Forget almost everything you know about live bands. For Velvet
Love Box more closely resembles a three-ring circus than
a band. Velvet Love Box, sometimes described
as ”acoustic anarchy”, features three veteran musicians
from the north Texas area: guitarist/vocalist Scot Cloud, percussionist/vocalist
Brandon Bumpas, and vocalist/bassist Neil Schnell. By taking away
the screaming amps, the racks of electronic gear, and the same
old tired song list; the trio seeks to break from the traditional
confines of most bands to forge something new and unique using
only the barest of essentials- acoustic guitars, bass, percussion,
and a bag of musical tricks big enough to choke Felix.
Velvet Love Box formed at Broncos Sports Bar
in 1997 as a weekly acoustic jam session. As the weeks passed
it soon became clear that a cohesive group had emerged and a phenomenon
had been born. The three soon found themselves holding court to
throngs of fans, admirers and well wishers. Offers, proposals,
and TV movies abounded, but the bright lights of fame and fortune
were not the desire of the troupe, and it was decided that the
purity of the Box demanded that the music remain
for the people. Hollywood would have to wait.
In early 2002,
to spread the music farther, VLB signed with
Texas indie label Aaron
Ave. Records. Recognizing their potential, Aaron
Ave. immediately put the Love Box to work
in the studio. The release of their first EP “Pilot”
ushers in a new phase of progression for the band. The disc offers
four crowd favorites from their live show, as well as four unreleased
original songs. Velvet Love Box now looks to
the future. Touring in support of their EP and upcoming LP, adding
to their already extensive playlist and continuing their full
assault on the “average” band.
And so, like
musical guerillas, the Love Box carries on. Utilizing
the instruments at their disposal to take the music back to the
citizenry, bringing their eclectic mix of music and comedy to
whatever situation they find themselves in. Wherever there’s
a kid who wants something besides Creed, VLB
will be there. Wherever there’s a club, a sports event (Dallas
Stars, Texas Rangers, etc.), a corporate party, or a backyard
barbeque, the Love Box will be there. And whenever
you find yourself in need of that something special, well my friend,
Velvet Love Box will be there too.
Ever unpredictable,
always entertaining, priced to move and named for a TV covered
in fur…I give you Velvet Love Box.
