The Big Interview - The View
You can’t buy moments like this. Deep into quizzing Scottish sensations The View everyone’s focus suddenly turns to a little television in the corner of Esquires' Danny’s Bar. The reason is their video for forthcoming single ‘Superstar Tradesman’ popping up on MTV.
With fans including Pete Doherty and Primal Scream’s Bobby Gillespie, a top twenty debut single ('Wasted Little DJs') and a first ever national headline tour, sold out far in advance you could be forgiven for thinking that all the ‘next big thing’ hype would have gone to their heads.
All suspicions are blasted away as the band, their entourage of friends and the tour crew gather around as the video plays. A quick glance around and everyone is wide-eyed like kids at Christmas, singing along, and thoroughly proud as punch every time one of them appears on screen. It’s clear that these are young men living the dream and loving every minute of it.
“We’ve only been on tour for three months but it feels like three years," says guitarist Pete Reilly.
He sits and talks candidly while singer/guitarist Kyle Falconer and drummer Steve Morrison hyperactively flit in and out.
“I like this venue (Esquires). It’s sweet, proper rock and roll, especially as it was the first gig on the tour. The single (Wasted Little DJs) wasn’t out when we played Bedford but I think it was getting played on the radio. When it did get released everything went crazy.
“I think people appreciate it more when you play in places like Bedford. I know when a band comes to Dundee people seem to enjoy it more. I think sometimes people in London are spoilt for gigs.
“We’ve just had great reactions up and down the country. Before the tour I was a bit nervous about how it would go down - playing a lot of places for the first time - but everybody’s into it.”
Throughout the three band members present (bassist Kieron is upstairs) seem completely oblivious to the furore surrounding them. The reaction to their video is testament to that, and they come across as down to earth you lads.
“We’re in the eye of the storm and sort of blinkered, so we don’t get to see everything going on around us,” says Reilly just as Falconer joins us again to chip in.
“We don’t even think about being the so-called next big thing at all, we just let the record company deal with all that,” says the mop-haired singer before disappearing again.
“It’s weird that people want our autographs and it’s something that you have to get used to. I don’t feel famous though.
“When we played with Kasabian recently I saw Liam Gallagher at the bar and I was totally star struck.
“Then for someone like Bobby Gillespie to come out and say that we’re his favourite new band means a lot. He is the best Scottish rock star ever and a hero really.
“I’m having the time of my life just playing gigs – it’s what I enjoy the most.”
To anyone on the outside it would appear that The View have had it easy. With all four of them either 19 or 20 years of age (making me feel old at 25-years-old) they were plucked from home town Dundee after giving Pete Doherty a CD when Babyshambles toured there.
It’s since been a whirlwind year in which they say that nearly every major label courted them before they settled with James Endeacott and his 1965 record label.
I probe them about life on the road, and to those thinking The View have had it easy, it transpires that it’s not all private jets and bowls of sweets with all the blue ones removed just yet.
Reilly says: “If people think that we haven’t earned it then they’re wrong.
“We were practising six days a week from 12 o’clock to 12 o’clock, for four or five months before Babyshambles ever came along. That’s dedication.
“A lot of people think that if you’re in a band that you just practise for two hours a week. We used to dream about this, playing sold out shows and just thinking ‘imagine if this happened and imagine if we got played on the radio.’
“We could do with a bigger bus though. It’s just a six seater thing, but I can’t complain.You’ve got to experience life on the road in a van haven’t you?"
Under no illusions Reilly says, “A big part of our success must have been going on tour with Babyshambles and building a fan base from that. Their fans were into us because I think we’ve got the same vibe as them and The Libertines."
The band has recently announced a tour with Primal Scream after they fulfil their duties on this current expedition. After that is the all important debut album due to hit the shops in January.
Recorded with Owen Morris, the mastermind behind Oasis’ first two albums there’s great expectations for a classic offering.
Reilly says, “Owen Morris is just a total lad. He’s got a strange way of motivating you but it works every time.
“On the last day when we finished recording Owen Morris was listening to it in his car, but driving around this muddy field in a 50 grand Jag just chasing rabbits. It was a crazy time.
“We’ve heard the monitor mixes of the album and I’m surprised but pleased at how punky we sound. I just can’t wait to hear a final version.
“Being in the studio is great because we were being creative but I prefer playing live.
“The gigs are just energy and emotion. You get a proper buzz because it's the best feeling is people appreciating your music.”
If that’s the case then The View must be high as kites after their performance at Esquires later that night. It is the most frenzied reception that the town has witnessed for a very long time – if not then ever - with the band proving that the hype is more than deserved.
Second single ‘Superstar Tradesman’ is released on October 23.
By James Cunliffe, MK News, Befordshire
With fans including Pete Doherty and Primal Scream’s Bobby Gillespie, a top twenty debut single ('Wasted Little DJs') and a first ever national headline tour, sold out far in advance you could be forgiven for thinking that all the ‘next big thing’ hype would have gone to their heads.All suspicions are blasted away as the band, their entourage of friends and the tour crew gather around as the video plays. A quick glance around and everyone is wide-eyed like kids at Christmas, singing along, and thoroughly proud as punch every time one of them appears on screen. It’s clear that these are young men living the dream and loving every minute of it.
“We’ve only been on tour for three months but it feels like three years," says guitarist Pete Reilly.
He sits and talks candidly while singer/guitarist Kyle Falconer and drummer Steve Morrison hyperactively flit in and out.“I like this venue (Esquires). It’s sweet, proper rock and roll, especially as it was the first gig on the tour. The single (Wasted Little DJs) wasn’t out when we played Bedford but I think it was getting played on the radio. When it did get released everything went crazy.
“I think people appreciate it more when you play in places like Bedford. I know when a band comes to Dundee people seem to enjoy it more. I think sometimes people in London are spoilt for gigs.
“We’ve just had great reactions up and down the country. Before the tour I was a bit nervous about how it would go down - playing a lot of places for the first time - but everybody’s into it.”
Throughout the three band members present (bassist Kieron is upstairs) seem completely oblivious to the furore surrounding them. The reaction to their video is testament to that, and they come across as down to earth you lads.
“We’re in the eye of the storm and sort of blinkered, so we don’t get to see everything going on around us,” says Reilly just as Falconer joins us again to chip in.
“We don’t even think about being the so-called next big thing at all, we just let the record company deal with all that,” says the mop-haired singer before disappearing again.“It’s weird that people want our autographs and it’s something that you have to get used to. I don’t feel famous though.
“When we played with Kasabian recently I saw Liam Gallagher at the bar and I was totally star struck.
“Then for someone like Bobby Gillespie to come out and say that we’re his favourite new band means a lot. He is the best Scottish rock star ever and a hero really.
“I’m having the time of my life just playing gigs – it’s what I enjoy the most.”
To anyone on the outside it would appear that The View have had it easy. With all four of them either 19 or 20 years of age (making me feel old at 25-years-old) they were plucked from home town Dundee after giving Pete Doherty a CD when Babyshambles toured there.
It’s since been a whirlwind year in which they say that nearly every major label courted them before they settled with James Endeacott and his 1965 record label.
I probe them about life on the road, and to those thinking The View have had it easy, it transpires that it’s not all private jets and bowls of sweets with all the blue ones removed just yet.Reilly says: “If people think that we haven’t earned it then they’re wrong.
“We were practising six days a week from 12 o’clock to 12 o’clock, for four or five months before Babyshambles ever came along. That’s dedication.
“A lot of people think that if you’re in a band that you just practise for two hours a week. We used to dream about this, playing sold out shows and just thinking ‘imagine if this happened and imagine if we got played on the radio.’
“We could do with a bigger bus though. It’s just a six seater thing, but I can’t complain.You’ve got to experience life on the road in a van haven’t you?"
Under no illusions Reilly says, “A big part of our success must have been going on tour with Babyshambles and building a fan base from that. Their fans were into us because I think we’ve got the same vibe as them and The Libertines."
The band has recently announced a tour with Primal Scream after they fulfil their duties on this current expedition. After that is the all important debut album due to hit the shops in January.
Recorded with Owen Morris, the mastermind behind Oasis’ first two albums there’s great expectations for a classic offering.
Reilly says, “Owen Morris is just a total lad. He’s got a strange way of motivating you but it works every time.
“On the last day when we finished recording Owen Morris was listening to it in his car, but driving around this muddy field in a 50 grand Jag just chasing rabbits. It was a crazy time.
“We’ve heard the monitor mixes of the album and I’m surprised but pleased at how punky we sound. I just can’t wait to hear a final version.
“Being in the studio is great because we were being creative but I prefer playing live.
“The gigs are just energy and emotion. You get a proper buzz because it's the best feeling is people appreciating your music.”
If that’s the case then The View must be high as kites after their performance at Esquires later that night. It is the most frenzied reception that the town has witnessed for a very long time – if not then ever - with the band proving that the hype is more than deserved.Second single ‘Superstar Tradesman’ is released on October 23.
By James Cunliffe, MK News, Befordshire
posted by theviewareonfire at 12:57 pm
1 Comments:
nice blog, keep it up!
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