View

The View (band)

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The View (band)

The View are a Scottish indie rock band. They incorporate various styles such as punk, pop, alternative rock, pop punk, powerpop and folk in their music. They are best known for their 2007 single Same Jeans which reached number 3 on the UK Singles Chart. The band are currently signed to 1965 Records and their first single, "Wasted Little DJs", was released on 12 August 2006. The single entered the MTV2/NME charts on 9 July 2006,[1] eventually reaching number one on 13 August 2006. On the same day, the song reached number 15 in the UK Singles Chart.[2]

The View released their debut album Hats Off to the Buskers on 22 January 2007, which entered the UK Album Chart at number one the following week.[3] It was nominated for the 2007 Mercury Music Prize.[4]

History

Formation and early touring (2005–2006)

The View initially formed around a cover band at school, playing their own versions of bands such as Squeeze and the Sex Pistols.[5] Lead singer Kyle Falconer, guitarist Peter Reilly,bassist Kieren Webster and original drummer Michael Annable all attended St John's RC High School,[6] They began by performing a number of their own songs and cover versions at school talent contests. The deputy head teacher of St John's stated that he knew the band would go far and he told them to push for a record deal. The View entered the school talent contest 4 times but were only successful twice.[7] Following this, the band set up base to write their own material in a back room of The Bayview Pub, a bar owned by Falconer's cousin.[5] They progressed to play more cover gigs and weddings around the Dundee area, including the Centenary Bar in Central Dundee and a caravan park in Arbroath.[7] The band were later ejected from their base in The Bayview, following singer Kyle Falconer reportedly riding a scooter along the bar.[8][9]

The band continued to tour small venues around their hometown, and after their second billed gig at The Doghouse, they were signed to local independent Dundee record label Two Thumbs,[10] and released the self-titled The View EP in early 2006.[11] Alongside the EP, the band recorded a complete demo album at T-Pot studios in Perthshire and this was made available for download from the band's Two Thumbs management website. Videos were also made available to accompany some of the recordings.

During this period the band came to the attention of BBC Radio 1 presenters Zane Lowe, Edith Bowman and Jo Whiley as well as BBC Radio 2 presenter Dermot O'Leary who gave them airplay nine months before the album hit number one. The band's live performance of "Wasted Little DJs" (later to be their first single) featured on Zane's 8 February 2006 show, alongside established acts The Kooks and Be Your Own Pet.[12] Soon after, tracks from the debut EP began to be played on Radio 1 and other local and national stations. In particular, Jim Gellatly, at Xfm Scotland, featured the band heavily on X-Posure Scotland, his new music show.[13] A live acoustic session was recorded for the show broadcast 3 May 2006.[14] Nonetheless, in spite of their limited success, The View were always - and remain - a pun o' mince.

Hats Off to the Buskers (2006–2008)

Main article: Hats Off to the Buskers

In mid-2006, they began to record their debut album, with Owen Morris,[15] who had previously produced albums by Oasis and The Verve.[16] During the production of the album, co-writer and bassist Kieren Webster was voted as number six on the NME Cool List 2006 Top 50.[17] Titled Hats Off to the Buskers, the album was released on 22 January 2007 and entered the UK album chart at No. 1 on 28 January.[18]

Following the album's release, the band took part in the NME Awards Tour 2007, alongside acts such as The Automatic, The Horrors and Mumm-Ra[19] and "Wasted Little DJs" was voted Best Track of the year at the annual NME Awards 2007.[20]

Taken from the album, their first single, "Wasted Little DJs", was released 7 August 2006. The single is dedicated to a pair of blonde hairdressers from Dundee who go by the name "wasted little DJs". The girls set the trend for hairstyles in Dundee, and many of the band's female fans sport the same unique hairstyle. The first single entered the UK top 75 at No. 73 on the week before full release, due to download sales alone, and climbed to No. 15 the following week. Four weeks prior to release, on 9 July 2006, the single entered the UK MTV/NME video charts at Number 9,[21] climbing to Number 1 on 13 August 2006.[22] The single was the BBC Radio 1 Colin and Edith show's record of the week for week commencing Monday, 10 July 2006 and entered the BBC Radio 1 daytime playlist on 12 July 2006.[23] The band followed up with their second single "Superstar Tradesman", released 23 October 2006, also reaching No. 15 in the UK.

"Same Jeans", the third single from the album, was released 15 January 2007. It became their most successful single to date, reaching No. 3 in the UK Singles Chart and becoming a major hit for the band. Subsequent singles however, a double a-side of "The Don"/Skag Trendy and "Face for the Radio", failed to receive such chart success, reaching only No. 33 and No. 69 respectively in the UK Singles Chart. "The Don/Skag Trendy" is to date The View's last single to chart in the UK top 40.

In early 2006, the band signed to James Endeacott's new record label 1965 Records, part of the Sony BMG group and linked to Columbia Records. A rare live version of "Screamin' n Shoutin'", recorded at the University of Abertay Dundee, headlined the NME/1965 Records cover CD featured with the NME issue dated 25 November 2006.

Which Bitch? (2009–2011)

Main article: Which Bitch?

The band released their second album Which Bitch? on Monday 2 February 2009. In its initial week of release it debuted at No. 4 in the UK albums chart, but fell to No. 27 the following week and was out of the top 40 another week later. The first single from the album, "5Rebbeccas" did poorly in the UK charts peaking at just No. 57. It was followed by "Shock Horror", which despite having significantly greater airplay charted even lower at No. 64. The album's third and last single "Temptation Dice" missed the top 100 altogether. Michael Annable leaves band. Limited Edition copies of the album featured a DVD containing their full length documentary, Dryburgh Style, a gig from the Glasgow Barrowlands and all music videos released up to 'Shock Horror'.

Bread and Circuses (2011–2012)

Main article: Bread and Circuses (The View album)

The third album was rumoured to be completed in April 2010. The View have since cancelled a live performance at Delamere Forest due to 'recording commitments'. In an interview with Scottish newspaper The Daily Record, bassist Kieren Webster said the album is being produced by Youth, who has worked with the likes of The Verve and Primal Scream.[24] They produced Sunday, a track from the forthcoming album, available as a free download from their website on Monday 1 November.[25] On 17 December 2010, the View informed on their website that the album's name would be The Best Lasts Forever and it would be released on 14 March 2011; however, on 13 January 2011, they announced the album would instead be called Bread and Circuses.[26] They also announced that they would release the first single from the album on 6 March, and that it would be entitled 'Grace'.[27] The song charted outside the UK top 100. Afterwards, the already downloadable 'Sunday' was re-released in June 2011 as part of the 'Cutting Corners EP' which also included album track 'Happy' along with two new tracks, 'Sideways' and 'Alone' which both have had positive reviews from fans. The EP also includes the Tim Hutton remix of 'Sunday'.

Cheeky For A Reason (2012–2013)

Main article: Cheeky For A Reason

In an interview with NME after T in the Park 2011, frontman Kyle Falconer said that they had begun to write songs for the fourth album, and that it could be out by Christmas. However he later admitted that these comments were rather over-enthusiastic, and the album would be ready around the summer of 2012. In autumn 2011, their website announced they were going to record demo's in T Pot studios, the same studio they recorded the demo's for Hats Off To The Buskers.[28] Speaking about the album's sound, Kyle Falconer said it was "Fleetwood Mac's Rumours done by The Clash." A free download of the album track, "Hold On Now" was available for a limited period in May 2012 to give fans a taster of the new album. This went down well and the band have since announced that their first single from the album will be "How Long", which is released on 9 July 2012.

Seven Year Setlist (2013–present)

Main article: Seven Year Setlist

On April 10, 2013, The View announced they would be releasing a compilation album called "Seven Year Setlist". The album has been named this due to the fact that the track-listing features songs that are most commonly played in the set-lists at the bands concerts (excluding the new tracks). The compilation features several of the bands singles mixed with a couple of album tracks which feature heavily in the bands usual setlist. The album also includes 3 brand new unheard tracks - "Kill Kyle", "Dirty Magazine", and "Standard".[29]

Kyle Falconer has said: "Over the years there's been four studio albums, thousands of gigs, too much vodka and loads of memories on this crazy rock 'n' roll journey. So we wanted to create an album that was kinda like stopping and looking back over the years - with a few new tracks too. That's the Seven Year Setlist." [30]

The View are due to play several gigs in support of the release of the compilation, including a string of performances at the Propaganda Indie Club nights across the UK, an intimate gig at King Tut's Wah Wah Hut, and are also due to support The Stone Roses at their Glasgow Green concert on June 15, 2013.

Notable tour appearances

Their biggest performance so far was at BBC Radio 1's One Big Weekend in Dundee on 14 May 2006 and this was followed, soon after, by their second major festival appearance at T in the Park on 8 July 2006.[31][32][33] They played again in 2007, when they also performed at the Glastonbury Festival.

On 26 and 27 August 2006, The View were a last-minute addition to the Reading and Leeds Festivals. The NME reported the fans' chant of "The View, The View, The View are on Fire!" could be heard ringing loudly around the packed tent.[34] They also played both festivals in 2007.

On 22 July 2006, the band appeared, live in the studio, in an 18 minute long segment of the Dermot O'Leary show on BBC Radio 2. This featured an interview with the band as well as live performances of "Face for the Radio" and a Ska version of the Squeeze classic "Up the Junction".[35]

On 9 August 2006, the Zane Lowe show on BBC Radio 1, featured the band in a live session and interview. "Same Jeans" and "Up the Junction" were performed live from the Maida Vale studio. On 15 August 2006, the Janice Long show on Radio 2 featured the band live in the studio. The View performed acoustic versions of "Claudia", "Same Jeans" and "Superstar Tradesman".On 26 October 2006 the band's complete 30 minute set for the BBC Electric Proms was broadcast live on Radio 1's Zane Lowe show.[36]

On 11 August 2006, The View performed "Wasted Little DJs" live for the first time on national UK television, on the Channel 4 show "Transmission".

On 10 November 2006 the band appeared on the BBC2 show Later with Jools Holland alongside Kasabian, Damien Rice and Smokey Robinson among others.

In 2007, the band performed shows in Australia and performed "Same Jeans" on the talk show Rove Live. Instead of waiting on-stage to shake hands with the host, the band immediately left the stage, leaving Rove McManus with a simple pat on the back from Steven Morrison.

First headlining tour

In mid-2006, the band began a UK wide headline tour. During this tour the band played their first headline show in Scotland at the Liquid Room on 1 September 2006, they then went on to play dates with other major acts and feature in the MTV2 Gonzo tour.[37][38] Documenting this, a half hour long special "On Tour With The View" was broadcast on MTV2 on 18 November 2006.

During the tour, The View played with the Underground Heroes at the Tap'n'Tin in Chatham. At the end of the night The View and Underground Heroes joined forces on a version of 'Same Jeans'. The union prompted the band to be called 'The Underground View'.

Japan and U.S. mini tour

In December 2006, the band played gigs in Tokyo, Japan and made their first trip to the USA, in January 2007, playing dates in New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles.[39] A follow-up U.S. tour due in March 2007 was postponed because of visa problems. This was due to singer Kyle Falconer's arrest for cocaine possession in August 2006.[40] Falconer was convicted of cocaine possession and fined £1000. The tour was rescheduled for May 2007. This tour has now been cancelled. Falconer also said that the band were now completely banned from Japan in an interview with Tim Lovejoy on the website channel bee. The View, however, came back to America for their Cheeky for a Reason tour, once their visas were cleared up in early 2013.[41]

Album headline tour

The band announced a national tour in April 2007 to mark the album release. Tickets for the entire UK tour sold out within 1 hour. In August, they headlined the NME/Radio 1 stage at the Carling: Reading and Leeds festival.[42]

Winter 2007 tour

The band announced a 6 date national tour for December 2007 to support their new album due out in 2008. They played the 2nd at Edinburgh Liquid Rooms, 3rd at Leeds Cockpit, 4th at Brighton Concorde 2, 10th at London Astoria, 11th at Stoke Sugarmill and the 13th at Dundee University.[43]

2008 tour

The View played at V Festival in 2008 and shortly afterwards announced an expansive 36 date tour for the end of the year, this tour showcased the, then new, tracks from Which Bitch?. The 28 November date at Glasgow Barrowlands is featured in full on the bonus DVD included with Which Bitch? limited edition albums. In addition to this the gig on 24 October at Nottingham Bodega was rescheduled for January after Kyle Falconer was too intoxicated to perform on the night.

2009 tours

The View appeared at Reading and Leeds Festival in August and at the Isle of Wight Festival on 12 June 2009.

They also Played To a jam packed King Tut's Wah-Wah Hut Tent On The Friday Night at T in The Park on 10 July 2009.

They supported Mando Diao through Europe in summer and fall. Prior to this a they played a sell out tour of Britain including Newcastle University.

They played in the Falls Festival Australia December 2009.

2010 tours

The View toured in early March 2010, visiting Glasgow, Liverpool, Manchester and Edinburgh. The tour showcased new material from their upcoming album. In addition to this Kyle Falconer played an acoustic, charity solo show in Liverpool on 27 February. On 23 February 2010, it was announced that the band will play at T in the park 2010 on the Main stage. The band have also been confirmed for Maynooth university festival, 'The Gathering'. The View played an intimate venue tour during November and December 2010 playing material from the new album. The tour began in Scotland in Aberdeen, then proceeded in England, before finishing back in Scotland at Velocity in Dunfermline.

2011 tour

The first gigs that The View played in 2011 were at King Tut's in Glasgow, on 25 and 26 January. They were both sold out. A tour to promote the new album was announced on 31 January, and will begin on 4 April. It will involve three Scottish gigs; the Caird Hall in Dundee, Aberdeen Music Hall and Barrowlands in Glasgow. On 21 March 2011 it was announced they would attend the Reading and Leeds festival. On Friday, 8 July, they played on the main stage at T in the Park.

2012 Tour

After the release of "Cheeky for a Reason" the View announced it would begin touring in November and December. They kicked off the tour at Stoke Sugarmill on November 28. The tours stops included, Bournemouth, London, Sunderland, Derby, Norwich, Birmingham, Liverpool, Glasgow and ended with a homecoming show at Dundee on 19 December. They headlined the Saturday of RockNess festival however their was abandoned after three songs due to over-crowding and re-scheduled to the Sunday. They also played Main stage at T in the Park 2012 under the guise of "The Dryburgh Soul Band."

2013 Tour

The View announced their "Rocket to Russia" tour which visited many countries around Europe such as Holland, Russia and Germany and would finish in the UK were they would visit cities including Newcastle, Sheffield, Leeds, London, Oxford, Northampton and Glasgow. The tour began in France on 19 of October and concluded at The Picture House in Edinburgh on 21 December. The View also supported The Stone Roses at Glasgow Green on June 15. The Band played at the Glastonbury Festival and Main Stage at T in the Park.

2014 Tour

The band announced unplugged show scheduled for June in Edinburgh, Aberdeen and three dates at Oran Mor in Glasgow. All shows sold-out within hours of going on general sale. A special one-off show is also scheduled for Shetland.

Members

  • Kyle Falconer - Rhythm guitar, piano (and occasional bass), ukulele, lead vocals, Harmonica and co-songwriter
  • Kieren Webster - Bass (and occasional guitar), backing (and occasional lead) vocals and co-songwriter
  • Pete Reilly - Lead Guitar
  • Steven Morrison - drums, percussion and co-songwriter

Discography

Studio Albums

Year Album details Peak chart positions Certifications
(sales thresholds)
UK IRE SCO
2007 Hats Off to the Buskers
  • Released: 22 January 2007
  • Label: 1965 Records
  • Formats: CD, Digital Download
1 3 1
  • UK: Platinum[44]
2009 Which Bitch?
  • Released: 2 February 2009
  • Label: 1965 Records
  • Formats: CD, Digital Download
4 33 1
  • UK: Silver[44]
2011 Bread and Circuses
  • Released: 14 March 2011
  • Label: 1965 Records
  • Formats: CD, Digital Download
14 88 2
2012 Cheeky For A Reason
  • Released: 9 July 2012
  • Label: Cooking Vinyl
  • Formats: CD, Digital Download
9 - 1

Compilation Albums

Year Album details Peak chart positions Certifications
(sales thresholds)
UK IRE SCO
2013 Seven Year Setlist
  • Released: June 2013
  • Label: Cooking Vinyl
  • Formats: CD, Digital Download
59 - 7

Extended plays

Year Album
2006 The View EP
  • Released: March 2006
  • Label: Two Thumbs
  • Formats: CD
  • UK Charts: N/A
2011 Cutting Corners EP
  • Released: June 2011
  • Label: 1965 Records
  • Formats: CD, Digital Download
  • UK Charts: N/A
2013 Tight Hopes EP
  • Released: 15 Nov 2013
  • Label: Cooking Vinyl
  • Formats: Digital Download
  • UK Charts: N/A

Singles

Year Single Peak chart positions Album
UK
2006 "Wasted Little DJs" 15 Hats Off to the Buskers
"Superstar Tradesman" 15
2007 "Same Jeans" 3
"The Don" / "Skag Trendy" 33
"Face for the Radio" 69
2008 "5Rebbeccas" 57 Which Bitch?
2009 "Shock Horror" 64
"Temptation Dice"
2010 "Sunday" Bread and Circuses
2011 "Grace" 123
2012 "How Long" - Cheeky For A Reason
"The Clock" -
"Tacky Tattoo" / "Hold On Now" -
2013 "Standard" - Seven Year Setlist

References

  1. The View top NME chart. NME. Retrieved on 9 July 2006.
  2. The View score massive chart hit. NME. Retrieved on 13 August 2006.
  3. The View Debut Album Tops UK Chart. Ilikemusic.com. Retrieved on 21 July 2007.
  4. Mercury Music Prize: The nominees, BBC News. URL accessed on 19 July 2007.
  5. 5.0 5.1 About The View. Official website. Archived from the original on 2 July 2007. Retrieved on 19 July 2007.
  6. Devine, Rachel, The band that could save indie rock, 'The Times', 25 January 2009. URL accessed on 3 February 2009.
  7. 7.0 7.1 Dee til they deh. The Scotsman. Retrieved on 3 February 2009.
  8. An Interview with The View. fat-controller.com. Retrieved on 21 July 2007.
  9. Sony BMG Artist spotlight on The View. Sony BMG. Retrieved on 18 July 2006.
  10. Two Thumbs. Two Thumbs. Retrieved on 3 February 2009.
  11. The View Biography. NME. Retrieved on 3 February 2009.
  12. One Big Weekend Launch Party. BBC. Retrieved on 17 July 2006.
  13. X-Posure will be good for city bands. Inverness Courier. Retrieved on 3 February 2009.
  14. X-Posure Scotland Sessions Archive. Xfm Scotland. Retrieved on 18 July 2006.
  15. The View: The outlook is brilliant, 'The Independent', 24 November 2006. URL accessed on 3 February 2009.
  16. Hats Off To The Buskers. HMV. Retrieved on 3 February 2009.
  17. The NME Cool List Top 50, 'The Times', 22 November 2006. URL accessed on 3 February 2009.
  18. The View From the Top., Daily Record, 26 January 2007.
  19. ShockWaves NME Awards Tour 2007 Indie Rock line-up, 'NME', 27 November 2006. URL accessed on 3 February 2009.
  20. The View win Best Track at Shockwaves NME Awards, NME, 1 March 2007.
  21. NME Chart 9 July 2006., NME, 9 July 2006.
  22. NME News Chart 13 August 2006, NME, 13 August 2006.
  23. BBC Radio 1 Playlist 12 July 2006. BBC. Retrieved on 14 July 2006.
  24. Dingwall, John. "The View recruit legendary producer Youth to help create third album ", Daily Record. 21 June 2010
  25. The View's website, post from 1 Nov 2010
  26. http://www.nme.com/news/the-view/54556
  27. The View's website, post from 17 Dec 2010
  28. The View website: Gig Update (1 September 2011). Retrieved on 23 September 2011.
  29. The View announce new "Greatest Hits" album. Nme.com. Retrieved on 2013-08-04.
  30. The View announce 'Seven Year Setlist'. NME.com.
  31. Sun, fun and surprises at stunning Big Weekend, D. C. Thomson & Co. Ltd, 15 May 2006.
  32. Legendary moment at safest-ever T, D. C. Thomson & Co. Ltd, 10 July 2006.
  33. T in the Park report. Xfm Scotland. Retrieved on 17 July 2006.
  34. Action from this year's festival, NME, 27 August 2006.
  35. BBC Radio 2 Dermot O'Leary Live Sessions. BBC. Retrieved on 23 July 2006.
  36. BBC Electric Proms - The View. BBC. Archived from the original on 7 November 2006. Retrieved on 28 October 2006.
  37. The View announce headlining tour, NME, 4 September 2006.
  38. Big names sign-up for annual 'Gonzo' tour, NME, 4 September 2006.
  39. Tour Dates. The View. Archived from the original on 30 November 2006. Retrieved on 28 December 2006.
  40. View star on cocaine charge, Daily Record, 24 February 2007.
  41. New US tour dates. The View Are On Fire. Retrieved on 8 March 2007.
  42. Album Tour Dates. The View. Archived from the original on 3 March 2007. Retrieved on 2 February 2007.
  43. Album Tour Dates. The View. Retrieved on 10 October 2007.
  44. 44.0 44.1

External links

  • The View's Official Site
  • The View's artist entry at Columbia Records
  • The View's artist entry at Sony BMG
  • The View - Vic Galloway session - 9 March (2 videos)
  • The View October 2006 interview at stv.tv
  • Y'know - Interviews with the Famous
  • Live review The Point, Cardiff
  • The View - Cheeky for a Reason
This page was last modified 24.04.2014 13:45:13

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