The Vamps (British band)

For the Australian band formed in 1965, see The Vamps (Australian band).
For other uses, see Vamp.

The Vamps

The Vamps performing at O2 Arena in London during their Wake Up World Tour, in April 2016.
(L-R: James McVey, Tristan Evans, Connor Ball and Brad Simpson)
Background information
Origin England, United Kingdom
Genres Pop rock[1]
Years active 2012–present
Labels
Website thevamps.net
Members
  • Connor Ball
  • Tristan Evans
  • James McVey
  • Brad Simpson

The Vamps are a British pop rock band consisting of Brad Simpson (lead vocals and guitar), James McVey (lead guitar and vocals), Connor Ball (bass guitar and vocals) and Tristan Evans (drums and vocals).[2] They first gained fame in late 2012 with cover songs uploaded to YouTube, leading to comparisons with One Direction and being labeled as a boy band.[3][4] They were signed to Mercury Records in November 2012.[5] They supported McFly on their Memory Lane Tour in early 2013, and also performed at festivals around the UK as support acts for artists such as The Wanted, JLS, Little Mix, Lawson and Demi Lovato.[6][7]

On 29 September 2013, the Vamps released their debut single "Can We Dance", which debuted at number two on the UK Singles Chart.[8] Their second single "Wild Heart" was released on 18 January 2014 and peaked at number 3. Their third single "Last Night" was released on UK radio on 24 February 2014 and digital download on 6 April 2014. Their debut album Meet the Vamps was released on 14 April 2014.[9] In February 2014, the Vamps released "Wild Heart" as their debut single in the US and Canada.

The Vamps have launched their own record label but didn't decide the name yet, and they will be working in partnership with EMI/Universal on the offshoot, and the first act signed was the American band The Tide.[10] The Vamps released their second studio album Wake Up on 27 November 2015. The lead single from the album, "Wake Up", was released on 2 October 2015.

History

2011–12: Formation

James McVey was already managed by Richard Rashman and Joe O'Neill of Prestige Management. Deciding he wanted to form a band, McVey subsequently discovered Bradley Simpson in 2011 through YouTube.[2] Together, the pair wrote songs towards the later months of 2011, with Simpson later becoming lead singer.[2] In 2012, Simpson and McVey met Tristan Evans through Facebook. The trio then met Connor Ball via a mutual friend.[2][11] In mid-2012, the band started uploading cover songs to their YouTube channel. By October they were being described as a new boy band, with special attention given to their YouTube performance of One Direction's song "Live While We're Young".[3] Strong fan support helped bring them wide notice.[4]

2013–14: Meet the Vamps and breakthrough

On 22 July 2013, the band uploaded their first original song, "Wildheart" (later re-titled "Wild Heart"), onto their YouTube account; the video received over 46,000 views within the first two days.[12][13] On 6 August 2013, they released the music video for their debut single "Can We Dance", which received over 1 million views within two weeks.[14] "Can We Dance" was released on 29 September 2013 and debuted at number two on the UK Singles Chart on 6 October 2013; beaten to number one by OneRepublic's "Counting Stars",[8] which sold 1,250 copies more.[15] On 19 November 2013 the band announced they would release their debut album around Easter.[16] On 22 November 2013, the Vamps announced that their second single would be "Wild Heart".[17] The song received its first airplay three days later[18] and was released on 19 January 2014, peaking at number three on the UK Singles Chart the following week.

On 13 March 2014, the Vamps announced that their debut album would be released on 14 April 2014. On 22 March, it was revealed the album would be titled Meet the Vamps.[9] On 6 April, they released "Last Night" as the third single from the album. It debuted at number two in the UK. On 17 April, Meet the Vamps debuted at number two on the Irish Albums Chart, kept off the top spot by Paolo Nutini's Caustic Love. The same album beat the Vamps to number one on the UK Albums Chart.

In May 2014, it was announced that the Vamps would be making a cameo appearance in soap opera, Hollyoaks on 14 May 2014.[19] Hollyoaks released a teaser clip about the Vamps' appearance on YouTube. They were seen getting a picture with Peri Lomax (Ruby O'Donnell) as she goes to their concert with Sienna Blake (Anna Passey).[19][20]

2015–present: Wake Up

The Vamps released their second studio album Wake Up on 27 November 2015. The lead song from the album, "Wake Up", was released on 2 October 2015. A music video for the song features the acting debut of Brooklyn Beckham.[21] The first promotional single from the album is "Cheater", which was released in October 2015. A music video for second promotional single "Rest Your Love" was released in November 2015 featuring a cameo from Dynamo.

In 2016 The Vamps recorded a version of "Kung Fu Fighting" for the animated film Kung Fu Panda 3, which was accompanied by a music video.

Style

The group have been compared to One Direction and labeled a boy band since their first fame in late 2012,[3][4] a label which continued to be applied in 2014.[22][23] The band disagree with the stereotyping, pointing to the fact that they formed by themselves—they are not the product of a record producer—and they play their own instruments.[24][25]

Members

Bradley Will "Brad" Simpson (born 28 July 1995)[26] is from Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, England. He sings lead vocals and plays guitar. Simpson met James McVey via YouTube in 2012 (McVey's profile says 2011) and began working on their debut album soon after.[27]

James Daniel McVey (born 30 April 1994)[26] is from Bournemouth, Dorset, England. He is the lead guitarist and sings backing vocals. McVey met Brad Simpson via YouTube in 2011 (Simpson's profile says 2012) and began working on their debut album soon after.[27]

Connor Samuel John Ball (born 15 March 1996 in Aberdeen, Scotland)[26] is from Hatton, Warwickshire, England. He plays bass guitar and sings backing vocals. He was the last to join the band.[2]

Tristan Oliver Vance Evans (born 15 August 1994)[26] is from Exeter, Devon, England. He plays drums and sings backing vocals. Evans also acts as a producer for the band, particularly with their covers.[2]

Discography

Main article: The Vamps discography

Awards and nominations

Award Year Category Work Result
4Music Video Honours 2013 Your Best Breakthrough The Vamps Won
The Hot Hits Awards Favourite New Artist
Best Group
BBC Radio 1 Teens Adwards 2014 Friday Download's Best Breakthrough Award
Best British Group
Best British Single "Last Night"
Melty Future Awards Prix Spécial International The Vamps
UK Favourite Breakthrough
Radio Disney Music Awards The Freshest-Best New Artist Nominated
Teen Choice Awards Love Song "Somebody to You"
Breakout Group The Vamps
World Music Awards World's Best Song "Can We Dance"
"Wild Heart"
World's Best Video "Can We Dance"
"Wild Heart"
World's Best Album Meet the Vamps
World's Best Group The Vamps
World's Best Live Act
Scottish Awards 2015 Scottish Fashion Icon of the Year Connor Ball Won

Tours

The Vamps supported McFly on their Memory Lane Tour in April and May 2013, and Selena Gomez at London's Hammersmith Apollo on 7 and 8 September 2013.[6][28] In October, it was announced that The Vamps would support Taylor Swift on the London leg of her Red Tour in February 2014,[29] and The Wanted on the UK and Ireland leg of their Word of Mouth World Tour from 14 March to 1 April.[30] On 12 February 2014, the band announced that they will be headlining their own UK tour in September and October 2014.[31]

Headlining

Supporting

References

  1. ↑ "The Vamps: Wake Up review". The Guardian.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Vincent, Alice (4 September 2013). "The Vamps - New Music". The Daily Telegraph (Telegraph Media Group). Retrieved 4 September 2013.
  3. 1 2 3 https://web.archive.org/20131016203944/http://www.bsckids.com:80/2012/10/meet-the-vamps-uks-new-upcoming-boy-band/. Archived from the original on 16 October 2013. Retrieved 13 December 2014. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  4. 1 2 3 "The Vamps meet social superfans who are propelling them to the top - Daily Mail Online". Mail Online.
  5. ↑ "The Vamps Fansite - Big Announcement". The Vamps Fansite. 28 November 2012. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
  6. 1 2 White, Claire (5 March 2013). "The Vamps to support McFly headline UK 2013 tour". Love Music; Love Life. Retrieved 30 January 2014.
  7. ↑ "Metro Radio Live with Little Mix, James Arthur and The Vamps". Sky. Retrieved 4 November 2013.
  8. 1 2 Lloyd, James (7 October 2013). "Former Stratford busker shoots to number two in the UK singles chart". Stratford Herald. Retrieved 4 November 2013.
  9. 1 2 Lamont, Martin (14 March 2014). "The Vamps talk about their debut album and FINALLY confirm its release date". Unreality TV. Retrieved 15 March 2014.
  10. ↑ "The Vamps Have Launched Their Own Record Label – And Already Signed Up A Boyband!".
  11. ↑ Dix, Samuel (26 September 2013). "'We don't mind being chased by girls!' Sutton Coldfield singer of new boy band The Vamps". Birmingham Mail (Trinity Mirror). Retrieved 30 January 2014.
  12. ↑ "The Vamps Live Music Video - Wildheart (Original Song)". YouTube. 6 August 2013. Retrieved 30 January 2014.
  13. ↑ Dix, James (29 January 2014). "Introducing – The Vamps". Vada Magazine. Retrieved 30 January 2014.
  14. ↑ "The Vamps - Can We Dance (Official Video)". YouTube. 6 August 2013. Retrieved 30 January 2014.
  15. ↑ "OneRepublic beat The Vamps to UK number one after heated chart battle". clickmusic.com. 6 October 2013. Retrieved 30 January 2014.
  16. ↑ Wood, Lucy (19 November 2013). "The Vamps tease exciting debut album news: 'We're releasing it around Easter’". sugarscape.com. Retrieved 5 February 2014.
  17. ↑ McGrath, Rachel (22 November 2013). "Watch Out One Direction! The Vamps Announce 'Wild Heart' As Second Single". EntertainmentWise. Retrieved 30 January 2014.
  18. ↑ "The Vamps Fans Hail New Song 'Wild Heart' As "Incredible" After Capital First Play - Listen". Capital FM. 25 November 2013. Retrieved 30 January 2014.
  19. 1 2 Blay, Zeba (7 May 2014). "The Vamps to make Hollyoaks cameo". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 10 June 2014.
  20. ↑ Kilkelly, Daniel (7 May 2014). "Hollyoaks: Sienna Blake plans Peri kidnap? - spoiler pictures". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
  21. ↑ "This Week's Fresh Music Top 20". 1. 11 October 2015. 4Music.
  22. ↑ "Taylor Swift Invites U.K. Boy Band The Vamps to Her Home for Dinner and Private Concert". E! Online. 7 April 2014.
  23. ↑ Alicia Adejobi. "The Vamps Talk Boy Band Competition, Debut Album 'Meet The Vamps & Writing With McFly". EntertainmentWise.
  24. ↑ "The Vamps: "We’re Not Your Typical Boy Band!" | Tiger Beat". Bopandtigerbeat.com. 2014-08-22. Retrieved 2015-11-27.
  25. ↑ Amy Dawson for Metro. "The Vamps: Being compared to One Direction is no bad thing - Metro News". Metro.
  26. 1 2 3 4 "What are The Vamps' birthdays?". Maximum Pop!. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  27. 1 2 London Newsdesk (24 January 2014). "The Vamps' Brad: 'I've been writing our debut album with James McVey for a couple of years'". Press Party. Retrieved 17 February 2014.
  28. ↑ Smith, Carl (17 September 2013). "The Vamps talk taking a bath with Selena Gomez: 'It was amazing'". sugarscape.com. Retrieved 30 January 2014.
  29. ↑ Warwick, Charlotte (7 October 2013). "The Vamps announce they will support Taylor Swift on the UK leg of her Red tour". sugarscape.com. Retrieved 10 January 2014.
  30. ↑ "The Vamps don't support The Wanted On 2014 UK Arena Tour". Capital FM. 9 October 2013. Retrieved 1 February 2014.
  31. ↑ McGeorge, Alistair (12 February 2014). "The Vamps announce first ever UK headline tour for late 2014 - watch out Union J". Daily Mirror (Trinity Mirror). Retrieved 16 February 2014.

External links

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