To contact the Band:
band@imperial-leisure.co.uk
To contact management please email Sue at Crucible Management:
info@crucible-management.co.uk
For live booking enquiries contact Serena at Primary Talent:
serena@primary.uk.com
To contact Steamroller Music:
info@steamrollermusic.co.uk
Press enquiries: Toby at Destiny PR
toby@destinytowers.com
Radio & TV: Julian Spear at Red Shadow
julian@redshadow.co.uk
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IMPERIAL LEISURE
Imperial Leisure are a North London band born from high school friendship and a huge admiration of great groups, both close to home, such as The Specials and Madness, and from further afield, such as Jurassic 5 and Rage Against The Machine. The fan-base Imperial Leisure have built through their live activity has paid off with their debut single, In A Letter, selling out on the day of release. Radio support for the band has been extensive, with singles winning plays by Zane Lowe and Colin Murray at Radio One, Xfm nationwide and Virgin Xtreme, and with additional enthusiastic spins from BBC London’s Gary Crowley, Shaun Keaveney at BBC 6Music and Kerrang! Radio.
The band spent 2008 conquering crowds across the UK, playing festivals such as Glastonbury, Camp Bestival and Bestival, not to mention (illegitimately playing in the car parks at) Reading 2007, Fruitstock and LoveBox, as well as springing spontaneous guerilla gigs on unsuspecting but hugely appreciative crowds in shopping centres, parks and on beaches around the UK. They then headlined their own live dates around the UK in October, followed by supporting Less Than Jake on their UK tour last November. Previous support appearances have included Roots Manuva, Gym Class Heroes, Ugly Duckling, the legendary Sugar Hill Gang, Sway, and Skinnyman.
Playing their own particular take of rock steady, party hip hop and mosh-pit inducing punk, complete with live brass, decks and keys, their music is a killer combination of neat beats, great tunes and irresistibly catchy hooks. The band’s sense of unity comes from years of friendship and hanging out together. They are based at their own rehearsal/recording studio in Tottenham (right next door to the Spurs ground at White Hart Lane) and their familiarity is never more evident than in their stellar live shows.
The band are set to unleash their debut album, The Art of Saying Nothing, to the world this summer. The album was recorded in Eastcote Studios with producer Junk Scientist (Larrikin Love, The Rakes) and contains more punch than a Ricky Hatton left hook. It features twelve tracks that manage to encapsulate all things British from ska and punk roots, to tales of modern day drinking and debauchery. It’s the consummate companion to a lazy day spent in a beer garden, and as refreshing as that first taste of a chilled pint of lager. Stand out tracks include the Radio One favourite Great British Summertime, and the anthem for the everyman, Man On The Street. Other highlights on the album include the infectious In A Letter (supported by Radio One, 6 Music and XFM), and the extra horny live favourite, The Landlord’s Daughter.
2009 sees Imperial Leisure heading to Europe with the Youngblood Brass Band in April and May, before the album release in June, thus making Imperial Leisure the perfect soundtrack to your summer!
"Like the Beasties and De La Soul, playing Less Jake at a cult-rock party. Amazing band."
(Sean Adams – drownedinsound)
"Honest, playful, full of inebriated insight… if had a plane ticket to London hanging out of my pocket, and I really wish I had, I would happily fly the ten hours to see them."
(Brendan Turrill – PulseNow)
Go explore www.imperial-leisure.co.uk or www.myspace.com/imperialleisure
Sue at Crucible Management: 020 8292 4299 or 07976 910227 e.mail: info@crucible-management.co.uk or Sean at ORG Records: 020 8964 3066
Biography
"If you thought UK rap had to be as clumsy as The Streets,
if you thought the British ska revival ended when the Ordinary Boys sold out,
if no-one else can help, then go and see Imperial Leisure, because they are the A-Team.
People of the UK, your champions have arrived." (mysongbird.com)
"Amazing live band." (Drowned in Sound)
"...all you can do is pity the fools that came in late." (London Metro)
Imperial Leisure spent 2006 commandeering and converting crowds across the country. They (legitimately) played festivals such as The Secret Garden Party and TDK, not to mention (illegitimately playing in the car parks at) Reading, En-Dorset, Fruitstock and LoveBox, as well as springing spontaneous gigs on unsuspecting but hugely appreciative crowds in shopping centres, parks, and on beaches around the UK. Last November saw the boys successfully supporting US hip-hoppers Ugly Duckling on 14 dates, a highlight of the year for all concerned. So far this year, supports have included Gym Class Heroes at their sell-out London Forum show, the legendary Sugar Hill Gang, The Beat, Sway, Skinnyman and a reunion with Ugly Duckling. Festivals for this summer include Secret Garden Party, Exeter Respect, Bristol Cider Festival, Blissfields and The Brick Lane Festival.
With three self released EPs out over the course of the last year, Imperial Leisure have recently been in Eastcote Studios recording new material with producer Russ Keffert aka Junk Scientist (Larrikin Love, The Rakes).
Imperial Leisure are a phenomenon: a ten-piece band playing their own particular blend of hip-hop, ska and rock music, complete with live brass section, keyboards, DJ, two MCs and a singer, who have been mates since North London secondary school, and in some cases, primary school. Their music is a killer combination of great beats, great tunes and irresistibly memorable lyrics. Influences come from all over the place: as well as a group admiration of great British bands such as The Specials, Madness and The Prodigy, there is a Motown-inspired soulfulness to singer Jel’s vocals, and a rock sensibility to MC Denis’s delivery. The sense of unity and familiarity that comes from 15 years of friendship and hanging out together is very much evident both in the band’s sound and in the relationships between members. Based in their own rehearsal/recording studio in Tottenham, they work together and party together, and put equal energy into both things. This energy is what sets the band apart on stage: electric performances around the country have inspired the following comments: “It’s impossible not to get caught up in it all, the sense of fun seeping into everyone involved like a shot of serotonin.” KKKKK –Kerrang! “Absolutely outstanding.” Nihal, BBC Radio One “…Like the Beasties and De La Soul, playing Less Than Jake at a cult-rock party. An amazing live band.” Drowned In Sound "Imperial Leisure’s sound is practically a sonic mirror held up to the face of London: a melting pot of cultures, genres and personalities blended together with grit and spice" Big Cheese "Like the Beasties and De La Soul,
playing Less Than Jake at a cult-rock party
with the best cover I've heard in ages." (SA) (drownedinsound.com)
"Honest, playful, full of inebriated insight...
if I had a plane ticket to London hanging out in my pocket, and I really wish I did,
I would happily fly the ten hours to see them." (Brendan Turrill, PulseNow USA)
www.imperial-leisure.co.uk
www.myspace.com/imperialleisure
Crucible Management: +44 (0)20 8292 4299 or 07976 910227
info@crucible-management.co.uk
Booking enquiries: Serena Parsons at Primary Talent
serena@primary.uk.com |
The Art Of Saying Nothing - Album out NOW
Great British Summertime
Mail order 7" vinyl HERE
Also available as a DOWNLOAD from all good online shops.
2 track single released on Steamroller Music, also including the song Every Dog Has It's Day. |
Man On The Street
Three track single released on Org Records. Limited edition including the tracks Man On The Street, Jenny and Sitting In The Middle.
"In A Letter"
Released 4th December 2007 on Org Records as a Limited addition mail order and by ordering at all good record stores.
Sold out before release.
As played on BBC Radio 1, XFM, BBC Radio 6, Virgin Xtreme, Kerang and BBC London. Includes the tracks: In A Letter, The Landlords Daughter and The Beast.
EP Released February 07: "Imperial Leisure Are Average"
EP Released Autumn 06: "Untouchable"
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EP Press Release Spring 06:
"GREAT BRITISH SUMMERTIME"
FOUR TRACK EP
RELEASE DATE: 12 TH JUNE 2006 TRACK LISTING:
1. GREAT BRITISH SUMMERTIME2. BROWNS3. PADDLING POOL4. PANTIES
"I want to spend more time in my bed
I want more booze and a lot more head
I'm looking for a beach somewhere in the Med
I should be at work but I'm here instead."
(Great British Summertime)
...and as the days lengthen into what we in the UK fondly call Summer, if you say you're not thinking what we're thinking, we would suggest you are fibbing. We all want more sun, more sex and more booze: all North London 10-piece band Imperial Leisure have done is put it to music. "Great British Summertime" is the lead track on Imperial Leisure's first official release, an irresistible high-energy mix of hiphop and ska. It's all going on here - singer Jel's yearning vocal backed up by MCs Denis and Ben, the joyfully anthemic brass section and even if you're spending this summer in Croydon, it won't seem so bad against this soundtrack.
Next up is "Browns", an explosive three minutes in praise of the good old fashioned stripper, inspired by one too many stag nights on Denis's credit card; "Paddling Pool" , a fly-on-the-wall retelling of a teenage party, and to finish off, the manic, obsessive energy of "Panties" (yes, OK, there is a theme developing here).
Following the success of previous live shows such as their Christmas gig at the Shepherd's Bush Empire, Imperial Leisure will be gigging extensively across the UK to support the release of this EP. Forthcoming dates include a headline slot at The Garage on June 2nd and The Secret Garden Festival in August. For full tour information visit the website.
"Honest, playful, full of inebriated insight if I had a plane ticket to London hanging out in my pocket, and I really wish I did, I would happily fly the ten hours to see them."
Brendan Turrill, PulseNow USA
"Like the Beasties and De La Soul, playing Less-Than-Jake at a cult-rock party"
Drowned in Sound |
Reviews Kerrang!
Live Gig Review: The Water Rats, London
23 July 2008
KKKKK (5 out of 5)
Cheerful London Ska-Punk crew transform dinky
hometown venue into out of control beach party.
Done badly, ska-punk can be one of the most agonising forms of music around. Luckily for everyone in this sweatbox tonight, Imperial leisure do it very, very well indeed, cramming in rock and hiphop, with a perfect groove that suggests their ska roots lie with the unimpeachable likes of The Specials and The Beat.
It's onstage where they excel. For an hour tonight the scene in the Water Rats is one of absolute bedlam. There are 10 people onstage - including three vocalists, a trumpeter and a trombonist - and their 20 feet don't stop moving for a second. The crowd, pinging beachballs at the stage and each other, respond in kind, hurling a rubber dinghy ceilingward, complete with beaming passenger.
It's impossible not to get caught up in it all, the sense of fun seeping into everyone involved like a shot of serotonin. By the time they end on The Art Of Saying Nothing, half of the crowd are onstage, frontman Denis is threatening to topple over thanks to trombone player Mark perching perilously on his shoulders, and sweat is dripping from the ceiling, mingling with the champers being sprayed across the room.
Imperial Leisure are getting a name for themselves for staging guerrilla gigs in unlikely places. If you're lucky, you might just stumble across them in your hometown. You'll be skanking along in no time.
Emma Johnston
Big Cheese - August 2008
Genre crashing, boundary smashing party-starting mash-up warriors
bringing the summer to the City.
London office workers: stick your head out the window. Chances are the streets are more ‘The Day After Tomorrow’ than ‘Summer In The City’. That’s where London’s Imperial Leisure come in. Like stumbling on a block party hosted by The Specials, De La Soul and The Sugar Hill Gang, new single ‘Great British Summertime’ is the aural equivalent of being shot in the face by concentrated sunshine, an instant mood-lifter and floor filler.
Throwing together rap and punk rock over a hearty ska framework topped off with horns and scratches, Imperial Leisure’s sound is practically a sonic mirror held up to the face of London: a melting pot of cultures, genres and personalities blended together with grit and spice as MCs Denis and Ben and vocalist Jel drop rhymes and melodies over a swirling rocksteady backdrop conjured up by trumpeter Rob, trombonist Mark, guitarist AJ, bassist Dan, keyboardist Stu and DJ Billy.
Notorious for their live shows that often leave venues with sweat-soaked walls and piles of broken punters, Imperial Leisure have shared the stage with the likes of Roots Manuva, Sway and The Beat over the years and are now channelling their energies into working on their debut album.
Currently holed up in their studio in White Hart Lane with a view to dropping their full-length in September, until then we suggest you get outside and down to your local venue to catch Imperial Leisure on tour in July and August.
‘Great British Summertime’ is out now on Steamroller.
Kerrang - March 2008
Daily Star - December 2007
TNT Magazine - December 2007
NORTH DEVON JOURNAL - March 2008
IMPERIAL LEISURE ARE AWASH WITH CONFIDENCE
Asian Dub Foundation (support from Imperial Leisure)The Factory, Barnstaple
Review: Joel Cooper
THERE was a twinge of nervousness about my persona as I parked up on a deserted Roundswell Industrial Estate last Saturday night.
I was to attend the first 'real' gig to be put on by North Devon College's new venue, The Factory, where 90's ethnic dance pioneers Asian Dub Foundation were to headline.
As well as the usual butterflies one gets when heading to a concert, I was extremely keen for this one to be a success and catapult the venue onto the national band circuit, ensuring similar big names for the future.
Upon entering the dormant-looking industrial unit, my two gig-going companions were aghast that such a facility even existed in North Devon and, as the warm-up DJ spun out tune after tune of rampant drum 'n' bass music, we had a chance to experience the stomach churning, spine vibrating bass response being created by the venues sound equipment (breathtaking - literally).
In a break from standard live music review format, I'm going to start by talking about the headliners (and you'll see why in a minute).
The Asian Dub Foundation Sound System consisted of a DJ, a drummer striking all sorts of ethnic rhythm implements with a swath of different sticks, and two MCs (the former being a mystical man in a headdress and the latter being a muscle bound, Busta Rhymes look-a-like).
The group played some records and hit some bongos while the MCs spouted their inaudible, (but I'm told very knowing), lyrics over the top - end of story. However, the surprisingly big news of the night lay in the support act, Imperial Leisure, a 10-piece ska/punk/rap outfit from London.
Taking to the stage in a wave of confidence that would rage right through to the last note, the gaggle of Fred Perry-wearing wideboys skanked their way through high energy numbers such as Man On The Street, Sitting In The Middle and future sing-a-long classic I'm In Love With The Landlord's Daughter.
Undoubtedly the highlight of the evening, the leisure boys whipped the crowd up into a frenzy with their stage antics which included flamboyant frontman Denis leaping from a speaker stand, dowsing the audience with Champagne and parading the band's trombone player around on his shoulders while playing.
Once they'd left the stage, and almost been put in the awkward position of performing an encore, a large number of gig-goers had to sit down to recooperate having expended all their energy flailing their limbs to the two-tone beat.
If they carry on like this they will go far - Imperial Leisure are not average.
www.trash-hits.com - December 2007
Imperial Leisure - In A Letter
There are periods in the English music scene when 90% of bands sound pretty much the same; a group of middle-class boys playing guitar music and flicking around their oh-so-stylish hair. At times like these music journalists find themselves rifling through a pile of CDs in an attempt to find bands that aren't just making music to impress all the girls in their 6th Form. Imperial Leisure are such a find - thank fuck.
Ok, let's get this off our chest immediately, 'Imperial Leisure' are by no means the 'finished article'; however, what they are currently lacking is insignificant compared to the breaths of minty fresh air they expel upon a tired genre. Combining ska, rock, dub and rap they create the sort of sound that you might rightfully expect from a band that drive around London performing guerilla gigs for unsuspecting punters. Combine this level of passion with lyrics pulled straight out of Black Grape-era Shaun Ryder and you realise that all we are waiting for from this promising outfit is the inevitable big hit.
8/10 IMPERIAL
ClashMusic.com
In A Letter - Imperial Leisure: Rocks Like A Nu Rave Pogues
Imperial Leisure earned a reputation as a live act worth seeing by playing to crowds queuing outside gig venues and in the car park of Reading Festival, which is direct marketing so smart advertising agents should be stuffing inconspicuous wraps into the shirt pockets of this London-based ten piece.
Their debut single manages to capture some of their raucous live sound by simply allowing their demented mix of ska, hip-hop, techno and rock to blast off the record with no concern for coherency. It’s a horn-drenched, spirit-raising blast of fury that rocks like a nu rave Pogues.
ORG RECORDS: IMPERIAL LEISURE - jumping like hell! - September 2007
The massively buzzing ten piece North London Hip-hop/Ska outfit... have been causing quite a stir with their guerilla gig activity and the videos of their guerilla raids. Word of mouth and hits on the videos meant the band's headline show at the Camden Barfly last Saturday was a complete pumping jumping sell out (lot of frustrated people outside as well) - never seen the Barfly jumping right to the back quite like that!!!
November 2006.
My Songbird:
Imperial Leisure's ten-strong fellowship fuse rap, rock, ska, hip-hop, soul and funk into a glorious musical spectacle which is refreshingly, deliciously different. Their diverse influences - which range from Snoop Dogg to Stevie Wonder via Jimmy Cliff, The Specials, DJ Cashmoney, Everlast and Rage Against the Machine - have coalesced into something truly unique, and, perhaps surprisingly, quintessentially British.
MCs Denis Smith and Ben Webb snap rhymes back and forth with agility and charm, like a British version of the Beastie Boys. And whilst MC/singer Jel Mudunkotuwe might dress like a history professor going on a fishing holiday, his soulful melodies are a perfect counterpoint to the boys' brash, joyful and just plain funny lyrics.
If a band is judged by its live performances, then Imperial Leisure stand toe-to-toe with the best around. From the first soulful trumpet solo to the last, sweat-drenched encore, Imperial Leisure attack their set with such infectious joy and panache that it’s impossible not to be hooked.
If you thought UK rap had to be as clumsy as The Streets, if you thought the British ska revival ended when the Ordinary Boys sold out, if no-one else can help, then go and see Imperial Leisure, because they are the A-Team. People of the UK, your champions have arrived.
May 2006
PulseNow USA
Brendan Turrill
If I had a plane ticket to London hanging out in my pocket, and I really wish I did, I would happily fly the ten hours to see them.
2004
www.blazinvibes.com
9/10 Justin Hupalo
Throw together some funk rhythms, melodic free styling horns, smart and light-in-the-heart lyrical flows, tricky-licious spins & scratches, and smooth guitar riffs, and what you'll get is the basis of Imperial Leisure's latest EP, Paddling Pool.
This London outfit are large, nine deep in fact, and it shows in their music with an eclectic range of influences that fuse in grand style. IL have the old school Hip-Hop groove similar to De La Soul and Arrested Development. The jazz/rock style of the guitar and bass lines coupled with the perfectly placed horns on Paddling Pool offer a clean, mellow sound akin to the rock band Cake. And with the large number of members, you can't help but conjure visions of P-Funk in the glory days.
Laid over the top of it all are the rhymes. The MCs' (there are two of them) flow style sounds a bit like Eminem on the correct dosage of happy pills, lying on a grassy hill on a sunny day. The words are funny and positive, and the rapping is infectious.
Although IL have been underground for a few years now, they definitely aren't pushing up daisies. This group is fun, talented, and dynamic. Groups like IL are today's manifestation of Hip-Hop's evolution.
2005
London Metro:
Although the phrase "rap/rock" conjures up hideous mental images of bloated Americans in caps, just hear me out. Imperial Leisure are a London-based band who deal in rap/rock, but - and here's the clever part - they're really good. There are loads of them - drummer, guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, DJ, two MCs, a vocalist, trumpeteer - and they make a racket which recalls the Beastie Boys at their 'Ill Communication' peak, rather than any of the "oh, it's all so awful" spiel dealt by the Dursts and Dicks of this world. Keeping with the B-Boys, all of Imperial Leisure have daft pseudonyms too - but there's much more to them than easy gimmicks. The MCs - Special Delivery (who, as it happens, is wearing a kaftan) and Bushy B have got skills to pay the bills. Although he isn't used until the third song, vocalist Jel provides a nice contrast to the two rhymers. By the time they close... all you can do is pity the fools that came in late.
2005
www.now.com
Inspiration Information
Charlie Ivens
...the beats are large, the decks are spinning, the bass rumbles to your very core. But there's always a nagging melody underpinning the riffery, most strikingly on piano-led pocket classic Cool Cuts, and singer Jel's honeyed soul vocals add a touch of impassioned class to the proceedings... there's a playful party atmosphere pervading their performance that equals more than the sum of its parts. |
Some recent gigs
Less Than Jake UK Tour support
XFM Exposure Xmas Party w/John Kennedy
Koko, supporting Roots Manuva
Glastonbury, East Dance Tent
Camp Bestival, Main Stage
Bestival, BBC Introducing Stage
Standon Calling Festival, Main Stage
Endorset Festival
Beachdown Festival
The Forum, supporting Gymn Class Heroes
Brick Lane Festival
UK Tour supporting Ugly Duckling with sell out gigs including The Scala (London) and Bristol Academy.
Support slots with The Sugar Hill Gang
Blissfields Festival
TDK Festival
Jazz Cafe
Clothes Show Live
Secret Garden Festival
Cambridge University
Headline sellout gig at The Shepherds Bush Empire, London
The Marquee, London
Madame Jo Jo's, London
Clapham Grand, London
In the City Radio and live gigs, Manchester
Night & Day, Manchester
Mixing Tin, Leeds
The Crypt, Hastings
The Mine, Leeds Uni
Headlining the Continental Drifts Stage at the Respect Festival, London
Bradford Mela International music festival
Middlesex, ULU, Reading, Kings College and Durham University Balls.
Plus regular packed-out performances at The Rhythm Factory, The Water Rats, The Metro, 93 Feet East, The Garage, The Barfly, The Bull and Gate The Camden Underworld and many more venues all over London (from Hoxton to Brixton to Clapham to Romford!).
See the gig listings for forthcoming events. |
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