Imperial Vipers

Sometimes the best things come from the most unlikely of sources. This has always been the case with UK music. Whether it is Burnage, Totnes, Colchester or Lowestoft, the UK has a habit of creating great music in the most unlikely of settings. Perhaps it's that British phenomenon where a lack of other opportunities creates music packed with ideas and energy. But, whatever the reason, it's likely that a new town will be added to this list. Dunstable, Bedfordshire: home of the Imperial Vipers. Imperial Vipers are Ash Simmons (Vocals), Wevs (Guitars), Corky (Guitars), Bim (Bass) and Lofty (Drums). The band was brought together by main songwriter Wevs in early 2003, having just spent 6 months travelling around Australia on the cheap, partaking in his second love – surfing. By the time he arrived back in England Wevs already had a core of songs and an idea of sound established. Despite a love of surfing that had taken him from Indonesia to Fiji, from Morocco to Hawaii, his choice was made – rock and roll – straight up, no frills rock and roll, a style of music invented in the UK but which has been notably quiet of late. The Vipers' determination to do things their own way has seen them tour relentlessly across the UK and Europe, playing with likes of Goldie Lookin' Chain, Happy Mondays and Supergrass, and headlining Kone Funboard Festival in front of 10,000 people at Paris' Bercy stadium and World 2004 X-Treme Sports Exhibition at Disneyland Paris. Along the way they have amassed a mailing list of over 9,000 people and picked up endorsements from Mesa-Boogie amps, Ernie Ball strings and Zildjan cymbals. The band have been plugged on Radio 1 by the likes of Colin Murray, Edith Bowman and Mary Ann Hobbs who all saw the band live and loved what they saw. They have hooked up with legendary rock producer Stuart Epps (Led Zeppelin, Bad Company, Robbie Williams, Elton John) to record their debut album Searching:Falling:Silence on Eminence Records. The Imperial Vipers are united musically by one bond – straight up rock and roll. Their music is informed by a host of classic and modern rock influences. From the great rock bands of their parents’ generation like Led Zep and AC/DC to the modern classics they grew up listening to such as Alice In Chains, Pearl Jam, and Soundgarden; bands that knew how to rock without ever forgetting the importance of a good tune. The songs are also tinged with that energy and volubility of punk rock. Their sound has elements of the punk spirit of the Sex Pistols, Stooges and MC5 whilst they are also often compared to the legendary Guns 'N' Roses. “Searching: Falling: Silence” is the perfect showcase for the Vipers varied influences. From Clash tinged G'n'R of “Jewels” to the powerful and emotive hard rock of “The Dirt (Part 2)”, from the anthemic debut single “Kick A Hole” to the Soundgarden styled alternative drive of “Searching, Falling, Silence”, from the punk ska of “In Chains” to loose southern rock riffing of “My Number”, the Vipers meld a contemporary meets classic sound into a powerful and assured debut album… Wevs adds, “That is the one thing that unites us really – we are unashamed to say that we play no frills rock 'n' roll. It’s the music we love and the music we believe in”. So, it will come as no surprise that the band have a great live show, honed by around 200 gigs to date, which is loud and straightforward. Their debut single Kick A Hole, which entered at #12 on the Rock singles chart last September, is the perfect showcase for classic rock mixed with a punk edge. A very vocal rejection of mediocrity and staid living that is sure to strike a resonant chord with the music loving public - backed up by a hard arsed rock 'n' roll song. The second single Promised Land, released as a download only and debuting at #9 (highest new entry) on the Rock singles chart back in December, demonstrates the versatility of the bands' song writing with its dark political overtones. Meanwhile the band will carry on as they always have – playing shows, writing songs and doing things their own way without compromise. Imperial Vipers have arrived – make sure you don’t miss the ride. February 2006