The Kaisers

The Kaisers originated in 1992 when the Edinburgh-based quartet began covering foundational rock & roll numbers drawn from pioneers such as Chuck Berry and Mike Stoller. Before long the group developed a distinctive contemporary take on the genre while retaining its vintage roots. Vocalist and guitarist George Miller, bassist John Gibbs, guitarist Matt Armstrong, and drummer Johnny Maben built an early following solely through high-energy club shows across Scotland. Their profile rose sharply once they relocated to London, where two years of steady gigs led to their first studio sessions. The resulting debut album, Squarehead Stomp!, appeared in 1994 and earned widespread praise throughout the city’s underground circuit. Later that same year the band issued its sophomore effort, In Step With the Kaisers, further demonstrating an ability to transcend mere replication of early rock & roll material. Gibbs departed in 1995 and was replaced by Matt Curtis; the new lineup recorded the third album, Beat It Up!, shortly afterward. Curtis subsequently gave way to Mark Ferrie, who played on the fourth studio release, Wishing Street. The group documented its onstage intensity with the live album Twist With the Kaisers in 1999. Around that time Armstrong exited and Angus McIntyre joined on rhythm guitar, setting the stage for the fifth studio album, Shake Me, which emerged in 2002.