- VIC (band)
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VIC. 
VIC. performing at Dublin's Mansion House
(from L-R) Richard Margetson, Billy Campbell, Dan Fox, Patrick Dexter, Ivan CampbellBackground information Origin Dublin, Ireland Genres Rock, Pop Years active 2003–2010 Labels Unsigned Associated acts Lost In Flight Website viconline.ie Members Dan Fox
Richard Margetson
Ivan Campbell
Mark Lavery
Billy CampbellPast members Peter Wallace
Rob Meredith
Patrick DexterVIC 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".[1] 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.[2] This reason for this rebranding was explained as the series of line-up changes that had occurred within the group over 2009/2010.[3]
Contents
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, Dublin 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,[4] being invited to perform live at the Adidas/Champion Sports "We Are Originals" launch party,[5] 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.[6] Vic were also selected as the feature artist for the new BT2 website.[7]
The band performed regularly in events organised by Irish universities. In September 2009 they played at UCD and Trinity College freshers' balls[8] alongside Tinchy Stryder, Simian Mobile Disco and Fight Like Apes. Subsequently they were invited to perform at both colleges' summer balls in 2010,[9] the Trinity Ball being Europe's largest private music event.[10]
Along with growing popularity in Ireland in 2009 and 2010, fanbases in other countries have started developing, namely Japan[11] and America.[12] 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 Village 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.[13] Mark Lavery later became the band's full-time bassist.
VIC perform in Tripod music venue.
June 2009Members
- Dan Fox - Lead Vocals, Guitar
- Richard Margetson - Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals
- Ivan Campbell - Piano, Synthesizer, Backing Vocals
- Mark Lavery - Bass, Backing Vocals
- Billy Campbell - Drums, Glockenspiel, Backing Vocals
Music
After recording several demos of their songs, Vic were approached by Owen Lewis, the head engineer at Grouse Lodge 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.
References
- ^ Hot Press Magazine Volume 33 Issue 04, 11th March 2009
- ^ [1] Lost In Flight website
- ^ [2] "Lost In Flight Launch" news item
- ^ [3] The JD Set 2009 line-up
- ^ [4] Adidas We Are Originals winners
- ^ [5] FM104 DJ, Ruaíri Carroll's blog
- ^ [6] BT2 website
- ^ [7] UCD entertainments website
- ^ [8] UCD "University Observer"
- ^ Trinity College, Dublin#The Trinity Ball Wikipedia Trinity Ball article
- ^ [9] VIC. Japanese Street Team
- ^ [10] VIC. Street Team USA
- ^ [11] "New Members" news item on viconline.ie[dead link]
External links
Categories:- Musical groups established in 2003
- Irish rock music groups
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