Congo Norvell was a band led by

Kid Congo Powers Brian Tristan (born March 27, 1959), better known by his stage name Kid Congo Powers,Strong, Martin C. (2003) ''The Great Indie Discography'', Canongate, , p. 25, 41, 359 is an American rock guitarist, singer, and actor best known as a member of ...

(Cramps, Gun Club, Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, Kid Congo Powers & the Pink Monkey Birds) and Sally Norvell (Prohibition & the Norvells). Congo Norvell formed in 1990 after Powers and Norvell met at the deathbed of a friend in

Los Angeles Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the United States after New York City, as well as one of the world' ...

. They embarked on a series of gigs meant to benefit friends dying of AIDS, and were noticed and signed to a record deal. They went on to record 3 studio albums (''

Music to Remember Him By ''Music to Remember Him By'' is an album by the American alternative rock band Congo Norvell. It was released in 1994. The band was led by Sally Norvell and Kid Congo Powers; the pair met via their involvement in Wim Wenders projects. Production ...

'', The Dope, the Lies, the Vaseline, & Abnormals Anonymous) and multiple EPs and compilations. After having been based in LA for a few years, they relocated to New York City in 1994 and played the NYC & East Coast circuit frequently. They toured Europe and the North America, often opening for Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds. Various incarnations of the band have included Jim Sclavunos (Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds & Grinderman),

Paul Wallfisch Paul Wallfisch (born September 18, 1962) is an American musician who specializes in German multimedia theater productions. He works extensively in Western Europe and makes his home in Harlem, New York, United States. Early childhood Paul Wallfisc ...

(Little Annie, Botanica, & the Swans),

Brian Emrich Brian Emrich (born April 14, 1961) is a sound designer, composer, and musician. His sound design credits include the films ''π'', ''Requiem for a Dream'', ''One Hour Photo'' and ''Phone Booth''. He records music under the moniker Psilonaut, ...

(Foetus),

Kristian Hoffman Kristian Hoffman is an American musician. Biography and career Kristian Hoffman came into public consciousness as the best friend of Lance Loud in the PBS series ''An American Family.'' His sister is the writer Nina Kiriki Hoffman. During the ...

(Mumps, Swinging Madisons), Mary Mullen, Joe Berardi, Keith Mitchell,

Bill Bronson Bill(s) may refer to: Common meanings * Banknote, paper cash (especially in the United States) * Bill (law), a proposed law put before a legislature * Invoice, commercial document issued by a seller to a buyer * Bill, a bird or animal's beak Plac ...

and Jack Martin. Singer

Mark Eitzel Mark Eitzel (born January 30, 1959) is an American musician, best known as a songwriter and lead singer of the San Francisco band American Music Club. Biography Eitzel spent his formative years in a military family living in Okinawa, Taiwan, Ohi ...

from

American Music Club American Music Club was an American, San Francisco-based indie rock band, led by singer-songwriter Mark Eitzel. Formed in 1983, the band released seven albums before splitting up in 1995. They reformed in 2003 and released two further albums. ...

was featured in duets with Norvell on 1998's ''Abnormals Anonymous''.

Discography

*''Lullabies'' 10" (Fiasco) 1993 *''

'' (Basura!/Priority) 1994 *''Live in the Mission'' 7" (

Triple X Records Triple X Records was a Los Angeles-based record company started by three former employees of the bankrupt Greenworld Distribution: Dean Naleway, Peter Heur and Charley Brown. The label was known for "a fearlessly eclectic catalogue that broke away ...

) 1995 *''It Came From Beneath'' L.A. compilation (

) 1995 *''The Dope, the Lies, the Vaseline'' (Basura!/Priority) 1996 *''Abnormals Anonymous'' (Jetset) 1998

External links

*https://web.archive.org/web/20060506153424/http://www.kidcongopowers.com/disconorvell.html
Guitarist Kid Congo Powers discusses the life and times of Congo Norvell
from NewYorkNightTrain.com Musical groups from Los Angeles {{US-rock-band-stub