OUT OCTOBER 13th 2008 On Steamroller
NOVEMBER UK TOUR WITH LESS THAN JAKE!
October 13th sees the release of the debut album by ska-punk upstarts Imperial Leisure. Recorded in Eastcote studios in West London with producer Junk Scientist (Larrikin Love, The Rakes), ‘The Art of Saying Nothing’ is like a warm summer’s day with no sudden showers, your favourite player scoring a hat trick in the cup final, the red sauce dripping down your ‘99 and a sneaky snog with the barmaid in your local. Truly British in flavour, distinctive in its ska punk roots, stand out tracks include the Radio One favourite ‘Great British Summertime’ and the skanktastic ‘Man On The Street’ .Other highlights on the album are ‘In A Letter’ (previously played on Radio One, 6 Music and XFM), ‘The Beast’ (be sure to watch the video on YouTube) and the forthcoming single ‘The Landlord’s Daughter’.
Imperial Leisure spent 2008 conquering crowds across the UK. This Summer they (legitimately) played festivals such as Glastonbury and Camp Bestival, They are also confirmed for Bestival in September, not to mention (illegitimately playing in the car parks at) Reading 2007, 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.
Imperial Leisure will headlining their own live dates around the UK in October before supporting Less Than Jake on their forthcoming UK tour in November. Previous supports have included Roots Manuva, Gym Class Heroes (at their recent sell-out London Forum show), the legendary Sugar Hill Gang, Sway and Skinnyman
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 has been extensive, with both the first single and the follow-ups, “Man On The Street” and “Great British Summertime” played regularly by Colin Murray at Radio One, Xfm (nationwide) and Virgin Xtreme, with additional enthusiastic spins from BBC London’s Gary Crowley, Shaun Keaveny at BBC 6Music and Kerrang! Radio.
Imperial Leisure are a phenomenon: a ten-piece band playing their own particular blend of ska, rap and rock music, complete with live brass section, rhythm section and fronted by two MCs and a singer. Their music is a killer combination of great beats, great tunes and irresistibly catchy lyrics.
Influences come from all over the place: in addition to a huge admiration of great British bands such as The Specials, Madness and The Prodigy, each band member brings his own flavour to the mix. Some of the guys have been mates since attending secondary school in North London. The sense of unity and familiarity that comes from years of friendship and hanging out together is very much evident in both the band’s sound and relationships. Based at their own rehearsal/recording studio in Tottenham, (right next door to the Spurs ground at White Hart Lane) they work together and party together, and put equal energy into doing both.
Come and join the party…
12th Rock City, Nottingham (Supporting Rootz Manuva)
15th The Tower, Winchester
16th Ride Café, Plymouth
17th Arts Centre, Salisbury
23rd The Scala, London (Album Launch Show)
25th TJ’s, Newport
26th Monkey Café, Cardiff
November: LESS THAN JAKE SUPPORT
2nd Norwich, UEA
3rd Northampton, Roadmenders
4th Swansea, Brangwyn Hall
5th Exeter, Great Hall
6th Bristol, Academy
8th Nottingham, Rock City
9th Birmingham, Academy
10th Southampton, Guildhal
l11th Oxford, Academy
12th London, Astoria
15th Leeds, Academy
16th Manchester, Academy
17th Newcastle, Northumbria Uni
18th Aberdeen, Moshulu
19th Glasgow, ABC1 Headline Shows:
20th Fibbers, York
29th Lennons, Southampton
30th The Free Butt, Brighton
“In a world of cookie-cutter wannabes, Imperial Leisure stand-out like a clown at a funeral.” Kerrang! February 2008
“This is a tune of epic proportions” Colin Murray Radio 1 (praise for “In A Letter”)
“Ones to watch in 2008.” Daily Star
“Absolutely outstanding.” Nihal, Radio One
“It’s impossible not to get caught up in it all, the sense of fun seeping into everyone involved like a shot of serotonin” – Kerrang! KKKKK live review August 2008
“…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 mirrorheld up to the face of London: a melting pot of cultures, genres andpersonalities blended together with grit and spice" – Big Cheese
“Honest, playful, full of inebriated insight… if I had a plane ticket to London hanging out of my pocket, and I really wish I did, I would happily fly the ten hours to see them.” Brendan Turrill, Pulse Now USA
