VIC (band)
Encyclopedia
VIC were an Irish
five-piece rock band from Dublin who had been described by Jackie Hayden of Hot Press
Magazine as possessing a "pop sensibility which feels completely unique". On the 12th of September 2010, the members announced that they were "closing the VIC chapter" and relaunching as a new band called Lost In Flight
. This reason for this rebranding was explained as the series of line-up changes that had occurred within the group over 2009/2010.
at the time. Richard Margetson and Billy Campbell later joined the group to complete the five piece in 2005.
The first years of the band were quietly spent writing music and trying to develop a unique style, however, in 2009 several important milestones in the band's career boosted their national popularity. These include winning a place in the final heats of the Jack Daniel's Set, being invited to perform live at the Adidas
/Champion Sports "We Are Originals" launch party, playing several sold out dates in Dublin venues such as Tripod and The Village
, being reviewed in Hot Press Magazine, and performing live on FM104
. Vic were also selected as the feature artist for the new BT2 website.
The band performed regularly in events organised by Irish universities. In September 2009 they played at UCD
and Trinity College
freshers' balls alongside Tinchy Stryder
, Simian Mobile Disco
and Fight Like Apes
. Subsequently they were invited to perform at both colleges' summer balls in 2010, the Trinity Ball being Europe's largest private music event.
Along with growing popularity in Ireland in 2009 and 2010, fanbases
in other countries have started developing, namely Japan
and America
. The band's large Japanese following resulted in plans for the band to do a tour of Japan in 2010.
on the 31st of July 2009, Rob Meredith and Peter Wallace announced their intention to leave the band. This was later confirmed in mid-August on the band's blog. The roles of Bassist
and Keyboardist
were filled by session musicians for the band's September and October dates. Following a show in Dublin's Mansion House
in November, Ivan Campbell and Patrick Dexter were announced as new members of the band. Mark Lavery later became the band's full-time bassist.
Recording Studios. His list of previous clientele includes Snow Patrol
, R.E.M.
, Editors
and many others. Lewis engineered and produced "Downfall", which received positive reviews from Jackie Hayden of Hot Press Magazine and radio play on some Dublin radio stations (Spin 1038
and FM104
).
The band's song, "Chasing Nothing", was played regularly by Larry Gogan
on national radio station RTÉ 2fm
during July and August 2009.
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
five-piece rock band from Dublin who had been described by Jackie Hayden of Hot Press
Hot Press
Hot Press is a fortnightly music and political magazine based in Dublin, Ireland founded in 1977. The magazine has been edited since its inception by Niall Stokes. According to the Audit Bureau of Circulations, it had a circulation of 19,215 during 2007...
Magazine as possessing a "pop sensibility which feels completely unique". On the 12th of September 2010, the members announced that they were "closing the VIC chapter" and relaunching as a new band called Lost In Flight
Lost In Flight
Lost In Flight are an Irish four-piece rock band from Dublin. Formerly known as Vic, the band consists of Dan Fox , Ivan Campbell , Mark Lavery , and Billy Campbell...
. This reason for this rebranding was explained as the series of line-up changes that had occurred within the group over 2009/2010.
Background
The band was formed in 2003 by lead singer/songwriter Dan Fox, Peter Wallace and Rob Meredith, who were all still at school in Wesley College, DublinWesley College, Dublin
This article is about Wesley College in Dublin, Ireland. See Wesley College for articles on other institutions named "Wesley College"....
at the time. Richard Margetson and Billy Campbell later joined the group to complete the five piece in 2005.
The first years of the band were quietly spent writing music and trying to develop a unique style, however, in 2009 several important milestones in the band's career boosted their national popularity. These include winning a place in the final heats of the Jack Daniel's Set, being invited to perform live at the Adidas
Adidas
Adidas AG is a German sports apparel manufacturer and parent company of the Adidas Group, which consists of the Reebok sportswear company, TaylorMade-Adidas golf company , and Rockport...
/Champion Sports "We Are Originals" launch party, playing several sold out dates in Dublin venues such as Tripod and The Village
The Village (music venue)
The Village is a state-of-the-art music venue situated next door to Whelan's on Wexford Street, Dublin. The venue was an old nightclub owned by Mean Fiddler, but since 2003 has been turned into a music venue. It has a large balcony right around the venue onto right up by the stage and has a...
, being reviewed in Hot Press Magazine, and performing live on FM104
FM104
FM104 is an Independent Local Radio station broadcast across Dublin, Ireland, on the frequency 104.4 MHz. It is operated by Capital Radio Productions Limited , and is a subsidiary of UTV Radio. The station broadcasts under a sound broadcasting contract from the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland...
. Vic were also selected as the feature artist for the new BT2 website.
The band performed regularly in events organised by Irish universities. In September 2009 they played at UCD
University College Dublin
University College Dublin ) - formally known as University College Dublin - National University of Ireland, Dublin is the Republic of Ireland's largest, and Ireland's second largest, university, with over 1,300 faculty and 17,000 students...
and Trinity College
Trinity College, Dublin
Trinity College, Dublin , formally known as the College of the Holy and Undivided Trinity of Queen Elizabeth near Dublin, was founded in 1592 by letters patent from Queen Elizabeth I as the "mother of a university", Extracts from Letters Patent of Elizabeth I, 1592: "...we...found and...
freshers' balls alongside Tinchy Stryder
Tinchy Stryder
Kwasi Danquah III , better known by his pseudonyms Tinchy Stryder and Star In The Hood, is a Ghanaian British recording artist, music executive, A&R executive, and businessman...
, Simian Mobile Disco
Simian Mobile Disco
Simian Mobile Disco are a United Kingdom-based production and remix team formed in 2005 by James Ford and Jas Shaw of the band Simian. Musically, they are known for their analogue production...
and Fight Like Apes
Fight Like Apes
Fight Like Apes are an Irish alternative rock band formed in Dublin in 2006.Their current members are Mary-Kate "MayKay" Geraghty , Jamie "Pockets" Fox and Tom Ryan , while original member Adrian Mullan left the band in 2010 due to creative differences...
. Subsequently they were invited to perform at both colleges' summer balls in 2010, the Trinity Ball being Europe's largest private music event.
Along with growing popularity in Ireland in 2009 and 2010, fanbases
Fan (person)
A Fan, sometimes also called aficionado or supporter, is a person with a liking and enthusiasm for something, such as a band or a sports team. Fans of a particular thing or person constitute its fanbase or fandom...
in other countries have started developing, namely Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
and America
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The band's large Japanese following resulted in plans for the band to do a tour of Japan in 2010.
2009 Line-up Change
At a concert in The VillageThe Village (music venue)
The Village is a state-of-the-art music venue situated next door to Whelan's on Wexford Street, Dublin. The venue was an old nightclub owned by Mean Fiddler, but since 2003 has been turned into a music venue. It has a large balcony right around the venue onto right up by the stage and has a...
on the 31st of July 2009, Rob Meredith and Peter Wallace announced their intention to leave the band. This was later confirmed in mid-August on the band's blog. The roles of Bassist
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
and Keyboardist
Keyboardist
A keyboardist is a musician who plays keyboard instruments. Until the early 1960s musicians who played keyboards were generally classified as either pianists or organists. Since the mid-1960s, a plethora of new musical instruments with keyboards have come into common usage, requiring a more...
were filled by session musicians for the band's September and October dates. Following a show in Dublin's Mansion House
Mansion House, Dublin
The Mansion House on Dawson Street, Dublin, is the official residence of the Lord Mayor of Dublin since 1715.-Features:The Mansion House's most famous features include the "Round Room", where the First Dáil assembled on 21 January 1919 to proclaim the Irish Declaration of Independence...
in November, Ivan Campbell and Patrick Dexter were announced as new members of the band. Mark Lavery later became the band's full-time bassist.
Members
- Dan Fox - Lead VocalsLead vocalistThe lead vocalist is the member of a band who sings the main vocal portions of a song. They may also play one or more instruments. Lead vocalists are sometimes referred to as the frontman or frontwoman, and as such, are usually considered to be the "leader" of the groups they perform in, often the...
, GuitarElectric guitarAn electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker... - Richard Margetson - Lead GuitarElectric guitarAn electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
, Backing Vocals - Ivan Campbell - PianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, SynthesizerSynthesizerA synthesizer is an electronic instrument capable of producing sounds by generating electrical signals of different frequencies. These electrical signals are played through a loudspeaker or set of headphones...
, Backing Vocals - Mark Lavery - BassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, Backing Vocals - Billy Campbell - DrumsDrummerA drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
, GlockenspielGlockenspielA glockenspiel is a percussion instrument composed of a set of tuned keys arranged in the fashion of the keyboard of a piano. In this way, it is similar to the xylophone; however, the xylophone's bars are made of wood, while the glockenspiel's are metal plates or tubes, and making it a metallophone...
, Backing Vocals
Music
After recording several demos of their songs, Vic were approached by Owen Lewis, the head engineer at Grouse LodgeGrouse Lodge
Grouse Lodge is a recording studio in County Westmeath, Ireland. Designed by Andy Munro it has two studios and living quarters in nine stone outhouses, integrating the existing 275 year old stone structure...
Recording Studios. His list of previous clientele includes Snow Patrol
Snow Patrol
Snow Patrol are an alternative rock band from Bangor, County Down, Northern Ireland. Formed at the University of Dundee in 1994 as an indie rock band, the band is now based in Glasgow...
, R.E.M.
R.E.M.
R.E.M. was an American rock band formed in Athens, Georgia, in 1980 by singer Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills and drummer Bill Berry. One of the first popular alternative rock bands, R.E.M. gained early attention due to Buck's ringing, arpeggiated guitar style and Stipe's...
, Editors
Editors
Editors are a British indie rock band based in Birmingham, who formed in 2002. Previously known as Pilot, The Pride and Snowfield, the band consists of Tom Smith , Chris Urbanowicz , Russell Leetch and Ed Lay .Editors have so far released two platinum studio...
and many others. Lewis engineered and produced "Downfall", which received positive reviews from Jackie Hayden of Hot Press Magazine and radio play on some Dublin radio stations (Spin 1038
Spin 1038
Spin 1038 is an Independent Local Radio station in Dublin, Ireland. It is owned by Denis O'Brien's Communicorp group and broadcasts under a sound broadcasting contract with the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland. Despite their name, they do not broadcast on the medium wave band , but on 103.8 FM...
and FM104
FM104
FM104 is an Independent Local Radio station broadcast across Dublin, Ireland, on the frequency 104.4 MHz. It is operated by Capital Radio Productions Limited , and is a subsidiary of UTV Radio. The station broadcasts under a sound broadcasting contract from the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland...
).
The band's song, "Chasing Nothing", was played regularly by Larry Gogan
Larry Gogan
Laurence 'Larry' Gogan is an Irish broadcaster working for Raidió Teilifís Éireann . He is a disc jockey on RTÉ 2fm. His show is The Golden Hour, during which Larry plays old favourites and classic songs from yesteryear. Gogan spun the first disc on Radio 2, Like Clockwork by The Boomtown Rats...
on national radio station RTÉ 2fm
RTÉ 2fm
RTÉ 2fm, or 2FM as it is more commonly referred to, is Raidió Teilifís Éireann's second national radio station. It broadcasts popular music programming aimed at a young Irish audience.- History :...
during July and August 2009.