Villainy

Villainy
Origin Auckland, New Zealand
Genres Rock
Alternative
Years active 2010–present
Website http://www.villainymusic.com
Members James Dylan
Neill Fraser
Dave Johnston
Thom Watts

Villainy is a New Zealand alternative rock band from Auckland. Formed in 2010 the band consists of James Dylan (bass guitar), Neill Fraser (vocals and guitar), Dave Johnston (drums) and Thom Watts (lead guitar)

Villainy have shared the stage with numerous local and international acts including Incubus (band), The Offspring, Billy Talent, Seether and Shihad.

Band history

Beginnings

Villainy released their debut single 'Alligator Skin' online in May 2011.[1] It was playlisted on The Rock (New Zealand) and reached number one in the Radioscope New Zealand Rock Charts.[2]

The band's second single 'The Answer' was released in February, with the video following in May.[3] In February the band was the sole support for Incubus (band) at their two New Zealand arena shows. This was followed by a major centres tour in July 2012 with Luger Boa and Clap Clap Riot.

Their third single, 'Gather Yourselves', was released in August 2012 and reached number one on the Radioscope New Zealand Rock Charts, matching the success of their debut.

Mode. Set. Clear.

Villainy's debut album Mode. Set. Clear. was recorded with producer Tom Larkin,[4] primarily in the Melbourne suburb of Brunswick and also at Auckland's Roundhead Studios. Mode. Set. Clear. was released in New Zealand on 19 October 2012[5] with cover art by the late Storm Thorgerson.[6] The album debuted at #8 on the RIANZ Album Charts and was the #1 New Zealand album.

In February 2012 Villainy supported Seether at Vector Arena. In February 2013 Villainy supported The Offspring and Billy Talent at Vector Arena. March 2013 saw them performing a late afternoon slot at Homegrown Music Festival (New Zealand). The band then embarked on an eight date New Zealand tour throughout the rest of that month and into April with New Plymouth band Rival State.[7]

The third single off Mode. Set. Clear., "Another Time",[8] was released late 2013 and continued Villainy's chart topping trend, also reaching #1 on the New Zealand Radioscope New Zealand Rock Charts. The album's final single "Ammunition"[9] had reached the #4 spot on the chart at the time of writing.

Villainy travelled to Australia in September 2013 for their first international shows performing showcases in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne including two performances at the annual Big Sound conference held in Brisbane's Fortitude Valley.[10] Returning home Villainy toured New Zealand for second time in October performing 12 shows with Blacklistt followed by a win at the New Zealand Music Awards for Best Rock Album.

In the summer of 2014 Villainy appeared at the New Zealand leg of the annual Big Day Out festival and again at the Homegrown Music Festival.

Discography

Studio Albums

Singles

List of singles, with selected chart positions
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
NZ Rock Airplay
 Radioscope Top 100
Alligator Skin 2011 1 53 Mode. Set. Clear.
The Answer 2012 7 -
Gather Yourselves 1 68
Another Time 2013 1 62
Ammunition 2014 4 84

Awards

Year Recipient Award Result
2013 Mode. Set. Clear. NZ Music Awards - Best Rock Album style="background: #99FF99; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="yes table-yes2"|Won

References

  1. ↑ "Villainy Premier Their Music Video Alligator Skin Online". scoop.co.nz. Retrieved 25 March 2012.
  2. ↑ "Alligator Skin number 1 rock radio song in NZ". Facebook. Retrieved 25 March 2012.
  3. ↑ . youtube.com - The Answer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwQK9NUBlwU=Villainy - The Answer. Retrieved 28 July 2014. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  4. ↑ "Off The Record". The Rock FM. Retrieved 25 March 2012.
  5. ↑ "Villainy album release". Facebook. Retrieved 14 September 2012.
  6. ↑ "Villainy album release". Facebook. Retrieved 14 September 2012.
  7. ↑ "Villainy and Rival State on tour". NZ Musician. Retrieved 12 December 2013.
  8. ↑ . youtube.com - Another Time https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gz3ePg7HPMs=Villainy - Another Time. Retrieved 28 July 2014. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  9. ↑ . youtube.com - Ammunition https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cp2beC2k8o4=Villainy - Ammunition. Retrieved 28 July 2014. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  10. ↑ "Villainy march to Australian soil in September!". The AU Review. Retrieved 9 August 2013.

External links