The Sheffield Scenester

Velozity held a launch night for their EP, which features their first single, and so it was only fair that we look at the actual content as well as cover the gig itself (which we did)....the EP is only a two track affair (which is a pity, since we’ve always been a fan of their enthusiasm for a while now...here at Scenester think there should be more!), it has to be said....not many newly formed bands can claim to cover a Deep Purple track and get away with it!

It begins with ‘All About You’, their first single, which starts promisingly enough with drums and bass pounding out a steady rhythm. This is before the guitars are dragged in to grind out a complimentary beat before singer Sam joins the fracas with a tale of some kind of a one sided relationship. With a consistently driving pace this track really grabs you by the b*lls and drags you screaming for more, from beginning to end! With more than a blatantly obvious nod to several metal influences, some modern...but most going way back to its roots in early Sabbath and Purple. This really is a well crafted piece of rock with hard edged riffs woven around a depressing tale of domestic oppression, despite this you can still tap your feet along to it, and it is great to drive along to, just make sure the volume is way, way, way up!

Track two and unfortunately the last song on the disc is ‘Where I Linger’, and whilst I have to admit it is the weaker of the two tracks...it still has that trademark Velozity catchy riff. Beginning with an almost perky guitar thrown in with a drumbeat of impending doom, we are drawn into a strangely hypnotic tune built around contrasting styles, at times jaunty and uplifting, other times it is slightly sedated. Lyrically I can’t quite decide if it’s a tale of a sad pathetic self depreciating rock star or if it’s based on the more sinister tale of some deluded stalker. Whilst not as cheerful or instantly popular as the first track, it is still bizarrely addictive!

Whilst I will always prefer the raw energy of their dynamic live performances, this EP is a worthy showcase for their talents. It has to be noted as well that they have indeed gone to quite extravagant lengths in its presentation with a decent photo shoot on the sleeve of a visually impressive and slickly produced cover. It is a great time to catch them live as they have plenty of dates coming up in the not too distant future beginning with an appearance at West Street Live on September 7th.