Velocetas go vocal

The Velocetas: more local gigs coming up

MUSIC EXTRA: AS they prepare for the release of new single “Put Out The Fire”, Saddleworth indie hopefuls The Velocetas have opted for a switch in focus to win over new fans.

Frontman Harry Lavin, drummer Danny Walsh, rhythm guitarist Sam Kitchen and bassist Dan Gaunt have been promoting their debut EP “Speak My Mind” in Manchester’s Academy and Ruby Lounge. But they don’t necessarily feel Manchester is enough

The undoubtedly mod-influenced band has also booked local gigs ahead of its single release.

September 19 sees the lads play the Carrion Crow, with Saddleworth Cricket Club a week later.

The Clarence hosts the band in early October, and in November they play Greenfield Con Club, the Hanging Gate at Diggle and the Clarence again.

Lavin said: “We have done gigs in Manchester when it’s been packed, but we also did one in front of 15 people. Around here we know we can fill places.”

The “Put Out The Fire” single set for release in October is a deeper, more grungy tune than on “Speak My Mind”.

Drummer Walsh said: “It’s a proper good tune, heavier than we’ve been used to, more of a dirty sound with big drums. We’re really pleased with it.”

Bassist Gaunt added: “The ‘B’ side will be a remix featuring Matt the Mill who has worked with lots of top people. He has really added something new to what we’re trying to do.

“The current scene isn’t that diverse. There’s a lot of this common indie going on, so we thought we’d listen to Nirvana and Kasabian, try something heavier, and this ‘B’ side features a bit of random hip-hop.”

Lavin was keen to heap praise on legendary BBC Radio Manchester DJ Mike Sweeney who, as revealed on this page recently, played a special gig with The Velocetas in Greenfield.

“Mike was fantastic,” beamed a confident Lavin. “It was great because we’re not really the type of band that will play the Stone Roses-type stuff. He was around in that era so to have someone like that around us was really good.

“The gig was so old school, because things went wrong, I snapped three guitar strings alone and my phone kept going off. But it was so much fun to do.”


Visit www.thevelocetas. com for gig dates, a single release date, and more on the band.


LISTEN to Simon Smedley’s exclusive audio interview with the Velocetas