Hard-hitting Dutch country-rockers Normaal formed in the 1970s as a reaction to disco and glam rock. Fronted by vocalist/guitarist Bennie Jolink and based out of the Achterhoek, a Low Saxon-speaking region in the east of the Netherlands, the group scored its first success with the 1977 single "Oerend hard". Among their other well-known songs are "Deurdonderen", "Mamma woar is mien pils" and "De boer is de keerl" - the latter is also a symbol for farmers' protests. Normaal have enjoyed more Top 40 hits than any other Dutch rock band, and are considered a national treasure, even being rewarded with a statue in Jolink's home village Hummelo.
