Codeine Velvet Club

Codeine Velvet Club was a Scottish alternative rock band formed in 2008 by Lou Hickey and Jon Lawler, a.k.a. Jon Fratelli from The Fratellis. 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.[1]

Codeine Velvet Club
Background information
OriginGlasgow, Scotland
GenresAlternative rock, Baroque pop, Cabaret
Years active2008–2010
LabelsIsland, Dangerbird, MapleMusic Recordings (Canada)
Associated actsThe Fratellis
MembersJon Lawler
Lou Hickey

The band released their first single on 23 November 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".[2] 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.

History

2008-2009: Formation

Jon Lawler stated in 2008, while the Fratellis were touring their Here We Stand 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.[3] 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,[4] 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.[5] 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.[6]

2009-2010: Codeine Velvet Club and tour
Main article: Codeine Velvet Club (album)

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 SECC on 28 November 2009.[7] After, the band confirmed their first full UK Tour on 8 October 2009, stopping at various club venues across the country.[8] 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 it's [sic] way somewhere that makes a bit of sense" but stating "in the meantime it is what it is!".[9]

"Vanity Kills" was released on all formats on 23 November 2009. The album was pushed back from the original release date as reported in the Sunday Mail to 28 December 2009, Jon explained that the release date was pushed back due to changes that the band wanted to make to the album.[10] 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 23 November 2009[11] 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 15–19 January, playing Manchester, Glasgow, London and Wolverhampton [12] before announcing their first trip to the US to play the SXSW festival[13] and also to play shows to support Metric.[14]

The band also announced their album to be released on 6 April 2010 on Dangerbird Records[15] and will feature a brand new song as a bonus track called "Midnight Love Song".[16] This song will also be released with their re-release of "Vanity Kills" on 5 April 2010. This re-release will only be a digital download.[17]

The band's single "Hollywood" was nominated for an MTVU Award in 2010 for "Best Music Video".[2] In March 2010, the band released their debut album in the United States. The band will play live in the Kilmarnock Grand Hall on 22 May 2010 as one of the main headliners of the night to celebrate the refurbishment of the music venue in the town.[18] They were also confirmed as the headliners of the Lovebox Festival in London on 17 July 2010. Other acts booked for the festival include, Dizzee Rascal, Roxy Music, Grace Jones and Hot Chip.[19] The band also announced that they will play their first ever show in Romania at the Becksperience Festival in Bucharest on 29 May 2010.[20]

2010: Split and solo projects

Jon Lawler initially stated that the band have begun work on material for the second album,[21] 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.[22] Lou will continue as a solo artist and has recorded her debut album, currently preparing it for release.

Discography

Studio albums

Singles

Awards and nominations
Year Nominated work Award Result
2009Codeine Velvet Club (band)5th Scottish Style Awards 2009Won[23]

Band members

Codeine Velvet Club

Additional touring musicians

  • Ross McFarlane – drums
  • Will Foster – keyboards, guitars
  • Lewis Gordon – bass
  • Ryan Quigley – trumpet
  • Cameron Jay – trumpet
  • Paul Towndrow – saxophones
  • John Melone – saxophone

References
  1. "US Release Date". Archived from the original on 8 July 2011. Retrieved 19 March 2010.
  2. "News". Codeine Velvet Club. Archived from the original on 1 March 2012. Retrieved 3 April 2012.
  3. NME| The Fratellis' frontman lines up solo album
  4. NME| Fratellis man forms band with burlesque performer
  5. Archived 1 September 2009 at the Wayback Machine TELLI VISION ; Frats Frontman Jon Unveils Terrific New Album
  6. Codeine Velvet Club: Gig Review
  7. "Homecoming Live: The Final Fling". Archived from the original on 8 July 2011. Retrieved 11 November 2009.
  8. "Debut UK Tour Details". Archived from the original on 8 July 2011. Retrieved 11 November 2009.
  9. "Velvet Elvis – Post by Jon on CVC's Forum". Archived from the original on 8 July 2011. Retrieved 11 November 2009.
  10. "Things Have Changed - Post by Jon on CVC's Forum". Archived from the original on 8 July 2011. Retrieved 19 March 2010.
  11. NME Daily Download - Codeine Velvet Club - I Am the Resurrection
  12. "UK Dates Supporting John Mayer". Archived from the original on 8 July 2011. Retrieved 19 March 2010.
  13. "SXSW Festival". Archived from the original on 8 July 2011. Retrieved 19 March 2010.
  14. "More US Dates Announced". Archived from the original on 21 February 2010. Retrieved 19 March 2010.
  15. "US Album Release date". Archived from the original on 8 July 2011. Retrieved 19 March 2010.
  16. "Here's Johnny - Post by Jon on CVC's forum". Archived from the original on 8 July 2011. Retrieved 19 March 2010.
  17. "Vanity Kills Re-Release". Archived from the original on 8 July 2011. Retrieved 19 March 2010.
  18. "News". Codeine Velvet Club. 22 May 2010. Archived from the original on 8 July 2011. Retrieved 3 April 2012.
  19. "News". Codeine Velvet Club. Archived from the original on 1 March 2012. Retrieved 3 April 2012.
  20. "News". Codeine Velvet Club. 29 May 2010. Archived from the original on 1 March 2012. Retrieved 3 April 2012.
  21. Archived 8 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine Post by Jon Lawler
  22. Codeine Velvet Club Split - Post on band's forum Archived 8 October 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  23. "Scottish Style Awards 2009". Archived from the original on 8 July 2011. Retrieved 7 November 2009.
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