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Imperial Leisure are a ska / rock band from London, England. Influences include The Specials, Beastie Boys, Rage Against the Machine, Madness, Ozomatli, and Youngblood Brass Band.
Imperial Leisure | |
|---|---|
| Origin | London, England |
| Genres | Ska, rap, rock, punk rock, hip hop |
| Years active | 2001–2019, 2021-Present |
| Labels | Steamroller[1] |
| Members | Denis Smith Scott Vining |
| Past members | Ben Bridges Jack Emmings Richard Cox Rob O'Neale Ushwin Pai Stephanie Faulkner Kenneth Brown David Medland Russell Spencer Ben Webb, Jeremy Mudunkotuwe, Mark Rudland, Billy Chauhan, Stuart Maxwell, Dan Dobson, Adrian White, Justas Keliuotis, Elliott Phelps, Jerome Harper |
| Website | www.imperial-leisure.co.uk |
History
editImperial Leisure started in 2001 as a 10 piece band. Previous to this, the eight members (Denis, Ben, Jeremy, Billy, Scott, AJ, Dan and Stu) where playing in a band called 'Chewbacca'. The name changed to Imperial Leisure when they added two brass players (Rob - Trumpet and Mark - Trombone).
Imperial Leisure signed to 'Primary Talent' (live music agent) and 'Crucible Management' (band management) in 2004. Their first release was the CD EP Untouchable on Dirty Records in 2005. The next release was a limited edition vinyl "Great British Summertime" and single "Man On The Street" on ORG Records.
In 2007, Imperial Leisure and their management company set up their own record label and music company, Steamroller Music Ltd. Employing other industry professionals and securing private investment for the support of the forthcoming release of their début album.
In 2008 they released four singles with national and local radio play (including BBC Radio One, BBC 6 Music, XFM, Absolute Radio). During this year Imperial Leisure also played many small festivals across the UK and larger ones including the Dance Stage at Glastonbury and the Red Bull stage at Bestival. The Art Of Saying Nothing was Imperial Leisure's first album released on Steamroller Music. The album launch took place at The Scala live venue in London, England.
In 2012, second album, Death to the One Trick Pony, was released to mixed reviews.[2]
In 2015, third album, Lifestyle Brand, was released along with a new line up. It brought back the party atmosphere, incorporating the various styles of the new band members.[3]
2018 saw the release of the single "Rrrrrollin". This was tied into the 10 year anniversary tour of the first album (The Art of Saying Nothing),[4] which saw headline slots at the O2 Academies in Oxford, Birmingham, Newcastle and Islington (London). For the London show there were 17 people on stage.[5] Ex-members Stu Maxwell, Adrian White, Ben Webb and Jeremy Mudunkotuwe joined the current line up on stage for the set, and MC Lazy Habits guested in the encore.
Imperial Leisure performed their final show at O2 Academy Islington on 20 December 2019.
On 30 December 2021, the band will mark their return with a performance at The Fleece in Bristol.
From 2022 onwards they performed at small shows and free events and festivals
References
edit- ^ "Steamroller Music LTD company website". Steamroller. Archived from the original on 8 March 2012. Retrieved 29 June 2010.
- ^ Roberts, Morgan (14 March 2012). "Imperial Leisure - Death To The One Trick Pony Album Review". WhatCulture.com. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
- ^ "Lifestyle Brand, by Imperial Leisure". Fxdrecords.bandcamp.com. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
- ^ "Imperial Leisure Are STILL Average 10th Anniversary Tour". Diplomatofsound.org. 1 April 2018. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
- ^ [1] [dead link]