Which Bitch? review

Choosing to open with the chirpy and charming, but almost throwaway 'Typical Time' is a confident move from The View and that confidence is evident throughout this storming sophomore collection. Which Bitch? features not only brilliantly constructed tunes but also samples, strings and brass. They even leave on the odd snippet of chat, which contributes to the album's warm, personal feel; reckon they've heard 'Black Country Woman'.

Kyle Falconer sure has plenty to say and there's an interesting contrast occasionally between the lyrics and the music. Take '5 Rebbeccas', which is a tune that makes you want to jump up and down in a major way but has the hook line 'The one I love the most has turned into a junkie'. Similarly, 'Shock Horror' is a stomp-along grin-inducer. Way to keep us guessing, gents.

Whoever had the idea to roll out the string section needs a pat on the back, as it's working for them here big time. 'Unexpected' sports the first string vest, but is bested by 'Distant Doubloon', a joyous orchestral romp which sways between playful and mournful; some would say that's The View in a nutshell...

It's been a little while since 'Hats Off To The Buskers', but you wouldn't think it on the strength of this. You might say there's a trace of The Libertines in the more conventional numbers, but that'd be churlish; The View, are clearly pushing themselves to develop as a band and it's really good to hear them doing so. Tricky second album? Not a bit of it.

7digital.com 20th August 2009

The View head for Oz

The View will spend New Year at the Falls Festival in Australia.

The Falls Festival is held from Dec 29th to Jan 1st each year on a beautiful farm nestled in the Otway rainforest above Lorne and Victoria's Great Ocean Road.

For more info visit www.fallsfestival.com

Loopallu festival

THE View have been confirmed as headliners of the opening night of the intimate Loopallu festival in Ullapool.

The Dundee rockers will close the main stage at the picturesque event on September 18, joining the likes of the Lightning Seeds and Kid British for the two-day gig.

The band's Kieren Webster said: "It's really nice doing an unusual one like this. It's a really good festival and we have played there before. It's a small crowd but a good atmosphere.

"It's an amazing location and a really nice part of the world to see from the stage.

"It's out of the way too, you have to travel a bit to find it.

"That's part of the whole festival experience - the journey there and back being an expedition."

Kieren reckons it's vital that big bands step down to play grassroots festival such as Loopallu as well as the big events on the summer circuit.

"It is really important now to have the small festivals like this because the big ones are so commercial. You don't get the quirky wee things," he said.

"At wee ones, you have cool little market stalls and things - little side acts and all sorts of strange stuff you don't find at the commercial ones.

"You see things you wouldn't usually see but at the big ones, you plan out the huge bands you want to see and that's all you see.

"Festivals such as Loopallu are a bit more wacky and quirky. I think it gives them an edge over most of the bigger ones. The spirit of Loopallu is more like the original idea of what a festival was back in the early days."

The View first played the festival three years ago, just months before they made it big with their debut album Hats Off For The Buskers.

Kieren is excited at reliving memories of a time in his music career which he will always cherish.

"It's cool going back down to that size of crowd," he said. "We just did a Dutch gig with around 2500 people, which was brilliant. It takes us back to the 2006 summer festivals when we were just taking off.

"We did Belladrum and Loopallu that year, so heading up there again is special. It was the best summer I have ever had."

The band played a bittersweet final gig at their beloved Doghouse venue in Dundee on Friday night and Kieren admits it was nice to give the old place a good send off.

He said: "It is sad to see the Dog go but we got one last hurrah."

Next up for the guys - Kieren, Kyle Falconer, Peter Reilly and Steven Morrison - is a return to writing.

Kieren said: "We will finish off the festival season and then get stuck in to writing and rehearsing again.

"It will be amazing to be making music together for a while instead of doing it on the road."

By Mickey McMonagle, Daily Record 10th August 2009

Interview with Kieren

Read an interview with Kieren Webster by Stéphanie Jesus here.

See photos by Stéphanie here.

Doghouse video

The View Close Doghouse

ROCKERS The View played a rousing farewell gig at the venue where they made their name.

The Dundee hellraisers played an emotional set at city club The Doghouse in the last gig before it shuts down.

During their early days the band rehearsed, played gigs and stored equipment in the venue, and they took to the stage like returning heroes.

They treated fans to a great performance including hits like Same Jeans, Wasted Little DJs and 5 Rebbeccas. Fellow Dundee bands The Law and Luva Anna were also on the bill.

Sunday Mail, 9th August 2009

Last Doghouse Gig

Dundee band The View are set to play the venue they call their "spiritual home" for the final time.

The Doghouse, which is known for giving up-and-coming acts a chance to showcase their talent, is closing down after being sold by the owners.

During their early days The View would rehearse, play to fans and practically live in the Brown Street venue.

A farewell gig is being held before staff clear out the building ahead of the closure on Monday.

The View, whose 2007 debut album Hats Off to the Buskers went to number one, will headline the goodbye gig.

Up-and-coming act The Law will also take to the stage.

Earlier this year, The Doghouse was closed down after the licensee ran up council rates debts.

Local bands, including The View, staged fundraising concerts and the 350 capacity venue re-opened in May.

The View's bassist Keiren Webster is saddened that there is no saving the Doghouse this time round, but is hopeful it will be resurrected somewhere else.

He said: "We are gutted as it has been a long road for Sarah[Hill, the manager] and the guys at the Dog, but we have faith that it is not the end and we are going to make sure we give it a right royal send off, and while everyone is saying goodbye to one era, hopefully we will be saying hello to the next."

Ms Hill, who took over the venue in 2004, added: "I'm not looking forward to taking the signs down, but we hope it will only be a temporary measure and that they will soon have a new home. We will be taking The Doghouse name with us.

"Further discussions will be taking place but I think we may have the new venue available to us to move in and re-open in around a month's time.

"It seems the only right thing to do as allowing The Doghouse doors to close forever is not an option.

"I think we are much more than just a music venue to the local community and hopefully we will continue to be so for many years to come."

BBC, 7th August 2009

Schollenpop videos

Videos from Schollenpop 2009 in Scheveningen.
Realisation
Don't Look Back In Anger
Face For the Radio
Face For the Radio (Angle 2)
Comin' Down
One Off Pretender/Skag Trendy
5Rebbecca's

Photos from the show here.

Big thanks again to Leonie for videos and pictures.