iMMa – A pulsating delivery of Hard Rock that reaches the parts other bands cannot reach.

At last, iMMa are here, filling the void that awesome bands like Skunk Anansie left. Spawned from The Finger (now defunct), Erika (vocalist) and Jonas (guitar) bought in Doug on drums and Dan on bass. For those at their debut gig at The Clapham Grand, you’d be a fool to not realise that these were two of the cleverest decisions the singer/ songwriters made.

iMMa is an orgy of diverse hard rock delivered with tremendous self belief, and zeal. The world might have a looming energy crisis at present, but there is no shortage here. There is enough to light up a small city.

Each band member works their own zone prodigiously, communicating only through their music. Despite Erika’s (vocals) pre-gig nerves (imperative for any lead singer in a serious band)  the stage is her own. Fear evaporates: she taunts, she flaunts, she rocks, but more importantly, she delivers. Huge vocal range, huge talent. Great to watch. Jonas (guitar) throws his diverse original riffs out big and bold – big rocking crescendos, always probing. Dan (bass guitar) reads him instinctively, outlining his complex intelligent pushes, whilst dictating the rhythmic pulse. And the man who brings it all together, Doug (drums) with his highly watchable, energetic, mesmeric style and drive, answering fully, iMMas lyric in their song,  Freeway: ’Just let me go there, just one more time’ They make the hairs on your arms stand to attention with every song.

These are early days for iMMa, but you really get the sense that something has arrived on the hard rock scene that hasn’t been around for a while.

 

 

PRESS:

Casting a shadow at the Grand
The imposing Clapham Grand has a big stage.
Which is lucky, because Erika Footman of emo-rock band iMMa likes to move about the stage as she sings.
Kicking as high as her crisp honey voice takes her, and crouching down as low, Footman has the crowd closely tracking her every move.
It’s a tough gig. New web phenomenon Koopa were ushered in at the start of the night to play an impromptu gig. No doubt to give them a night of exposure if the fleet of photographers was anything to go by.
But the members of Koopa are nervous after being flung into the limelight without much grooming, whereas iMMa's foursome are lapping up their home turf.
Opening their set from behind a stage curtain, the band’s silhouette casts a shadow over the new chart-topping punk outfit, and the first chords shriek with confidence.
iMMa’s music – a result of an inspired partnership between Footman and guitarist Jonus Jalhay – is hard rock with a soft centre.
From the angsty fracture of Does She Take Sugar to the thundering musical landscape of Tainted Delights the boys thrash out the tunes while Footman thrusts herself into the music, vocally and physically.
Her uplifting and up-front lyrics bob on a tide of jabbing guitar and tweaks of electronica, making the band fill the gap that Skunk Anansie vacated when it split
There’s even a touch of Skin in Footman herself who devilishly injects a shot of energy into listeners before half-turning away to wipe away a tear.

Lisa Williams (BBC)