Villainy

For the song by Local Natives, see Villainy (song).
Villainy
Origin Auckland, New Zealand
Genres Alternative rock
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 backing vocals) and Thom Watts (lead guitar).

Villainy have shared the stage with numerous local and international acts including AC/DC, Incubus, The Offspring, Billy Talent, Seether and Shihad.

Band history

Beginnings

Villainy grew from the band Inverse Order, an alt-rock group featuring Villainy members Thom Watts, Neill Fraser, and James Dylan. After recruiting drummer Dave Johnston, the band took the name Villainy during recording of their debut album with producer Tom Larkin. The band 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 Incubus 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 traveled 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.

Dead Sight

In June 2015 Villainy released "Syria". This was closely followed by "Safe Passage" the first official single from the new album. Dead Sight was released 18 September through Warner Music NZ. The album debuted at #4 on the New Zealand album charts, and "Safe Passage" reached #1 on the Radioscope New Zealand Rock Charts.[11]

The band embarked on an Australian tour in November,[12] and in December opened for AC/DC on the New Zealand leg of their tour performing to 60,000 strong crowds at two stadium shows in Auckland and Wellington. In January Villainy performed to an estimated 10,000 people in Auckland's Grey Lynn Park and also again appeared at the Homegrown Festival in February.[13]

The annual listener voted Rock 1500 countdown run The Rock FM in September saw Villainy rank 10 tracks in the countdown. In November Villainy won their second consecutive award for Best Rock Album at the 2016_New_Zealand_Music_Awards with the album 'Dead Sight'.

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
"Safe Passage" 2015 1 72 Dead Sight
"Give Up The Ghost" 2015 3 86
"No Future" 2016 13 -
"Nothing Ever Changes" 2016 12 -

Awards

Year Nominee/work Award Result
2013 Mode. Set. Clear. NZ Music Awards - Best Rock Album Won
2016 Dead Sight NZ Music Awards - Best Rock Album 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 Check |url= value (help). 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 Check |url= value (help). Retrieved 28 July 2014. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  9. ↑ . youtube.com - Ammunition https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cp2beC2k8o4=Villainy - Ammunition Check |url= value (help). Retrieved 28 July 2014. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  10. ↑ "Villainy march to Australian soil in September!". The AU Review. Retrieved 9 August 2013.
  11. ↑ "AC/DC choose Villainy for NZ supports ahead of OZ tour". amnplify.com.au. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
  12. ↑ "Villainy announce Australian tour". Collision Course Music. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
  13. ↑ "AC/DC choose Villainy for NZ supports ahead of OZ tour". amnplify.com.au. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
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