BACKSTAGE PASS ARTICLE JULY 1997
VELVET JONES
Written By: BETH T.J.
Before you get the lowdown on Velvet Jones let me set a little scenario for you, one of which you may be very familiar with. Sitting in a club in the heart of Chicago for oh . . . maybe four hours, watching band after band after band of what seemed more like twenty hours, waiting to hear something that makes you go, "Hey these guys are good!" Well that was me, sitting through four bands, all sounding very similar or so bizarre a bathroom trip was well welcomed. Finally the last band gets up to play and I say to a friend, "This better be worth the wait."
Up on stage a familiar face appears, Jeff Malas a very entertaining and talented bass player from Chicago who I have seen in a few different bands over the years, actually almost 15 years. Now I am starting to look forward to what is to come. Then appears the drummer, the guitarist, and the singer who is a groovy character, all 90 pounds of him. I am thinking to myself, jokingly, "Can this guy sing he is so tiny?" On stage now is a band giving off a totally groovy vibe and I am really curious now!
The gig begins and my attention is drawn even more because I am hearing some really great, rockin music! When was the last time you heard that? Then the singer, you remember the tiny one as I put it, starts to sing and my mouth almost hits the table. "Oh my God, this guys got a voice!" This groovin guy with the unique and exceptionally powerful vocal chords would be Stevie D. And this my friends is Velvet Jones.
Velvet Jones is a Chicago based band that has been groovin together for a year and a half. The members are Stevie D the bands lead vocalist and guitarist; Jeff Malas on bass and vocals; Dave Cannon as rockin lead guitarist and vocals; and Keith Howard on drums. Currently the tunes are written by Stevie but as time grooves on Dave and Jeff will also add their song writing abilities. Velvet Jones is a band that wants to groove ya, from all aspects of their music!
Although Velvet Jones jams here in Chicago, getting their groove together did not just happen. Stevie had been in Hollywood for a handful of years where he did a demo tape that had gotten a great response when reviewed by the I.E. When doing his demo Stevie met Dave who originally came from New York. Later Stevie hooked up with Keith who also was in Hollywood at the time, where they then played together in a band. And finally when everyone had returned back home in Chicago Stevie met Jeff through a friend and so from this became Velvet Jones!
Where do four guys, who've got it goin on, come up with a name such as Velvet Jones? The band says of course they had a couple in mind but they were looking for a groovy thing. Of course there is the 70's flick, wha-la Velvet Jones, but the band says, "We were coming more from the two words - Velvet - Jones, rather than so much from the character.
Velvet Jones has played many clubs in Chicago and beyond. The House of Blues, Metro, Double Door, Elbo Room, and Subterranean to name a few at home. In New York they list Cafe a Go-Go, E's and club CBGB. Very cool to spread that good music from Chicago, "Aye." The band says their favorite club appearance so far has to the House of Blues show. It was their first taste of a monster concert and a sold out show. Stevie says "It got so loud, the crowd was louder than the band!" Also at the top of the bands list of cool gigs was their show at the U of I in Champaign with Joan Jett. This too was a sold out crowd and the college crowd loved them. "The place was crazy!"
So what kind of band is Velvet Jones? The band says beyond anything they are a rock and roll band. "Our music is an alternative to what is going on and heavy in the groove. We all come from different spectrums but all come together to become Velvet Jones. Our shows consist of all originals and believe me it is a strong set." The band does not just have a handful of strong songs but a good hour of great music. Some songs the crowds really Jones too are "JOEY" and "GOT TO GIVE". These cause a lot of singing along and screaming.
Those who make up Velvet Jones are very interesting individuals. When asked of their influences and gigs they would like to play, here is what they had to say. Stevie enjoys music with a lot of grooves and singing such as Jimi Hendrix, Sly and the Family Stone, Zepplin and even Prince, "He is a groovy Kat." As for a show he'd like to play it would be a four hour gig with none other than Velvet Jones.
Dave remembers when he was little hearing Eddie Van Halen for the first time and how he was blown away. "It was pretty much like whoa, I gotta learn that!" Dave's older brother played in a band which made an impression on him as did Hendrix, Page and Clapton. Dave says a show he would like to play would be with Zepplin, all original members and Jason Bonham on drums.
Jeff, even though being razzed by his fellow band members says, "I'm from the 80's school and grew up listening to Motley Crue and Nikki Sixx. He was my idol. I like music with heavy bass and a lot of rhythm. Some dance stuff is cool too." He admits that years ago it was his ultimate dream to play with the Crue and now that they are coming around again he would love it. Jeff says even though the band laughs, if the opportunity came along they would jump at it.
Keith takes on a different perspective and says he would be good on desert island with every Beatles and Zepplin album. And for his idea of a cool show, it would be to open for Kiss or to be on a tour with lots of bands and good music. "That would be fun for me, a good vibe going on, because we are a vibe band."
Velvet Jones wants to preserve their integrity and play what they want to, not what some label wants them to. The band hopes to keep their own musical values intact. In the future they hope to make a good modest living being Velvet Jones. Stevie says, "The band does not want to be a flash in the pan," and Jeff adds, "We need to stay true to what we feel. Dig?" The band knows that promoters are looking for the "flavor of the month" but even though they are doing it the Velvet Jones way, they continue to pull in good size audiences whenever they play.
The band hopes to continue their successful beginning and hope to entice a record company to believe in them. Jeff adds, "Music trends change and the time is right for one of those changes. We are up there, ready for the groove and we are going to be at the front of it. Bring it on!"
Velvet Jones has been talking to a handful of labels, but right now they are doing as much as they can without "Big Brother" as Stevie puts it. "We want to do what we want and we are doing just fine." A much awaited release of the bands first six song EP titled "Declaration Of Independence" is scheduled for July 15 on Tube records.
For show information, T-shirts and band goodies dial 312-837-7723. You can also contact them at Velvet Jones, P.O. Box 13051 Chicago, Il 60613. For those who surf the net, check out their site at www.velvetjones.com.
The band is appearing at the Double Door on July 11th and playing a repeat performance at the "9th Annual Bimbo Bash" on August 2nd. It's a fun for everyone party. (See your invite in this issue of Backstage Pass.) Also keep a lookout for a record release party, "There will be some crazyness in a big show for this one!"
If you want to see a band that is incredible live in every way Velvet Jones will entertain
your groovy soul. They did mine!
