Rock, Guitar Rock, Tunes the young kids will enjoy, Indie/College Pop, Alternative Guitar Rock, Grunge, the fun alternative, Alternative Pop, power emo, catchy like the clap, Why don't you just listen to it rock, Rock and Roll, Modern Alternative Rock, Why aren't you signed rock, Rock 'n Roll, Rock'n'Roll, Rock 'n' Roll, Guitar-driven rock with catchy hooks, Melodic Modern Rock, new punk, post-emo indie rock, Pop Punk, Rock ~n~ F***in Roll, "my mom says I'm cool" rock, Alternative, Todays ACTIVE/ALTERNATIVE ROCK, indierock, Rock/pop, Good Ol' Rock and Roll, Alt-Power-Pop, Rock&Roll, Modern, melodic guitar rock, Poppy punk boy band, Melodic Pop-punk
Bio Since 1999, the Velmas - bassist Todd “Figaro” Minnick, guitarist Mike “Harvey” Grosshandler and drummer Michael “Bruce” Bruce - have been entertaining upstate New York. The band has become a favorite around Albany and Syracuse, NY, and is gaining popularity throughout the Northeastern U.S.
In 2002, the Velmas released their debut album, Another Day At School. Since its release, the album has received rave reviews and has opened doors of opportunity for the band.
"ADAS" was followed by Recess (2004), a 10-song “double EP” featuring new and unreleased studio tracks, as well as several live tracks. Recess included the song "Restless, Restless," which was selected out of thousands of entries as one of the top 20 finalists on Howard Stern's much-publicized "Restless, Restless" contest. The song also wound up being included on a compilation album called "The Best of Restless, Restless" with other entries including those from William Shatner and Robert Goulet.
The Velmas would follow that up with their second full-length album, Station, released on City Canyons Records on October 31, 2006. Station was recorded at Robby Takac's (Goo Goo Dolls) Chameleon West Studios in Buffalo, NY. A digital-only single, "Playground," was released by City Canyons in April of 2009.
The Velmas are three singers and songwriters creating powerful rock music. Their sound is influenced by old-school to modern rock, punk, reggae, and even country and classical. In concert, the Velmas back their music with a playful, high-energy live show, which is the reason why Albany-area "Velmites" keep voting them the Capital Region's "Best Alternative Band" and "Best Rock Band" (Metroland, 2006, 2007, 2009).
The Velmas have shared the stage with numerous acts, including Soul Asylum, Collective Soul, Everclear, moe., Tally Hall, Winger, Vertical Horizon, Samantha Ronson, and Shaw Blades (members of Styx, Night Ranger, and Damn Yankees).
Career Highlights/Vital Stats March 2009 - Readers of Metroland, in their 2009 Readers' Picks, once again select The Velmas as the #2 Best Local Rock Band. Velmas guitarist/singer Mike "Harvey" Grosshandler was also selected "Best Local Solo Musician".
March 2007 - Readers of Metroland, in their 2007 Readers' Picks, select The Velmas as the #2 Best Local Alternative Band AND the #2 Best Local Rock Band. Velmas guitarist/singer Mike "Harvey" Grosshandler, and Velmas bassist/singer Figaro are both voted "Best Local Celebrities With Whom You'd Like to Have a One-Night Stand". Grosshandler was also selected "Best Local Producer" and "#2 Best Local Solo Musician".
January 2007 - Rkstar.com readers voted the Velmas album Station in the Top 15 Albums of 2006.
November 2006 - Station debuts at #27 on the charts on KCWU 88.1 in Ellensburg, WA for the week of 9/26/06 - 10/03/06. Station is receiving airplay on 58 radio stations across the US and Canada, with more stations adding the album each week.
December 2005 - The Velmas' version of Restless, Restless is featured on "The Best of Restless, Restless, Vol. 1", a greatest hits compilation from the Howard Stern Show Contest.
Influences/Similar To Similar to Jimmy Eat World, Foo Fighters, Third Eye Blind, Pearl Jam, Sublime, Nirvana, Kiss, Veruca Salt, Red Hot Chili Peppers
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