Biography:

The View -- bassist Kieran Webster, lead guitarist Pete Reilly, lead singer Kyle Falconer, and drummer Steve Morrison -- got together in their native Dundee, near Scotland's east coast, in 2005, when none of them had yet reached 20. Prior to storming the U.K. with their energetic, scruffy ska-punk and throwback rock, they were a cover band. But as of 2007, when they made their U.S. debut at a concert in New York City, those days were far behind them: in 2006, with only two shows for tastemakers back in Europe under their belt, they signed to 1965 Records, distributed by Columbia and run by James Endeacott, who has worked with similarly red-hot acts the Strokes and the Libertines. Hats Off to the Buskers, the debut album that spawned the U.K. hits "Superstar Tradesman" and "Wasted Little DJ's," was released in Britain in January 2007; the American version landed in record shops in March. Influences on the View are easy for a listener to pick up, and include the Clash, Oasis, and the Libertines. What is not so easy for American listeners to pick up, though, are the View's lyrics, which Falconer studs with Scottishisms. Those who don't know what a "gadgie" is but find themselves succumbing to the hype, then, will want to study up on their brogue. ~ Tammy La Gorce, All Music Guide