| The Vels | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Vels |
| Origin | Philadelphia, United States |
| Genres | New Wave |
| Years active | 1980–1987 |
| Labels | Mercury |
| Past members | |
| Alice Cohen (as Alice Desoto) — vocals Chris Larkin (deceased) — keyboards Charles Hanson — bass |
|
The Vels were an American New wave band, formed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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The Vels began when Charles Hanson, former member of the 1970s New Orleans punk group, The Normals, invited Chris Larkin and Alice Desoto to join him for a show at the now defunct Love Club in Philadelphia. The band used lo-tech synthesizers, drum machine, and bass guitar. The Philadelphia Inquirer music critic, Lee Paris was there, and wrote a positive review. The Vels were a prominent fixture on the Philadelphia music scene of the early 1980s.[1] They caught the attention of Mercury Records and were signed to a recording contract.
The Vels' first album, Velocity was recorded in Nassau, Bahamas at the Compass Point Recording Studio, and was produced by Steven Stanley, who also produced the Tom Tom Club. Their second album, House of Miracles was produced by Steve Levine, who had produced Culture Club.
A music video for their song "Look My Way" was filmed in London, and became popular during the early days of MTV.
In 1986, The Vels toured the U.S. as the opening act for The Psychedelic Furs, but disbanded in 1987.
Keyboardist and singer, Chris Larkin, died from complications due to pneumonia, on November 21, 2007.[2]