The Velocity of The Velocet
By Mallori Kenworthy


The votes are in, and the bottom line is: everyone seems to love The Velocet.  Brooklyn based band members Michael Davison, Aron Watman, Joe Porpatier, and Kris Ricat have stolen the hearts of nearly every person who has heard of them.  Every review, blog, response, whatever, raves about the eclectic, post-punk/rock sound that these four have created for their band over the last four years.

However, the laid back persona that the guys portray only proves that they are here to make music with hopes that whoever likes it, listens to it. 

“There really isn't one [a specified audience]. Essentially anyone who relates to the material can be a fan” bassist Aron Watman explains. 

You can’t help but point out the fact the band’s lead, Davison, a self-proclaimed “military brat” for the majority of his life, writes a few ditties on his life following this path. Even if there is a lot of military innuendo and past experiences, it’s definitely not the only thing they are about.  Looking at them as a one-pony show would be a large mistake.
 
The debut album, A Quick and Dirty Guide to War, was released on July 10th, 2007 with praised reviews.  The sound is a change from the emo-filled, wannabe punk that infests the market today.  In songs like the album’s opener “Chinatown”, the explosive guitar riffs and melodic ramblings set the scene for the rest of the lineup.  Other songs, such as “Grand Mal” show the band’s impeccable ability to flow together the lyrics, the solid sound, and the beat that keeps toes tapping and heads bobbing.  And just when you think you’ve got their sound completely figured out, songs like “O’Concertina” comes on and a much more mellow beat takes over, making this album something that everyone can choose a favorite song from. 

Currently signed to Eyeball Records, the band is enjoying where they are at with the indie-music scene.  Though Eyeball has, in the past, been the starting point for current big-sellers like My Chemical Romance and Thursday, The Velocet aren’t looking to stray any time soon.  And while an indie label gives freedom to be more artistically free with what is put out, as Watman explains, “there is tour support money on the major label side, and I think that our perception would change, should we end up on major label - whether we would want it to or not. Seems to be the nature of the beast.”

 No major label changes are expected in the near future, though, and with the video for their song “O’Concertina” coming out in January and the prospect of some plugs in the U.K. in the near future, things are looking pretty solid the way they are.

Being signed seems less important these days anyway, due to the lack of album sales for nearly any musician.  With the numbers plummeting from actual album revenue, relying on getting out there in the public eye comes from the shows and exposure you can get in other ways, such as touring.  The Velocet are no exception to this rule.  For now, the band is using the merchandise they can sell on the road as an income booster. 

Most of the shows take place in and around New York City.  Their current residence, Piano’s, plays a major role in keeping them out and about in the public eye. “We are relying mostly on touring revenue. There just simply isn't any real money to be made in album sales these days. Merchandise on the road is probably the most important source of quick income” says Watman. 

Relying on the love and praise of those of us who have heard their music from the communicator of everything, the internet, seems to be working out just fine.  Their album is available online through various sites and many people from their Brooklyn, NY base to the mid-west have gotten their hands on it and put in their two-cents.  Most of which is highly praised kudos for the debut.  

While many take the opportunity to compare their sound—everything from the Cure to the White Stripes, to the Foo Fighters—the truth is they have their own sound and whatever you want to call it, it works.  “I've heard that we have a sort of British sound - like the Cure or Blur. I think we try to steer clear from any pigeon holes though,” Watman responds when asked about the comparisons.

It’s the nature of the game to try and create groups as the emergence of new artists and bands continues to grow every day.  But while many are trying to categorize and label, many of the musicians take it in stride and just make the music that they want to. 

You can’t change the way the public mind works, but I believe Aron Watman says it best: “It doesn't bother me, I suppose.  We play what we play, you know?”