The Vels
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1980 |
| Headquarters | Philadelphia , United States |
Key people | Alice Cohen (Alice Desoto), Charles Hanson, Chris Larkin |
| Products | Music albums and singles |
The Vels was a Philadelphia-based American band known for their contributions to the new wave and synth-pop genres, established in 1980. The group featured lead singer and keyboard player Alice Cohen (performing as Alice Desoto), bassist and guitarist Charles Hanson, along with keyboardist and LinnDrum programmer Chris Larkin.
Career
The formation of The Vels occurred when Charles Hanson, who had previously played with the 1970s New Orleans punk band the Normals, brought together Chris Larkin and Alice Desoto for performances at Philadelphia's Love Club. Their sound, characterized by synthesizers, drum machines, and bass guitar, earned them notable local recognition and favorable critiques from reviewers such as Lee Paris of the Philadelphia Inquirer. This early 1980s Philadelphia music scene success secured them a deal with Mercury Records.
Their first full-length album, Velocity (1984), was recorded under the guidance of producer Steven Stanley at Compass Point Studios in Nassau, Bahamas. Prior to the release of their sophomore album, House of Miracles (1986), produced by Steve Levine, Chris Larkin left the band. The music video for the track "Look My Way" received significant airplay on the early days of MTV.
In 1986, The Vels embarked on a U.S. tour as the opening act for the British group the Psychedelic Furs, but the band dissolved in 1987.
Keyboardist Chris Larkin died from pneumonia-related complications on November 21, 2007.
Discography
Studio albums
- Velocity (1984)
- House of Miracles (1986)
Singles
- "Private World" / "Hieroglyphics" (1984)
- "Look My Way" / "Tell Me Something" (1984)
- "Girl Most Likely To" (1986)
External links
- Velocity by the Vels (published Oct. 10, 2008)