Normaal

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Normaal, Parkpop 2006

Normaal is a rock band from the Netherlands, more specifically from the Achterhoek, a region of the country from which they derive their image on, singing in the local dialect. The band started in 1975 as a reaction to disco and glamrock. They have since gained national fame, and have had more top 40 hits in the Dutch chart than any other band, despite never reaching number one. The music could be typified as "heavy country rock", and possibly as a rowdier version of ZZ Top.

The band have a very loyal following of 'Achterhøkers' who follow their tours. The concerts are usually performed in tents and are more focused on booze, girls and partying (which they call 'høken') than sound quality. On stage the group wear clogs.

Their first and biggest hit was Oerend Hard ('Bloody Fast'), a song about two motor riders who "never heard of slow driving". Predictably, the song ends with them crashing, after which they never drive fast again. Several members of the band have been involved in serious motor accidents.

Donation Projects

In September 2006, Normaal released a climate neutral album Hier is Normaal ("Here is Normaal"). Following bands like Coldplay, Pink Floyd and Atomic Kitten who also released albums which didn't affect the climate. Not only their album, but both concert tours of that year were carbon neutral. The energy needed for all 44 concerts was compensated via investments in renewable energy projects in India. Normaal is the first Dutch band to have taken a stance against global climate change.

October 2007, organizers of two hugely successful concerts by NORMAAL have donated $11,000 to Woodstock General Hospital Foundation. The idea came from a dairy farmer Ben Van Haastert from Woodstock. His wife Ankie along with local friends Henk, Gerda Tolsma and Bart, Sophie Op Den Kelder helped move the plan in motion. There were one concert in London, Ontario (a neighbouring city with a larger population)had the first concert which drew 250 people. The second concert was held in Woodstock, Ontario. More than 1,200 people showed up.