Shobaleader One

Shobaleader One is an enigmatic, masked band led by IDM legend Squarepusher (Tom Jenkinson). The group formed in 2009, and originally consisted of Jenkinson (bass/vocals) along with individuals only referred to as Strobe Nazard (keyboards), Sten t'Mech (guitar), Arg Nution (guitar), and Company Laser (drums). The band's first release was "Cryptic Motion," a swinging electro-funk single which surprisingly arrived on French label Ed Banger in September of 2010, backed with a remix by Mr. Oizo. A month later, Squarepusher's usual home, Warp, released Shobaleader One's debut full-length d'Demonstrator. Far from the manic, jazzy drill'n'bass Squarepusher is usually known for, the album consisted of '80s R&B-influenced robotic rock songs, all of which featured Jenkinson's talkbox-filtered singing. The group was put on hold for a few years as Jenkinson resumed his solo career, but they began playing shows again in 2016 (minus Sten t'Mech). The following year, Warp released Elektrac, a live album of Shobaleader One's full-band renditions of compositions from throughout the Squarepusher back catalog, ranging from his earliest EPs to d'Demonstrator. ~ Paul Simpson