Velocetas on the fast track to fame

THE big-time is just around the corner for the Velocetas

UPPERMILL mod/indie rockers the Velocetas are another band hoping to make significant waves in 2015.

The laidback foursome — lead guitar and vocalist Harry Lavin (17), drummer Danny Walsh (16), rhythm guitarist Sam Kitchen (16) and bassist Dan Gaunt (15) — have been gigging extensively over the last 12 months, offering audiences a mixture of raucous covers and their own anthemic original tracks.

There is an undoubted spark between the four lads, which confident front-man Lavin complements superbly. Now the band is ready to unleash its debut EP, leading on popular title track “Speak my mind”.

The EP also contains a top quality mod-friendly beatfest, “Brighton Tales”, before culminating with “How it all ends”.

Recorded at Futureworks in Manchester, the EP is set for release in mid-March. “Brighton Tales” is already available on Soundcloud.

Lavin said: “’Brighton Tales’ has been online for a while and has had a good reception. People recognise it live, and that gives us a bit of a buzz.

“Once that’s been released we want to get out there and spread the word. We’d like to get on a few festivals if possible and obviously keep doing the regular gigs. By 2016 we want to be ready to really go for it.

“This summer is about a kick-start. We want to promote the EP, get people to recognise all of the songs, and we might get a few of them to like us.”

With their new material safely tucked under their arm, it will then be time for the Velocetas to truly spread their wings this year and next.

Joe Berry, who looks after the band’s press and management, said: “The lads need to space out a bit this year. So far they’ve only done local shows, but maybe it’s time to try Manchester, and even further out than that.”

It has been a whirlwind 12 months for the Velocetas, whose debut gig came last March when they packed out the Commercial in Uppermill. A hugely successful outdoor appearance at the Oldham Rootz festival was among a number of other highlights last year.

Their promise has also been recognised by higher-profile fellow musicians — including the Gramotones and Jonny Brown of Twisted Wheel fame. They have even had air time on American radio station WQRZ in Saint Louis.

Catch up with the Velocetas on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and SoundCloud.