Velvet Crush is an American power pop band from

Providence Providence often refers to: * Providentia, the divine personification of foresight in ancient Roman religion * Divine providence, divinely ordained events and outcomes in Christianity * Providence, Rhode Island, the capital of Rhode Island in the ...

, Rhode Island, United States, that achieved prominence in indie-rock circles in the early- and mid-1990s. The band broke up in 1996 but re-formed in 1998 and have continued to record, releasing their most recent album in 2004. Vocalist/bassist Paul Chastain and drummer Ric Menck are the band's core members, having previously worked together as Choo Choo Train, Bag-O-Shells, and The Springfields, and they share singing and songwriting duties. Guitarist Jeffrey Underhill (of Honeybunch) played on the band's first three albums, ''In the Presence of Greatness'', '' Teenage Symphonies to God'', and ''Heavy Changes''. ''In the Presence of Greatness'' was produced by Matthew Sweet, while the second and third albums were produced by Mitch Easter.

History

Chastain had recorded in the mid-1980s as a solo artist and as a member of Nines and The Stupid Cupids, while Menck had been a member of The ReverbsRobbins, Ira
Velvet Crush
'' Trouser Press'' and The Paint Set. The long association between Chastain and Menck began in 1987 with the indie pop band Choo Choo Train, who released two singles and an EP and were signed to the British indie label The Subway Organization. The duo also recorded for

Sarah Records Sarah Records was a British independent record label active in Bristol between 1987 and 1995, best known for its recordings of indie pop, which it released mostly on 7" singles. On reaching the catalogue number SARAH 100, the label celebrated it ...

as The Springfields, and for Bus Stop as Bag-O-Shells. Both had been based in Chicago, but they relocated to Rhode Island around this time. Opting for a more rock-oriented power pop sound, the duo formed Velvet Crush in 1989, with Jeffery Borchardt of Honeybunch.Strong, Martin C. (2003) "Velvet Crush", in ''The Great Indie Discography'', Canongate, After three singles on

Bus Stop Records A bus (contracted from omnibus, with variants multibus, motorbus, autobus, etc.) is a road vehicle that carries significantly more passengers than an average car or van. It is most commonly used in public transport, but is also in use for cha ...

, the band released a cover version of

Teenage Fanclub Teenage Fanclub are a Scottish alternative rock band formed in Bellshill near Glasgow in 1989. The group were founded by Norman Blake (vocals, guitar), Raymond McGinley (vocals, lead guitar) and Gerard Love (vocals, bass), all of whom shared ...

's "Everything Flows", as an extra track on the CD Single of 'Ash & Earth, on Seminal Twang, run by David Barker of Glass Records, who was in charge of the Paperhouse label for Fire Records at this time. Paperhouse were keen to release the first Velvet Crush LP, but they chose to sign to Creation Records in the UK, who issued the band's debut album, ''In the Presence of Greatness'', in 1991. The band stayed with Creation for a second album, ''Teenage Symphonies to God'', released in 1994 (on

Sony Records Sony Records was a record label founded by R&B duo Ike & Tina Turner in 1963. It was not affiliated with Sony Group Corporation. Ike Turner produced singles by members of the Kings of Rhythm and the Ikettes on Sony Records. Records on the label ...

in the US). The group members spent the next few years acting as Stephen Duffy's backing band, recording two albums with the singer. Velvet Crush returned in 1998 with the ''Heavy Changes'' album, now on the Action Musik label. Another album, ''Free Expression'', followed in 1999, by which time the band was reduced to a duo of Chastain and Menck. ''Soft Sounds'' followed in 2002, and ''Stereo Blues'' in 2004. In 2015 David Barker revived his Glass Records label, and reissued ''In the Presence of Greatness'' on vinyl in October 2018 on the Glass Modern imprint. In July 2019 Menck and Chastain reunited with Underhill and added Jason-Victor on lead guitar for a mini-reunion tour of New England.

Discography

Choo Choo Train

Singles

*"This Perfect Day" (1987) Picture Book *''The Briar Rose'' EP (1988) The Subway Organization *"High" single 7" (1989) The Subway Organization *"High" EP 12" (1989) The Subway Organization

Compilation Album

*''Briar High (The 1988 Singles)'' (1992) The Subway Organization

The Springfields

*"Sunflower" (1988)

Sarah Sarah (born Sarai) is a biblical matriarch and prophetess, a major figure in Abrahamic religions. While different Abrahamic faiths portray her differently, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all depict her character similarly, as that of a piou ...

( UK indie No. 8)Lazell, Barry (1997) ''Indie hits 1980-1989'', Cherry Red Books, *"Tomorrow Ends Today" (1991) Picture Book *"Wonder" (1991) Sarah *"Tranquil" (1991) Seminal Twang/Summershine

Bag-O-Shells

*"Markers" (1988 - 7" - Bus Stop) *"Pocket Book" (1990 - 7" - Bus Stop)

Paul Chastain & Ric Menck

*''Hey Wimpus: The Early Recordings of Paul Chastain & Ric Menck'' (1998) Action Musik

Velvet Crush

Albums

*''In the Presence of Greatness'' (1991) Creation/Ringers Lactate *'' Teenage Symphonies to God'' (1994) Creation/Sony *''Heavy Changes'' (1998) Action Musik *''Free Expression'' (1999) Bobsled *''Soft Sounds'' (2002) Action Musik *''Stereo Blues'' (2004)

=Compilations, live albums

= *''Rock Concert'' (2000) Action Musik *''A Single Odessey'' (2001) Action Musik *''Timeless Melodies'' (2001)

Epic Epic commonly refers to: * Epic poetry, a long narrative poem celebrating heroic deeds and events significant to a culture or nation * Epic film, a genre of film with heroic elements Epic or EPIC may also refer to: Arts, entertainment, and medi ...

*''Melody Freaks (demos & outtakes 1990-1996)'' (2002) Action Musik

Singles

*"If Not True" (1990) Bus Stop *"Walking Out on Love" (1990) Raving Pop Blast (split flexi disc with The Golden Dawn) *"Ash & Earth" (1991) Seminal Twang (UK) (includes Everything Flows on the CD version) *"Ash & Earth" (1991) Bus Stop (US) *"Window to the World" (1992) Creation *''The Post Greatness EP'' (1992) Creation *"Drive Me Down" (1992) Creation *"Remember the Lightning" (1994) The Bob magazine (split flexi disc with Guided by Voices) *"Hold Me Up" (1994) Parasol *"Hold Me Up" (1994) Creation *"Why Not Your Baby" (1995) Creation *"Gentle Breeze" (2000) Bobsled

References

External links

1994 interview with Ric Menck on Ready Steady Go

Velvet Crush
at '' Rolling Stone'' {{Authority control American power pop groups American alternative country groups American folk rock groups Creation Records artists Musical groups from Providence, Rhode Island 550 Music artists