Ronson Team Up

Dundonian pop bandits The View stormed 2009 with a new album, some hits singles and the odd moment of controversy or two.

Never ones to leave the bottle half empty, The View careered around Europe like a band possessed this year. Second album 'Which Bitch?' saw the band push the indie template until it cracked, adding in orchestras, folk rhythms and even the odd bit of rapping.

Alongside this the band pushed themselves to greater heights in the live arena. Always a group to give 110% The View found that sometimes it was difficult to match partying to the rigours of touring life.

Settling down in Liverpool to begin work on their new album, ClashMusic caught up with singer Kyle Falconer backstage at the Nordoff Robbins awards to talk about their plans.

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Kyle, how are you?
Good man.

Apparently the band have moved down to Liverpool, what brought this on?
The band's been living apart from each other for a while, but we'd always get back together to work in Dundee. But we've found there's just too much distraction in Dundee. We'd set up our equipment in this big aircraft hanger, locker type thing and it was just no use. It was great for skatingboarding on, and everybody was getting out their cars. It was good for skidding about on, but we couldn't get anything done. So we ended up moving to Liverpool to get more concentrated.

Did you enjoy life in London?
Yeah I loved it. I was there for three years, since we got signed. I had loads of pals down there, and it was great but recently it's been all smackheads in London.

How has life in Liverpool changed the band?
It's great! We've all been running. I'm not saying we haven't been getting drunk and shit, just being a bit more creative and working. Before, me and Kieran wouldn't see each other for months at a time then we'd come back and it'd be like "that's what I've brought" and then like elaborating on people's stuff. Recently it's been like the whole band sitting in a room and experimenting - the drummer playing the piano and loads of other different stuff.

Like back in the Doghouse in the early days?
Yeah yeah exactly.

Apparently you've got The Zutons living next door.
The Zutons have been rehearsing across the road from us, aye. Good lads, we see them shooting around on their bikes. We're just trying to be more cosmopolitan! (laughs). We got more than enough tracks for our new album, in fact we've got about three album's worth. Right now we're just trying to pick the best tracks and start rehearsing them, get them recorded. We've been trying to find different producers, we've been speaking to Youth who seems pretty good.

So you're not using Owen Morris again?
Owen has gone on a different path, he's just re-married again. Heard he's trying to get into politics which is a bit strange, like! But we're still keeping in touch, we're going to his wedding well he's had the wedding, he done it like on the sly but we're going to this big party he's organised - hired a big castle in Edinburgh as well.

Will you be playing?
Aye. Most likely!

There's also been a lot of rumours about you working with Mark Ronson?
He's just got like some tunes that Dave McCabe has been writing. I've been helping them out a wee bit.

So is it a Zutons project
It's Mark Ronson's project. A lot of people are involved and I'm one of them, so I just come out and like sing for them. He's dead nice, he's not very hands on in the studio - he'll just say what's going down. He's not the kind of producer that if you lived in a school singing he could tell if you were missing out a semi-tone or if you are missing some sort of minor scale he'll go "no you're getting it wrong". Sometimes when you're getting a bit pissed off he'll step in, he can be a bit sort of hands on I suppose, but he knows what's going down anyway. A lot of people kinda mess him but he's the nicest person in the world and he makes fucking fantastic records as well.

I've heard Owen Morris prefers to work on guitars, rather than your voice.
Owen just loves going over and over the guitars, and it never gets frustrating for us because it's like we wanted to be when we started out. We wanted to be like what Oasis sounded like so on 'Definitely Maybe' so it never gets frustrating for us.

Will you have a selection of producers for the third album?
I dunno, we're seing a few people at the moment - we're kind of being slappers to be honest! We'll need to see, there's a few people we've had in mind but we'll need to see what's happening.

Transcription by Lindsey White

clashmusic.com, 4th Deceber 2009

Win The View tickets

Marrying the forked tongue wit and guttersnipe humor of The Libertines with the melodic nous of The Buzzcocks and Oasis, The View - one of the latest groups from the UK to be touted as "the next big thing" - are bringing their
infectious sounds to Australia for the 2009/2010 festival season.

The Scottish band have been making music since the four members met in school in Dundee, and progressed quickly from gigs at caravan parks and family weddings to the international rock 'n' roll stage.

Before an appearance by Babyshambles in Dundee the band busked for Pete Doherty, who was impressed and offered them a support slot for his band's show later that night. Several months later, Doherty again asked The View to
support his band, this time on a national tour. This opportunity, plus the release of their 2006 EP The View and a free demo album, gave the group substantial exposure and garnered them an ever-growing fan base.

In the second half of 2006, they released the singles, 'Wasted Little DJs' and 'Superstar Tradesman'. Both of these singles reached #15 in the UK singles chart. 'Wasted Little DJs' was voted Best Track of the year at the annual NME Awards 2007. Their next single, 'Same Jeans', hit the number three spot in January 2007.

The album, Hats Off to the Buskers, was released in 2007 and entered the UK Album Chart at #1 before being nominated for the prestigious Mercury Music Prize. Sophomore album Which Bitch? was released early 2009 reaching #4 in UK charts, with radio singles '5Rebbeccas' and 'Shock Horror'.

*ENTER COMPETITION HERE*

The View are returning to Australia in December to wow festival audiences over the New Year period; keep an eye on

Tour dates are:

Wed 30th Dec Falls Festival, Lorne Victoria
Thu 31st Dec Falls Festival, Marion Bay, Tasmania
Sun 3rd Jan The Hi Fi, Melbourne
Mon 4th Jan The Hi Fi, Brisbane
Tue 5th Jan Metro Theatre, Sydney
Sat 9th Jan Southbound Festival, Perth

Homecoming Videos

Happy

The full setlist was; Glass Smash, Wasted Little Dj's, 5 Rebeccas, Skag Trendy, Realisation, Wasteland, Happy, Same Jeans, Superstar Tradesman and Shock Horror.

Viewin’ the Fat

ROCK stars and celebrities raised the roof last night at the glitzy Tartan Clef music awards bash.
Indie stars The View and Marillion frontman Fish rubbed shoulders with TV funnyman Ford Kiernan and airport hero John Smeaton at the awards at Glasgow's SECC.

Others on the star-studded guest list included telly presenter Laura Marks, comic Fred MacAulay and singers Eddi Reader and Lloyd Cole.

The night's big winners were Dundee band The View - who scooped Best Live Band sponsored by The Scottish Sun.

Singer Kyle Falconer put on a brave face on the red carpet despite mourning the death of his mum this week.

But the scruffy rockers were worried they looked out of place. Bass player Kieren Webster, 23, said: "We're excited to be here but I feel a bit under dressed as loads of people got on the kilts." Guitarist Pete Reilly, 23, quipped: "We scrub up well, we've all got a splash of Dior on."

Folk rocker King Creosote, who won Singer Of The Year, and Fish picked up the Rock Award.

Other winners included Lloyd Cole and the Commotions, Mott The Hoople and DF Concerts.

Guests included SFA boss Gordon Smith, below left, who revealed he's a pal of Beatles legend Sir Paul McCartney.

He said: "The biggest thrill of my life was sitting in Sir Paul's house as he played for me about 20 years ago. I played to him Beatles song Blackbird, which I found really difficult. He went out the room, got his guitar and taught me how to play it."

Radio DJ Heather Suttie was keen to show off her credit-crunch dress on the red carpet.

She pulled off her jacket to reveal her cream lace vintage outfit.

The blonde bombshell said: "It cost me a whole £10."

The Tartan Clef awards bash raises cash for Nordoff-Robins music therapy in Scotland.

Scottish Sun columnist Donald Macleod, chairman of the fundraising committee, said: "This year's Homecoming Scotland Tartan Clef Awards again showed the incredibly high calibre of music in Scotland.

"On behalf of Nordoff-Robbins, I'd like to thank our sponsors, guests and donors for their overwhelming generosity in support of our charity's important work. It's hard to believe that in ten years we've moved from a small lunch in Edinburgh to filling one of the halls in the SECC."

The Sun, 28 December 2009

2010 Australian Tour Promo

Homecoming Pictures

View all pictures here.

Homecoming Live

..."It was clear who the vast majority of the 2000 strong crowd in Hall Two were there to see though and when Dundee rockers The View - the new Tartan Clef live band of the year - hit the stage the hall went mental.

'Superstar Tradesman', '5Rebeccas' and 'Shock Horror' were highlights of a performance cut short by the gig's over-run. But hat's off to View frontman Kyle Falconer who gave a brilliantly rumbustious performance just days after his mother's sudden death."

The Glaswegian, November 30th 2009

The View take tips from the Jersey Boys

The View have rewound 50 years of pop history while recording tracks for their new album.

The Dundee rockers have revealed the unlikely inspiration for the CD was legendary US vocal act Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.

View frontman Kyle Falconer fell in love with the group after hearing classics December 1963 (Oh What A Night), Rag Doll and Walk Like A Man.

He's become such a fan he even went to see The Jersey Boys - the hit West End stage musical which tells their amazing story.

Now, Kyle says his band will introduce Four Seasons-style harmonies to their unique sound.

The View are working on the follow up to hit albums, Hats Off To The Buskers in 2007 and Which Bitch? which was released earlier this year.

Kyle told me: "Two years ago, I was given a copy of The Four Seasons' greatest hits and it lay around for ages before I actually listened to it.

"When I finally put it on I really got into the songs. The simple pop factor of their music is brilliant."

The US group were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990.

They released their first record in 1961 - 26 years before Kyle was born.

Their string of Top 40 hits includes Beggin', Working My Way Back To You and Let's Hang On.

Their 1965 hit Bye Bye Baby was famously covered by The Bay City Rollers ...

while Andy Williams had a smash with their 1967 classic Can't Take My Eyes Off You.

Kyle said: "We're working on five-part vocal harmonies - it's something we've always wanted to do. We're not bad chanters when we put our minds to it."

The band have split from Oasis' producer Owen Morris. On the new album they plan to work with Youth, the man behind hits by Paul McCartney, U2 and Marilyn Manson.

On Friday, the group will attend the Nordoff Robbins (Scotland) Tartan Clef Awards at the SECC in Glasgow to receive the gong for Best Live Band.

The following night, they star at Homecoming Live alongside Deacon Blue, Lloyd Cole, Teenage Fanclub and Midge Ure at the same venue.

Kyle said: "It's always good to get an award and means much more to receive one on home soil.

By Billy Sloan, Sunday Mail, 22nd November 2009


Tickets for Homecoming Live are available from 0844 395 4000.

Homecoming Live

NEXT week, some of Scotland’s best loved acts will come together for Homecoming Live – The Final Fling.

Scots from all around the globe are expected to descend on Glasgow for a weekend of gigs by Scots acts.

On Saturday, November 28, at the Clyde Auditorium Midge Ure, Deacon Blue, Hue and Cry, The Bluebells and James Grant will remind you of some of Scotland’s best music while in Hall 2 the event has more contemporary acts including The View, Idlewild, King Creosote and Codeine Velvet Club.

Adding a classic vibe at the SECC’s Lomond Suite will be the fabulous Eddi Reader, Dougie MacLean, who gave us Caledonia, and virtuoso percussionist Evelyn Glennie.

As part of the Homecoming StAndrew’s celebratory weekend, which runs from next Thursday, November 26, to Monday November 30, there will also be gigs at King Tut’s with cult bands The Pastels and 1990s as well as up-and-coming hopefuls Sergeant and We Were Promised Jetpacks.

Given that the event is called Homecoming, we asked some of the stars what Scotland meant to them.

Kyle Falconer of The View: “We are proud to come from Scotland and always miss it when we’reaway, even if it’s just south of the border.

“The crowds at gigs in Scotland are better than anywhereelse in the world – they just get so into it. We always look forward to playing at home and to going to gigs here. There’s just nowhere like Scotland – the people, the banter, the music, the venues – it is the greatest place in the world.”

Daily Record, 20th November 2009

Tartan Clef Awards

The View, King Creosote and Mott the Hoople confirmed for The Homecoming Scotland Tartan Clef Awards plus EXCLUSIVE Lloyd Cole and the Commotions performance

Friday 27th November sees the Homecoming Scotland Tartan Clef Awards take to the stage at the SECC in Glasgow in what promises to be a fantastic evening of entertainment as well as a great chance to raise money for Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy in Scotland.

The sell out show features some fantastic performances, exclusive collaborations and as each year, a host of contributors to Scotland’s rich musical heritage will be honored on the night with a prestigious Tartan Clef presented by celebrities, sponsors and ambassadors of the charity.

2009’s eclectic line up will see Mott the Hoople perform as part of their 40th anniversary tour as Ian Hunter, originally from Hamilton, makes the trip home to Scotland to help celebrate the finale to Homecoming 2009.

Also coming home to Scotland for an exclusive Tartan Clef’s appearance are Glasgow’s own Lloyd Cole & the Commotions who are reuniting on stage especially for the show. Their seminal 1984 debut album Rattlesnakes has appeared in NME’s Top 100 Albums of All Time and is regularly quoted as an influence by artists as diverse as Tori Amos and the Manic Street Preachers: this performance is sure to be as important a landmark.
Young upstarts The View will take a break from recording their new album to perform alongside the celebrated King Creosote, with yet more special performances revealed on the night.

Previous Tartan Clef Award winners include the likes of Paolo Nutini, Biffy Clyro, Lulu, Franz Ferdinand, Craig Armstrong and Edwyn Collins and this year’s event promises to be bigger and better than ever before as it moves to a new venue.

Donald Macleod Chairman of the Fundraising Committee said: “We’re excited to have such a fantastic line-up for this year’s Homecoming Scotland Tartan Clef Awards. Last year’s awards raised £93,000 for Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy in Scotland and this year we hope to raise even more!”
Janet Halton, Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy Scotland adds:

"The money raised at the Tartan Clef Awards will ensure that Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy in Scotland can continue to develop and expand its work with hundreds of adults and children in need across the country. We are thrilled with the support we have received this year and look forward to the Awards ceremony on the 27th November, with so many exciting acts coming along on the night."

Michael Russell MSP, Minister for Culture, External Affairs and the Constitution said: “Our Year of Homecoming has been an exceptional year with over 400 events taking place the length and breadth of Scotland. Music has been a key ingredient in many of these events and it is fitting that Scotland's music is providing the soundtrack to the Homecoming Scotland Finale Celebrations. I am delighted that the Homecoming Tartan Clef Music Awards are part of those celebrations and I look forward to attending later this month.”

Scott Taylor, Chief Executive, Glasgow City Marketing Bureau said: “We’re very proud to continue our support of Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy in Scotland through the Tartan Clef Awards. Not only does the event help to raise money for a greatly-deserving cause which helps countless people throughout Scotland, it also reinforces Glasgow’s status as a UNESCO City of Music, profiling its cutting-edge style credentials.”

The Homecoming Scotland Tartan Clef Awards is the main fundraising event for the charity Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy in Scotland which works to support children and adults who have been affected by illness, disability and trauma. The charity works out of bases across Scotland including a new facility in the Angus area. Nordoff-Robbins receives no statutory funding so monies raised at this year’s awards and the other fundraising initiatives are hugely valued by the charity and those who benefit from the work they do. Last year’s awards raised £93,000 which goes direct to supporting the work of the charity in Scotland.

For more details visit www.tartanclef.org

Kyle & Paolo Nutini at Caird Hall

Kyle joined Paolo Nutini at Dundee's Caird Hall (13th October) .

The Dundee crowd were sent in to a frenzy as Kyle took to the stage for a brilliant rendition of “Covers” from The View’s 'Which Bitch?' album.

Video 2
Video 3

Full gig review here.

'Destroy' Exhibition

The View got together up with renowed photographer Rankin and artist Ryan McPhail to create four pieces of artwork to be auctioned off for 'Youth Music', the UK's largest children's music charity.

See the artwork here.

For more details visit the Destroy website at www.youthmusic.org.uk

Melbourne tickets on sale

Tickets now on on sale for The View's gig in Melbourne.

Buy here.

Australian Tour 2009/10

Marrying the forked tongue wit and guttersnipe humor of The Libertines with the melodic nous of The Buzzcocks and Oasis, The View – one of the latest groups from the UK to be touted as “the next big thing” – are bringing their infectious sounds to Australia for the 2009/2010 festival season.

The Scottish band have been making music since the four members met in school in Dundee, and progressed quickly from gigs at caravan parks and family weddings to the international rock ‘n’ roll stage.

Before an appearance by Babyshambles in Dundee the band busked for Pete Doherty, who was impressed and offered them a support slot for his band’s show later that night. Several months later, Doherty again asked The View to support his band, this time on a national tour. This opportunity, plus the release of their 2006 EP The View and a free demo album, gave the group substantial exposure and garnered them an ever-growing fan base.

In the second half of 2006, they released the singles, ‘Wasted Little DJs’ and ‘Superstar Tradesman’. Both of these singles reached #15 in the UK singles chart. ‘Wasted Little DJs’ was voted Best Track of the year at the annual NME Awards 2007. Their next single, ‘Same Jeans’, hit the number three spot in January 2007.

The album, Hats Off to the Buskers, was released in 2007 and entered the UK Album Chart at #1 before being nominated for the prestigious Mercury Music Prize. Sophomore album Which Bitch? was released early 2009 reaching #4 in UK charts, with radio singles ‘5Rebbeccas’ and ‘Shock Horror’.

Tour Dates:
2rd January 2010 – The Hi-Fi Melbourne
4th January 2010 – The Hi-Fi Brisbane
5th January 2010 – Metro Theatre Sydney

The View also performing at Falls Festival Lorne 30th December 2009
Falls Festival Marion Bay 31st December 2009
Southbound Festival Perth 9th January 2010

LifeMusicMedia.com

Pub Quiz with The View

The View take on fellow Dundonians The Law at a Pub quiz.

Listen here.

The Law's debut album ‘A Measure of Wealth’ is released 28th September and can be pre ordered here.

Loopallu Photos

Photos from Friday nights set at Loopallu. See all here.

The View get tough

THE songs remain the same for The View's album three – songs inspired by the band's own lives and life in hometown Dundee.

But this week, it was in Liverpool you'd find frontman Kyle Falconer as the four-piece starts recording tracks for the next album – and begin to take up the reins co-producing their own tracks.

It might seem a brave move for a band just as well known for their grade A ability to party as for their music and live energy. But, so far, Kyle is pleased with the way things are going.

"We've started recording some tracks for the new album in Liverpool, doing some demos for it. Jim was the engineer on the last album, so this time we are going to do a lot of the production ourselves with Jim."

They've set up camp at Motor Museum Studio with Jim Anderson, who engineered Which Bitch? – but no producer attached to the project. Or planned to be.

The band – Kyle, Kieran Webster, Pete Reilly and Steve Morrison – will co-produce the next album with Jim. And Kyle seemed excited about it when he spoke earlier this week before the band head up to headline the Loopallu Festival in Ullapool on Friday night.

And though things are going well, a change of location could bring new inspiration for album three's songs too.

"We're here another week and then me, Jim and Kieran fly off to Mexico – just because we need a holiday. We've been working our a*ses off for a year."

It might seem a dodgy move, what with Mexico being the place swine flu first struck. But Kyle's not worried.

"Everyone in Dundee has got it anyway!" he said. "My niece has had it and friends. And Pete had flu though I'm not sure if it was swine flu."

Asking if they're not afraid of burnout – the pace for the last few years has been mental for the band – Kyle said: "We've just been working hard on all of it and there is a lot of pressure, but we're always chilling out too."

The plans for the Mexico holiday include work, but realistically, Kyle admits there may be the odd crazy moment.

"It probably will be wild too, yes. But we are there to work as well."

The album hasn't got any particular theme or inspiration – it's business as usual for The View.

"The songs are just about whatever. We're inspired by what we want. But we've got a few different tracks and a couple of different categories will be on there – soft and hard and pop."

But with a full-on year just returning The View from their European tour with Mando Daio, the chance to see some more of the world probably doesn't do any harm.

"We were doing festivals in front of 12,000 people every night. We've toured Europe ourselves before, but we were in huge arenas for this one. Mando Daio get treated like The Beatles in Europe."

Now, it's back to Scotland for Loopallu before more work on the album and next date up, the Homecoming Scotland Final Fling at the SECC on November 28.

First there's the long journey on the tour bus to the Highlands.

"Ullapool's the furthest north we've been this year, we did the festival a few years ago. But this time I think we're flying up, so we maybe won't be on the tour bus. It's pretty good on the bus, you can just sleep or watch films."

Current music likely to be on the soundtrack, would be Oasis or the latest Arctic Monkeys album... or The View.

The View?

Kyle laughed: "Yeah, maybe our own one, so we can get back into it!"

By Margaret Chrystall, Highland News, 17th September 2009

It’s time to rock at Loopallu

It’s almost time for festival goers to pack away their tents and wellie boots for another year, but before they do, there’s Loopallu, the ‘best little fest in the west’ to attend, writes Susan Welsh

Dundee rockers The View will headline the opening night of the intimate two-day festival

SUMMERTIME is officially over when the clocks go back, but for festival goers, the summer of 2009 will draw to a close this weekend when the Loopallu festival gets under way.

Loopallu — that’s Ullapool spelled backwards – takes place in the pretty little fishing village of Ullapool on the shores of Loch Broom, where tomorrow and Saturday, the population will more than double as it prepares to welcome around 2,500 music fans.

Dundee rockers The View will headline the opening night of the intimate two-day festival tomorrow, on a wonderfully picturesque site adjacent to the loch.

Promoter Dougie Brown said: “Loopallu has activities for all ages and music for all ears and has been described as the sort of family gathering you’d actually like to go to.”

Although it’s considered by some to be a small festival in a remote location, the event, which is now in its fifth year, manages to attract some big names, giving more established and larger festivals a run for their money.

The likes of Echo and the Bunnymen, Franz Ferdinand, The Levellers and The Bees have all performed here, and this year’s programme is equally impressive with a line-up that includes The View, Mumford and Sons, The Dykeenies and the Lightning Seeds.

Event organiser Rob Hicks said: “We can’t quite believe this is year number five — where has the time gone?

“Time has literally flown by which I’m taking to be a good sign.

“Loopallu has become a bit of a family reunion for many who see it as the end of the festival season, as after this weekend they’ll be hanging up their wellies until next summer.

“This year, one of my personal highlights will be seeing Mumford and Sons as I’ve probably seen them a dozen times in the last year and think they are the best new band I’ve come across in the last few years.

“Every time I hear them they get better — it’s only a matter of time until they are huge stars.

“The View’s set will be another fantastic gig.

“I saw them a few weeks ago at the Reading Festival and thought they were the best I’d seen them in years.

“They seemed reinvigorated, confident and played really well together.”

Headlining the Friday night line-up are The View. Also appearing is the legendary Neville Staple, formerly of the Specials; one of Scotland’s hottest acts The Dykeenies; self confessed ‘product of the ipod generation’ Kid British, along with one of the fastest-rising acts in Scotland, Pearl and the Puppets; alternative Highland two-piece Bronto Skylift and a visit from the one and only Ullapool Pipe Band.

The honour of closing tomorrow night’s show falls to The View — and lead guitarist Pete Reilly is delighted.

“Loopallu is what a festival should be, slightly quirky and little with everyone there quite mellow, plus it’s in a great setting and is not commercial like some of the bigger festivals,” said Pete.

“The spirit of Loopallu is more like the original idea of what a festival was back in the early days, and I think it gives it an edge over some of the bigger ones.”

The band are currently working in a Liverpool recording studio, recording tracks for a new album which should be released early next year.

“We are flying from Liverpool to Inverness then driving to Ullapool, but I think half of the folk in Dundee are coming along too,” said Pete.

“Like Rob Hicks said, the band are playing really well together just now — I think Reading Festival was one of our best ever gigs.

“We are enthusiastic and really enjoying playing together, and are certainly more revitalised.

“Things have settled down a lot since that chaotic first album — or maybe we’re just getting a bit wiser at last,” he joked.

Saturday’s line-up is headlined by the Lightning Seeds and includes an appearance by Jon Fratelli, lead singer with Scottish rockers The Fratellis who have had massive hits including Chelsea Dagger, who will bring along his new band, The Codeine Velvet Club, a collaboration between Jon and Glasgow singer Lou Hickey, which promises to be something special.

Regular Loopallu guest, Radio 1 DJ Mark Radcliffe, will be there with his bar-room drinking band, The Family Mahone, while other acts worth getting excited about include the beautiful and captivating folk sounds of Mumford and Sons and firm festival favourites, The Dangleberries who went down a storm at this year’s Belladrum Festival.

Also on the bill is crossover act The Grousebeater Soundsystem, who blew away a packed-out clash tent at Rockness earlier this year; Glasgow’s quirky indie pop favourites French Wives, Polly and the Billets Doux and home-grown talent from Naked Strangers.

All this plus pub fringe shows, street entertainment, excellent mouth-watering local food and drink, and plenty of arts and craft stalls to keep little festival goers happy, makes it easy to see why the festival is known as the ‘best little fest in the west.

Weekend camping tickets are now sold out but at the time of going to press, a limited number of weekend tickets are available from a number of outlets including on the web: www.thebooth.co.uk; www.ironworksvenue.com; www.seetickets.com or by calling 0871 7894173. www.loopallu.co.uk

By Susan Welsh, Press and Journal, 17th September 2009

Photos from BadFormat

A few pictures from Secret gig in Liverpool.

See here.

Secret Gig at BadFormat!

Scottish band The View headlined the Sunday service at BadFormat! Social Club last night, kicking off the weekly BANDWAGONeque club supported by The Hot melts and Hey Tourists.

The not so ‘secret free gig’ saw the Social Clubs underground live room transformed into the banging sweat pit that it was destined to be, with the Dundee boys jumping on stage brandishing full bottles of Smirnoff and lemonade mixer.

Kicking off the set with Wasted Little Dj’s, crowd control had to be enforced as one lout, with hair curlier than front man Kyle’s, mounted the stage to try for a dance with bassist Kieran.

The band made full use of the clubs tinnitus inducing PA, working up the crowd into a gig/brawl frenzy that seems just for the brick tunnel venue.

After the success of their debut album Hats off to the Buskers in 2007, The View continue to knock out tunes that stick and last night performed tracks from their 2009 release Which Bitch?.

Lead singer Kyle said ‘This place is great, we’re moving to Liverpool , can we stay at yours?’ after coming off stage last night. The band have spent the week recording in Lark Lane’s Motor Museum, a studio that has saw The Arctic Monkeys, The Enemy and of course Atomic Kitten record over the years.

Whispers have already begun to circulate about the next secret gig that BadFormat! will spring on the city, with talk of Pete Doherty flying around the bar last night. After BadFormat! favourites Hey Tourists supported him this summer we’ll have to wait and see what surprises the new Truman Street venue come up with next.

You can find last nights set list on Spotify.com

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

Southbound Festival

The View have been added to the line up for the Southbound festival in Australia.

For more details visit the Southbound website here.

Doghouse at new venue

OK, here's the news you've been waiting for.

Love Live Music Ltd (that's us!) presents...

From an old school to an old church....

New Venue for the Doghouse: 15 Ward Road Dundee (formerly Starz) - next to Deacon Brodies

Private Premiere Opening by invitation only Friday 18th September

Grand Public Opening Saturday 19th September

Plus The Doghouse Annual Day Out will take place this year on Saturday 5th September
Secret Location. Ticket Price £15 includes bus, bands, food and drink!!!

There are a limited number of tickets available for this. Please contact Sarah by email sarah@doghousepub.co.uk for tickets.

www.myspace.com/dundeedoghouse

T in The Park photos

Photos by Robert Kelly

Kyle on Oasis split

"They haven't split. I fight with my brother all the time too. They've done it loads of times. Oasis will never end"

News Of The World, 31st August 2009

Kyle Delight

The View frontman Kyle Falconer's delight as band are chosen for Homecoming gig

THE VIEW frontman Kyle Falconer has compared his songwriting with the poems of Robert Burns.

Dundee rocker Kyle made the claim as his band were unveiled as one of the acts for a three-day festival to celebrate Homecoming year.

Homecoming Live - The Final Fling takes place at Glasgow's SECC over the last weekend in November.

The Clyde Auditorium and King Tut's Wah Wah Hut will also host gigs.

And they will all feature acts from Scotland - or inspired by Scotland - in the weekend leading up to St Andrew's Day.

Other Homecoming Live acts include Deacon Blue, The Bluebells, James Grant, Kevin McDermott, The Law, Tommy Reilly, Lloyd Cole, Hue & Cry, The Vaselines, King Creosote, The Law and Idlewild.

The View will play the SECC on Saturday, November 28.

Kyle said: "It's cool to be playing with all these other Scottish bands. We have just found out about it. The SECC will be magic. It's a good venue.

"Rabbie Burns and I are both poets so it's all good. I don't know too much about him but we got Burns in school and I liked it."

The news comes as The View get ready to record their third album. The band will begin laying down demos of the songs today at the Motor Museum studio in Liverpool.

They'll spend 10 days on the tracks before re-recording them for the follow-up to No1 debut album Hats Off To The Buskers and Which Bitch?

Kyle revealed: "We are in Liverpool with the engineer who worked on our second album. We're not sure which songs will make it. We'll see. We want to record the songs quickly so we don't get bored with them like last time."

Kyle denied reports producer Owen Morris had been snubbed for the album.

He added: "He hasn't been dumped but we haven't seen him for a while. We are going to record the songs ourselves with the engineer from our last album, Jim Anderson. We have built up a relationship with him. Then we'll see if we need anyone else in."

Kyle admitted a lot was riding on the success of the third album for the band who are signed to 1965 records.

He said: "We are going to do our best. If it doesn't do well, it won't be for the want of trying.

"The last album didn't do as well as we hoped. We were all chuffed with it, though. We think it is a lot better than Hats Off To The Buskers."

Tickets for The View at the SECC go on sale on Friday at 9am

By John Dingwall, Daily Record, 7th September 2009

The View 'Feel Credit Crunch'

The View are feeling the credit crunch, the band are self-producing their new album to help save the pennies.

The group have released two albums previously ('Which Bitch?' and 'Hats Off To The Buskers') and worked with Oasis producer Owen Morris on both records.

But this time around, the 'Wasted Little DJs' rockers are doing DIY, when they enter the studio soon to record their third LP.

"We're going to produce our next album to save money," explains frontman Kyle Falconer, "a producer is so fucking expensive."

"To get our heads in the right frame we've cut down on what we're drinking."

Angry Ape, 1st September 2009

Reading Video

Watch video highlights from The View at Reading Festival here now.

The View 'rock' the Leeds Festival

The View rocked the Leeds Festival this afternoon (August 29) with a lively set on the Main Stage.

The Dundonians dipped into their two albums - 'Hats Off To The Buskers' and 'Which Bitch?' - for a crowd pleasing show at Bramham Park.

Kicking off their set with 'Glass Smash' singer Kyle Falconer declared the band's intentions early on. "Hello Leeds, we're ready to rock," he told the crowd.

He then dedicated 'Wasted Little DJ's to the "girls in Dundee" which the song was originally based on before following it up with hit single '5Rebbeccas'.

The band then suffered a momentary technical hitch which bassist Kieren Webster apologised for. "We're having a bit of a technical problem at the side of the stage which should be sorted in a minute," he said before he filled in time by asking the crowd: "Did you see Arctic Monkeys last night? Were they good eh?"

He then took centre stage for three songs - 'One-Off Pretender', 'Skag Trendy' and 'Realisation', which the band dedicated to Scotland - before the band kicked their set up a gear with hit singles 'Same Jeans' and 'Superstar Tradesman'.

The View played:

'Glass Smash'
'Wasted Little DJ's'
'5Rebbeccas'
'Temptation Dice'
'One-Off Pretender'
'Skag Trendy'
'Realisation'
'Comin' Down'
'Wasteland'
'Typical Time 2'
'Same Jeans'
'Superstar Tradesman'
'Shock Horror'

NME.COM

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.

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

Reni & Kyle interview

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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