Glasvegas

Formed in 2003 by cousins James Allan and Rab Allan, vocalist and lead guitarist, respectively, the pair subsequently invited bassist Paul Donoghue and drummer Ryan Ross to complete the lineup. Following a series of shows around Glasgow, where the group honed their live skills and raised their exposure, Glasvegas issued their debut double A-side single “I’m Gonna Get Stabbed / “Ina Lvs Rab” in May 2004. The singles received steady airplay on the Daily Record and now defunct Beat106FM, after which the band went on a brief hiatus following the departure of Ryan Ross. Caroline McKay filled in on drums having never played the drums before, however grew with the role and became increasingly proficient with an increasing tour schedule.

In 2006 Glasvegas played a show at Glasgow’s King Tuts Wah Wah Hut and caught the attention of Alan McGee and the Libertines’ Carl Barât, the latter of whom invited the band to open for his band Dirty Pretty Things. Going from strength to strength, the band issued the 7” single “Go Square Go! / Legs ’n’ Show” in October 2006 and subsequently held a launch show at the Glasgow Art School. Following a series of reassuring shows where Glasvegas reduced their reliance on a drum machine, the band released their debut, self-titled album in September 2008. Issued by Columbia Records, the album earned a Mercury Prize and NME Best Album nomination, has been certified platinum and spawned the climatic hits “Geraldine” and “Daddy’s Gone”.

The band’s success was not limited to the UK however and Glasvegas toured extensively throughout the U.S. in 2008 and 2009 before moving to California to work on their sophomore release. The Christmas themed EP “A Snowflake Fell (And It Felt Like a Kiss)” arrived towards the tail-end of 2008 before the 2011 release of their sophomore full-length “Euphoric Heartbreak”. Once again earning strong reviews, the album peaked at No. 10 on the UK Albums Chart, led by the single “Euphoria, Take My Hand”. The record marked the departure of drummer Caroline McKay who was replaced by Jonna Löfgren, after which Glasvegas embarked on their most extensive European tour to date.

In 2013 Glasvegas issued their third full-length album “Later… When the TV Turns to Static” produced entirely by earnest frontman James Allan. Despite positive reviews the album charted only at No. 41 on the UK Albums Chart, led by a pair of singles “I’d Rather Be Dead (Than Be with You)” and “If”.