Friday, July 31, 2009

Benicassim review

Few bands are better prepared to royally kick off a festival than Dundee’s finest, The View. With their riotous disregard for punctuality, hospitality and hotel rooms there are few better bands to prepare for Oasis to either. So when they opened with Glass Smash the crowd still mainly had no idea what lead singer Kyle Falconer was singing, even so, such a din pre-empted the first moshpit of the weekend.

The British invasion of Benicassim seemed perfectly suited to the carnage evoked from the stage. As if the crowd can bring their flags, Falconer can bring his St Andrew’s adored guitar. Such an outlandish feature seemed out of place with Falconer’s own behaviour, yet even if he looked comparably timid to the rest of his band, it was his guitar that set the tone for a forceful rendition of '5 Rebeccas'. Despite the extortionate cost of beer, cups are launched during 'Same Jeans' yet those doing the throwing did take the time to serenade the chorus and quickfire breakdown.

The band has often been labelled as Scotland’s answer to The Libertines, and it was obvious why during a frenetic performance of 'Wasteland' topped with a notably anarchic final verse. While the likes of 'One Off Pretender' and 'Double Yellow Lines' sparkled, they flattered to deceive. Thankfully the confidence returned for breakthrough singles 'Wasted Little DJs' and 'Superstar Tradesman', uniting the band with crowd. All that remained was one final excuse to tear the place down and Shock Horror duly obliged.

The fitting starter for the lad rock main course to come.

By Omar Soliman, RoomThirteen.com

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Reni & Kyle interview

The View's keyboard player/vocalist Reni and Kyle are interviewed backstage at Benicassim 09.

Monday, July 27, 2009

Mcphail Ibiza Exhibition

Prepare yourself for a visual feast this August as Grafitti sprays the sunny white isle with the anticipated arrival of URBAN IN IBIZA.

Never has Ibiza seen such a spectacular before with the world's leading Grafitti artists displaying their work on the Island from 8th to 20th August culminating in a live art display by one of the UK's most notorious graffiti writers INKIE.

Inkie, Goldie, MauMau, Chu, Dan MacMillan, China Mike, Mudwig, Pure Evil, Ryan Mcphail, Zeus, Mysterious Al, Eco, Fark FK, Finbarr, DAC, Nine-0, David Walker, Hush, Agent Provocateur, Grafter, Andy Council, and SHOK-1 will all show a selection of their work from 8th - 13th August at the suitably glamourous Atzaro hotel in Ibiza, and then from the legendary Pacha Hotel from 13th - 20th August.

For more details visit urbaninibiza.com

Friday, July 24, 2009

Doghouse to close

The live music venue described by The View as their 'home from home' has been sold, creating a hole in the heart of the Dundee music scene.

The Doghouse Dundee, recently saved from permanent closure following a financial dispute, has been sold by Punch Taverns and will formally close early next month.

The development is a bitter blow to venue manager Sarah Hill, who gathered support from The View and other top local acts to reopen the venue just two months ago.

Two 'Band Aid' style fundraisers, described by Sarah as the venue's 'last fight', were headlined by Dundee's most famous sons and successfully raised enough money to reopen its doors after a two month hiatus.

Despite the venue's grand reopening and a run of live bands booked for several months ahead, The Doghouse team were formally given notice to quit last week after being unable to come up with the money to buy the building themselves.

Sarah Hill took over the venue in December 2004, and, on a shoestring budget, turned it into one of the best live venues on the east coast of Scotland. Of the latest development, she hopes that the sale of the 350 capacity former schoolhouse will not necessarily mean the end of The Doghouse.

She commented: "I am presently in talks with various parties about possibilities of where we can go from here. I definitely feel The Doghouse is not over. We have not come all this way to simply give up; it is hopefully just another hurdle. So for now The Doghouse team, our bands, our many loyal customers and fans will be looking forward to the closing parties and watching this space."

Described as the 'heart and soul' of the live local music scene, the permanent closure of the Brown Street premises will be the end of an era for fledgling young bands who viewed it as a home from home. Used as a practice space by local bands, the city's most successful exports The View practically lived there during their early days.

The View last played their 'spiritual home' on Hogmanay. At the time of the recent closure, their bassist Kieren Webster said: "It's really sad and it feels like it's ripped the heart and soul out of the music scene in Dundee. We're gutted, it's the end of an era."

This weekend, the venue hosted the launch party for local heroes The Law's new single, Don't Stop, Believe, which is officially released this week. The band, as with many other local musicians, could as often be seen playing pool or jamming in the venue's outdoor area, as playing on stage.

Their guitarist Stevie Anderson said, "All good things must come to an end; and The Doghouse has indeed been that. Like a good Beatles song - it was short in lifespan, high in energy and always left you craving for more - not to mention the wealth of talent it has nurtured in recent years.

"We are privileged to have been a part of the madness and would like to thank Sarah and all at The Doghouse for their help and support in the last four or so years."

Sarah and the rest of The Doghouse team are currently planning a final farewell party for Friday August the seventh before finally closing the venue's doors the following Monday.

Sarah said: "This has all been especially difficult as it would seem all the hard work, dedication and support that has been provided by many people including local businesses, bands, fans and the community itself has been in vain but we are all hopeful it hasn't. Their backing will not be forgotten."

STV, 24th July 2009

Download early videos of The View at The Doghouse below. (Right click, save as...)
'Posh Boys'
'Comin' Down'
Interview

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Which Bitch? review

With an in your face album name like Which Bitch and The View's ban from Japan for cocaine possession, you'd be forgiven for thinking that The View were another wannabe rock n roll band in the form of Air or Towers of London doing things to get attention. Instead, The View are very much their own band, incorporating a wide range of instruments and using a variation of sounds to come up with yet another reasonably unique album.

Whether it's the poppy ska of Jimmy's Crazy Conspiracy or the Treasure Island themed classical job that is Distant Doubloon, the hypnotic hymnal Glass Smash which bursts into a lively rock number, there's plenty to go at.

Kyle Falconer's vocals can be quite hard to understand at times, as he tends to slur words and also wail quite a bit, not to mention singing quite quickly often with the words undeneath his breath.

Musically it's all over the place, often with large intros and frantic layered sections making an appearance at some point of the song, usually just before the end. It's this that makes it appealing to me though, whilst it's not the kind of thing I'd usually listen to - I do get the feeling that this indie band are a notch above the majority of their counterparts, 5 Rebbeccas is lyrically pretty sharp, telling a story, remaining catchy and comes across in a Noel Gallagher written style when he was truly on form.

By MusicNeverDied.com

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

MySpace message from The View

A shameless plug for our buddy Mcphail who has some top quality gear (not that kind!) on sale.

For those of you that don't know he's the geezer that created all the artwork for our records.

He also designed the tshirts for our last tour all of which sold out in record time. Kieren is now halfway toward buying that Lighthouse he wants with the profits made from them.

Anyway a look here of what's on sale.

Also if you have a few minutes take a look at his impressive portfolio of work here.

He recently transformed the interior of the famous Motor Museum Studios, Liverpool. Used by Arctic Monkeys & Razorlight to record their albums. See all that here.

Better mention us before we go. We have a couple of new gigs to be announced soon so keep checking back on the site for them

TV x

www.myspace.com/dryburgh

The Law hope to top The View

Dundee rock band The Law are hoping their new single will see them climb as high in the charts as the hill they were named after.

Fresh from playing to thousands at their third T in the Park, the boys are keen to topple The View as the city's most successful band.

The four-piece group’s new single Don't Stop Believe will be released on Monday.

After playing to a standing-room only crowd on Saturday, organisers asked them back to play again on the Sunday after another act pulled out.

That success has been followed by Radio 1 picking up the single for airplay - momentum the band hope will see them established firmly on the musical scene.

A final gig at the soon-to-close Dundee venue Doghouse on Sunday night will be followed by their debut album 'A Measure of Wealth’, out in September.

This could be the year the law lay down the rock ‘n’ roll rules - Dundee style.

STV, 18th July 2009

Monday, July 20, 2009

Kieren with 'The Twist'

Special guest appearance by Kieren at The Doghouse, Dundee in May 2009.

Listen to more of 'The Twist' here.

T In The Park review

King Tut’s Wah Wah Tent Friday 9th July 2009
T in the Park, Balado, Kinross

It’s been a day of surprises. First the weather: hot, sunny, cornflower blue sky, the ground so hard you can’t batter in tent pegs, happy queues and too much choice for a Friday. Tonight, King Tut’s Wah Wah Tent has been transformed into a quasi football stadium/cathedral. Half an hour before the entrance of the unpresuming creators, the tent billows with ‘You take the high road and I’ll take the low road and I’ll be in Scotland before you’ and Oasis’ ‘Rock ‘n’Roll Star’. Flags are waving, barriers are bulging and four men outside are slapping each other.

‘Fuck the Kings of Leon. This is where it’s at!’ calls Pete as they enter stage, scorching the already fierce air with the arching, aching chords of ‘Glass Smash’ which has the crowd calling and reaching for the top of the tent. Kyle is brandishing a new St. Andrew’s flag style guitar, ripping straight into the riff which catapulted them far, far away from their hometown three years’ ago: ‘Wasted Little Deejays’. Bodies begin to bounce over the barrier but the fury of the songs doesn’t stop. ‘Five Rebbeccas’ is dedicated by Kyle to his niece of the same name. Their performance is pitch perfect, numbing the jealous sceptics, cynics and critics – largely their own peers. The fluorescent army of security have a full-on job, freeing broken bodies, stopping the endless surge and producing binfuls of iced war to dish out in paper cups to the wilting frontliners pressing up against the barrier.

But the beautiful aching roar continues with ‘Temptation Dice.’ Bodies are raised onto shoulders,,flags are waving, the audience chanting, the guitars livid. There is a poetic violence about their music: it’s so raw, so alive, so tactile you smell blood, salt, tears. Yet it is put together in such melodic ballads and crashing symphonies, it is above and beyond the mundane. It has taken the bleak, violent, desperate elements of life in Dundee and rearranged them into poetic classics which anyone from anywhere can understand as the attack on your senses and heart is so immediate.
‘Oggy, Oggy, Oggy!’ calls Kieren (for some reason only known to himself).

‘Oi, oi, oi!’ replies the audience.

‘Alright, T in the Park. My name’s Kieren. This song’s dedicated to my family: my mum, my dad. Do not worry. Kyle will be back in a minute.’

Kyle has not left the stage but Kieren takes the vocal for the next three songs. ‘Gran’s for Tea’ is the anthem of most post fifteen year olds in Scotland.

‘Where were you when I needed you?’ This is followed by ‘One off Pretender’: ‘This song’s for the boys in blue’ – another diatribe against the police.

‘Skag Trendy’ finds the whole tent up and pumping the air with fists, crowd-surfing out of control.

Kieren: ‘It’s a pleasure being here.’ This is followed by ‘Realisation’ which Kieren feels is ‘the greatest song The View has ever written.’

It is hard to disagree with such a claim. From content to structure, it certainly defeats all expectations and boundaries. The whole crowd goes crazy at this bizarre guitar-led anthem. ‘Realisation you’re not ten feet tall, realisation you don’t know it all. World domination makes me feel so small. Realisation of it all.’ To carry a simple theme chord in so many ways and so many structures is the work of an Andrew Lloyd Webber.
The tone suddenly shifts: ‘This is what you’re going to be doing tomorrow!’ is an appropriate introduction to ‘Comin’ Down.’ ‘Wasteland’ is a frenetic pogo feral cry with a complex, iron-smart wit. It seems to be a battle of energies: the crowd versus the band with the poor fluorescent infantry on the frontline between the two. ‘ Typical Time 2’ is again an example of the unique songwriting which makes The View so special. How can a couple of verses and simple tune become seared into a collective consciousness? It’s not the shouting, raging songs which people whistle and sing in car parks or get sampled in umpteen TV programs. Almost a decade of cover-playing and songwriting have helped nurture this and next we move into Kyle’s forte and starting point: the singalong with Reni on piano and Kyle on acoustic for ‘Covers’. This is a sweet, cheeky and sensitive song about a relationship and Reni’s harmonies sound realer than Paolo’s. The crowd are screaming and whistling and then the whole tent is hushed unprompted to silence. You could (and it really wouldn’t be a cliché) hear a pin drop. The place is as still and holy as a cathedral when the scoping visionary opening of ‘Distant Doubloon’ starts up. Kyle and Steven are alone on stage to carry it through and the audience is utterly silent, their breath hung in the air grasping to the sounds and stories about their lives.

‘Metaphors are easy just to talk about…don’t dwell upon your wooden leg, your fucking limp is boring me.’

The audience finally break their muteness with the last line and roar with appreciation. Kieren brands Kyle the ‘Lord Mayor’ of T in the Park. Kyle mutters something about wondering why all the birds are waiting about: ‘We’re all skint!’

‘Face for the Radio’ is received by glowing phones and waved lighters, largely sung by the audience, a warm banter followed by the irrepressible ‘Double Yellow Lines’. There are a few frantic problems at the start of the last song but finally Kyle introduces his big (actually very tiny) sister, Kim Knight, a well-known and accomplished singer and performer in her own right. Her strong sweet vocals lilt easily over Kyle’s and the audience embrace both. The song has a bittersweet rebel heart to it which is the defiance of simple fun and joy over the complications of glamour. It is a fitting end to the set. The sound is real, thorough and inspiring. But there is too much fun going on for the production team who scurry around, pulling at hair, looking at watches and notepads.
‘We’re running out of time!’ snaps Kieren with a wave of his hand. The band are determined to do an encore so belt out ‘Same Jeans’ and ‘Superstar Tradesman’ with the same energy and perfection as one hour fifteen minutes earlier. You get the feeling they could play all night. Crowd surfers and the yellow coats are in full battle.

The finale, ‘Shock Horror” rips into the blistered air. The torch that was lit four years ago at T in the Park continues to burn even brighter, regardless of critics who’ve forgotten how to clap their hands, credit crunch and other crises. The undeniable spirit of belief despite all the odds bursts through and slaps it all in the face:

‘I’ll be at the bottom having fun!’
The View prove yet again that they are not easy to fathom, not easy to control and impossible to stop.

By Nina Bhadreshwar, The Real State.

Hop Farm review

...Dundee band The View carry on the party atmosphere with classics such as ‘Wasted Little DJs’, ‘One Off Pretender’, ‘Superstar Tradesman’ and ‘Covers’ which featured keyboard player Reni on Paolo Nutini’s vocals. To my complete surprise the band played ‘Double Yellow Lines’ which had only been played the weekend before at Glastonbury and it is a song that I had been ever-so desperate to hear live ever since the band released their second album.

"My first interview... I have never been so nervous... My nerves were softened when View frontman Kyle Falconer came up with a remarkable idea - you need a cider!"

After The View's set, I rushed back to our ‘base camp’ to grab my bag and then speedily ran to the press tent to arrange an interview with the band. After ten minutes waiting I was escorted through the ‘bands and friends and family only tent’ to their dressing room. I have never been so nervous; I had never done anything like this before so it was real challenge. I was the bands last interview, so I waited outside preoccupying myself with a game on my iPod and I’d say it went well for my first time. My nerves were softened when View frontman Kyle Falconer come up with a remarkable idea.
You need a cider.”
I continued to swig my cider during the entire interview, before spilling a vast majority of the contents of the bottle on The View’s dressing room floor. Smooth move.

www.musicvice.com

Music Vice interview

Interview by Music Vice contributor Lauren Towner - July 17, 2009

Lauren met The View during Hop Farm Festival.

I'm a massive fan...I saw you play the Old Market in Brighton (review) on the small towns tour and more recently at the HMV Forum in London, how does it compare playing small / medium sized venues like that, compared to Glastonbury and T in the Park?
Steven - The thing with the small gigs is that they're really close and...
Kyle - Intimate.
Steven - Yeah, intimate. But with the outdoor gigs you're playing to loads of people so they can enjoy it and the indoor gigs are good too since you're playing to your own fans.
Kieren - There's good points to both sides of the gigs, but if you only did one of them you'd get bored and there's joy to them both, so its good to mix it up.

Have you started writing the next album?
Steven - We're in the process of it.

Any ideas if there going in a new direction or similar to Which Bitch?
Kyle - I'm not really sure yet, 'cause I think we're generally ambitious anyway, but we're going to see how it goes really.

Is Owen Morris going to produce the album? If so will he produce the whole thing or will it be a joint effort like last time?
Kyle - Not too sure yet, 'cause we're going to like demo in a couple of weeks to see what we've got so...maybe.
Kieren - Its the usual View style of recording and writing. Its the best way.

Do you understand today's headiners? The Fratellis, The Pigeon Detectives, You [The View], Ash and Echo and The Bunnymen, do you think the festival was booked in favour of record sales?
Kieren - It must be something like record sales but I mean you've got to think who's buying them, but personally, I think the running order was done by grannies!

Strongbow or Magners?
All - *laughs*
Kyle - Strongbow.
Kieren - Magners...
Steven - Bulmers, pear cider, good stuff!

I'm covering this festival for Music Vice, an originally Scottish/UK based 'zine now operating out of Canada. Will you be able to tour Canada/America in the future, or is that not going to happen because of the drug conviction?
Steven - We've been good boys, we were young and stupid and hopefully we're going to America soon.

What's the bigger picture for The View. Where do you see yourself in years to come?
Steven - Keep on doing gigs!
Kieren - Keep on enjoying ourselves, keep our minds open....
Steven - Play bigger and bigger gigs and more and more frequent gigs, I want to be gigging every week. And if its not in this country, it'll be in a different country.

www.musicvice.com

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Benicassim photos

Photos from Benicassim here.

Berlin show download

Here's The View's support set from their tour with Mando Diao.

A sublime audience recording at Columbiahalle, Berlin on 9th April 2009.

Full artwork also available with download.

Get it here.

The View set for Clumberfest

The View have been added to the bill for the Clumberfest Festival.

The line-up for the of the one-day festival in Clumber Park, Nottinghamshire, on August 22, includes Super Furry Animals and Supergrass.

Tickets are priced at £26, to buy tickets, click here.

Benicassim review

DUNDEE rockers The View kicked off the festival in style with a typically raucous and energetic set.

It was only 8.30pm but the boys looked like they had already sunk a few beers before wobbling onstage.

A translator might have been handy so fans could work out exactly what frontman KYLE FALCONER was saying inbetween songs in his strong Scottish twang.

However there was no mistaking their love for headliners Oasis as Kyle declared them "the best band in the world".

The set was a little hit and miss, with the crowd struggling to match the band's enthusiasm as they belted out some unfamiliar tracks.

However when they ended with a collection of more recognisable offerings such as Superstar Tradesman, Same Jeans and Wasted Little DJ's, fans danced merrily as the sun set for the night.

The Sun, 18th July 2009

"A band Scotland can be proud of"

Paul from Glasvegas describes The View's Benicassim show as "amazing" and "a band Scotland can be proud of".

Watch video here.

Friday, July 17, 2009

Dancing Queen with Mando Diao

The View join Mando Diao onstage as they play a cover of ABBA's 'Dancing Queen' for a sing-a-long as the Dryburgh boys say farewell after their support slot around Europe.

See two audience camera angles here and here.

*A full audio recording of The View's support slot at this show coming soon*

Interview & Acoustic Session

Berlin music TV show Pop10 catch up with Pete and Kieren when The View supported Mando Diao earlier this year.

Benicassim setlist

"Benicassim? What a fuckin' waste of time!"

Noel Gallagher's latest entry from his 'Tales From The Middle Of Nowhere' blog.

"Hola.

Benicassim? What a fuckin' waste of time! If it wasn't for those bloody kids it would've been a disaster. I really can't say enough about the crowd. Unbelievable behaviour. Special mention to the topless birds - what a welcome sight that was!

The problem was...wait for it...yes! The fuckin' PA. It blew TWICE!! And the monitor system blew TWICE!! It's becoming a joke. And not a very funny one.

Those little lads from The View joined us backstage for warm beer. Now, I'm down with the Scotch. Irie Nancy's one. So is The Mighty I (effectively). No problem with them. But what that lot were going on about I'll never know. Had to get James from Glasvegas to translate. He was none the wiser.

Weller's up there tonight. Some of us are going to see him. It'll probably get pretty messy.

Off to Berne in the morning. That's in Switzerland.

I've got nothing else to say.

In a bit.

GD"


www.oasisinet.com

Photos from Benicassim

The View perform on the main stage on day 1 of the International Festival of Beincassim on July 16, 2009 in Benicassim, Spain. The Festival on the Spanish coast is celebrating its 15th birthday and is expecting to play host to 200,000 people over four days.

View photos here.

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Isle of Wight Festival

Pete and Kyle interviewed at Isle of Wight 09 and performance of 'Same Jeans' from the Main Stage.

Live stream from Benicassim

Listen to a live stream of The View live from Benicassim right here.

Best day of our lives

Channel Bee ask Kieren & Kyle along with other bands at T In The Park what their best ever day was.

Watch here.

www.channelbee.com

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

02 Academy, Glasgow

Check out this great photo slideshow from Glasgow's O2 Academy back in March.
View here.

Keep up to date with the latest photographs from shows around Scotland by subscribing to the Two Thumbs Fresh mailing list at www.twothumbsfresh.co.uk

T In The Park 09 photos are coming soon!

Ray-Ban page

The View have their own profile page on the Ray-Ban website.

See it here.

Also listen to the Ray-Ban playlit on Spotify

Euro Festivals

The View are appearing at a couple of festivals in Europe this summer.

First one is tomorrow at Benicassim in Spain where The View will appear alongside Oasis and Glasvegas. www.fiberfib.com

Second appearance is at the Schollenpop Festival in the Netherlands on 1st August. www.schollenpop.nl

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Kyle interview at T

Kyle speaks to BBC Alba and claims the The View have now got punk rock out of their system and are heading towards a Frankie Valli style of music for the next album.

More pics from T

More pictures from T in The Park here.

Photos by Colin Macdonald

Monday, July 13, 2009

Fans get View of Kyle’s sister

KYLE FALCONER kept The View’s gig in the family — by letting his little sister sing on stage with them.

They performed Gem Of A Bird before causing a storm by staying on TOO LONG in the King Tut’s Tent — until after midnight on Friday.

The View had stormed through tracks from smash debut album Hats Off To The Buskers and follow-up Which Bitch?

And they whipped up the crowd so much that Falconer pleaded: “Could you all move back a bit to give the folk at the front a bit of room... just a wee bit?”

But his plea failed when bassist Kieren Webster yelled: “We’re the best f***ing band in the world!

The Sun, 13th July 2009

Climate Change video

LITTLE Boots is asking revellers at T in the Park to kiss goodbye to climate change.

And Scots band The View are urging festival-goers to fight climate change until they go blue in the face.

And our exclusive behind the scenes video shows just how the campaign pictures - by top Scots photographer Rankine - were done.

Little Boots is performing on the Futures stage at T in the Park on Sunday and said apathy was no way to deal with climate change.

She said: "Doing nothing is not the answer. Go blue, demand that the Prime Minister takes the lead in protecting the people of this beautiful planet and kiss goodbye to climate change.
"If everyone does their bit, we can save the planet."

Oxfam will have a tent at T in the Park's charity village where festival-goers can have their faces show buzz painted blue. The painted faces will be pictured and presented to the Government as a photographic petition.

They will be given to Gordon Brown ahead of the critical climate change summit in Copenhagen this December.

The View are headlining the King Tut's Wah Wah Tent tomorrow and the band's Kyle Falconer urged people to go to the Oxfam tent and get painted.

He said: "If we don't do something now, climate change will effect generations to come."

Watch video here.

T in the Park review

The View made Scotland proud as they stormed the King Tut's tent with one of the liveliest sets of the day.

Kicking off with Glass Smash the band played on to Wasted Little DJs before the crowd sang along to old favourite The Don.

Flags waved as guitarist Kyle Falconer strummed frantically during Pretend. Dundee's finest were on fire as bass player Kieren sang Grans For Tea and favourite Shout It From The Rooftops.

Kieren kept things cosy with Realisation from the album Which Bitch. Coming Down and Wasteland followed and it wasn't long before they were clamouring for the big hits Same Jeans, Shock Horror and Face For The Radio.

The crowd weren't left disappointed.

By Iain Hepburn, Daily Record, 11th July 2009

Hello Campers!

THE View sparked off a major security scare when they decided to camp onsite after their appearance in the King Tut's Tent.
Organisers didn't fear for the safety of the band... but the fans.

The group snubbed offers of a posh hotel and demanded a tent.

A T-insider joked: "We're weren't worried about The View. We're more scared about the havoc they'll cause in the middle of 60,000 people hell-bent on having a great time."

By Iain Hepburn, Daily Record, 12th July 12, 2009

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Paulo & Kyle Plan To Team Up

JUDGING by all the screaming girls at Paolo Nutini's T set, he is quite a handsome view... and now he's linking up with The View.

The Scot heart-throb is joining countryman Kyle Falconer from the indie rockers for an exciting side project.

He told me last night: "We've not had much time to sit and write songs together. But as soon as we get the chance, that was the plan. If we get it right, we could make a new band!"

News Of The World, 12th July 2009

'Covers' from T In The Park

See Reni and Kyle perform 'Covers' backstage at T In The Park and also the video from their main performance in the King Tuts tent.

Watch Here.

Jamie T bigs up The View

Jamie T used his T In The Park set tonight (July 10) to big up fellow festival acts The View and The Courteeners.

The singer played a ten-song set to a heaving King Tut's Wah Wah Tent at the Scottish festival.

"Who's looking forward to The Courteeners then? I am," he said. "They're up next. And then it's The View to look forward to."

He then played an acoustic version of early track 'Back In The Game', causing the crowd to cheer passionately.

Full story here...

NME, 10th July 2009

Pictures from T In The Park

Q & A with Kyle

85,000 people will be descending on Balado near Kinross, Scotland this weekend to watch sets by Blur, Killers, Snow Patrol, Kings of Leon, Nick Cave, Keane and many more.

Started in 1994 in Strathclyde Parkbefore subsequently moving to it's current larger home in Kinross, T in The Park has played host to many memorable sets including then whipper-snappers Coldplay in 1999 who caused a massive queue outside their tent whilst singing soon to be hit single, Yellow.

We caught up with some of this year's acts ahead of 2009's musical extravaganza to ask them about their plans for the fest, memories if they've played it before and of course, the pressing question - what will they wear on this year's newly introduced Fancy Dress Friday! (ok, well it is important to some people).

Kyle from The View

Who are you looking forward to seeing at T in the Park 2009?
The Horrors

Have you got a T in the Park highlight?
I went to see Oasis in 2002, they had Heathen Chemistry out, it was brilliant.

Personal highlight - the full gig when we played, we came in on a helicopter it was cool as fuck. The audience are the best, they genuinely are the best there's a good singalong. Nobody's fighting because everyone is happy.

The T in The Park goers do their bit for the environment too - what is your green tip for people attending T in the Park?
Put all your cans in the recycling

How important do you think it is that established events like T in the Park give unsigned acts the opportunity to play via competitions such as T Break?
It's important because every band needs a break, and that slot at T in the Park might be the right place at the right time!

We've got Fancy Dress Friday at T in the Park this year - what'll your fancy dress outfit be?
A pirate.

Name your essential festival item - the one luxury item you want/need on your rider for T in the Park?
A phone.

QMusic

T In The Park video

Watch highlights of The View's performance at T in The Park here.
Available to watch until Saturday 18th July 2009.

STV Interview

The View get the party started

stv.tv had just arrived in the media area at T in the Park and already The View boys were getting 'merry' ahead of their performance tonight.
WATCH VIDEO

T In The Park

The View closed day one of T In The Park's King Tut's Wah Wah Tent in emphatic style tonight (July 10), playing beyond the curfew - despite warnings of the power being shut off unless they stop.

Sporting a brand new guitar emblazoned with the Scottish saltier, Falconer spat out set openers 'Glass Smash' and 'Wasted Little DJs' with gutsy enthusiasm. The heaving crowd were equal to the band's fervour, as many forced their way to the front to get close to their heroes.

Later in their set, Falconer's sister joined the band onstage for the first time ever, lending her backing vocals to fan-favourite 'Gem Of A Bird'.

The View also revealed that they have been hit by the credit crunch – so much so that they had to alter their set to save money. After playing to a backing track to 'Distant Doubloon', Falconer admitted "We used to have bonnie lassies playing that, but we couldn't afford them cos we are skint!"

Finishing trio 'Same Jeans', 'Superstar Tradesman' and 'Shock Horror' saw the whole tent jumping and singing every line of the Dundonians hits, causing bassist Kieran Webster to declare his love for T In The Park.

"This is the greatest festival in the fucking world," he said, adding "and you are the greatest crowd in the world."

Watch an exclusive video interview with the band by clicking below.

The View played:

'Glass Smash'
'Wasted Little DJ's'
'5Rebbeccas'
'The Don'
'Temptation Dice'
'Gran's For Tea'
'One Off Pretender'
'Skag Trendy'
'Realization'
'Comin' Down'
'Wasteland'
'Typical Time 2'
'Covers'
'Distant Doubloon'
'Face For The Radio'
'Double Yellow Lines'
'Give Back The Sun'
'Same Jeans'
'Superstar Tradesman'
'Shock Horror'

VIDEO INTERVIEW

NME, 12th July 2009

Thursday, July 09, 2009

More photos from Hop Farm

See more photo's from Hop Farm here.

Wednesday, July 08, 2009

Kyle and his chair get legless

A hop farm is a seriously good location if you're hoping to get smashed on the ale.

And so Kyle Falconer from The View couldn't have felt more at home playing a wicked set on Saturday at The Hop Farm Festival in Paddock Wood.

We caught him supping on some strong stuff all weekend - with dire consequences.

The wee fella fell off his bar stall in the press tent five times on Sunday before it smashed into pieces on the floor beneath him.

And the 5ft 2 inch star looked even shorter as he sat on the floor for Paul Wellar's final set

By Charlotte Martin, The Sun, 7th July 2009

Tuesday, July 07, 2009

More photos from Hop Farm

More great photos from Hop Farm here.

Photos by Lauren Towner

Monday, July 06, 2009

Hop Farm photos

Photos from The View's show at last weekends Hap Farm Festival.
  • Photos here
  • Wasted Little DJ's - Hop Farm

    Thursday, July 02, 2009

    Cocaine Knights

    You wouldn’t want your daughter to marry one, but The View are still the real deal, says Michael Wylie-Harris

    When The View broke in 2007 they were barely out of short trousers. Unapologetically young, uncompromisingly raw: they were a breath fresh air.

    Hits like ‘Same Jeans’ proved they were radio-friendly, but there was also an energy about the band - particularly on stage - that said ‘this is the real thing’; and at the time it was a welcome antidote to the bland, chart-topping sound of The Kooks.

    But mixing puberty with rock stardom is a dangerous game, and The View quite quickly proved they weren’t going to do the ‘loveable, indie pin-up thing’, which their afore-mentioned peers were doing with such nauseating aplomb. The View, you see, had balls. A boy band in their teens can be quite easily managed, but they were a rock band... from Dundee. They drank. They smoked. They got into fights. They took cocaine. They got - and still are - banned from America.

    So The View got a reputation for being a bit of a hand full early on. Their singer, Kyle Falconer, was arrested in the States for possession of cocaine, and the band got labelled hell-raisers by the press. But at the same time their debut album, Hats Off To The Buskers, went straight in at number one and was nominated for The Mercury Prize. It was hailed a triumph by the critics (some of whom called the band ‘the future of indie-rock’) and between late 2006 and early 2007, they had three top twenty singles.

    In February 2009 they returned with their second effort, Which Bitch?. Released two years after their debut, it has done considerably less well. Receiving mixed reviews from the critics, it went in at number four and dropped quite quickly after that, spending just two weeks in the top 40. The three singles haven’t done well either, with their latest, ‘Temptation Dice’, failing to even make the top 100. All of this has prompted those in the know to suggest that the band waited too long to release Which Bitch? and have fallen fowl of the evil ‘difficult second record’ syndrome.

    This is of course something that’s dismissed as “a load of fucking shite” by Kyle Falconer; though when we meet, not long after the comparative commercial failure of Which Bitch? is unravelling, he does tell me that the band are eager to start recording their third studio album as soon as possible.

    “We have kind of got a lot of songs together for the next album,” he says. “And Owen Morris [the producer of the first two albums] has just moved to Edinburgh and we want to work with him again because he’s a friend now. And we’ve got a lot of tracks we wanna get down so as soon as we get the chance we’re just gonna go in and start playing some tunes.”

    Falconer is a curious package. Like so many of rock ‘n’ roll front men, he’s a diminutive figure, but he’s stockier than usual and though he’s good looking, it’s in a far from conventional way. With his mop of Bob Dylan curls it’s rare to get a good look at his face and you wonder if this is a hangover from the bad skin he suffered as a teenager. He talks at hyper-speed. Everything’s either, ‘sound as fuck, or ‘a load of fucking shite’ and in his heavy Dundee accent it’s difficult to keep up. Like all the best rock stars there’s a real energy about him too. There’s an edge and a tension there at all times, but it’s mixed with a pleasing honesty and lack of pretension reminiscent of a young Liam Gallagher. He’s upfront about his influence, and it’s none of your usual obscure, new wave nonsense either: Oasis, The Beatles and The Clash, thank you very much.

    Like any kid his age, he likes going out and getting pissed and he neither hides the fact nor tries to make a big thing out of it. “London is,” he tells me, “a good place to get fucked up” (he is the only member of the band to have moved from Scotland); and of his cocaine arrest in America and the band’s subsequent reputation for booze and drugs, “It’s not the best of reputations, like, but we do get pissed up a lot. The cocaine thing, getting caught for it and all, that was just a one off, like. It’s pretty shite that we’re still barred from America, like. That’s the only thing that bothers us really. It’s really shite.”

    In short, Falconer’s pretty fucking cool: ‘sound as fuck’ if you will.

    He tells me the band are pleased with the way the second record turned out. Working with Owen Morris again (the producer has also worked with Oasis and The Verve in the past), this time Falconer co-produced. And typically, he refutes the claim that the band were trying to make a ‘more mature’ record this time around.

    “It just happened that way,” he says. “We didn’t really want it to move on, it was just like something that came quite naturally really. We just kind of had more time really, you know. I don’t think we were really more mature or more thought out, it just happened.

    “Last time we just kinda got chucked in the studio and it was a bit punk rock, where as this time the whole thing was a bit more professional I guess.

    “It’s a bit more mysterious lyrically I think, and a bit more mythical. This time we were really just sort of saying whatever we wanted to rather than worrying about what people were gonna think.”

    And did you wait too long to release it? “I think that’s a load of shite. Whenever it needs to come out, it’ll come out. Whenever it’s finished, it’s finished. There’s no point in rushing things. The music industry is always changing anyway, so what does that mean that we waited to long and didn’t release it at the right time? I’m glad we let it happen naturally. We just let it take its path, you know.”

    Poetic ramblings on the ins and outs of the creative process are far from Kyle Falconer’s style. “It’s pretty chaotic,” he tells me of the band’s recording style. “We just kind of get pissed up and see what we come up with.” And on his working method with bass player and writing partner, Kieren Webster: “Some of them are mine, some of them are his.”

    Which Bitch?’s failure to live up to the success of Hats Off To The Buskers puts The View in that perilous position of being another band that could all but disappear after their first record. There’s something about Kyle Falconer, though, that tells me that at 21, he’s not quite ready to throw the towel in yet.

    by Michael Wylie-Harris, Tour Dates.co.uk, 2nd July 2009

    Wednesday, July 01, 2009

    Acoustic session at Glasto

    Jonny Brown from Twisted Wheel and Kyle playing the Orange live lounge on Sunday at Glastonbury 2009

    More photos from Glastonbury

    More photos from Glastonbury here.