Spinner

Your Vegas Bring Their 'Town' Across the Pond

Your Vegas do not hail from their titular city, or anywhere else in the United States for that matter. They're five lads who sound like they're from across the pond because, well, they are. On the Leeds-bred band's debut LP, 'A Town and Two Cities,' singer Coyle Girelli emotes not all that unlike Bono, and his band's bombastic anthems nod to, as the front man tells Spinner, the "epic sounds of rich tones and delays" boasted by some UK behemoths, including Bono's U2.

So what's with his band's moniker, then? "We tried to find a name for two months and even played gigs under various titles, but if we could use the name in England, we couldn't necessarily use it in America," Girelli groans. "We opted for 'Your Vegas' -- which was the title of a song with all this Americana imagery I wrote for my previous band -- mainly because no one else had it."

Fortunately, naming the album came more easily for the quintet. "The title refers to the fact that we're from a little town outside Leeds, then we moved to Leeds and then we relocated to New York where we finished the album," Girelli explains. "Plus, it's a take off Charles Dickens' 'A Tale of Two Cities.' So, if you imagine the album like part of a book, consider chapter one written."

The CliffsNotes to this first chapter highlight how the band nabbed then lost a five-album label deal in the UK, swapped shores for New York City -- where Girelli penned songs for the album in a matter of hours -- and toured with the Bravery and Duran Duran. Its itinerant journey has been a source of inspiration for Girelli, who tends to muse about the chaos associated with displacement. "It's time to hit the road," the singer laments on 'Troubled Times,' before explaining how he missed the warnings foreshadowing his woes. Still, this set of grandiose tunes never downturns too melancholically. "There are pick-me-up messages here," Girelli enthuses. "I always try to put some universal message of hope."

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13 Comments

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allon

Ok...voice of reason from a DUDE....

They do really rock. Kickin' beats, great lyrics and the softer tunes aren't too fluffy.

I also caught them live and they were great. They are on the road with Duran Duran again...and well...THOSE dudes are too fluffy for me...but I am holding out for my next Your Vegas show...you guys rock.

October 20 2008 at 5:30 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
dudleycat

ok...so my girlfriend has been going on and on and on about this band she has seen twice in Boston. Since I am in school out of the west coast, I was like, whatever....but the annoyance increased so I checked them out on iTunes...and damn, they are actually really good -- of course I am not going to be telling her any time soon how much I like the tunes, but really...they are a good band with good music. Look forward to hearing more of them...and honestly, less from her!

October 11 2008 at 12:23 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
jackie

Folks...this band is for real -- far to often hype around a band is all promo and crap -- this is NOT the case with Your Vegas. Their cd is solid on every level -- the music and lyrics are perfectly intertwined, producing tunes that never get old, play after play. Their fan base continually has grown after gigs with The Bravery, Switches, Fiction Plan, Jupiter One and Duran Duran -- and their solo tour right now is kicking butt and taking names....You really need to catch this group in concert -- they are truly at home in front of a crowd - it is highly likely, before we know it, there will be stadiums filled with Your Vegas fans....

September 21 2008 at 12:51 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
MistieMarie

Your Vegas is one of those bands that has amazing charisma and stage presence. I wasn't sure at first if I was going to like their music becasue they were billed as Alternative; however, they were a great find. They have consistantly held a spot in my car's 6-disc changer

Their music speaks for its self. Just give this group a few minutes and listen to some of their songs. They are worth the price of the download on itunes or some other online music store. And if you get a chance, check them out in concert. Their energy and showmanship only adds the the connection that fans will feel with the group.

September 21 2008 at 11:48 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Courtney

This is the best new album I have heard in years. I am not one that seeks out new music much, so I have to thank Duran Duran for getting this wonderful band to open for them. I have been hooked since my first trip to their myspace music player, and ordered their debut cd right away. It hasn't left my car since April, and everyone who who has listened to it with my is truly impressed. It is quite addictive.....go check it out for yourself!

July 14 2008 at 11:57 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Shannon

Your Vegas is an amazing band and this is their debut album. It is an incredible album and I would advise any person that likes music to buy it. They're from UK, but are now living in New York, so you get the best of both worlds. Everyone needs to buy this album I promise you won't be disappointed if you do. It is already my favorite album of 2008, beating Vampire Weekend, Augustana, and The Kooks.

July 04 2008 at 4:37 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
moosekin79

This band ROCKS! I saw them open for Duran Duran last month, and they blew me away with their performance. I bought their album, A Town and Two Cities, a few days later and I was equally impressed. Such a great debut album! I can't stop listening. I know this band is going to be the next big thing!

July 02 2008 at 10:19 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Courtney

This entire cd is beyond fabulous and addictive. It hasn't left my car since I got it 2 months ago! Your Vegas has a special quality when they can prove to a person like myself, who is stuck in a musical rut (80's/90's is all I listen to), that new artists do have something great to offer and it all just isn't manufactured rubbish. But this CD...I can tell you from experience that you will not regret it!

June 30 2008 at 1:10 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
julieyourvegas

Your Vegas has become my favorite band. They possess a passion, talent and integrity for creating music that rocks your a$$ and touches your soul at the same time. I cannot recommend their album enough. Coyle Girelli, the writer and lead of YV, is a musical genius who will give the music world amazing gifts for a long time to come. The skill and passion demonstrated by Girelli and his bandmates is so palpable in both their studio album and their live shows that the audience can't help but become addicted. Your Vegas just feels good, there's no other way to describe it, but don't expect a light pop sound with disposable songs. Songs like Birds of Paradise and Up Until the Lights Go Out will thrill anyone who appreciates good old fashioned rock, while ballads like Salvador and The Way the War Was Won maintain a sweeping rock quality without ever sounding sappy or tired. Ballads usually bore me; not these. YV should probably write a book on how to compose them properly. In My Head is a pop bounce that should become a modern classic we will still sing along to 20 years from now when we hear it on the radio and never tire of. These guys are a sight and sound to behold live, an absolute must-see. It is also worth mentioning that the respect with which Your Vegas treats their fans is unparalleled. If you are a music lover, you owe it to yourself to check out Your Vegas and their album, A Town and Two Cities. This band is headed places!

June 30 2008 at 11:08 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
micheleleeframe

I love every song on this album! It is a wonderfully arranged work of art. I was extremely fortunate to see Your Vegas play live and I love their energy and stage presence! Looking forward to big things happening for this band; it's just a matter of time!

June 29 2008 at 8:26 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply