BIOGRAPHY:
Glasgow based
band formed in 2002 by Falkirk exiles Stuart Grey (vocals / keyboards), Doug Hendry
(guitar), along with Glaswegian Rob McKinley (guitar), all ex-members of Starsail.
The line-up was completed by Tim Troup (bass) & Jamie (drums). The band recorded
and released their debut CD, "Try Harder" on their own Much Better imprint
almost immediately after forming, and began gigging around Glasgow. A follow up
EP, "The Last Scene" was released at the end of summer, and like it's
predecessor, sold out quickly. A third EP the following year saw the band attract
comparisons to the Happy Mondays. "Resistance" was once again released
on their own label, and featured contributions from Katie Duffy, Jim McAteer and
Fay Balfour (of Glasgow act Old Solar). By this time drummer Jamie had quit the
band, however Gavin Brown (aka On The Fly)
helped out at gigs and recording. Viva Stereo paid Brown back with Rob & Tim
joining him for some live dates in 2003. Around this time, the band decided to
continue without a drummer, programming rhythm tracks for live work and recording.
The rest of the year was spent putting together their debut album at Brendan O'Hare's
studio and Diving Bell in Larbert. The band embarked on a short tour in Spring
2004 to promote their fourth EP, "The Surface Has Been Scratched". Airplay
on Radio One, Radio Scotland & Beat 106 helped the EP to sell out quickly.
At the end of summer the band released their long awaited debut album, "Optimism
Is Not A Curse", which featured contributions from Paul Tierney (vocals,
of Odeon Beat Club), Katie Duffy (violin), Malcolm Middleton (guitar, of Arab
Strap), Gavin Brown (drums), King Creosote & Pictish Trail (of the Fence
Collective), Peter Liddle (of the The Poppadoms) Fraser McGowan ( of Smalltown
Boredom), Joe Kane (of The Owsley Sunshine), Stacey Seivewright (of The
Reindeer Section & Arab Strap),
Fay Dunbar (of Old Solar) & Ross Galloway (of Ursula Minor). The band continued
touring in support of the album, with dates supporting The Fall & Puressence,
before ending the year playing three songs live on Radio Scotland's "Air"
programme.2005 started in much the same way, with a live session for Radio One. The band were then asked to join the legendary Fife music collective Fence Records. Also in 2005 Gray recorded vocals for a track by Glaswegian dance act Silicone Soul, which was released as a single on Soma Records. Viva Stereo released their second album, "Patterns Of Behaviour", in October of that year, a joint release by Much Better and Fence Records. The album reflected the challenges that their personal lives had taken over the previous year, with the members being spread between Glasgow, Falkirk, Edinburgh and Manchester, and experiences the break up of long term relationships and childbirth. Vocal contributions were added from Johnny Lynch (from The Pictish Trail), Tara Mascara (from Language Of Flowers) & Diana De Cabarrus (from Candythief).
Meanwhile, Colchester duo The Womb re-vamped their first ever release 'Mankind' with added vocals from Chloe Reeves. 'Mankind' was Viva Stereo's collaboration with Onthefly and part of the 'Try Harder' EP.
The band appeared again at the "Way To Blue" festival in October 2005.
Spring 2006 saw the band undertaking their most extensive UK tour to date, along with a date at Big In Falkirk. The rest of the year was quiet, except for a couple of dates supporting Puressence, and a support for Arab Strap on their farewell gig at the ABC, Glasgow.
In December 2006 the band released a compilation album entitled "Rarities & Improvements 2002-2006", featuring unreleased tracks from the previous four years. The compilation also included some unreleased remixes by Down the Tiny Steps, Satellite Dub and DoubleJo(h)ngrey, as well as an ultra rare acoustic version of 'Tourniquet' featuring King Creosote on vocals.
Viva Stereo's first release of 2007 was on De-Fence Records, an offshoot of Fence Records run by Onthefly. The split 10" single was with Con Brio and featured two Viva Stereo tracks. Towards the end of the year, they re-released their second album ("Patterns Of Behaviour") on i-tunes, and reached number 79 in the indie download chart.
Some dates in November co-incided with a new internet EP, "Miles Apart", which is due to be followed with a new album in the new year. This album, "Roar Lion Roar" was finally released in August 2008, and featured contributions from Malcolm Middleton, King Creosote, Chris Deveney (My Latest Novel) & Candythief.
RELEASES:
"Try Harder" (CD EP, Much Better Records, 2002)
"The Last Scene" (CD EP, Much Better Records, 2002)
"Resistance" (CD EP, Much Better Records, 2003)
"The Surface Has Been Scratched" (CD EP, Much Better Records, 2004)
"Optimism Is Not A Curse" (CD album, Much Better Records, 2004)
"Patterns Of Behaviour" (CD album, Much Better / Fence Records, 2005)
"Rarities & Improvements 2002-2006" (CD album, Much Better Records, 2006)
"10x10:03" (10 inch vinyl single, De Fence Records, 2007)
"Miles Apart" (Internet single, 2007)
"Roar Lion Roar" (CD album, Much Better Records, 2008)
Guest performances:
Silicone Soul, "The Poisoner's Diary" (single, Soma Records, 2005, featuring Stuart Gray on vocals, and a remix by Viva Stereo)
Silicone Soul, "Staring Into Space" (album, Soma Records, 2005, featuring Stuart Gray on vocals)
WEBSITE:
http://www.vivastereo.co.uk
http://www.myspace.com/vivastereo