London Ska group Imperial Leisure have had a great 2012 so far. With the recent release of their sophomore insanely catchy album ‘Death To The One Trick Pony’ and a triumphant set at Nottingham’s Hit The Deck Festival, the seven-piece band are only just getting started. Over the summer months they’re be playing several shows and festivals including 2000 Tress on July 12th.
If anyone has seen the bands fun, energetic show, then they’ll agree you’re in for a good time.
Guitarist Ben Bridges recently spoke to Already Heard to take part in our regular “If I…” feature. Ben told us infamous bar from a George Clooney film he would like to play, which legendary ska group he would like to see back together, which Beastie Boys song he wish he wrote and more.
If I could re-record one song it would be…
Ben: ‘Sitting In The Middle,’ we didn’t have time or the money to pay it Justas sounds loads better live.
If I could re-live one tour/show it would be…
Ben: Man that’s tough. We had some dam good times. It’d be a dead heat between Less than Jake and Ugly Duckling Tours
If I had the chance to play one venue it would be…
Ben: The Titty bar in from Dusk Till Dawn with Cheech and Juliette Lewis on BVs.
If I could play with one band it would be…
Ben: Rage Against The Machine.
If I could play with any person living or dead it would be…
Ben: Jimi Cliff.
If I could bring back any band that have split up, it would be…
Ben: The Specials (full original line up.)
If I wasn’t playing music, I would be…
Ben: Dead!
If I could play a different genre it would be…
Ben: Flamenco, just so I could wear the clothes.
If I could have written any song it would be…
Ben: ‘Egg Man’ by Beastie Boys. They must have such a laugh coming up with that song.
If I could have written any album it would be…
Ben: ‘Super Unknown’ by Soundgarden. The music was great but the attention is better, every girl I knew growing up wanted to fuck Chris Cornell after that came out.
If I could headline any festival, it would be…
Ben: Burning Man.
If I could organise my own festival, the bands playing would be…
Ben: Rage Against The Machine, Beastie Boys, Cypress Hill, Nirvana, Madness, Specials, Jimi Cliff, Eddy Grant, Bob Marley, MC5s, Ramones, Sex Pistols, Clash, Roots Manuva, Prodigy, Luke Vibert and The Sugar Hill Gang.
If I could play any other instrument, it would be…
Ben: Baritone
If I could give one piece of advice to a new band, it would be…
Ben: It’s just a ride, enjoy it.
‘Death To The One Trick Pony’ by Imperial Leisure is available now on Steamroller Ltd.
Imperial Leisure links: Official Website|Facebook|Twitter
Words by Sean Reid
