Britain’s the Vamps are an exuberant dance-rock- and pop-influenced outfit centered on vocalist Bradley Simpson. In 2012, guitarist James McVey decided to take the more unusual route of searching for talent on YouTube when he wanted to start a band. First he approached singer/songwriter Simpson via his own YouTube channel, and after writing a few songs together, the pair recruited drummer Tristan Evans and bassist Connor Ball to complete the lineup. Uploading cover versions to their YouTube channel, the four-piece quickly gained a following, and at the tail-end of 2012, they signed a deal with Mercury Records. Earning a support slot with pop outfit McFly on their 2013 Memory Lane Tour — a band with whom the Vamps share a similar sound — the group’s fan base quickly swelled and the release of their first self-penned material followed. Their debut single, “Can We Dance,” was first aired via the group’s spiritual home, YouTube, and notched over a million views within its first two weeks. Officially released in October 2013, “Can We Dance” debuted at number two on the Official U.K. Singles Chart.
In April 2014, the group released their debut album, Meet the Vamps, amid a whirlwind of press engagements. The single “Last Night” — released just a week prior — scored the outfit their third consecutive U.K. Top Ten single, entering the charts at number two. The following year, they delivered their sophomore album, Wake Up, featuring production from Steve Mac, Rami Yacoub, Carl Falk, and others. The album peaked at number ten in the U.K. and produced three singles: “Wake Up,” “Rest Your Love,” and “I Found a Girl.”
In 2016, the Vamps paired with Norwegian DJ Matoma for the single “All Night,” which heralded the band’s third full-length album. Released in July 2017, Night & Day also featured the single “Middle of the Night” — which saw them team up with Danish EDM producer Martin Jensen. A third single, “Hands” featured Mike Perry and Sabrina Carpenter. ~ Rich Wilson
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