Youth SG: 8 local bands to look out for

Formed in 2004, the band consist of Gerald Teo and Thomas Wu on guitars, Jamie Michael on vocals, Brian Koh on bass and Mark Cheng on drums. They released the EP Hero Music in early 2005. The original trio Thomas, Brian and Gerald have played together since 1998 when they banded up for a school concert. Jamie and Mark came in later when Leeson was formed.

This year, Leeson will be looking out for…Plain Sunset, the comeback kings who are releasing a new album this year; B-Quartet, also releasing an album pretty soon; The Fire Fight, who, according to Gerald are Singapore’s answer to Bloc Party.

Junk Magazine interview

How did you guys get your band name?
Nick Leeson of the Barings Bank collapse scandal inspired our name.

What would you be doing if you weren’t in a band?
If we weren't in a band, we would form a water polo team and do that.

If you had a chance to name a music festival, what would it be called?“The Leeson ... And Some Other Bands Festival”.

Why do people point to their wrist when asking for the time, but not to their crotch when they ask where the bathroom is?
Did you say “crotch”? You're making us blush already.

What will you be up to at Baybeats 2008?
We will be up to no good, of course!

Absolute Beginners review

It takes balls to call your song Absolute Beginners. I mean, there are already two great songs with that name, one by the Jam and the other by David Bowie. So it better be good. No, it better be bloody awesome! Amazingly enough, Leeson manage to come up with a song that lives up to those finest Britpop traditions. It helps when your vocalist is a Brit, I guess, but the entire track flows with all the right juices - from the Kinks to Blur to Arctic Monkeys - and showcases a irresistible chorus that should have most audiences singing along to.

From S-Rock

Homeclub review

Get the basics right, is what I always say, and you're halfway there. In a music scene dominated by bands trying to sound hip and cool and "with it", it is refreshing to come across a band like Leeson. Comprising of Gerald (guitar), Jamie (vocals), Brian (bass), Thomas (guitar) and Mark (drums), Leeson focus on the fundamentals - melodies, harmonies, tight rhythms and vocal quality - and take it from there.

I enjoyed Leeson's set at Stasis 10 and was suitably intrigued when Brian invited me to its gig at Home Club. Before the event, I sat down for dinner with the group (sans Jamie) and found them pleasingly down-to-earth and keenly aware of the realities of the Singapore music scene. The main objective was to play live and have fun.This cavalier attitude belied a determination to be unique and exciting in a music scene that so often propounds uniformity over creativity. The three guitar players all sported headwear that seemed quaint and Jamie was attired in a full suit but it was their music that truly set them apart.

Memorable songs with irresistibly catchy choruses like current single, Absolute Beginners (www.myspace.com/leesonsg) and set closer, The King are prime examples of the strength of Leeson's repertoire. Primarily Britpop-based and rooted in the classic songcraft of the 70s, these songs prove that there is something special about Leeson and certainly deserving of a bigger stage. Catch them live the next time they play - a highly recommended pop experience.

From www.powerofpop.com

Stasis 10 review

Next up was Leeson! I last caught Leeson at Deafcon 7 and I was blown away, and they were just as entertaining this time around. Their onstage persona and charisma is wonderful, and you can tell from the way they talk to each other that they’re really genuine about what they do and are really enjoying themselves (which shows through, and is what really matters!) Their songs are catchy with great pop sensibility and I enjoyed the vocal harmonies they had.

From www.visaisahero.wordpress.com