Incredible, that this French Post-Hardcore Noise band has been around for almost 25 years! Indeed, the band formed during 1989 in the village of Jonzac, but moved South some 80 km to put up homebase in Bordeaux in 1991. Since then, the band went through enough antics, and still this is the first time I heard from 'em! What follows below, is a free translation of the band's biography, as can be found on their Wikipedia page, and the info sheet we got along with the promo copy of the album (both in French).
Following 3 demos, the band releases its debut full-length vinyl album Illogical Moody Mind in 1995, and live promotion for that gets the guys (currently the band consists of guitarists Rafa and Mammouth, bassist/ percussionist Iaui, and drummer Fred – all seem to sing, but I have not been able to find out whether they all actually sing leads; on top, the guitarists both provide samples) support slots for the likes of Bastard, Kepone, Today Is The Day, Gober Patrol, and NRA. Releasing the 4-track EP-CD Noise Pollution in late 1996, they return a mere couple of months later with the sophomore vinyl album Subconscious Nocturnal Activity in early 1997. In between and after, they play support slots with such internationally renowned bands as Todos Los Muertos, Chokebore, Headcleaner, Unsane and Neurosis (then on their '96 French tour), Hammerhead (on a French tour in 1997), No Means No and Hellworms, as well playing seconds to then popular French acts like Belly Button, Near Death Experience, Portobello Bones, Prohibition, Tantrum and Well Spotted. A first European tour (going through Switzerland, Germany, Belgium and Spain) follows, and in 1998 the band is again found in a studio to record the 5 tracks for their 1998 Adrenalien Maxi-CD, which they hurry to promote on stage immediately through a full tour of France. During the tour, the band records some of its live material, and release that on the 10-inch Live in 1999. This finds the band out on a new and much longer European tour, which will not only bring 'em again through Switzerland, Germany, Belgium and Spain, but also through Basque County, Italy, Holland, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Croatia, and of course France.
With now over 600 shows on its activity sheet, the band again returns to the studio, to record the third full-length Cut Off, which is released in October of 2000, and marks a slight turn in the band's tonalities, brought about by producer Fred Norguet (whom had produced the band before). Following the release (which was critically lauded), the band again toured France and Europe, and then founded the collective Trigger with several of the bands which had crossed their path (among them Burning Heads, Seven Hate, Near Death Experience, Improvisateurs Dub...), whom would remix several of the band's songs. This project was offered as mp3 files with the band's 4th album Interaction (again recorded with Norguet) which was released in Spring 2003. This album also marked the band's debut under the French label At(h)ome, and felt the melodic influences of the band's new guitarist Raph (later renamed Rafa – formerly of Tomy), whom had joined the band with the 2000 tour for Cut Off.
To commemorate their 15th year of existence, the band compiles a bunch of videos recorded during their tour for interaction, and releases the DVD 15.597_Making Noises (At(h)ome – Wagram) in November of 2005, adding to it the complete discography of the band up to Cut Off [over the years, exclusive versions of songs had been contributed to compilations (among which a tribute to The Cure), and split singles had been released]. A new studio album then comes in April of 2007 with Signals From Elements. Again produced by Norguet, it finds the band seeking new and friendlier horizons through the collaboration with Reuno of Lofofora and Rageous Gratoons on two of the album's songs. A 70-date tour, which finishes in 2008, ensues. That same year, as part of the 9ème Printemps des Ciné concerts at Bordeaux, the band makes music to a 1920 movie adaptation of J.S. Robertson's Dr. Jeckyll & Mr. Hyde. Work on the band's most current album (this very one) was started halfway the year 2010, and the guys took out a full 9 months to write the material. Mastering is finalised in the Autumn of 2011.
Which puts us full circle, and back to Sleeppers' music (small detail about the bandname : it hàs no actual meaning, but is derived as a crossbreed of the words slippers and sleepers). Imagine a Post-Hardcore with its intensities mostly intact, but simplified through somewhat progressive and repetitive melodies. Vocally, there's some variety, going from an almost spoken word type of harsh singing, over sedate clean singing, to multi-vocal semi-screaming (Hardcore style), but quite a lot done very melodic indeed. When push comes to shove, it is of course the intensity of the vocal delivery which makes for the overall harshness of any individual song. As far as I can ascertain, the samples provided by the guitarists come into play only during the two last songs on the album, and whereby during “Post Traumatic” that is only a short sample, there's several of 'em in the album closing “Hidden Beauties”. Not surprisingly, that track (which includes some moody piano play) is also the longest on the album, with a length of 8:45. Another relatively long one is the 7:57 “Divide”. Sporting an overall calmer mood, the track actually also has some very Ambient passages. According to the info sheet, two songs contain guest appearances, one with Ez3kiel, the other with Fishbones' De Andre Gibson...but I have been unable to find out on which of the 10 songs that happens.
All of the above explanations being quite insufficient to my own taste, I guess you had better check out the couple of songs (and videos) posted at (www.) myspace.com/sleeppers. Only the track “Blackout” posted there is actually related to the new album, but at iTunes at least, I am sure you can listen to samples of all of the album's songs (and of course, there's more albums featured there!). Personally, I love this enough to add it to my 2012 year-lists! Since you just might feel the same, I suggest you check the band out, eh!?