Wonder Villains

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There’s something really fun about these guys. And it doesn’t feel faked, they genuinely seem like they’re have a blast doing what they love. And if debut EP Zola is anything to go by, I’m excited to hear the album. With a sense of humour to match their sense of musicality, there’s really no stopping these guys from making it big. Title track Zola is hoppy and boppy and an ohrwurm if ever I heard one. 33 is beautifully meta, showcasing the band’s strong lyrical ability. Running in Circles is the strongest for me. A new wave track that sounds like it was taken straight from an 80s anthemic mix-tape. Ace.

If you had to describe them in reference to already established acts, I suppose you could place them somewhere between Vampire Weekend and Foster The People via Kim Wilde. But this young act (they’ve only barely finished their A Levels) have far to go, with a sound they can call their own.

The Zola EP is released here in Ireland on October 14th and in the UK on 17th.

- Pop Culture

There’s something really fun about these guys. And it doesn’t feel faked, they genuinely seem like they’re have a blast doing what they love. And if debut EP Zola is anything to go by, I’m excited to hear the album. With a sense of humour to match their sense of musicality, there’s really no stopping these guys from making it big. Title track Zola is hoppy and boppy and an ohrwurm if ever I heard one. 33 is beautifully meta, showcasing the band’s strong lyrical ability. Running in Circles is the strongest for me. A new wave track that sounds like it was taken straight from an 80s anthemic mix-tape. Ace.

If you had to describe them in reference to already established acts, I suppose you could place them somewhere between Vampire Weekend and Foster The People via Kim Wilde. But this young act (they’ve only barely finished their A Levels) have far to go, with a sound they can call their own.

The Zola EP is released here in Ireland on October 14th and in the UK on 17th.

- Pop Culture

G Sessions Stage, 12.50pm

In a Tweet: If a band was made entirely of sherbet it would be these guys!

What happened: Between the infectiousness of their cutesy-synth-pop sound, American teenybop twang vocals, and banter that occasionally borders on inane (at one point we’re treated to a lament about the decline of Peter from the TV show Heroes), Wonder Villains provide great entertainment for the Glasgowbury early crowd. The set is a 30-minute nugget of cheerfully noisy, infinitely dance-friendly tunes, with more teeth than their recorded work would suggest.

It’s insanely melodic, with just enough edge to take the saccharine sting out of the synths. Songs like ‘Oh Peter’, ‘Space Jam’ and ‘Zola’ get the crowd dancing happily, while final track ‘Ferrari’ leaves everyone bouncing up and down in the Draperstown sunshine, ready to tackle the rest of the day. Awesome hi!

Goldstar: The band’s attidude. They’re ecstatic to be here, they’re having a giggle between and during songs, and they don’t take themselves too seriously.

Lost At Sea: The set kicked off with a bit of a whimper. It took half a song to realise that the sound check was over and the set had started.

Rating: 9/10

- BBC Across the Line

With school behind them, Wonder Villains can concentrate on music more fully and they weren't planning on taking their time, already releasing their first proper EP on No Dancing Records, which is out on the 17th of October 2011 and Touring with General Fiasco (dates below) is their latest addition to the list which includes New Young Pony Club and The Undertones as well as their performances at BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend, Glasgowbury and T-vital.

The title track Zola is an incredibly catchy, somewhat humorous pop tune with so much going so much going for it and such rave reviews that the only thing stopping Wonder Villains from growing an intergalactic ego is that they've heard it all before. If Gianfranco Zola ever hears this song you'd have to assume he'd be pretty pleased as not only is it a brilliant song, it's lyrics state pretty clearly that he was a brilliant player.


In 33 the instruments take a small step back, in order for you to really concentrate on the lyrics which is especially useful as all Wonder Villains song are perfect for singing along to and with their upbeat pop feel it's impossible not to feel good listening to this EP. Not to be forgotten about though, the small step back doesn't mean the instrumental side to this track is any less great and it, in fact, it has a keyboard you could listen to all day long (which makes it a shame that the song's only 2:37 long).


Then comes Running In Circles, written a good three years ago it was bound to be a little different to their more recent work, but definitely not in a bad way! With a little faster paced vocals it might not be as easy to sing along to but that doesn't stop you trying but if you're looking for a song that's a little less pop and has much more guitar while keeping the Wonder Villains catchy style, you've found it.

If you were looking for something to complain about, however, it might not have been so fruitful. You'll probably have noticed that all three songs are quite short, averaging at 2:30 but you'll also have noticed that each song is so good you're just gonna stick it on repeat anyway. And when you do that, you'll realize these songs get better each time and that's something which can back up the BBC when they describe it as "An all conquering hit." and said "it really is pop gold." If you can't tell already, I agree and that's why i'm giving the EP an all out 95% but I've given you two of the three to listen to (Running In Circles below) and 33 can be found here, along with the other two... so feel free to make your own mind up and post what you think below, in the comments section.

- Indie Review

With school behind them, Wonder Villains can concentrate on music more fully and they weren't planning on taking their time, already releasing their first proper EP on No Dancing Records, which is out on the 17th of October 2011 and Touring with General Fiasco (dates below) is their latest addition to the list which includes New Young Pony Club and The Undertones as well as their performances at BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend, Glasgowbury and T-vital.

The title track Zola is an incredibly catchy, somewhat humorous pop tune with so much going so much going for it and such rave reviews that the only thing stopping Wonder Villains from growing an intergalactic ego is that they've heard it all before. If Gianfranco Zola ever hears this song you'd have to assume he'd be pretty pleased as not only is it a brilliant song, it's lyrics state pretty clearly that he was a brilliant player.


In 33 the instruments take a small step back, in order for you to really concentrate on the lyrics which is especially useful as all Wonder Villains song are perfect for singing along to and with their upbeat pop feel it's impossible not to feel good listening to this EP. Not to be forgotten about though, the small step back doesn't mean the instrumental side to this track is any less great and it, in fact, it has a keyboard you could listen to all day long (which makes it a shame that the song's only 2:37 long).


Then comes Running In Circles, written a good three years ago it was bound to be a little different to their more recent work, but definitely not in a bad way! With a little faster paced vocals it might not be as easy to sing along to but that doesn't stop you trying but if you're looking for a song that's a little less pop and has much more guitar while keeping the Wonder Villains catchy style, you've found it.

If you were looking for something to complain about, however, it might not have been so fruitful. You'll probably have noticed that all three songs are quite short, averaging at 2:30 but you'll also have noticed that each song is so good you're just gonna stick it on repeat anyway. And when you do that, you'll realize these songs get better each time and that's something which can back up the BBC when they describe it as "An all conquering hit." and said "it really is pop gold." If you can't tell already, I agree and that's why i'm giving the EP an all out 95% but I've given you two of the three to listen to (Running In Circles below) and 33 can be found here, along with the other two... so feel free to make your own mind up and post what you think below, in the comments section.

- Indie Review

Wonder Villains exude classic pop vibes with electro and indie mixed in. Am I really far off base if I say they seem like a very pop version of Paramore? (if you are a hardcore Paramore fan, don’t get your panties in a wad, I said a very pop version!)




I have only heard what is on the myspace, but I liked it so far. They played BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend on the BBC Introducing stage this weekend, so they must be getting noticed by someone… and now Milky Tea Kid!

- Milkytea

Wonder Villains exude classic pop vibes with electro and indie mixed in. Am I really far off base if I say they seem like a very pop version of Paramore? (if you are a hardcore Paramore fan, don’t get your panties in a wad, I said a very pop version!)




I have only heard what is on the myspace, but I liked it so far. They played BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend on the BBC Introducing stage this weekend, so they must be getting noticed by someone… and now Milky Tea Kid!

- Milkytea

'Wonder Villains' are four younglings hailing from Derry City.

They are one Northern Irish band that has had so much hype to carry over the past couple of years that it hasn't fazed them! The guys have also had high profile support slots to 'New Young Pony Club' and the 'Undertones.'

New E.P 'Zola' is a fabulous mix of the quirky and the retro - with its pop hooks and Casio keyboard sounds.

Title track 'Zola' is in fact about the legendary footballer 'Gianfranco Zola' (who I'm sure would be massively shocked to find out a band from our small country had written a song about him.) It is the perfect summer pop song, that is so catchy it needs to be played on the perfect summer’s day, spent lying beside the pool; it bares striking resemblance to 90's bands such as 'No Doubt' and 'Letters to Clio.' The chorus is incredibly catchy, with its spikey guitars and vocal hooks; when you listen to the lyrics - you can't help but smile about the fact that they are about a certain Italian footballer.

'33' is two and a half minutes of sheer delight with its straightforward pop punk sensibilities and one of the catchiest keyboard lines I have heard in recent years. The production on this track really stands out - as the instruments are not in your face and leave you to concentrate on the dominant vocals.

'Running in Circles' is a bit different to the other tracks. It seems they tried to achieve that 'epic' ender while unfortunately not quite achieving it; maybe that's due to the fact that the drums are programmed. You get a sense that the vocals feel very rushed on this track - to the point that you think the vocalist is trying too hard to get words out. The more you listen to it though, the more the vocals make sense.

All in all I think 'Wonder Villains' are going to be a force to be reckoned with! Anyone who can write music this catchy deserves to do well in our book!

‘Zola’ is released on October 17th via No Dancing Records.


- Boost the Music

'Wonder Villains' are four younglings hailing from Derry City.

They are one Northern Irish band that has had so much hype to carry over the past couple of years that it hasn't fazed them! The guys have also had high profile support slots to 'New Young Pony Club' and the 'Undertones.'

New E.P 'Zola' is a fabulous mix of the quirky and the retro - with its pop hooks and Casio keyboard sounds.

Title track 'Zola' is in fact about the legendary footballer 'Gianfranco Zola' (who I'm sure would be massively shocked to find out a band from our small country had written a song about him.) It is the perfect summer pop song, that is so catchy it needs to be played on the perfect summer’s day, spent lying beside the pool; it bares striking resemblance to 90's bands such as 'No Doubt' and 'Letters to Clio.' The chorus is incredibly catchy, with its spikey guitars and vocal hooks; when you listen to the lyrics - you can't help but smile about the fact that they are about a certain Italian footballer.

'33' is two and a half minutes of sheer delight with its straightforward pop punk sensibilities and one of the catchiest keyboard lines I have heard in recent years. The production on this track really stands out - as the instruments are not in your face and leave you to concentrate on the dominant vocals.

'Running in Circles' is a bit different to the other tracks. It seems they tried to achieve that 'epic' ender while unfortunately not quite achieving it; maybe that's due to the fact that the drums are programmed. You get a sense that the vocals feel very rushed on this track - to the point that you think the vocalist is trying too hard to get words out. The more you listen to it though, the more the vocals make sense.

All in all I think 'Wonder Villains' are going to be a force to be reckoned with! Anyone who can write music this catchy deserves to do well in our book!

‘Zola’ is released on October 17th via No Dancing Records.


- Boost the Music

Just as the evenings are getting longer and darker, Wonder Villians have come along and brightened up our stereos. The Derry based band are an aural pleasure and Zola is a delightful introduction to the band.

In the past, footballers and music haven’t really mixed very well, (I’m thinking Hoddle and Waddle here), but this track about the Italian maestro is nothing short of brilliant. Upbeat, melodioc, great groove and a real cute ‘Zola’ refrain. It’s a bit staggering when you realize that Wonder Villains are all just out of school. Two minutes and forty seven seconds of bliss.

’33' continues the upbeat theme and immediately to want to bop along. The band have beautiful rises and falls within the track and live this should lead to a pretty good show. ‘Running in Circles’ is still officially a demo but I just love this track, nice distorted guitars and really nice pounding bass sound.

Great debut and even better for a band so young. Catch them supporting General Fiasco at Academy 2 Dublin on October 22nd.
- nessymon

Just as the evenings are getting longer and darker, Wonder Villians have come along and brightened up our stereos. The Derry based band are an aural pleasure and Zola is a delightful introduction to the band.

In the past, footballers and music haven’t really mixed very well, (I’m thinking Hoddle and Waddle here), but this track about the Italian maestro is nothing short of brilliant. Upbeat, melodioc, great groove and a real cute ‘Zola’ refrain. It’s a bit staggering when you realize that Wonder Villains are all just out of school. Two minutes and forty seven seconds of bliss.

’33' continues the upbeat theme and immediately to want to bop along. The band have beautiful rises and falls within the track and live this should lead to a pretty good show. ‘Running in Circles’ is still officially a demo but I just love this track, nice distorted guitars and really nice pounding bass sound.

Great debut and even better for a band so young. Catch them supporting General Fiasco at Academy 2 Dublin on October 22nd.
- nessymon

What Better to cheer ones heart than a spectacular pop song lionising footballs' diminutive wizard Gianfranco Zola. The Wonder Villains have the purest hearts in pop. Their youth plays a role in that but I remember being a particularly sullen teen, for instance - not for this band, the huffs and bad poetry. They sing about what they know - TV shows, first loves and football - and in that respect they put me in mind of another greta band form their hometown of derry, The Undertones. And with lyrics like 'the keeper said to Zola, you're dead when this is over', they too have tongue firmly wedged in cheek. If they are this good in their teens god only knows how good they'll get. Its frightening to wonder. See what I did there... - Q Magazine

What Better to cheer ones heart than a spectacular pop song lionising footballs' diminutive wizard Gianfranco Zola. The Wonder Villains have the purest hearts in pop. Their youth plays a role in that but I remember being a particularly sullen teen, for instance - not for this band, the huffs and bad poetry. They sing about what they know - TV shows, first loves and football - and in that respect they put me in mind of another greta band form their hometown of derry, The Undertones. And with lyrics like 'the keeper said to Zola, you're dead when this is over', they too have tongue firmly wedged in cheek. If they are this good in their teens god only knows how good they'll get. Its frightening to wonder. See what I did there... - Q Magazine

Wonder Villans BBC Profile. - BBC

Wonder Villans BBC Profile. - BBC