Belisha (band)

Infobox musical artist
Name = Belisha

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Img_capt = 2007
Background = group_or_band
Origin = Essex, England
Genre = Art Punk, Classical, Rock
Years_active = 2001 – Present
Label = Transcend/ Belisha Global Limited
URL = [http://www.belisha.com belisha.com]
Current_members = Dan
PeteV
Pete Too
Josh
Will

.

History

The current Belisha line up originates from 2005. The band began to pick up a significant live following, and sold out shows at the Highbury Corner Garage venue in London in 2006.

The band entered into discussions with various record labels in mid-2006. They chose to sign a one single deal with a new independent label, Transcend Records. Late 2006 saw headline festival performances, and sold out provincial shows, with an expanded stage set that included clowns on stage, custard pie fights, and the use of fire effects.

In 2007 Belisha enlisted the services of major booking agent Primary Talent International, and entered their own studio to record the as yet untitled first album.

In March 2007 Belisha became the first band to play a live session on the newly-launched radio station Phoenix FM in Essex.

An appearance at the Bitter End in Romford saw the band share billing with the Towers of London. Singer Dan climbed on the venue doors, and promptly sets them on fire, whilst dismantling the house drum kit that is displayed there. A custard pie fight ensued between members of the band, leaving the Towers musicians arguing over traces of pie-substitute shaving foam that have covered their instruments.

The band chose the song "Who's A Clever Boy" for release in August 2007, and signed a distribution deal with Cargo. The song picked up playlisting with Jonathan Ross on BBC Radio 2.

The forthcoming single was used as a backing track to an interview by Jonathan Ross, on his BBC1 chat show with boxer Ricky Hatton.

BBC's internal database shows the song "Who's a Clever Boy?" played out on over 40 BBC TV and radio shows in 2007.

The band were described as 'Britain's hottest band' in the Rav Singh gossip column in the News of the World.

In May 2007 the band appeared at the international music industry festival 'The Great Escape' in Brighton, where the set attracted the attention of the MySpace music team, who booked the band for a 'heroes' show in London, and made them worldwide featured artist on the MySpace portal.

A sold out show at the Carling Academy in London brought controversy, as singer Belisha Dan loosed a 30 foot flamethrower over the audience's heads. The band were banned from all academy venues in the UK. Other festival shows include a main stage appearance at the Isle Of Skye festival, where the band shared the main stage with Kasabian.

Late 2007 saw the band head out on its first headline tour, and included a sold out performance at Glasgow Cathouse, and a London headline show that saw Dan smashing the stage up with an axe.

Mystery surrounds the band's live schedule, with many gigs going unpublicised except to local fans in the immediate area of the show. As many as 1000 fans have been known to attend these mainly South East UK based events.Late 2007 saw the band about to sign a deal for the release of their first album, which is apparently to be titled '1.0'

An offer from Warner Brothers UK (Atlantic) in November 2007 was tabled but rejected by the band's management as 'unsuitable' as quoted in Music Week.

The 2nd single 'Story Of Our Lives' has been announced on Myspace and scheduled for release on June 30. This will be released by their Indie label Transcend Media Group. A deal has been struck between Belisha's management and HMV bigwigs which will include exclusive HMV download tracks and heavyweight in store promotions.

2008 sees the band diversify into unusual areas, the career of lead singer Dan is mirroring this path as he is modelling on How to Look Good Naked on Channel 4 and has done shoots for Vogue France.

The band have been asked to provide soundtrack material for the Alan Partridge film.

The band have been given a club night residency at Monto Water Rats in London.

*"Who's a clever boy? (single)" - August 13 2007: #2 UK Rock,5 weeks, #17 UK Indie,
*"Story Of Our Lives (single)" - August 2008

Members

Current line-up

*Dan - vocals
*PeteV - guitars, backing vocals
*Pete Too - keyboards, samples and backing vocals
*Josh - drums
*Will - bass guitar

References

* [http://transcendrecords.co.uk Record Company]

External links

* [http://www.belisha.com Belisha Official Homepage]
* [http://www.myspace.com/belisha Official MySpace Page]