The View are on fire

Every now and then I ask a friend to write a guest blog. I always enjoy reading about friends passion for music on social media and it often turns me on to artists I may never have checked out for myself.

This morning my friend Gordon Phipps, bass player in Vigo Thieves, sent a text to say he was at the Barrowland Ballroom for the second night running to see young veterans (10-years and 5 albums in but still in their late 20's or early 30's) The View and asked if I would like a guest blog review.

Gordon is one of the biggest music fans I know. Equally at home in the Sub Club or at Electric Frog, catching a new band at King Tuts, or one of many acts ranging from the likes of New Order and the Roses through to First Aid Kit and Sister Sledge. His passion shines through and I have shared many a great night out with him.

So lets see what Gordon has to say about The View at the legendary Barrowland.

The View at the Barrowland Ballroom, September 2016

Guest blog by Gordon Phipps

Ten years ago these boys went pretty much from the school bus to the tour bus. A decade on and it's a night to celebrate their terrific debut album Hats Off To The Buskers.

I arrived just in time to see a blistering set from The Law. The reformed Dundonians seemed to have a new zest for performing live after an extended break. The Chase and Milk and Honey were particular highlights for me and singer Stuart Purvey seemed to be having the time of his life on stage.

Next up was a tribute to The Lapelles who were set to make their Barrowland debut supporting The View tonight. Tragically their singer Gary Watson passed away a few weeks ago, leaving the band and the Glasgow music community shattered. So it was a fitting tribute that the band still got to play the hallowed stage. Introduced on by Kieran Webster, the band were joined by their friend Gianluca who filled in Gary's vocals. This must have been the toughest gig the boys have ever played, however ,like true professionals and friends they absolutely smashed it and it was a fitting tribute to their late band mate.

The View walked on stage to massive cheers from the crowd. Apparently the show sold out in 25-minutes, highlighting their popularity ten years and five albums down the line. They kicked off with Comin' Down, the opener from Hats Off To The Buskers and rattled their way through the album in order.

Kyle (still only 29) looked a picture of health, which in the past you couldn't always say. Every song was treated like an old friend and every word sang back to the stage. Highlights for me were Superstar Tradesman, The Don, Face For The Radio which nearly took the roof off and Wasted Little DJ's which practically shook the floor to pieces

After playing their debut the band went off for a well earned break. Kyle then returned to play a beautiful version of Tacky Tattoo of their Cheeky For A Reason album. Straight after this the full band returned for a sensational encore including Grace, Tragic Magic, How Long, the Rennie powered Sunday, Shock Horror and Double Yellow Lines.

It is a long time since I was down the front pogoing about in a soaking, sweaty mess, but I was there last night because watching The View live will do that to you. Whilst down there I bumped into Paul Grieve) former manager of The View and The Law and current manager of Model Aeroplanes). I doubt you will see many managers down the front at the Barras but it shows the passion and the love he has for this music, just like the rest of us.

Paul and Gordon

Miss You by Velveteen Saints

Miss You is the latest song to be released by Velveteen Saints, one of my current favourite bands on the Glasgow/Scottish unsigned/DIY scene.

Velveteen Saints stand out for me for a number of reasons; they are 4 young lads with guitars and attitude who have excellent taste in music (embracing The Clash and The Marychain for starters) and they look they are having the time of their lives when they play live on stage. They can fly through guitar punk pop tunes crammed with melodies, hooks and a raw edge in well under 3-minutes.

That raw edge is what makes them stand out. They are not over produced, they are one of the few 'guitar' bands that are not using synths or keyboards. The electric guitars are to the fore.

Miss You is just over 150 seconds of beautiful thrashy guitar punk pop. Steaming in from the opening riff and snarls, hitting the chorus at just under 30-seconds. They pack a lot in, even managing a guitar solo/instrumental before hammering home the chorus.

Oh my love I still miss you

And oh my love I still care for you

And oh my love I can't go on

Feeling, as I do

The band are keen to build momentum following early promise that led to supports with The Charlatans and a European tour with The View who are real champions of the band. Miss You is released as a download only single via iTunes and follows on from Postcards from Rome, their official debut single available on very limited 7-inch vinyl via local label Dead Beet Records.

The band play Broadcast on Thursday 29th January as part of Independent Venue Week.

Postcards from Rome by The Velveteen Saints

I've been following the Velveteen Saints, a young 4-piece from the outskirts of Glasgow (now firmly based in Glasgow), since they sent me an email 2-years ago, inviting me to one of their very first gigs and sending me a link to their song Rock 'n' Roll Is Dead, blogging about them HERE.

The band have taken their time to release their debut single, building up a fine collection of songs and loads of live experience - including a huge show with The Charlatans and a European tour with The View. So for the Velveteen Saints - Rock 'n' Roll definitely isn't dead.

The bands debut single Postcards from Rome is out today on Dead Beet Records.

Postcards from Rome takes a dash of Eddie Cochran, adds a slice of Bolan and T-Rex and a generous helping of the Marychain; marrying guitars with hooks and melodies. It's good, fun, simple and pure rock 'n' roll guitar music - something there is an incredible dearth of in 2014.

So baby

Come on home

Don't leave your man alone

I got a feeling in my bones

That you'll send me

Postcards from Rome

100 ltd edition vinyl copies of the single will be available at a a hometown launch party show with secret special guests at Broadcast on 31st October. It's sure to be a good one.

Check the single below;

Catching up with the Velveteen Saints

A year ago I blogged about a young Scottish band by the name of the Velveteen Saints after they contacted me about their song ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Is Dead’ and invited me to their second ever show. Their energetic guitar pop punk sound with echoes of The Clash, Jesus & Marychain and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club won me over and I have been following them ever since.  

The band has had a productive 12-month, working hard – playing lots of their own shows, supports and festivals. Their hard work has recently been rewarded with a support slot on The View’s extensive European tour stretching through October, November and well into December culminating in shows in Glasgow and Edinburgh. It seems that I am far from the only one to have fallen for the band. I caught up with bass player Mark Thomson to find out how things are going and I ended up getting an exclusive about the bands first release! Read on to find out more. 

Well done to the lads and all the best for the tour. 

Mark Thomson in action

1. It has been quite a 12-months for the band. Could you pick out 3 highlights?

There have been that many highlights in the last year, but if I had to pick 3, it would have to be playing at the Isle Of Wight Festival, headlining the T-Break Stage at T In The Park and being asked to support The View on their European & UK tour.


1.b How did the support slot with The View come about?

We'd supported Tim Burgess on the Scottish dates of his solo tour. He had his own venue, Tim Peaks, at the Isle Of Wight and he asked us to play there too. It was brilliant! From that, Tim asked us to play before The Charlatans at their gig in front of 5000 people in Delamere Forest. The View were on too - we got talking and spent the day with them. By Midnight, we down to support them on their European tour. It's was mental.

Velveteen Saints at Delamere

2. You’ve supported loads of fantastic and experienced bands over the last year. Have any of them offered advice that you have taken on board?

No one has really offered any advice as such, but, there is so much to learn from these bands just by watching them and how they go about their business. There is a lot to be learned in just watching bands do what they do.

3. You have just been announced as support for The View’s winter tour. Are you ready for it? Will you be able to keep up with them?

Well, we're travelling on the same tour bus, so we're just going to have to! Aye we're ready for it. It's such a great opportunity to play such a big tour, and to play to so many people in so many different countries so early on in our career. We're absolutely buzzing for it to start.

4. Are there any particular cities on the tour that you are looking forward to playing?

We're all looking forward to playing in different cities, Shaun is looking forward to playing Berlin, Martin is looking forward to playing Paris and Michael is looking forward to playing Amsterdam. I'm particularly looking forward to playing Stockholm. The London gig will be a special one for us though, as it will be the first time we've played there, it'll also be good to see how the band goes down with the audience down there.

5. How did the band get together?

We're all from Coatbridge, so we've known each other for a while from playing in different bands and stuff.. Martin and Shaun were looking for a bass player, so the three of us got together, started writing and playing together and moved into a flat in Glasgow. When it came to looking for a drummer, Shaun had seen Michael playing at a gig, asked him along to a rehearsal and that's it, we just went from there.

6. You are definitely a band that wear your influences on your sleeve, what are you currently listening too - old and new?

It's clear we're influenced by Soul, 50's & Garage Rock 'n' Roll, 60's Girl Groups, and Punk - The Clash, The Ramones, BRMC, The Raveonettes, Jesus And Mary Chain, Brian Jonestown Massacre, The Black Keys etc. We still listen to all those bands. I've been listening to a lot of old vinyl too, lovin' Led Zeppelin Physical Graffiti right now.

As for new bands we've been listening to, there are some great new bands coming through with some great new records and great sounds.  Crocodiles new album "Crimes Of Passion" is a great album, Baby Strange new single "Friend" is a belter of a track. Then there's Twisted Wheel, Charlie Boyer & The Voyeurs, Casual Sex, and Childhood who are all cracking new bands coming through too. There are loads!

7. Your early shows saw you hand out promo cd’s to fans – how important was that in establishing a connection?

It was really important at the start, as it engaged the audience and it became really personal for them and us. People would contact us on Facebook and Twitter after gigs saying they loved meeting us, loved the tunes and would spread the word around about the band, which is great.

8. Can we expect an official release in the near future?

We're looking to release our first single in early February 2014 on O Genesis Records, Tim Burgess's label. It'll be released on 7" and download format. We can't wait. To be honest, we're not sure if Tim's announced that yet, so we might have just let the cat out of a bag. You can keep a secret though, right?

Hmmmm....kidding I did check it was OK to publish this :-)