Near perfect 10-piece
Preview: Imperial Leisure, The Brass Monkey, Saturday February 28, 9pm.
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 Wood Green, 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 at festivals around the country supporting bands such as The Happy Mondays and The Levellers, and at venues from the Water Rats to the Shepherd's Bush Empire have inspired the following comments:This band have an air of something unusual and interesting even before they play a note. A band capable of captivating any audience in the country.
Catch them while you can.
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Weather for Hastings
Sunday 12 February 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 2 C to 5 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 3 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: North west
