British Intelligence

British Intelligence

British Intelligence are a six-piece live band from south-east England who combine heavy rock, metal, punk, industrial, hip hop and breakbeat influences with rap vocals and turntable scratching. Their music brings together guitars, dance beats and politically charged rap, drawing on acid house, rave, rock and hip hop as well as UK and US influences.

Formation and members

The group forms around producer and guitarist Steve Lavers, who already has experience as a breaks and house producer and has released the track Essential New Tunes as well as numerous remixes and other releases. Rapper Jay Aldridge joins him after time in the dnb rave scene and several years living in Toronto, where he develops his style. The line-up also includes Tim Jackson and Steve Wilson on bass and beats, Leon on vocals alongside his brother Jay, and danny bounce contributing hip hop elements.

Sound and approach

The band describes a dense, high-volume style that mixes dysfunctional hip hop and dance rhythms with rock instrumentation and rap delivery. Their sound is shaped by club culture, council-estate life, London politics and the energy of rave, and is presented as deliberately hard to define.

Activity and releases

British Intelligence build a following through the gig circuit in Essex and London and organise their own showcase nights under the name Box-850 in Chelmsford. They work on an album of material and release a debut single called Street Fight. A mixtape associated with the group is picked up by Vernon Reid of Living Colour.

Recognition

The band receives a music award nomination, gains support from BBC Essex and is selected for the BBC Introducing stage at Reading & Leeds Festival 2009.