The Violet May
Encyclopedia
The Violet May are a 5-piece rock act rooted in Sheffield
, UK, but their sound is influenced by a much broader spectrum. Formed in early 2009, the band earned an early reputation for a raukus live show and were named by Alan McGee
in The Guardian
' s “Top 15 Tips for 2010”.
The 5-piece went on to release their debut single “Bright Or Better” as a limited edition 7” vinyl single in May 2010 and consequently appeared on Steve Lamacq
’s BBC 6Music show as his “New Favourite Band”, headlined London’s Koko (venue) for Club NME, shot their debut video with Douglas Hart
of Jesus and Mary Chain, undertook a headline residency at Alan McGee’s Death Disco clubnight, played at Leeds Festival
(Instigate debate
stage) and Secret Garden Party
, a sold out Italian tour throughout Rome, Venice and Florence, and won widespread support from BBC Radio 1, BBC 6Music, XFM
, The Guardian
, NME
, Clash
, Artrocker
and the Daily Mail
, amongst others.
With loud and lunatic tunes, leaving many a venue battered and bruised across the UK, audiences seemed hooked on the energy produced by a band in its raw stages. Singer Chris McClure’s aggressive charm is backed by the rough-edged guitar work of John Kubicki & Jono How, while the rhythm section of Dan Booth (Bass) & Alan Whitaker (Drums) have forged their own powerful live reputation.
, formerly of Sheffield acts longpigs and Pulp (band)
.
The Violet May's frontman and lead vocalist Chris McClure was the disheveled face on the front cover of the 2006 debut Arctic Monkeys
album Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not
and is also the brother of Jon McClure
, the lead singer and frontman of Sheffield act Reverend and The Makers
. Chris also appeared on the cover of Toddla T
's 2009 album Skanky Skanky
.
John Kubicki, formerly of Sheffield act Barricades, is The Violet May's main songwriter as well as playing guitar, synth, and vocals on all the tracks. Jono How, formerly of another Sheffield act Black Light Theatre plays lead guitar, Dan Booth plays bass guitar and Al Whitaker is the band's drummer.
Sheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
, UK, but their sound is influenced by a much broader spectrum. Formed in early 2009, the band earned an early reputation for a raukus live show and were named by Alan McGee
Alan McGee
Alan McGee has been a record label owner, musician, manager, and music blogger for The Guardian.McGee is best-known for co-forming and running the independent Creation Records label from 1983–1999, and then Poptones from 1999-2007...
in The Guardian
The Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
The 5-piece went on to release their debut single “Bright Or Better” as a limited edition 7” vinyl single in May 2010 and consequently appeared on Steve Lamacq
Steve Lamacq
Steve Lamacq , sometimes known by his nicknames Lammo or "The Cat" is an English disc jockey, currently working with the BBC radio stations BBC 6 Music and BBC Radio 2.-Early career:He was born in Basingstoke, Hampshire...
’s BBC 6Music show as his “New Favourite Band”, headlined London’s Koko (venue) for Club NME, shot their debut video with Douglas Hart
Douglas Hart
Douglas Hart is a British musician and music video director.-Biography:Hart was the first bassist and founding member of the Scottish band The Jesus and Mary Chain, and played with the group from 1984 to 1991...
of Jesus and Mary Chain, undertook a headline residency at Alan McGee’s Death Disco clubnight, played at Leeds Festival
Leeds Festival
Leeds Festival may refer to:*Reading and Leeds Festivals , a rock music festival in Leeds , West Yorkshire, England*Leeds Festival , European classical music festival in Leeds...
(Instigate debate
Instigate debate
Instigate Debate is a cultural and political UK project set up by a collective that includes musicians Jon McClure, Carl Barat, Kieran Leonard and writer and political activist Mark Donne in August 2008....
stage) and Secret Garden Party
Secret Garden Party
The Secret Garden Party is an annual independent arts and music festival which takes place in Abbots Ripton near Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire. Part of the grounds of a Georgian farm house, the location has its own lake, river and landscaped gardens...
, a sold out Italian tour throughout Rome, Venice and Florence, and won widespread support from BBC Radio 1, BBC 6Music, XFM
Xfm
Xfm is a brand of two commercial radio stations focused on alternative music, primarily indie pop, and owned by Global Radio.-History:Xfm was created in London in 1992 by Sammy Jacob, who later co-founded NME Radio in 2008. Xfm subsequently expanded to a network of four stations; there are...
, The Guardian
The Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
, NME
NME
The New Musical Express is a popular music publication in the United Kingdom, published weekly since March 1952. It started as a music newspaper, and gradually moved toward a magazine format during the 1980s, changing from newsprint in 1998. It was the first British paper to include a singles...
, Clash
Clash (magazine)
Clash is a popular music and fashion magazine based in the United Kingdom. Its magazine title is published 12 times a year. It has a circulation of around 40,000....
, Artrocker
ArtRocker
Artrocker is a UK-based collective involved in music promotion and publishing. It was started by Paul Cox and Tom Fawcett who had been co-promoters of a London night called The Sausage Factory...
and the Daily Mail
Daily Mail
The Daily Mail is a British daily middle-market tabloid newspaper owned by the Daily Mail and General Trust. First published in 1896 by Lord Northcliffe, it is the United Kingdom's second biggest-selling daily newspaper after The Sun. Its sister paper The Mail on Sunday was launched in 1982...
, amongst others.
With loud and lunatic tunes, leaving many a venue battered and bruised across the UK, audiences seemed hooked on the energy produced by a band in its raw stages. Singer Chris McClure’s aggressive charm is backed by the rough-edged guitar work of John Kubicki & Jono How, while the rhythm section of Dan Booth (Bass) & Alan Whitaker (Drums) have forged their own powerful live reputation.
History
The band's name was taken from a highly respected independent record store in Sheffield in the 1970s called Violet May. A book documenting the store called Shades of Violet has been written by John Firminger and Gus Chapman and features an introduction by Sheffield singer-songwriter Richard HawleyRichard Hawley
Richard Hawley is a guitarist, singer-songwriter and producer. After his first band Treebound Story broke up, Hawley found success as a member of Britpop band Longpigs in the 1990s. He later joined the band Pulp, led by his friend Jarvis Cocker...
, formerly of Sheffield acts longpigs and Pulp (band)
Pulp (band)
Pulp are an English alternative rock band formed in Sheffield in 1978. Their lineup consists of Jarvis Cocker , Russell Senior , Candida Doyle , Mark Webber , Steve Mackey and Nick Banks ....
.
The Violet May's frontman and lead vocalist Chris McClure was the disheveled face on the front cover of the 2006 debut Arctic Monkeys
Arctic Monkeys
Arctic Monkeys are an English indie rock band. Formed in 2002 in High Green, a suburb of Sheffield, the band currently consists of Alex Turner , Jamie Cook , Nick O'Malley and Matt Helders...
album Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not
Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not
Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not is the debut album by English indie rock band Arctic Monkeys, released on 23 January 2006. The album became the UK's fastest selling debut album, shifting over 360,000 copies in its first week, and remains the fastest selling debut album by a band. It...
and is also the brother of Jon McClure
Jon McClure
Jon McClure, known as the Reverend, is lead singer and frontman of Reverend and The Makers and ex-vocalist of 1984 and Judan Suki. He claims that the name "Reverend" became his moniker because "I'm a big mouth and always running on at people"....
, the lead singer and frontman of Sheffield act Reverend and The Makers
Reverend and The Makers
Reverend and The Makers are an indie pop band based in Sheffield, England and signed to Wall of Sound. The band is fronted by Jon McClure, nicknamed "The Reverend"...
. Chris also appeared on the cover of Toddla T
Toddla T
Toddla T is the stage name of Thomas Mackenzie Bell – a DJ, record producer, re-mixer and composer from Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England.- Biography :Toddla T, born 22 February 1985, was raised in Sheffield where he attended King Edward VII School...
's 2009 album Skanky Skanky
Skanky Skanky
Skanky Skanky is the debut album by the British artist Toddla T. It features collaborations from artists including Matt Helders, Roots Manuva, Tinchy Stryder, Hervé & Benjamin Zephaniah. There are also more regular contributions from Serocee and Mr Versatile.- Tracklist :-External Links:...
.
John Kubicki, formerly of Sheffield act Barricades, is The Violet May's main songwriter as well as playing guitar, synth, and vocals on all the tracks. Jono How, formerly of another Sheffield act Black Light Theatre plays lead guitar, Dan Booth plays bass guitar and Al Whitaker is the band's drummer.