Codeine Velvet Club
Encyclopedia
Codeine Velvet Club was a Scottish
alternative rock
band formed in 2008 by Lou Hickey
and Jon Lawler
. The band's debut album Codeine Velvet Club
was released on 28 December 2009 in the UK and on 6 April 2010 in the US.
The band released their first single on November 23, 2009 entitled "Vanity Kills
". The song failed to chart on any national charts in countries such as the United Kingdom
and Ireland
. The band released a second single "Hollywood" in December 2009, again failing to chart but the music video for the song has been nominated for MTVU Award for "Best Music Video". In April 2010, the band re-released their debut single "Vanity Kills" for promotion ahead of the release of Codeine Velvet Club in the United States
. In 2010, it was confirmed by the band that they will be splitting up and both Jon Lawler and Lou Hickey will be pursuing solo careers.
album, that he wanted to release a solo effort to keep himself busy between albums, indicating that the band were going to take a break once they finished touring the album. When the Fratellis finished their touring commitments in July 2009, after the Hop Farm Festival, the band went on to their new projects. Fans already knew that Jon was going to do a side project by this point. It was later reported that he had formed a band called 'Codeine Breakfast Club' with Lou Hickey on NME, but fans had already been aware of the involvement of Lawler and Hickey.
On 23 August 2009, it was reported in the Sunday Mail
that the band was to be called Codeine Velvet Club and will be releasing their eponymous debut album
on 16 November 2009. The article also included a track-by-track with Jon Lawler. This article also mentioned that Lawler and Hickey shared songwriting duties between them. The band's official website was unveiled (although in a basic form for now) and featured a clip of their debut single "Vanity Kills
". Fans who sign up to the mailing list were able to view the full song as performed by the band. Later on, the website contained information about their debut shows (15, 17 and 19 September), a video player was also added to the site, showing full versions of "Vanity Kills" and new track and future single, "Hollywood". Reviews to the initial shows were positive, complimenting the duo's vocals and the musical arrangements.
on 28 November 2009. After, the band confirmed their first full UK Tour on 8 October 2009, stopping at various club venues across the country. The band unveiled their video for debut single "Vanity Kills" on YouTube on 11 November 2009, along with a new Member's download called "Mellotron Boogie No 3" which was explained by Jon to be an instrumental he was working on around the time came together and that he "liked the odd combination of notes that make up the melody and i'm pretty sure that one day it'll find way somewhere that makes a bit of sense" but stating "in the meantime it is what it is!".
"Vanity Kills" was released on all formats on November 23, 2009. The album was pushed back from the original release date as reported in the Sunday Mail to December 28, 2009, Jon explained that the release date was pushed back due to changes that the band wanted to make to the album. The second single was announced to be "Hollywood" which was a double A-Side with the band's unique take of The Stone Roses
' "I Am the Resurrection
". This was offered as a free download on NME from November 23, 2009 and also offered on the band's website for member's to download. The band started 2010 with a support slot on John Mayer
's tour from January 15–19, playing Manchester, Glasgow, London and Wolverhampton before announcing their first trip to the US to play the SXSW festival and also to play shows to support Metric
.
The band also announced their album to be released on April 6, 2010 on Dangerbird Records
and will feature a brand new song as a bonus track called "Midnight Love Song". This song will also be released with their re-release of "Vanity Kills" on April 5, 2010. This re-release will only be a digital download.
The band's single "Hollywood" was nominated for an MTVU Award in 2010 for "Best Music Video". In March 2010, the band released their debut album in the United States. The band will play live in the Kilmarnock Grand Hall on May 22, 2010 as one of the main headliners of the night to celebrate the refurbishment of the music venue in the town. They were also confirmed as the headliners of the Lovebox Festival in London on July 17, 2010. Other acts booked for the festival include, Dizzee Rascal
, Roxy Music
, Grace Jones and Hot Chip.
The band also announced that they will play their first ever show in Romania
at the Becksperience Festival in Bucharest
on May 29, 2010.
Additional Touring Musicians
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
alternative rock
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
band formed in 2008 by Lou Hickey
Lou Hickey
Lou Hickey is a singer-songwriter from Neilston near Glasgow, Scotland. She has been working as a solo artist since 2006 and in 2008, joined Jon Lawler from the Fratellis in a band called Codeine Velvet Club which disbanded in 2010...
and Jon Lawler
Jon Fratelli
Jon Fratelli is a Scottish musician and songwriter best known for his work with the band The Fratellis. He has also played in a band called Codeine Velvet Club but is currently performing as a solo artist.-Early years:Little is known about Lawler's life before he joined the Fratellis. He attended St...
. The band's debut album Codeine Velvet Club
Codeine Velvet Club (album)
- Personnel :Codeine Velvet Club* Jon Lawler – Guitar, Bass, Vocals* Lou Hickey – VocalsFeaturing* Ross McFarlane - Drums * Affy Ahmad - Drums * Helen MacLeod - Harp...
was released on 28 December 2009 in the UK and on 6 April 2010 in the US.
The band released their first single on November 23, 2009 entitled "Vanity Kills
Vanity Kills
"Vanity Kills" is a song by ABC released as the third single from their album How to Be a...Zillionaire!.Two music videos were made by the band ABC. The UK video shows the four band members moving against a dark background, using simple stop motion camera tricks...
". The song failed to chart on any national charts in countries such as the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. The band released a second single "Hollywood" in December 2009, again failing to chart but the music video for the song has been nominated for MTVU Award for "Best Music Video". In April 2010, the band re-released their debut single "Vanity Kills" for promotion ahead of the release of Codeine Velvet Club in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. In 2010, it was confirmed by the band that they will be splitting up and both Jon Lawler and Lou Hickey will be pursuing solo careers.
2008 - 2009: Formation
Jon Lawler stated in 2008, while the Fratellis were touring their Here We StandHere We Stand (The Fratellis album)
-Deluxe Edition:As well as containing the entire album on a CD with bonus track "Moriarty's Last Stand", the deluxe edition also contained a DVD with the following:* The Year of the Thief...
album, that he wanted to release a solo effort to keep himself busy between albums, indicating that the band were going to take a break once they finished touring the album. When the Fratellis finished their touring commitments in July 2009, after the Hop Farm Festival, the band went on to their new projects. Fans already knew that Jon was going to do a side project by this point. It was later reported that he had formed a band called 'Codeine Breakfast Club' with Lou Hickey on NME, but fans had already been aware of the involvement of Lawler and Hickey.
On 23 August 2009, it was reported in the Sunday Mail
Sunday Mail (Scotland)
The Sunday Mail is a Scottish tabloid newspaper published every Sunday. It is the sister paper of the Daily Record and is owned by Trinity Mirror and as such has a left-wing outlook which in turn tends to guide Scottish political debate in that direction.The Sunday Mail is read by over one million...
that the band was to be called Codeine Velvet Club and will be releasing their eponymous debut album
Codeine Velvet Club (album)
- Personnel :Codeine Velvet Club* Jon Lawler – Guitar, Bass, Vocals* Lou Hickey – VocalsFeaturing* Ross McFarlane - Drums * Affy Ahmad - Drums * Helen MacLeod - Harp...
on 16 November 2009. The article also included a track-by-track with Jon Lawler. This article also mentioned that Lawler and Hickey shared songwriting duties between them. The band's official website was unveiled (although in a basic form for now) and featured a clip of their debut single "Vanity Kills
Vanity Kills (Codeine Velvet Club song)
Vanity Kills is the debut single by Scottish rock band Codeine Velvet Club taken from their debut album Codeine Velvet Club. The song was released digitally on November 2, 2009 and on 7" Vinyl on November 23, 2009...
". Fans who sign up to the mailing list were able to view the full song as performed by the band. Later on, the website contained information about their debut shows (15, 17 and 19 September), a video player was also added to the site, showing full versions of "Vanity Kills" and new track and future single, "Hollywood". Reviews to the initial shows were positive, complimenting the duo's vocals and the musical arrangements.
2009 - 2010: Codeine Velvet Club and tour
The full website debuted on 28 September 2009, with a free download of album track "Nevada" in acoustic form. The band were confirmed for "Homecoming Live: The Final Fling", taking place at the Glasgow SECCScottish Exhibition and Conference Centre
The Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre , located on the north bank of the River Clyde, in Glasgow, is Scotland's largest exhibition centre....
on 28 November 2009. After, the band confirmed their first full UK Tour on 8 October 2009, stopping at various club venues across the country. The band unveiled their video for debut single "Vanity Kills" on YouTube on 11 November 2009, along with a new Member's download called "Mellotron Boogie No 3" which was explained by Jon to be an instrumental he was working on around the time came together and that he "liked the odd combination of notes that make up the melody and i'm pretty sure that one day it'll find way somewhere that makes a bit of sense" but stating "in the meantime it is what it is!".
"Vanity Kills" was released on all formats on November 23, 2009. The album was pushed back from the original release date as reported in the Sunday Mail to December 28, 2009, Jon explained that the release date was pushed back due to changes that the band wanted to make to the album. The second single was announced to be "Hollywood" which was a double A-Side with the band's unique take of The Stone Roses
The Stone Roses
The Stone Roses are an English alternative rock band formed in Manchester in 1983. They were one of the pioneering groups of the Madchester movement that was active during the late 1980s and early 1990s...
' "I Am the Resurrection
I Am the Resurrection
I Am the Resurrection: A Tribute to John Fahey is a tribute album to guitarist John Fahey released in 2006. The album's title is taken from the title of the third track of his album The Transfiguration of Blind Joe Death.-History:...
". This was offered as a free download on NME from November 23, 2009 and also offered on the band's website for member's to download. The band started 2010 with a support slot on John Mayer
John Mayer
John Clayton Mayer is an American pop rock and blues rock musician, singer-songwriter, recording artist, and music producer. Born in Bridgeport, Connecticut and raised in Fairfield, Connecticut, he attended Berklee College of Music in Boston. He moved to Atlanta in 1997, where he refined his...
's tour from January 15–19, playing Manchester, Glasgow, London and Wolverhampton before announcing their first trip to the US to play the SXSW festival and also to play shows to support Metric
Metric (band)
Metric is a Canadian indie rock and New Wave band founded in 1998 in Toronto. The band has also at various times been based in Montreal, London, New York City and Los Angeles...
.
The band also announced their album to be released on April 6, 2010 on Dangerbird Records
Dangerbird Records
Dangerbird Records is an independent record label located in Los Angeles, California. Founded by Jeff Castelaz and Peter Walker in 2004, the label is home to artists across the globe, as well as part of the burgeoning Silver Lake music scene. Their small roster of artists has enjoyed international...
and will feature a brand new song as a bonus track called "Midnight Love Song". This song will also be released with their re-release of "Vanity Kills" on April 5, 2010. This re-release will only be a digital download.
The band's single "Hollywood" was nominated for an MTVU Award in 2010 for "Best Music Video". In March 2010, the band released their debut album in the United States. The band will play live in the Kilmarnock Grand Hall on May 22, 2010 as one of the main headliners of the night to celebrate the refurbishment of the music venue in the town. They were also confirmed as the headliners of the Lovebox Festival in London on July 17, 2010. Other acts booked for the festival include, Dizzee Rascal
Dizzee Rascal
Dylan Kwabena Mills , better known by his stage name Dizzee Rascal, is a Ghanaian British rapper, songwriter and record producer. His music is a blend of garage, hip hop, grime, ragga, pop and electronic music, with eclectic samples and more exotic styles...
, Roxy Music
Roxy Music
Roxy Music was a British art rock band formed in 1971 by Bryan Ferry, who became the group's lead vocalist and chief songwriter, and bassist Graham Simpson. The other members are Phil Manzanera , Andy Mackay and Paul Thompson . Former members include Brian Eno , and Eddie Jobson...
, Grace Jones and Hot Chip.
The band also announced that they will play their first ever show in Romania
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
at the Becksperience Festival in Bucharest
Bucharest
Bucharest is the capital municipality, cultural, industrial, and financial centre of Romania. It is the largest city in Romania, located in the southeast of the country, at , and lies on the banks of the Dâmbovița River....
on May 29, 2010.
2010: Separation
Jon Lawler initially stated that the band have begun work on material for the second album, but has since stated that he will leave Codeine Velvet Club along with the touring band members to start a new career as a solo artist. Lou will continue as a solo artist and has recorded her debut album, currently preparing it for release.Singles
- "Vanity KillsVanity Kills (Codeine Velvet Club song)Vanity Kills is the debut single by Scottish rock band Codeine Velvet Club taken from their debut album Codeine Velvet Club. The song was released digitally on November 2, 2009 and on 7" Vinyl on November 23, 2009...
" (23 November 2009) - "Hollywood / I Am the Resurrection" (28 December 2009)
- "Vanity Kills" (Re-Release) (5 April 2010)
Awards and nominations
| Year | Nominated work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Codeine Velvet Club (band) | 5th Scottish Style Awards 2009 |
Band members
Codeine Velvet Club- Jon Lawler – Guitar / Vocals / Compositions / Lyrics
- Lou HickeyLou HickeyLou Hickey is a singer-songwriter from Neilston near Glasgow, Scotland. She has been working as a solo artist since 2006 and in 2008, joined Jon Lawler from the Fratellis in a band called Codeine Velvet Club which disbanded in 2010...
– Vocals / Lyrics
Additional Touring Musicians
- Ross McFarlane – Drums
- Will FosterWill FosterWill Foster is the keyboardist for the English rock band The Tears.Previously, he played with UK art rock band Delicatessen before forming Lodger - alongside Delicatessen singer Neil Carlill, Supergrass drummer Danny Goffey, and Goffey's wife Pearl Lowe....
– Keyboards / Guitars / Composition on "Nevada" - Lewis Gordon – Bass
- Ryan Quigley – Trumpet
- Cameron Jay – Trumpet
- Paul Towndrow – Saxophones
- John Melone – Saxophone