Kyle Falconer

Kyle Francis Falconer[1] (born 6 June 1987) is a Scottish musician, best known as the lead vocalist of The View. Along with the other band members, Falconer hails from the Dryburgh district of Dundee. He shares songwriting responsibilities with bass guitarist Kieren Webster.

Kyle Falconer
Kyle Falconer
Background information
Birth nameKyle Francis Falconer
Born (1987-06-06) 6 June 1987
Dundee, Scotland
GenresIndie rock
InstrumentsVocals, guitar, piano, bass guitar, harmonica, drums
Years active2005–present
Associated actsThe View, Mark Ronson & The Business Intl

In July 2018, Falconer released his debut solo album titled 'No Thank You' independently.[2] The record reached number 1 in the Record Store Chart in the week of the release[3] and achieved a top 40 position in the UK Album Chart.[4] The 'No Thank You' tour commenced in August 2018, and saw Falconer play in venues across the UK with sold out shows in Glasgow, Aberdeen, Prestwick, Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool, Falkirk, Inverness and his hometown of Dundee.[5]

Personal life

Falconer has been living in Dundee with his fiancée Laura Wilde as of May 2016. They celebrated the birth of their first child, Wylde Elizabeth Falconer, on 10 April 2017. The 'Superstar Tradesman' frontman shared the news on social media, citing the birth as 'The Stuff dreams are made of'. On 28 August 2018, Falconer announced that he and Wilde had another child due March 2019, stating that it was 'Another branch being added to the family tree'.

He had a long term girlfriend, Katie Gwyther to whom the track "Gem of a Bird" was dedicated. Gwyther also contributed vocals to the song, which appears on The View's second album. Of the duet Falconer notes, "There were no plans for her to actually sing on it, because I'm not saying anything good! It's just saying how my bird is always telling me how to spell stuff and everything. But I know better than her. And so forth, man. It does what it says on the tin." "[6] In February 2009, it was reported that Falconer and Katie are no longer a couple, reportedly due to his excessive alcohol consumption. Justifying the split, Falconer explained, "Am I a good drunk? No, that's why I split up from my girlfriend, she said I'm a psychopath, schizophrenic, I don't know why, I just talk rubbish, but don't we all?"[7]

Influences

In interviews Falconer frequently cites Oasis, The Beatles, The Clash, Fleetwood Mac and Squeeze as influences. Although all members of The View are said to be fans of The Beatles, Falconer is deemed to be the most infatuated. In 2008 he claimed that the band were the first thing he thought about in the morning.[8] The following year, he admitted that when he met Paul McCartney he was so overwhelmed that he "had to run to the toilet and just burst into tears". He further added, "I love The Beatles. I wanted to ask him to collaborate with us."[9]

Falconer also notes that he "still gets a bit of a judder" when he bumps into Liam and Noel Gallagher, as despite his own fame, he finds it strange to have become an acquaintance of his idols.[9] In 2000, several years before The View's commercial success, Falconer and bandmate Pete Reilly attended Scottish music festival T in the Park to see Oasis perform live, and were positioned at the front of the crowd. Falconer speaks regularly about his love for Fleetwood Mac, in particular Stevie Nicks. In 2008, Falconer told The List that the last thing he thinks of before he goes to sleep at night is "getting married to Stevie Nicks in her prime".[8]

Substance abuse

Falconer was arrested for the possession of three grams of cocaine (of which police officers estimated a street value of approximately £150) of the substance following a gig at Abertay University in 2007. His defence agent, Billy Boyle, claimed Falconer had been passed the drug by music industry insiders at the gig and further claimed he had not ingested any of the substance. On behalf of Falconer, Boyle requested an absolute discharge, as it was deemed that a conviction would hinder the possibility of a future North American tour. Sheriff Paul Arthurson denied the request, fining Falconer £1000.[10] The View have since been refused entry to the US, prompting public claims from Falconer that they are permanently banned from both America and Japan. In interviews since the conviction, however, the band have insisted that drugs are no longer an issue and they are hoping to fulfil a tour of the States in the near future.[11]

On more than one occasion, Falconer has been unable to perform due to excessive alcohol consumption. During an extensive British tour in 2008, it was reported that Falconer arrived on stage at The Social in Nottingham so drunk that his band were eventually forced to replace him with the vocalist from The View's support act, The Law. In attempt to remedy the situation, the band rescheduled the show and returned to Nottingham just months later, where Falconer fulfilled his usual duties.[12]

In 2009, the press reported that the band's set at Austria's Snowbombing Festival descended in chaos after Falconer supposedly collapsed whilst on stage. Fans recount that, after fainting, Falconer left the stage approximately fifteen minutes into the band's set. Bassist Kieren Webster was forced to apologise to the crowd, claiming that Falconer was not feeling well.[13]

Controversy

In June 2016, Falconer was involved in an air rage incident. Due to him having to sit in front of his partner Laura Wilde instead of the same row, Falconer hurled abuse at the couple sitting next to him before calling a cabin crew member a "poof". His actions caused a Glasgow-bound Jet2 flight from Reus Airport to divert to Nantes where he was arrested before continuing to Glasgow. The diversion cost £14,000 for fuel, compensation for passengers who missed connecting flights and other airport costs. Falconer also had to pay nearly £9,000 in legal fees and was fined £1,000.[14]

Discography
See also: The View discography
Solo albums
  • No, Thank You (2018)
Solo EPs
  • Almost Pleasant (2019)

References
  1. "American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers: Kyle Francis Falconer". ASCAP. 20 May 2009. Retrieved 20 May 2009.
  2. "Kyle Falconer - No Thank You". Clash Magazine. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
  3. "Kyle Falconer in at 1 on UK Record Store Chart". LIve4ever.uk.com. 6 August 2018. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
  4. "no thank you | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
  5. "Kyle Falconer (The View)". Skiddle.com. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
  6. "Gem of a Bird by The View". Songfacts.com. 'Songfacts.com.
  7. "Kyle Falconer's drunken split". FemaleFirst.co.uk.
  8. "Last Word – Kyle Falconer". The List. 30 October 2008.
  9. The View's McCartney tears, FemaleFirst, 20 January 2009; accessed 26 January 2009.
  10. "The View singer's cocaine penalty". BBC News. 2 March 2007.
  11. "The View talk to Billy Sloan". Theviewareonfire.blogspot.com. 'Sunday Mail'. 5 March 2008.
  12. "The View's Kyle Falconer 'Sorry' For Being Too Drunk To Perform Gig". Gigwise.com. 30 October 2008.
  13. "The View's Kyle Falconer 'faints' onstage during Snowbombing gig". Nme.com. 1 April 2009.
  14. Cassidy, Rory (14 December 2017). "Kyle Falconer, singer of the View, fined for anti-gay plane rant". Thetimes.co.uk. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
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