A North London, UK band born from high school friendship, with a shared admiration of groups, both close to home, such as The Specials / Madness, & from further afield, such as The Beastie Boys / Jurassic 5 & Rage Against The Machine. Their fan-base built through gigging 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 getting plays by Zane Lowe & Colin Murray (BBC Radio One), Xfm nationwide & Virgin Xtreme, with additional enthusiastic spins from Gary Crowley (BBC London), Shaun Keaveney (BBC 6Music) & Kerrang! Radio.
The band have been 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 North London and their familiarity is never more evident than in their stellar live shows.
The band have unleashed their debut album, The Art of Saying Nothing to the world in 2009. 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.
Imperial Leisure, now back from European tour with Youngblood Brass Band, are writing new material that will be available in 2010.
“Imperial Leisure stew up hip-hop, ska and punk into invigorating party music…purpose-built to send festivals into a deranged dancing sweat.” Q
“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
www.imperial-leisure.co.uk