bunch with golden vocal harmonies and razor sharp lyrics played by a band that’s having fun in the studio. And that’s exactly what you will hear.“Wilbur†is the long awaited follow-up to their much acclaimed 2005 “United Hairlines†EP produced by Australian Peter Crosbie. Their full length however is a self-produced effort. It was recorded by Dutch engineer Willemien Ahuis at the Sounds like Music studios owned by fellow band Mint and US producer John Morand. The album is released on Norma’s own label Noblesse Oblige Records and is distributed by Zeal Records in Belgium. It’s also available on iTunes.
Norma’s undeniable milestone that dramatically changed the course of 21st century history blablabla
In 2004, after tragically failing for American Idols, Norma were proud Finalists of Humo’s Rock Rally. A year later their first EP “United Hairlines†was released on their own indie label Noblesse Oblige Records. The extended player was produced by Australian new wave legend Peter Crosbie and received a big thumbs up from both the music press, the general public and the girl from the local grocery store. The first single “Dishwater†was aired for weeks on end by Studio Brussel and their cult video “Waiting for bang†was a top 5 hit on JIM tv. Check it out on YouTube. Or don’t. Or whatever.
Early 2008, Fidel Castro resigned, the price of petroleum hit $100 per barrel for the first time and Laurens Leurs (The Romans) and drum prodigy Michel Becx joined Norma.Even still the four men are:Mr. Steven Omblets: bass, juno
Mr. Michel Becx: drums, tambourin
Mr. Laurens Leurs: voice, guitar
Mr. Jorrit Hermans: voice, guitarPR contact:
[email protected]
