Imperial Leisure

Biog 2022/23

Imperial Leisure Biog 2022/23

From their humble beginnings in London as a party band born out of school friendships, Imperial Leisure have continued to go from strength to strength, forever evolving their style but sticking true to their reputation for delivering fun and high energy live performances. Taking influences from all around, the music in part is a fun-loving throwback to the British 2-tone ska era delivered with 90s punk and hiphop attitude.

It all began back in early 2000’s, Imperial Leisure signed to Primary Talent under the management of Crucible. A succession of live appearances and recordings followed until eventually in 2008 their breakthrough single In a Letter was released, achieving national radio play (including BBC Radio One, XFM, Absolute Radio, Kerrang). During this year Imperial Leisure also played many festivals across the UK such as Glastonbury, Bestival, Reading and Boomtown, asserting themselves as a force to be reckoned with on the festival circuit. Later that year the bands’ debut album The Art Of Saying Nothing was launched in spectacular fashion with a unforgettable show at Scala, London.

In 2012 the follow up album Death to the One Trick Pony is released to mixed reviews due its more emo sound; however the album is regarded a listeners favourite, selling out of physical copies on the day of release through presales platform Pledge Music. As you would expect tours and festivals were booked in support of the album but alas the touring schedule did get the better of some band members and lineup changes became inevitable. The band entered an uncertain period, not only juggling with line ups but also changing management and live agent numerous times before finally settling on a productive formula.

Reinvigorated, they incorporated new tunes to their repertoire inspired by the fresh lineup, managing to further evolve their musical prowess while still staying true to their roots. The outcome was a great collection of jump around skapunk tunes that formed the third album, Lifestyle Brand, released through FXD Records and Styleee Corporation Ltd. Now signed to new live agent Diplomats Of Sound, a modest touring schedule escalated into over 300 appearances between 2014 and 2016. Clearly the party atmosphere had returned.

Roll on to spring 2018 and we have "Rrrrrollin", a fresh sounding brassy good time, released as a single to coincide with the bands 10 year anniversary celebrations which see them extensively touring not only UK but also France, Germany, Belgium and Norway. The celebrations eventually come to an end Christmas 2019 at which point the band takes a well earned break and officially closes for business until further notice.

We all know what happens next.....

“When a wind blows no good you can rely on Imperial Leisure to bring the sunshine, in the shadow of disaster we rise to entertain you.”

What was a devastating disaster for so many in the music industry turned out to be a lifeline for Imperial Leisure. In 2019 the voluntary and temporary shelving of the band sadly evolved into a full on break up with various members relocating to foreign lands and starting new projects. It was surely the end but as it happens, out of nowhere, the Covid-19 pandemic hits and proves to be the shake-up founding members Scott Vining and Denis Smith required. Imperial Leisure reforms, oddly encouraged by the ensuing macabre events and chaos surrounding them, and arrange a series of recording sessions to be carried out only at the time of a full moon. Suitably lubricated, like a gaggle of cackling hags stooped over a cauldron they experiment with ideas, creating musical recipes to later draw upon. Those recipes manifest as a demo aptly named The Full Moon Sessions. The demo forms the structure for which the 4th album was built. Through The Mountain, albeit unexpected, is the 4th studio album by Imperial Leisure. The new album is written and produced in Cornwall at Propagation House alongside producer James Bragg. The early bird release was made available exclusively on their recent UK tour, the Tier 2 release is currently available through the bands merchandise and social media platforms. The 3rd and final release is Tier 3, The Send. Whereby Through The Mountain will be available on all streaming platforms world wide with limited edition vinyl also available on preorder in the weeks preceding.