2008 begins with the band immediately returning to Chem 19 to finish what they started with Andy. David has conjunctivitis but the sessions are completed successfully, with Andy helping the Kids make the most of their time. The band, inspired, head off to let people know they still exist with a small tour that sees them turning out the best performances of their lives, playing the best music they have produced. A triumphant return to the Fence Records Homegame makes up for the below-par performance the previous year. The revival was completed with a top-notch show at a rammed Voodoo Rooms in Edinburgh in April, with everyone agreeing that the band could now, in fact, play their instruments adequately and had a string of great tunes at their disposal. A further great show at the Barfly in Glasgow leads Kid Canaveral to release the long overdue follow-up to "Smash Hits". A double A-side of "Couldn't Dance" and "Teenage Fanclub Song" on Straight to Video Records in June. A single which gathered even more radio play than its predecessor. The Kids hit the road to promote the disc and take a short 8 date hop around the UK (surviving a car crash in the process), highlights being a particularly sweaty gig in London and the mobbed single launch in Edinburgh.
Following an increase in workload for the band, they opt to work with their first booking agent, and uneasily, they stop booking gigs for themselves. The odd sensation of lack of admin is soon erased by the ability to focus on writing and practicing new material and preparing for the next single. This short break from live gigging turns August into September and sees the band play one of their biggest shows to date. Following the will of the voting public displayed in a complicated Top of the Pops style chart, they're asked to play at the Glasgow opening show for the new Tennent's Mutual gig scheme. They open for James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem fame and Findo Gask and have a great gig and very enjoyable evening. Rose is even sick in James' toilet. Shh. Warm up shows and a wonderful packed gig with band favourites De Rosa in Edinburgh fills some of October.
The 27th of October sees the release of the bands third single: a double A-side of "Second Time Around" and "Missing Me" on 7" vinyl, again, on Straight to Video Records. Lot's of airplay (Rob Da Bank included), positive reviews and BBC and other podcast inclusions. Kate takes the lead vocals on the A side to magical pop effect. Kid Canaveral hit the road on the last day of October to promote it on their first in-a-van-non-stop-for pure-ages tour around the UK. This will take in a fair bit of England, none of Wales (unfortunately) and Belfast in Northern Ireland. Some great gigs were played and only a couple were disappointing. Crooked gig promoter aside, the tour is a resounding success and the band pats themselves and their booking agent on the back. The tour is capped off with an enjoyable dancey show at a fine Indiepop night in Glasgow.
The tour unfortunately took its toll in certain ways and Dan announces that he can no longer commit himself or his time to Kid Canaveral and will be parting company with the band at the end of the year. Kate, Rose and David are gutted, but splitting up never is considered a possibility. The remaining Kids retreat to the Canaveral war room to discuss things. The first and foremost matter to be considered is the release of the bands fourth single. The band have been plotting away since June to release a split 7" single with other Edinburgh Indiepop noiseniks and friends Come On Gang! The single is inked in for release on the 15th of December. Just in time for the festivities. The Kid C side is "I don't have the heart for this", a much more downbeat, but no less melodic slice of the Canaveral indiepop.
Dan is to play two more shows: a winter festival in England and the single launch party/Straight to Video Records Christmas Party on the 13th of December.
The launch party is a hug success with the Kids and the Gang! both turning out cracking sets. The Kids have a rotating fifth member for a couple of songs with David McElroy joining on keys for the new single and Sam ***** aka SPIDERwoMAN on tambourine on ‘Couldn't Dance'. She heroically breaks Sarah from COG!'s tambourine, but is forgiven ‘cause "it was ace". Dan receives an extended ovation at the end of the final song of the night: ‘Smash Hits' and the Kids leave the stage with a confusing mixture of the post gig euphoria and the crushing sadness of parting company with Dan and Dan with them.
The new single gets a fair whack of airplay (more UK BBC Radio 1) , more podcast inclusions and some very favourable reviews. All of the band go their separate ways for the holidays, reminisce and consider their next step.