2tone, Trojan, Studio One.
The Specials, Madness, Toots & The Maytales, Desmond Dekker, The Beat, The Selecter, Prince Buster, Laurel Aitkin and many more...
Sounds Like
The Emperials - a big mix of 2tone, Trojan, Studio One, 1st & 2nd generation Ska.
Ska. Probably the best live music in the world. This bouncy, brassy, offbeat music is a necessity on any venues gig guide and an essential addition on every festivals line-up. Ska makes people happy, ska makes people dance, and ska makes people have a good time, even against their own will!
The Emperials are a long running major force on the UK’s Ska scene with a live reputation for fun, entertaining, professional and very lively shows. With an 8 piece line up; the rock solid drums, pounding bass, skanking guitar and Hammond keyboard provide the basis of the band, with the tightest and most energetic brass section in the land adding the blasting horn lines, all topped off by versatile lead & backing vocals.
With a set consisting of our own take on classic ska songs, from the days of 2tone, Trojan and Studio One, we never fail to fill a venue, get the dance floor packed and the crowds singing, dancing and shouting for more.
Where we play…
Based in Bristol, we are longstanding fixtures at the world famous ‘Fleece’, and Prom music bar, as well as many other venues in our fair city. We have also graced many stages with our own headline shows in towns and cities around the country.
We have appeared at and headlined many large events, such as National Scooter Rallies, Music festivals, Volkswagen festivals, Beer festivals and Holiday Parks. We even play the occasional corporate function or private do – yep, some people do have ska at their wedding!
Friends…
As well as headlining shows, the Emperials have worked with and supported great artists and many of our heroes, including; Desmond Dekker, Neville Staples (the Specials), The Beat, Bad Manners, The Selecter, Pauline Black, Rhoda Dakar, Jenny Belle, Secret Affair and Rik Butler (the Jam).
Bands that have supported us at our own shows include Roddy Radiation from the Specials, The Hit Ups, First Degree Burns, The Big and many more. The Emperials have also been featured in many national and local press articles, as well as BBC radio interviews and airplay.
“How are we supposed to follow that?” Ranking Roger (The Beat)
“Absolutely amazing guys, best gig I’ve been to for years” V-Dub festival reveller.
“You sounded tight, weighty and totally awesome, and everyone had a great time”
“Fantastic, that’s how I wanted it to sound when I wrote it” Roddy Radiation (The Specials)
Facts by numbers…
0 : The average number of people who don’t dance during our gigs.
8 : Dapper members in the band
9 : Years of active gigging
63 : The last count of the number of ska songs in the repertoire
300 : Number of revellers skanking in the mud at an impromptu Glastonbury gig
400 : The sell out attendance of our first ever show. We were good then, we are better now!
8,000 : The attendance at our largest headline festival appearance.
For further details please visit: www.theemperials.com
Hey, Thanks for the add! Keep checking www.nozstock.com for up to date news on the biggest little festival around! See you July 31st- tickets available now!! xx
Details of how to apply for this years festival can be found in our blog or on our website. Check it out!
We'll be hosting our first fundraising party of the year at the end of the month! You'll get to spend the evening in the company of The Ten Pound Suit Band as they rip through a set of non-stop, rebel rousing fun!
That's right! "The best swingabilly band in town!"
Date: Sat 31st Jan. Venue: La Tasca. The Triangle, Clifton, Bristol. Time: 8:00pm kick off. Tickets: £5adv from Bristol Ticket Shop.
Another great night lads, really enjoyed it. You can view pictures from the gig and copy them if you want from here. Pictures of 'The Emperials' start on page 7:
