In the annals of power-pop, few bands stand taller than Rhode Island’s Velvet Crush. Formed in 1989 by vocalist/bassist Paul Chastain and drummer Ric Menck, the trio (including former Honeybunch guitarist Jeff Underhill) released two albums — In the Presence of Greatness, produced by Matthew Sweet; and the classic Teenage Symphonies to God, produced by Mitch Easter and released on Epic Records in 1994. Unfortunately, their ill-fated third album, the bluesy Heavy Changes, led to their being dropped by both Epic and Creation Records.
After a brief break-up in 1997, the band released Heavy Changes on their own Action Musik label (1998); Free Expression (1999) on Bobsled; and Soft Sounds (2002) and Stereo Blues (2004), both on Action Musik.
While Chastain and Menck have remained separately active in music in the ensuing years, Velvet Crush has not been heard from since. But now Omnivore Recordings is set to release Pre-Teenage Symphony, a collection of 16 recordings previously available only in a very limited quantity from Action Musik, including eight tracks recorded live in 1994 at Cabaret Metro in Chicago (originally released as Rock Concert) and eight demos (originally compiled as Melody Freaks) — including this one for their smash single “Hold Me Up”!
We’re stoked to present a rare and rockin’ glimpse into the creative process behind one of the best albums of the ’90s. Greatness!
Pre-Teenage Symphony comes out July 22. For more Velvet Crush music, head over to Action Musik on Bandcamp.
