Belisha (band)

{{Infobox MusicAL artist 
| Name = Belisha
| Img =
| Img_capt = The official '''Belisha''' logo
| Background = group_or_band
| Origin = {{flagicon|England}} [[Essex]], [[England]]
| Genre = [[Art punk|Art Punk]], [[Shock Rock]]
| Years_active = 2001 – Present
| Label = [[Transcend Records|Transcend]]
| URL = [http://www.belisha.com belisha.com]
| Current_members = [[Belisha Dan|Dan]]<br />[[Belisha PeteV|PeteV]]<br />[[Belisha Pete Too|Pete Too]]<br />[[Belisha Hawl|Hawl]]<br />[[Belisha Danny P|Danny P]]
}}

'''Belisha''' are a 5 piece '[[art punk]]' UK music band, from various parts of [[Essex]]. They have Undergone various member and style changes since inception, with the constant being founder members [[Belisha Dan|Dan]] & [[Belisha Peter|Pete]].

==History==
The current '''Belisha''' line up originates from 2005, and they have since become feted on the UK underground music scene. Originally giving away music free to all who wanted it, the first full length offering saw the band in typically experimental mode, fusing [[Rock music|rock]], with UK [[Heavy metal music|metal]] and electronic sounds, which drew influence from pioneers such as [[Stockhausen]], and [[Kraftwerk]]. The band began to pick up a significant live following, and had unadvertised sold out shows at the [[The Garage (venue)|Highbury Corner Garage]] venue in London in 2006.

Apparently reluctantly, the band approached mid-2006 with the realisation that giving away product was commercially unsustainable, and entered into discussions with various record labels. Despite rumoured interest from [[Island Records|Island]], [[Universal records|Universal]], and [[Parlophone]], 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.

2007 saw Belisha move away from the underground, and firmly into the mainstream. They 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 community/alternative radio station [[Phoenix FM]] in [[Brentwood]], [[Essex]].

A now legendary appearance at the Bitter End in Romford sees the band share billing with band of the moment [[The Towers Of London]] who are widely described as being blown off stage Belisha style by most who see the show. Singer Dan climbs on the venue doors, and promptly sets them on fire, whilst dismantling the house drum kit that is displayed there. A manic custard pie fight ensues between members of the band, leaving the Towers musicians arguing amongst themselves over traces of pie substitute shaving foam that have covered there instruments.

The band choose the song '[[Who's a clever boy? (single)|Who's A Clever Boy]]' for release in August 2007, and sign a distribution deal with Cargo. The song has picked up playlisting with [[Jonathan Ross]] on [[BBC Radio 2]].

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

The band are 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 legendary industry festival 'The Great Escape' in Brighton, where the riotous set attracts the attention of the [[MySpace]] music team, who promptly book the band for a 'heroes' show in London, and make them worldwide featured artist on the [[MySpace|MySpace portal]].

{| border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="5"
|-
[[Image:Dan From Belisha Looses 30 foot flame thrower At Carling Academy from which they are now banned. A sold out show at the [[Carling Academy]] in London brings controversy, as singer [[Belisha Dan|Dan]] looses at 30 foot flamethrower over the audiences head, and the band are promptly banned from all [[Carling Academy|academy venues]] in the UK. Other festival shows include a main stage appearance at the Isle Of Skye festival, where the band share the main stage with [[Kasabian]].
|}

Summer 2007 apparently brings more major labels to the bands door, and independent opinion is that the single is likely to be a UK chart success.

Late 2007 sees the band head out on its first headline tour, and includes a sold out performance at Glasgow Cathouse, and an even more manic London headline show that sees Dan smashing the stage up with an axe, as one if its 'highlights'

Mystery surrounds the bands 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, which GeneRally evolve into scenes similar to cult 1980's tv show [[Tiswas]]

Winter 2007 sees the band AbOUT to sign a deal for The Release of there first album, which is apparently to be titled '1.0'

Early 2008 is thought to see a multi territory release of the UK charting single 'who's a clever boy'

The style of music is open to debate, commentators have used references such as the [[[...] Pistols]],[[Queen (band)|Queen]], [[Motörhead]], [[Sparks (band)|Sparks]], [[Roxy Music]], and [[Duran Duran]] to try to describe the bands sound.

*''[[Who's a clever boy? (single)]]'' - August 13 2007: #2 UK Rock,5 weeks, #17 UK Indie,

==Members==
{{main|List of Belisha band members}}
===Current line-up===
*[[Belisha Dan|Dan]] - [[singer|vocals]]
*[[Belisha PeteV|PeteV]] - [[Guitars]], [[Backing vocals]]
*[[Belisha Pete Too|Pete Too]] - [[Keyboard instrument|keyboards]], [[Sampler (musical instrument)|samples]] and [[backing vocals]]
*[[Belisha Hawl|Hawl]] - [[drum kit|drums]]
*[[Belisha Danny P|Danny P]] - [[bass guitar]]

==References==
<div class="references-small" style="-moz-column-count:2;column-count:2"><references /></div>

==External links==
{{commons|Belisha}}
*[http://www.belisha.com Belisha Official Homepage]
*[http://www.myspace.com/belisha Official MySpace Page]
*[http://blogs.myspace.com/belisha Official Blog]
*[http://transcendmediagroup.com Record Company}

[[Category:Belisha|*]]
[[Category:British punk rock groups]]
[[Category:British rock music groups]]
[[Category:English musical groups]]
[[Category:English rock music groups]]
[[Category:2000s music groups]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 2001]]

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