New Zealand’s Villainy has a terrific reputation for being one of NZ’s leading rock bands, armed with world-class radio-ready tracks that are a popular favourite on Kiwi radio stations. Their sound has been described as crusty, raw and Celtic Frost of sorts.
The band developed a sound which cuts across musical fault lines, establishing dark, elaborate, and enchantingly well-presented alternative rock. Since early 2011, the Auckland-based four-piece band has been splitting their time between their native city and Melbourne pursuing their first album.
The Villainy consists of very talented members that have earned the band a reputation as one of the New Zealand’s most relevant and energetic rock bands that has been very popular on the playlists with New Zealand radio stations.
Quick Start Guide Villainy:
Villainy is a famous alternative rock band from Auckland, New Zealand. Founded in 2010 the group comprises of Neill Fraser on guitar and vocals, James Dylan on bass guitar, Thom Watts on lead guitar and Dave Johnston on backing vocals and drums.
The band has performed together with several international and local acts including Incubus, AC/DC, Billy Talent, The Offspring, Shihad, and Seether.
The band grew fast from the band Inverse Order, a unique alt-rock group that featured Villainy members James Dylan, Neill Fraser, and Thom Watts. After hiring the drummer Dave Johnston, the group changed their name to Villainy during the recording of their first album with the producer Tom Larkin.
The group issued the first track “Alligator Skin” online in May 2011. The single was playlisted on The Rock (New Zealand) and attained number one in the Radioscope NZ Rock Charts.
The second track of the band “The Answer” was issued in February, with a video being released later in May. In February, the group was the primary support for the Incubus (band) at their two successful New Zealand arena concerts. A large centers tour in July 2012 with Clap Clap Riot and Luger Boa followed afterward.
Their third track, “Gather Yourselves,” was unveiled on August 2012 and attained number one on Radioscope NZ Rock Charts, equalizing the success of their first single.
Career Highlights:
Their first track “Alligator Skin” turned out to be a rock radio hit in New Zealand attaining number 1 in the national airplay charts. They’ve proceeded to have 3 New Zealand Rock Airplay number ones, and their studio album won the “Best Rock Album” at 2013 Vodafone NZ Music Awards. The group has played at different festivals in Australia and New Zealand and have headlined for many worldwide acts and touring both countries in support of their first album.
The first album of the band “Mode. Set. Clear.” was recorded by producer Tom Larkin, mainly in the Melbourne suburb of Brunswick and also at the Auckland’s Roundhead Studios. Mode. Set. Clear. was unveiled in New Zealand on 19th October 2012 with the cover art by the late Storm Thorgerson. The album did debut at number eight on the RIANZ Album Charts and was the number one NZ album.
In February 2012, the band went out to support Incubus at Vector Arena. In February 2013, Villainy also supported Billy Talent and The Offspring at Vector Arena. March 2013 saw the group playing a late afternoon session at the Homegrown Music Festival (New Zealand).
Villainy then proceeded on an eight-date NZ tour throughout the rest of March and into April with the New Plymouth band Rival State.
The third track off Mode. Set. Clear., “Another Time,” was unveiled late 2013 and maintained the band’s chart-topping trend, also attaining number one on Radioscope New Zealand Rock Charts.
The group visited Australia in September 2013 for the first worldwide concerts playing showcases in Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane including two other performances at the yearly Big Sound conference held in the Fortitude Valley of Brisbane.
Returning home, the band toured New Zealand for the second time in October playing twelve shows with the Blacklistt followed by a big win at the NZ Music Awards for the Best Rock Album category.
In the summer of 2014, the band turned up at the New Zealand leg of the annual Big Day Out festival and the Homegrown Music Festival as well.
In June 2015, the band issued “Syria” and an official debut track from the new album “Safe Passage” closely followed it. Dead Sight was released 18 September that year via Warner Music New Zealand. The album debuted at number four on the NZ album charts, and “Safe Passage” attained number one on Radioscope New Zealand Rock Charts.
Villainy proceeded on an Australian tour in November 2015. They opened for AC/DC in December 2015 on the New Zealand leg of their tour playing to 60,000 massive crowds at two stadium concerts in Wellington and Auckland. In February 2016, the band played to nearly 10,000 people in Auckland’s Grey Lynn Park and appeared at the Homegrown Festival as well.
Present Status:
The band was touring NZ in the first quarter of 2017.
