Big Weekend Confirmed

The View will again be performing at Radio 1's Big Weekend at Preston on 20th May 2007

For more details click here

BBC.co.uk

U.S. misses out on excellent View

Scotland’s latest sensation, the View, should be packing their bags for their Boston debut. Instead they’re scheduled to play my town of Dublin on the day they were scheduled to hit T.T. the Bear’s Place. The reason? They were denied entry because of frontman Kyle Falconer’s criminal record, which is stained by drug possession.

It’s a price you pay when associating with the likes of Kate Moss’ squeeze and renowned drug fiend Pete Doherty. Then again, drugs and run-ins with the law didn’t do Pete’s career in Babyshambles any harm.

The View’s members, who average 21 years in age, are doing incredibly well, at least in their homeland. They’ve scored three top 20 hits and a No. 1 platinum CD with “Hats Off to the Buskers,” a genre-defying album that combines jangly pop sensibilities the Kinks would be proud of with the urban grittiness that the Monkeys have popularized. No matter what you think of them as individuals, the music they make is truly sublime.

Yet it’s unlikely they’ll be able to give it a live, Stateside airing anytime soon, as their tour has been postponed indefinitely.

There’s still plenty to talk about with bad-boy Falcone - but conversing with him on the phone is like talking to a 5-year-old nephew forced to converse by a pushy mother.

“How’s it going?” I ask.

“Fine.”

“What are you up to?”

“Watching telly.”

“What are you watching?”

“Nothing.”

“What did you think about not getting the visas?”

“It’s not really fair, but it’s what happened.”

OK. I forgive him. Somewhere behind the sullenness is a creative genius. Sadly, once Falconer does become enthused enough to utter more than a couple of syllables, his thick Scottish accent makes it impossible to understand what he’s saying. And if I, a Londoner living in Dublin, can’t understand him, just imagine what happened when the View did manage to gain entry to the United States for a brief visit.

“It was quite difficult when we did a couple of U.S. dates at the start of the year,” I think I hear him say. “We’d say anything to anyone and they’d say, ‘What? Sorry, what? Sorry, what?’ about 10 times. I guess we’ll just have to speak a bit slower.”

Now there’s only a slim chance of the View making it back anytime soon. It’s not too surprising American officials consider them a liability: They’ve been troublesome scamps since the band first formed. Not only was Falconer arrested for cocaine possession, the View were banned from the very pub they took their name from. All very rock ’n’ roll, but not a whole lot of fun for fans.

“I suppose that’s true,” Falconer said. “But if you think about (music) as a job too much, you’re not going to have a laugh.”

The View’s new plan is to apply for a waiver that would allow Falconer into the United States for a limited time, maybe as soon as their May 8 album release. With a little luck you’ll get to enjoy the View from Boston.

By Shilpa Ganatra, The Boston Herald, Sunday, April 29, 2007

Exclusive Announcement

Stay tuned to www.theviewareonfire.com this Monday for an exclusive announcement…………

Columbia Newsletter, 28th April 2007

The Don/Skag Trendy Cover Artwork

Just a reminder that the amazing double a-side single is out NOW! Available on enhanced CD featuring both videos, a cover of The Beatles classic I've Just Seen A Face and 2 coloured 7" vinyls featuring an exclusive new track Fireworks & Flowers, plus The Don from the Astoria gig. It is also available for download from iTunes and HMV Digital.

iTunes Link

The View on TV

You can catch the band performing The Don next Friday (4th May) on Jonathan Ross' show, which starts at 10:35pm. They'll also be performing Skag Trendy the same night on Transmission TV.

Columbia Newsletter, 28th April 2007

Wasted Little Dj's

The View will be DJing at the Live at Loch Lomond Festival on the 'bonnie banks' in August. Bands confirmed so far for the two day festival are Primal Scream, Dirty Pretty Things, Supergrass, Babyshambles and Sergeant. The Wasted Little DJ's will be hosting the DJ's tent.
For more information on the event please register here
For tickets buy here
A 2 day ticket is only £65!

The View boast of drinking prowess

Dundee rockers The View have said their reputation as hard drinking party animals is fair - and that Primal Scream are the only band that can keep up with them.

The four-piece outfit - Kyle Falconer, Kieren Webster, Pete Reilly and Steven Morrison - have earned quite a reputation since exploding onto the scene last year.

They have supported Babyshambles as well as Primal Scream, and frontman Kyle told The Daily Telegraph that even Pete Doherty struggled to keep up with their antics.

When questioned about the band's reputation, the singer said: "It's pretty much true. The only band that are like us are Primal Scream. Even Babyshambles - it's only Pete Doherty that goes mad. The rest of them are pretty straight."

They earned the notoriety after being banned from a West London hotel bar, and drummer Steve was arrested with Kate's boyfriend for driving down a one-way street in Birmingham last year.

It hasn't affected their success, though - debut album Hats Off To The Buskers entered the chart at No 1 in January and they will play at T In The Park on July 7 before hitting the Reading and Leeds festivals on August 25 and 26.

Virgin News, 27th April 2007

The View play Strummer Film Premiere

The View have been confirmed to play the premiere of the documentary Joe Strummer: The Future is Unwritten. The premiere is to be held on the 8th May at the Notting Hill Coronet in London. More acts and guests are to be confirmed.

More details on the film are in this article.

joestrummerthemovie.com

myspace.com/joestrummerthemovie

Lily Allen: 'I Hate The View'

The usually tight-lipped Lily Allen, has made an out-of-character outburst and fired her vitriol at a band.

Well, not quite. This week’s victim of a Ms Allen tongue lashing are those Dundee upstarts The View. And it seems Lily doesn’t like them very much.

She told Pitchfork: “I hate that band The View: they're the worst new band. I think they sound like a cross between The Proclaimers and Arctic Monkeys. But I like the Arctic Monkeys.”
Err right.

Add your own thoughts here

by Scott Colothan GIGWISE.com

The View For Summercase Festival

The Summercase Festival in Spain this summer has expanded its mightily impressive line-up again.

Now also confirmed for the dual sited event are Bloc Party, Guillemots, 1990s, The Maccabees, The Twang, The View, James, Badly Drawn Boy, Fionn Regan and The Cooper Temple Clause.

by Scott Colothan, GIGWISE.COM

The View @ The Doghouse

As part Red Stripe's ongoing commitment to live new music we have teamed up with The View to offer you and a friend the chance to see The View live at a homecoming gig in Dundee!
We've got five pairs of tickets up for grabs for Saturday 28th April 2007 - at The Doghouse, Dundee, Scotland.

Enter Here

redstripe.net

Downing a brew with the View

Chaos reigns as the View, the hottest - and rowdiest - new band of 2007, kick off a UK tour on home turf. Craig McLean joins the melee

Bank holiday Monday in Dundee, and the atmosphere in the city centre is sun-dappled, festive and boozy. Hordes of mop-haired youth, mums, dads, toddlers and grannies stream round the bronze statue of Desperate Dan - one of this comic-creating city's greatest sons - towards the 2,400-capacity Caird Hall, and a sold-out evening with Dundee's most famous rock progeny.

The View are what would have happened if Beano and Dandy publisher D C Thomson had stuck Dennis the Menace in a band, or if the Bash Street Kids had collaborated with the Libertines. The band have been causing chaos - both the good kind and the less parent-friendly kind - since debut major-label single Wasted Little DJs came out last summer.

On the plus side, that tune and its two indie-anthem follow-ups, Superstar Tradesman and Same Jeans, all thumped into the Top 20, with Wasted Little DJs also being anointed NME's Track of the Year. Their album, Hats Off to the Buskers, hit number one on its release in January, and has sold 300,000 copies.

But it's not just their rumbustious post-Libertines rattle-and-roll that has raised their profile to that of the hottest new band of 2007.

This working-class foursome (average age: 20) have been touring hard and partying harder since last summer, with everyone from Babyshambles to Primal Scream and We Are Scientists. "We've put in the miles with gigging, building up a fanbase," says guitarist Pete Reilly a couple of hours before showtime. 'We've done 83 gigs in a month."

What about their reputation as hard-drinking hedonists? "It's pretty much true," says singer Kyle Falconer with a mutter.

But then he says everything with a mutter, and, if you're lucky, you can secure fleeting eye contact from beneath his mop of hair. Right now the gnomic - and gnome-sized - frontman is most interested in excavating a pluke (Scottish for zit) on his cheek. "The only band that are like us are Primal Scream," says Reilly of the notoriously bacchanalian elder statesmen.

"Even Babyshambles - it's only Pete Doherty that goes mad," says Falconer. "The rest of them are pretty straight." He winces as he utters the distasteful word.

While touring with Babyshambles, the View's drummer Steve Morrison was arrested with Doherty for a driving offence. The band's own management barred them from London's K West Hotel and its rock-band-friendly late bar.

"We're no' banned any more," beams Reilly, lighting a cigarette with a book of matches from said establishment. "But they've started shutting the bar earlier!" says an outraged Falconer. "They dinnae like us much," admits Reilly. "We're sitting in the Jacuzzi at half six in the morning, worse-for-wear, tin [of lager], smoking"

I should point out here that the View talk - and occasionally sing - in a thick, gloopy Dundonian accent. I was born and raised in Dundee, but even I have trouble understanding them. Reilly says that, on a trip to Japan, they had two interpreters: one translating from Dundonian to English, and another translating English into Japanese. He may not be joking.

Things are taking off in America, too, although here the band's argy-bargy reputation is causing them more serious problems. Falconer was found guilty of possession of cocaine earlier this year and, as a result, is now barred from entering the US.

The View had to cancel an American tour, including a slot at last month's SXSW festival in Austin, Texas, and have just been forced to abandon the rescheduled dates in May.

Reilly claims that the case was "forgotten about" - Falconer's arrest dates from last summer - but "when the album went number one, it came back up again". The American Embassy, says Falconer, "never even gave us a chance" to plead their case.

But they're hopeful of being allowed in at some point in the near future. "We just need to no' get in trouble with the police or anything," says Reilly. "They'll let people in that are gonna fill shows. We've got a number-one album, but we'd just be going and filling maybe 1,000-capacity places."

The View aren't going to dwell on what might have been. They're having too much fun to waste time on regret. A year ago, they were unsigned tykes from a housing scheme in one of Scotland's most historically maligned cities. Tonight they're homecoming heroes, kicking off their biggest yet UK tour.

The show is a good-natured riot, everyone singing along to every song, even the pig-Latin chorus of Wasted Little DJs. The View have picked four other Dundee bands to support them.

They dedicate Gran's For Tea to their own grannies, who've turned up along with various other family members and schoolmates - notably The Don, the nickname of the titular hero of their new double-A-side single. But Skag Trendy, the heroin-taking character who gives his name to the other song on the single, is, they insist, fictitious.

Occasionally, the fast-rising View's musical youth is apparent. Don't Tell Me is more Chas and Dave than Libertines, and their speed-ska cover of Squeeze's Up the Junction is decidedly ropey.

But mostly it's easy to see why they've been booked for all the festivals, including two slots at Glastonbury and a gig with the Who in Liverpool in between. Theirs is a good-natured feelgood stomp to excite the moshpit all summer long.

"We've got a crew bus, band bus, catering and everything," Reilly had said excitedly of this month's tour. "It's no' just the support band in a Transit getting Ginsters."

Talk of food roused Falconer from his mopeyness. He was going to exploit their newfound headline-band, chart-toppping status and approach their "brilliant" on-the-road caterer with a special rock-star request. "Macaroni cheese," he said eagerly, suddenly looking about 14.

by Craig McLean, The Telegraph, 26th April 2007

The making of The Don video

In an stv/music exclusive, we were granted video access to the making of The View's video for The Don, their new single released on 23 April. Including interviews with The View boys, the video's producer Simon Poon-Tip and some of the cast, watch the mini-documentary below...

View here

Thanks to Stevie

US Album Review

No you don’t have to listen to Rosie O’Donnell screech for the album’s running time to answer perhaps your first mental question. The View is not the American TV show but a band from Dundee, Scotland. They started off as supporting group for other bands and now are branching out on their own.

As to your other perhaps question, a busker is a Brit term for street musicians that set up an impromptu shop and play for donations (I’d never heard of it either). So hats off to ‘em whatever they be.

The band consists of Kyle Falconer (guitars, lead vocals), Kieren Webster (bass), Pete Reilly (guitar), and Steven Morrison (drums). The album entered the UK charts at number one and they hope to replicate that success with their US release.
“Superstar Tradesman” is a good song with a great beat. Their hit single (#3 on the UK charts) “Same Jeans” mentions “I’ve had the same jeans on for four days now” but whatever the state of their laundry it’s a good song and is infectious. I can see why this was a hit for them. “The Don” is another favorite with a jaunty beat.

I hope they get the radio play that they got in the UK since their album has some great songs on it. Hats off to the View (but not Rosie O’Donnell) and here’s to a great success. Cheers.

By Jeff Swindoll Apr 25, 2007, Monsters and Critics.com

The Forum, London Review

There's an excitement in the air at The Forum. Since they burst on to the scene in 2005, The View have been on the receiving end of hype similar to that surrounding their notable predecessors The Libertines and Arctic Monkeys. It's the kind of riotous chants of "The View are on fire", and hooter-honking from clusters of sweaty, bare-chested boys you'd normally find at a football stadium, pervading tonight's show that give away their devoted fan base and ability to inspire mass adulation.

Only just past their teens, the band's debut album Hats Off to the Buskers, released at the beginning of the year, soared to number one in the charts, while "Wasted Little DJs" won Best Track at the NME Awards.Owing their success to Pete Doherty who, impressed by an early demo, invited the Dundee four-piece to support Babyshambles, from the moment they launch into the raucous "Comin' Down", they recall the carefree-spirited rock of their heroes The Libertines with youthful wild abandon.

Tonight the uplifting "Wasted Little DJs", delivered with energetic strumming from front man Falconer and thumping beats from their drummer Steve Morrison, comes early enough to satisfy the crowd and set the party atmosphere for the night. Their latest single, the jaunty "Skag Trendy", fuelled by blaring trombone, is sung by bassist Kieren Webster, the most sprightly of the band members as he motions the crowd to clap or runs on the spot.

Scottish banter from Falconer is lost on the crowd whose riotous chanting proves a useful filler for the band's clumsy instrument-swapping between songs. But Falconer shows his worth as a front man in "Face of the Radio", rousing such crowd participation that by the end he has them taking over the singing.

Their Britpop song, the youth-affirming "Same Jeans" receives huge cheers of recognition and gets the crowd jumping, but the live muddy sound loses the clean guitar of the single and the appeal of the lilting harmonica is missed. Again showcasing their influences, they play a speeded-up cover of Squeeze's "Up the Junction" before finishing on "Superstar Tradesman" with Falconer's trademark R-rolling, and they're off.

By Elisa Bray, THE INDEPENDANT, 24 April 2007

The Future's Orange!

Message from The Netherlands
Just to let you know that the Dutch Internetstation: www.laserradio.nl voted "Same Jeans' this week as their Powerplay. You'll hear the record on the day nearly everly hour !!!

On the day the station is non-stop (pop/rock music) in the evening
between 20.00-23.00hrs it's presented.

Hope to support you in this way in Holland and surroundings!

We're celebrating this week that we're 2 years on air and airing our new website from tomorrow on.
Good luck and regards

Sieb Kroeske
(music director/dj/presentator of Laserradio)

Kentish Town Forum Photos

View here

The View top the NME chart

The View have topped the NME chart tonight with 'The Don'.

The band have knocked Red Hot Chili Peppers off the top spot.

New entries comes from the likes of Noisettes at Number Six with 'Scratch Your Name' and Mumm-Ra at Number Nine with 'She's Got You High'.

The NME chart is:

1. The View - 'The Don'
2. The Cribs - 'Men's Needs'
3. Maccabees - 'Precious Time'
4. Fall Out Boy - 'Thanks Fr Th Mmrs'
5. Jack Penate - 'Spit At Stars'
6. Noisettes - 'Scratch Your Name'
7. Arctic Monkeys - 'Brianstorm'
8. Red Hot Chili Peppers - 'Hump De Bump'
9. Mumm-Ra - 'She's Got You High'
10. My Chemical Romance - 'I Don't Love You'

Will The View be able to hang onto their crown when The Twang arrive on the scene next week? You can decide.

Go to NME.COM/chart to vote.

The View has everyone dancing

THE VIEW rocked the Kentish Town Forum in London to its foundations on Saturday night.
It’s rare to see a gig in the capital so full of people all going beserk — but that’s what the lads from Dundee managed.

From teenagers at the front to industry bigwigs at the back, the crowd were dancing so furiously to the poppy punk tracks it felt like the balcony was going to cave in under the excitement.

The band’s big break came after they busked for PETE DOHERTY — and drummer STEVE MORRISON’s first taste of the rock ’n’ roll lifestyle came when he was arrested with the BABYSHAMBLES frontman for driving the wrong way down a one-way street. The View have been accused of copying Doherty and CARL BARAT’s old band THE LIBERTINES — but there is much more to them than that.

Wasted Little DJs, Same Jeans and the more gentle Face For The Radio were among the highlights of this awesome gig.

And in KYLE FALCONER and KIEREN WEBSTER, the band have two charismatic frontmen who are equally comfortable taking centre stage.

If you get a chance, go and check them out.

The Sun, 23rd April 2007

NME Caird Hall Review

Download/View here

The View hand big break to band

Rock band The View chose an unsigned three-piece group to support them at a gig in Norwich - just hours before the Friday concert began.

Local group Monroes were picked after the Dundee-based band launched an urgent appeal to find new talent after their support band dropped out.

The idea was inspired by The View's big break, when they handed a demo to Babyshambles frontman Pete Doherty.

Monroes drummer Lenny Rout said he was "nervous and excited".

The group, made up of three 18-year-old students, have been together for two years and have performed in and around Norwich.

Rout likens their sound to "indie new wave with ska and reggae influences".

BBC.co.uk

Full story here

Thanks to too_many_djs

AOL Session Videos

Here's all the videos from the AOL Session the band done earlier in the year

Download here

The setlist was
Wasted Little DJs
Same Jeans
The Don
Coming Down
Superstar Tradesman
Up The Junction
Skag Trendy

Transmission with T-Mobile

The View are performing for Transmission with T-Mobile at Leeds on 27th April. To apply for tickets visit the site below.

www.t-mobilemusic.co.uk

Little Noise Sessions

The bootleg of all bootlegs!
A superb audience recording of The View acoustic at the Little Noise Sessions for MENCAP on Friday 24 November 2006.
SETLIST
01. Jo Whiley intro
02. Dance Into The Night
03. Same Jeans
04. Skag Trendy
05. Screamin' and Shoutin'
06. The Don
07. Superstar Tradesman
08. Face For The Radio

Download here

A massive big fuck off thank you to Scullerypress for this.

Norwich Support

The band picked Monroes out of 91 cd's recieved in a 2 hour spell this morning to fill in for The Horrors at Norwich, UEA.

Visit their Myspace here

The View launch urgent band hunt

Rock band The View have launched an urgent search to find an unsigned band to support them at a gig they are playing in Norwich on Friday.

The decision was made after the group's support band, The Horrors, dropped out.

The idea was inspired by the Dundee-based band's big break, which happened after they handed a demo to Babyshambles frontman Pete Doherty.

Demo tapes must be dropped off at The View's tour bus at the University of East Anglia by 1600 BST.

The chosen band will be required to sound-check two hours later, ready for the evening's performance.

Guitarist Peter Reilly told the BBC News website: "We thought it would be a good idea to give them a chance.

"Because we knocked on Doherty's tour bus, and he gave us a chance, it's kind of returning the favour."

Asked if he was nervous about letting the support band play, he joked: "They might upstage us."

It's good to give a band a chance - there's always room to fit a band on your bill

The band have a busy afternoon ahead of them trawling through demos, and Reilly has vowed to listen to every single one.

He insists they are not looking for any particular style, just a group that are "good".

Reilly promised the group will search for more unsigned talent in the future, and he hopes more bands will follow their example.

"It's good to give a band a chance. There's always room to fit a band on your bill," he said.

The band received three demos just five minutes after they launched their appeal on BBC Radio 1.

Manager Grant Dickson said he was "blown away" by the response.

"The standard so far is really high. We are quite amazingly surprised at how many good bands are around," he said.

"It's proving to be quite difficult to narrow it down, but we've got a 'yes' pile building up, and so far I think we have about five or six," he said two hours ahead of the deadline.

The View have enjoyed huge success with their brand of guitar rock since their debut album, Hats Off To The Buskers, topped the chart following its release in January.

Last month they launched a public appeal for lookalikes to take part in a music video.

BBC.co.uk 20th April 2007

thanks to rrrichyrich

Euro Tour

New dates for a tour of Europe are now up on The View's Myspace.
5 May 2007 Liberation Festival, Groningen
6 May 2007 Doornroosje, Nijmegen
7 May 2007 Rotown, Rotterdam
8 May 2007 Melkweg, Amsterdam
10 May 2007 Flex, Vienna
13 May 2007 Rolling, Stone Milan
14 May 2007 Ferrand La Coope, Clermont
15 May 2007 Ubu, Rennes
16 May 2007 Big Bang Cafe, Caen
17 May 2007 La Maroquinerie, Paris

Vote for The View on MTV2

Both The Don & Skag Trendy videos are up for voting so you know what to do!

Vote here

theviewareonfire.com

The Tour So Far

Here are some video clips found on YouTube from the current tour.
Same Jeans Birmingham Academy

View here

Dont' Tell Me Leeds University

View here

Face For The Radio Leeds University

View here

The Don Leeds University

View here

Wasted Little DJ's Liverpool Carling Academy

View here

Face For The Radio Liverpool Carling Academy

View here

Limited Edition View Prints

A small amount of the limited edition View concert prints are available from Ryan McPhail's shop for The Caird Hall and Shepherds Bush concerts.

ryanmcphail.co.uk

Tip Your Hat

Here's an interview in May's edition of Mojo magazine with the band on their recent trip to Germany.

View here

The View confirmed for German Festivals

The View have been confirmed for the follwing dates in Germany.
30.06.07 Freiburg, MTV Campus Invasion
02-04.08.07 Haldern, Haldern Pop-Festival

Band Of Gold

View here

The Sun, April 14th 2007

Face For The Radio - Barrowlands

Kieren Webster - My Week

View here

NME 11th April 2007

We're The Original Wasted Little DJ's

View here

The Sun, 12th April 2007

Glasgow Barrowlands Review by The Sun

View here

Aberdeen Review

There have been a spate of Next Big Things to come out of Scotland of late. The Fratellis, Sandi Thom and Paulo Nutini to name a few. But the next and biggest thing has to be The View, surely due an award for going from zero to hero in the shortest time possible.

Darlings of the media and the public alike, The View are worth the watching. And watch them I did, at the Music Hall on Wednesday 11th April. Support came from the Towers of London, fronted by the belligerent Donny Tourette, last seen escaping over the fence in the Big Brother house. His attitude wasn't well received by the good folks of Aberdeen, and he exited stage right to a chorus of boos and a shower of beer. At least I hope it was beer...

The View came on stage at around 10pm to an uproarious welcome, and played their way through most of their debut album - Hats off to the Buskers. The crowd bounced in time, chanting along with abandon. Hit tunes Wasted Little DJs and Same Jeans brought the house down, and the new single The Don was well received. In contrast to the upbeat numbers - which, let's face it, comprise most of the band's repertoire -
the slower Face for Radio provided a welcome change of tempo. Lead singer Kyle Falconer engaged the crowd with snippets of conversation between numbers, and while the audience roared their appreciation, one wonders if anyone actually understood what he said. I certainly didn't.

As with any relatively new band, the range of material was fairly limited, and consequently, the set was shorter than anyone would have liked. The band exited to rapturous applause after encoring with a cover of Squeeze's Up the Junction, followed by hit single Superstar Tradesman leaving the audience happy but wanting more - a winning combination.

If I had one criticism of the evening, it would be that the crowd were a little too enthusiastic. At one stage, security halted the gig because people were being trampled underfoot. Perhaps I'm just getting old and that's rock and roll nowadays. Either way, a thoroughly enjoyable time was had by all, and The View proved nicely that there's far more to come out of Dundee than just jute, jam and journalism.

by Cat at theauditorium.blogspot.com

FANS ENJOY A GOOD VIEW

THE VIEW served notice that they've joined the big league at Glasgow's Barrowland last night.

Before they came on, young guys were heard to offer £70 for a ticket.

And when the Dundee quartet walked on stage, the rush for the moshpit was surely the fiercest the venue has seen in years.

After one album, they don't have a huge repertoire, but The View put more into an hourlong set than most bands manage in two.

Favourites like The Don and Claudia came early in the set and Same Jeans and Wasted Little DJs were in there too.

As the crowd sang all night, Kyle Falconer and the lads are on fire.

Showbiz Liz & Beverley Lyons, Daily Record 13th April 2007

View hopes delay won't mar US plans

Scottish band, primed to break out after UK success, awaits resolution of visa issues related to singer's cocaine bust.

With a mountain of buzz behind them and a series of performances lined up at SXSW last month, the View was primed to be 2007's version of breakout British rock band the Arctic Monkeys. The band's debut album, Hats Off to the Buskers, has already reached platinum status in the UK on the back of the hit singles "Wasted Little DJs" and "Same Jeans."

But a conviction on cocaine possession charges for frontman Kyle Falconer last year has sullied those plans, as Falconer has been unable to get a green light from US immigration officials to enter the States due to the conviction.

The delay forced the band to ccancel its planned US tour last month, a trek that was to include the SXSW performances. It rescheduled the dates but had to cancel them again last week because the visa problems are not yet sorted out.

The View guitarist Peter Reilly spoke with MP3.com from the band's hometown of Dundee, Scotland about the importance of breaking in the US and getting a quick resolution to the visa delays.

"When you first start a band you want to be the best band in the world, and America is the place where you become the best band in the world, so it's very important for us to have success in the US," Reilly said. "It was just a really stupid mistake by Kyle."

Falconer plans to apply for a waiver that would allow him to enter the US for a limited time, but has been advised to wait for an unspecified period of time before doing so.

"Because it's such a recent incident we need to wait," Reilly said. "He needs to wait a while and go back the next time and say, "See, I've been a good boy. But I don't know how long it's going to take."

Reilly said that he and bandmate Kieren Webster might come to the US to play a few small gigs and promote the album, which is set for a May 8 release in the US.

"We want to be there right behind it when the album is coming out," Reilly said. "Anything we can do to help when the album comes out because we don't want too much time to pass."

mp3.com, 12th April 2007

Visa problems might boost View’s prospects

The View’s failure to gain entry to America because of visa problems could boost their chances of breaking the lucrative US market in the long term (writes Graeme Strachan).

Alec Downie, of New Music in Scotland, which nurtures Scottish bands, conceded the loss in touring, merchandise and CD sales will have a negative impact on the band for now.

However, he is hopeful the visa issue will be resolved soon and the band — which played a triumphant home-town gig at Dundee’s Caird Hall last night — could benefit from a sense of anticipation.

The View’s 10-date US tour was cancelled for a second time due to immigration problems following lead singer Kyle Falconer’s conviction for cocaine possession.

Speaking from the US, Mr Downie said, “The US is a massive market and every band needs to increase their fanbase to grow and sustain.

“The US is a lucrative and artistically challenging golden fleece for most British artists. The View are very much a live rock ‘n’ roll band and part of their excitement comes from their energetic and compelling performances. “If US audiences do not get the opportunity to experience this, the chances are it will be difficult to increase their US fanbase.”

The View already called off one US tour, including an appearance at the South by Southwest Festival in Texas where they were previewed as the next Arctic Monkeys.

“The band must be gutted as it is every kid’s dream to tour the US and I am sure the disappointment will be felt by numerous fans who anticipated their arrival,” said Mr Downie, who put The View on as part of a NEMIS showcase two years ago.

“I am sure they will resolve this problem soon and that they will rip it up in the US.

“Hopefully this negative will serve to heighten the sense of anticipation so when they do arrive, people will be even more ready for them to storm through the US.”

Kyle Falconer was fined for possessing £150 worth of cocaine after he was arrested when the group performed at Abertay University last August.

Defence agent Billy Boyle told the court Falconer had been handed the drug by music industry insiders at the gig, and had left it in his pocket.

He asked for an absolute discharge, as a conviction would make it “next to impossible” for the singer to get a US visa.

Mr Downie said, “Kyle is not being treated any differently to other people trying to enter the US.

“But making this a major issue in the UK press has put the US visa people under very public scrutiny, which has not assisted The View gaining entry.

“Common sense must apply.

“The View, like The Stones or Oasis, if allowed into the US will generate a great deal of wealth for all concerned including the US government and I am sure their lawyers will be working on agreeing an entry criteria that will see a full US tour sooner rather than later.

“Perhaps when the story runs out of legs in the press that will help American audiences experience a great young Scottish band at the peak of their game.”

Evening Telegraph, 10th April 2007

Caird Hall Videos

Typical Time

View here

Fireworks and Flowers

View here

Streetlights

View here

Thanks to Gang Of Ginq

Fans take in the superb View

IT PROMISED to be a night of fantastic entertainment and Dundee’s finest, The View, delivered everything that was asked for, and more.

An unbelievably euphoric set, delivered at blistering pace, had over two thousand people providing some amazing scenes, dancing and singing along as the boys from Dryburgh completed a triumphant homecoming at the Caird Hall.

The old venue has never had such a night possibly since The Beatles played in the early 60s.

A sell-out crowd for the all Dundee line up, singing along with every word, even for the support bands, lent an atmosphere that the biggest and best concert halls would be proud of.

The roar when Kieren, Kyle, Pete and Steve came on stage surely surpassed anything they have heard before and the party began in fine style with Comin Down, the first of around a dozen tracks from their number one album, Hats Off To The Buskers.

Barefoot lead singer Kyle Falconer and fellow songwriter Kieren Webster typically name-checked their mates, in particular Marco, aka The Don, the subject of their forthcoming single, which had the crowd in raptures, bouncing and punching the air as one.

The band then brought the blistering pace down a tad with the rarely-played, but superb Claudia bringing a huge singalong.

New song Fireworks And Flowers brought a change of instrument all round, with guitarist Pete Reilly moving to bass, Kyle on lead guitar and Kieren on lead vocals.

Kieren then brought the house down with his request for deserved applause for the support bands.

Gran’s For Tea, Skag Trendy and Posh Boys Can’t Play raised the level again before the spine-tingling moment of the night came with Face For The Radio.

“We only play this at special gigs, like this one,” Kieren said before 2200 fans joyously sang in unison throughout.

The night went into overdrive then with top-three single Same Jeans, closely followed by fellow charter Superstar Tradesman, their trademark ska version of Squeeze hit Up The Junction and finally the song that launched their chart career, Wasted Little DJs.

There was no encore but nobody cared, it was probably a relief as no one had any puff left after such a high-octane performance.

A massive triumph, but who would have expected anything less.

It has to be said yet again, The View were on fire.

The night began with a spirited set from young indie quartet Rush Hour Soul, who were a last-minute addition to the gig.

The Get Downs followed with their thrashy pop-punk, pulling a good reaction from the 600 or so who were in early to see them.

Luva Anna produced a typically-energetic, off-kilter folky-pop set, showcasing some great songs and proving why so many good things have been predicted for them.

The Law meanwhile are on a big roll, coming on stage to the familiar chant, “Ooh Ah Up The La’.”

With the venue filling up, and showing no trace of nerves, it could have been their crowd, with hundreds of hand-clapping, singing fans creating a mosh-pit that many touring bands would crave at the Caird Hall.

Songs like Velvet Morning, Millie and On Yer Bike had the crowd in raptures and lead singer Stuart Purvey even managed a Beatle-esque “rattle your jewellery in the posh seats” comment.

New single Milk & Honey raised the biggest cheer of their set before a roaring version of Hot Rod saw them off to wild applause.

It was as good a performance as any support band could have done and The Law showed they have a great chance of taking a few steps up the ladder now.

* The View have put Dundee firmly back on the worldwide musical map, according to the co-promoter of last night’s gig, Robert Hicks.

Robert, who promotes the successful Highland festivals RockNess, Belladrum and Loopallu, said wherever he goes and whenever he mentions Dundee, people ask him if he knows The View.

“It hasn’t been like that since the heady days of Deacon Blue or Danny Wilson or Billy MacKenzie, but it’s like that now,” Robert said.

“Dundee as a city is in everybody’s consciousness now because of The View.

“I think it’s great and it’s even better that bands like The Law and Luva Anna are coming up fast behind.

“To have an all-Dundee gig sell out the Caird Hall was brilliant, and it was a fantastic night all round.”

By Alan Wilson, Rocktalk writer, The Courier, 10th April 2007

We've Been Wed 5 minutes...

WE'VE ONLY BEEN WED 5 MINUTES AND ALREADY I'M IN THE DOGHOUSE
MOST men find they end up in the doghouse soon after they marry - but Gavin Guyan chose to go there to get hitched.

He and wife Lynn Campbell made history on Saturday when they became the first Scots couple to hold their civil wedding ceremony in a pub.

The couple exchanged vows in The Doghouse, Dundee.

Gavin, 35, and Lynn, 34, who both work for kids' charity Grey Lodge Settlement, said it was the perfect venue because they'd been to many gigs there.

Guests were asked to come to the wedding in fancy dress and chart-toppers The View were among the bands who turned up for the reception.

Gavin said: "It's been fantastic. We couldn't have asked for a better day."

Doghouse owner Sarah Hill said: "I don't know if we'll hold another wedding, but we wanted to do it because we are all good friends."

The Marriage (Scotland) Act, passed in 2002, freed couples to wed in a wide range of venues other than register offices.

Daily Record, 9th April 2007

The Don video

Signed Limited Edition Posters Competition

There is a competition on ryanmcphail.co.uk to win a signed Limited Edition print signed by The View. Competition closes at midnight on 22nd April.

Look Here

The View are coming to Dublin

The View will play two Irish dates at the end of the month.

The Scots play Mandela Hall, Belfast on April 29 followed by a show at Dublin's Ambassador on April 30.

Tickets for the Dublin gig go on sale this Wednesday (11) priced €23.

The hastily arranged dates come after the group's US tour was postponed for the second time due to Visa problems.

The band were originally due to tour the US in February but had to postpone the dates due to frontman Kyle Falconer being refused a visa following an arrest and charge for cocaine possession.

However after negotiations the US dates were arranged for later this month and were due to kick off in Cambridge, MA on April 30.

They too have been pulled, hence the Irish show.

The Dundee four-piece last appeared in Ireland as part of the NME Indie Rock Tour last January.

Their debut album, Hats off To Buskers, peaked at number 3 in the Irish Album Charts.

muse.ie 5th April 2007

THE VIEW Announce Ambassador Show

The View
Ambassador Theatre
30th April 2007
**Tickets €23 are on sale this Wednesday 11th April**

Fresh from headlining the NME Indie Rock Tour here in January, Dundee rockers The View have just confirmed a special performance at the Ambassador Theatre 30th April.

2007's hottest new band, The View, have topped the charts both here and in The UK with their debut album 'Hats off To Buskers'. The album went straight in at number one in the UK and number 3 in the Irish Charts, single 'Same Jeans' is still enjoying enormous success after its release.

Featuring Kyle, Kieren, Pete & Steve, The View are fast becoming a modern rock n' roll sensation. With youth on their side, they have a surprising amount of great songs, differing styles, ability and class, drawing comparison to the Beatles Hamburg Days. The group formed from the ashes of an old covers band they formed at school, playing everything from Squeeze to The Sex Pistols.

Their debut album was recorded with legendary producer Owen Morris, renowned for his work with the likes of Oasis and The Verve. Marrying the forked tongue wit and guttersnipe humor of The Libertines with the melodic nous of The Buzzcocks and Oasis, each song on the album is a mini-anthem in waiting.

The band's popularity has been snowballing over the past few months following their many dates in the Uk with Bobby Gillespie declaring The View his new favourite band after they'd supported Primal Scream on a handful of recent dates.

Don't miss the hottest ticket in town this April!!!

*Tickets €23 are on sale this Wednesday 11th April*

Other dates include:
29th April Mandela Hall, Belfast
Under 14's ground floor (No Alcohol Served)
Over 18's upstairs (Alcohol served) Id Required.

mcd.ie 5th April 2007

The View - video exclusive

People! The brand new video from The View will be exclusively unveiled tonight on C4 at five past midnight. But if you don't think you can last till then, we have one whole minute of the bugger that you can watch right here, right now. Click below to do just that:

The View 'Skag Trendy'

Thanks to Gang Of Ginq for the link

Hogmanay Concert at Camperdown Park?

SNOW PATROL, The View and Deacon Blue have been targeted by a group of Dundee businessmen planning a massive open-air Hogmanay party at Camperdown Park.

The consortium has applied to the city council for a licence for the two-day event and their application is to be heard later this month.

Three taxi drivers, a publican and another two businessmen are behind the scheme, which would also see bands like Madness and UB40 approached to play on New Year’s Day.

A spokesman for the group, Three Js Promotions, said they are Dundee people fed up with the city’s lack of a major Hogmanay celebration.

Basing their proposal on the Radio 1 Big Weekend event at Camperdown Park last May, the group have contacted all the relevant authorities about it and have funding in place.

“We’ve put a lot of work into this and we’ve been speaking to a lot of people about it,” the spokesman said.

“You’re looking at a 15,000 crowd each day and the ticket price would be around £40.”

He added that he feels a lot of unexpected obstacles are being placed in front of the group’s plans causing frustration.

Lord Provost John Letford confirmed last night he was aware of the application and it will be considered on its merits.

His membership of the licensing committee and licensing board barred him from speaking in detail.

Thanks to brewsters_tangerine_army for info

US Tour Cancelled

This just in: Due to continuing visa and immigration issues, Scotland’s The View has cancelled its American tour originally set for May. (All tickets will be refunded at the place of purchase.)

In addition, HARP is told that fans and ticket buyers should “stay tuned for an exclusive song and special message from the band.” The View will still be releasing their debut album, Hats Off To The Buskers on 1965/Columbia Records, in America on May 8th; the U.S. release will have an extra, exclusive, 3 bonus tracks. The group went platinum in the UK and reached #1 on the charts week of release in Britain touring constantly all last year and headlining the so-called” Shockwaves NME Tour” in Britain.

Here’s some fun trivia: The View are the first Scottish band to debut at # 1 with their debut album since the Bay City Rollers in 1974 with #Rollin#. “Wasted Little DJ’s” took home an NME award this year for “Best Track”.

CANCELLED VIEW DATES:

4/30 Cambridge MA @ T.T. The Bears
5/01 New York NY@ Bowery Ballroom
5/02 Brooklyn NY @ Luna Lounge
5/04 Toronto ON @ Lee's Palace
5/06 Chicago IL @ Schuba's Tavern
5/08 West Hollywood CA @ Troubadour
5/10 San Francisco CA @ Slim's
5/12 Vancouver BC @ Plaza Club
5/13 Seattle WA @ Crocodile Cafe
5/15 Portland OR @ Doug Fir Lounge

Fred Mills, Harp Magazine, April 3 2007

Vote for The View on MTV U

Vote for The View on MTV U (American MTV Channel). This will only take two seconds.

Vote here

Superstar Tradesman @ London Astoria

Here's a live version of Superstar Tradesman from London Astoria. Taken from Clash Magazines free CD.

Download here

Thanks to saf for upload.

Downloads of The Week #7

This week is a YouTube Special.

Squeeze - Up The Junction

Wings - I've Just Seen A Face

The Libertines - Horrorshow

The Who - Wont Get Fooled Again (John Entwistle isolated bass)

The Who - Behind Blue Eyes

The View made me feel truly Shameless

Filming powerful new army drama The Mark of Cain in the heat of the Sahara desert was hell for actor Gerard Kearns.

But it was nothing compared to spending two days in Dundee with Scots rockers The View when he starred in the video for their latest single, The Don/Skag Trendy.

The 22-year-old - who shot to fame as Ian Gallagher in hit comedy-drama Shameless - is a down-and-out drug addict in the promo.

And Gerard claims he looked the part after partying with Scotland's new music heroes.

He laughed: "Are The View rock 'n' roll? Totally. I was playing this guy who was wasted and I didn't need much in the way of make-up. It was a bit of method acting.

"I had a brilliant time. I'm a big fan of the band and bought their album, Hats Off To The Buskers, on the first day it was released, so it was a bit special to appear in the video."

Full Story here

By Steve Hendry, Sunday Mail, 1st April 2007