Scottish band The View have a little scooter scandal

Formed three years ago in Dundee, Scotland, alternative rock quartet the View is named after the hometown pub where it initially rehearsed _ the Bayview Hotel. Sadly, the band`s been unwelcome there for some time, since singer Kyle Falconer rode a scooter along the bar. And it`s also barred from U.K. hotel chain Travelodge after causing $13,700 worth of damage at a Liverpool hotel in November 2006.

But the teenage outfit has found a safe home for its infectious, poppy rock in the hearts of U.K. record buyers, who sent its Jan. 22 debut 'Hats Off to the Buskers' (1965/Sony BMG) to No. 1 on the Official U.K. Chart Co.

The album was released Jan. 29 in Japan and Australia; a March 13 U.S. bow on Columbia coincides with an international rollout. "Japan, Australia and the U.S. are the three main territories for the View," Sony BMG U.K. international marketing manager Philippa Demonte says. "But we had so many requests from radio elsewhere, the international release had to come forward."

The View is on the four-band, 17-date Shockwaves NME Awards Indie Rock Tour in the United Kingdom (Jan. 29-Feb. 23) and will play its own March U.S. shows (*NOW CANCELED*)ahead of April U.K. shows. U.S. bookings are through Little Big Man; ITB handles international shows. Publishing is through Loog/Universal.

Steve Adams, monstersandcritics.com 13/2/07