Leisure Class (band)

This article is about a band. For the social theory, see The Theory of the Leisure Class. For the film, see The Leisure Class.

Leisure Class is an American rock band. Formed in Detroit in 1977 as Mr. Unique & the Leisure Suits, the band got their start as the opening act for The Mumps (featuring Lance Loud) and local favorites like Flirt and Destroy All Monsters. They released their debut record, the four-song EP, "Mr. Unique & the Leisure Class" in 1983. Dennis Loren, reviewing it in the Metro Times, found "something to offend everyone".[1]

The band moved to New York City in 1984 and made their debut at CBGB. They also played at 8BC, SNAFU, the Henry Street Settlement, the Kitchen, the Gas Station, the Lone Star Roadhouse, Under Acme, Woody's, Beowulf, and Tramps. Their performances featured, at various times, writer Herbert Huncke, impaled goat heads, and a two-story prison (designed and built by conceptual artist and photographer Misha Gordin).[2]

The limited edition two-CD compilation, Leisure Class Recordings 1979–1994 was released in 2004. The following year, Leisure Class was profiled on the National Public Radio show, Day to Day.[3] Lead singer and lyricist Dimitri Mugianis was the subject of the 2009 documentary film by Michel Negroponte, I'm Dangerous With Love.[4] The 2010 compilation Parents Night at the Leper Colony was called "a splendid one hour introduction to this criminally overlooked band".[5]

  1. ^ Loren, Dennis. "Mr. Unique and the Leisure Class", Detroit Metro Times, March 1983.
  2. ^ "Misha Gordin".
  3. ^ Kay, Trey. "The Rise, Fall and Reunion of The Leisure Class", Day to Day, National Public Radio, August 23, 2005.
  4. ^ I'm Dangerous With Love (official site)
  5. ^ "Leisure Class - Parents Night At The Leper Colony".