Some Velvet Sidewalk
Encyclopedia
Some Velvet Sidewalk was an experimental lo-fi rock band from Olympia, WA on the independent label K Records
.
in 1987 by Al Larsen (vocals/guitar) and Robert Christie (drums). Their first release was From Playground 'Til Now
, and was independently released on cassette in 1988. Somewhere around this time , Jenny Olay joined on second guitar and went on the band's first American jaunt with The Go Team
and Mecca Normal. In 1990, Al Larsen along with Tobi Vail
(drums) and Louise Olsen (bass) recorded the album, Shipwreck. (The release of this album was heavily delayed, but it was eventually released in 1995.) Just before the 1990 release of their first full album, Appetite For Extinction
, Robert Christie left the band and was replaced by Don Blair and bass player Martin Bernier, whom Al Larsen had found in a free musician's wanted ad.
A short tour of small Pacific NW towns quickly followed with D.C. band Scream, of which Dave Grohl
was a member and it was Some Velvet Sidewalk that accompanied Scream when Kurt Cobain
had first laid eyes on Dave at a small party at Slim Moon
's home.
This new line-up soon recorded with Calvin Johnson in Yo Yo Studios along with Pat Maley what would become known as the "Pumpkin Patch" single.
They went back to the studio in 1991 with producer and musician Steve Fisk
to record Avalanche, which released in 1992. They spent 1992 and 1993 touring and released a short EP called I Scream. Following suit, the next album, Whirlpool, showed up in 1994. Ryan Baldoz of Olympia joined on second guitar around this time.
SVS soon added keyboardist Paul Schuster to the lineup to record the 1997 album, Generate!. The final true SVS release, the EP The Lowdown, was released in late 1997.
The band broke up following an American tour, and the members went their separate ways. In 1999, Al compiled and released a posthumous SVS album called Original Love Rock Masters. This album is a compilation that contains live songs, garage demos, and various side projects.
Crayon
and The Pastels have recorded and released cover versions of Some Velvet Sidewalk songs.
Al Larsen continued his musical career with bands such as The Polar Bears, The Evil Tambourines and Melting Igloo. In 2005, he released a solo album titled The Hardline According to Danny & the Dinosaur on his own label, Property is Theft. Al is now a media studies professor at the university of Buffalo.
Martin Bernier joined Seattle's The Heroic Trio, which featured Australian ex-pat and future Welcome bassist Jo Klaxton and drummer Lenni Rennals. They released one full-length album and one 3 song e.p. on La Push Records. Following Bernier's exit from that band he joined Olympia's Bunnyfoot Charm. Don Blair went onto play drums in Totfinder along with ex-Sleep Capsule member Russ Klatt. He now plays in the experimental Waves.
The original drummer and founding member, Robert Christie, was killed in January 2001 along with his wife, Denise and two sons, Ted and John.
Singles
Compilations
K Records
K Records is an independent record label in Olympia, Washington, co-founded, owned, and operated by Calvin Johnson, formerly of the bands Cool Rays, Beat Happening, The Go Team, The Halo Benders and presently in the bands Dub Narcotic Sound System and The Hive Dwellers...
.
History
Some Velvet Sidewalk was formed in Eugene, OregonEugene, Oregon
Eugene is the second largest city in the U.S. state of Oregon and the seat of Lane County. It is located at the south end of the Willamette Valley, at the confluence of the McKenzie and Willamette rivers, about east of the Oregon Coast.As of the 2010 U.S...
in 1987 by Al Larsen (vocals/guitar) and Robert Christie (drums). Their first release was From Playground 'Til Now
From Playground 'Til Now
From Playground 'til Now was the debut release of Some Velvet Sidewalk.-Track listing:#"Old Bridges"#"Jean Waits"#"all right."#"Big Orange"#"Playground 'til Now"#"Old Bridges"#"real cool time, again."#"worried man backdrop rock"...
, and was independently released on cassette in 1988. Somewhere around this time , Jenny Olay joined on second guitar and went on the band's first American jaunt with The Go Team
The Go Team
The Go Team was a 1980s band from Olympia, Washington, consisting of Tobi Vail and Calvin Johnson of Beat Happening.-Career:The Go Team was founded in 1985. As Vail described:...
and Mecca Normal. In 1990, Al Larsen along with Tobi Vail
Tobi Vail
Tobi Vail is an independent musician, DIY zinester, and feminist activist from Olympia, Washington, noted primarily as the drummer of the defunct punk band Bikini Kill. She formed one of her first bands as the drummer for The Go Team when she was 15, later collaborating in several other groups...
(drums) and Louise Olsen (bass) recorded the album, Shipwreck. (The release of this album was heavily delayed, but it was eventually released in 1995.) Just before the 1990 release of their first full album, Appetite For Extinction
Appetite For Extinction
-Track listing:1. Seasons2. Old Bridges3. Dinosaur4. Hurt.5. Sidewalkin' 6. Crayons7. Snow.8. alright9. Moment10. Sidewalk and Sky11. Old Bridges 12. 20,000 Leagues...
, Robert Christie left the band and was replaced by Don Blair and bass player Martin Bernier, whom Al Larsen had found in a free musician's wanted ad.
A short tour of small Pacific NW towns quickly followed with D.C. band Scream, of which Dave Grohl
Dave Grohl
David Eric "Dave" Grohl is an American rock musician, multi-instrumentalist, and singer-songwriter who is the lead vocalist, guitarist, and primary songwriter for Foo Fighters; the former drummer for Nirvana and Scream; and the current drummer for Them Crooked Vultures...
was a member and it was Some Velvet Sidewalk that accompanied Scream when Kurt Cobain
Kurt Cobain
Kurt Donald Cobain was an American singer-songwriter, musician and artist, best known as the lead singer and guitarist of the grunge band Nirvana...
had first laid eyes on Dave at a small party at Slim Moon
Slim Moon
Slim Moon is the founder of the independent music label, Kill Rock Stars. He also started its sister label, 5 Rue Christine...
's home.
This new line-up soon recorded with Calvin Johnson in Yo Yo Studios along with Pat Maley what would become known as the "Pumpkin Patch" single.
They went back to the studio in 1991 with producer and musician Steve Fisk
Steve Fisk
Steve Fisk is a Washington-based audio engineer, record producer and musician.Fisk joined the instrumental rock band Pell Mell in 1982. With vocalist Shawn Smith, he formed Pigeonhed, which released its first album in 1993....
to record Avalanche, which released in 1992. They spent 1992 and 1993 touring and released a short EP called I Scream. Following suit, the next album, Whirlpool, showed up in 1994. Ryan Baldoz of Olympia joined on second guitar around this time.
SVS soon added keyboardist Paul Schuster to the lineup to record the 1997 album, Generate!. The final true SVS release, the EP The Lowdown, was released in late 1997.
The band broke up following an American tour, and the members went their separate ways. In 1999, Al compiled and released a posthumous SVS album called Original Love Rock Masters. This album is a compilation that contains live songs, garage demos, and various side projects.
Crayon
Crayon (band)
Crayon was an indiepop band from Washington State featuring Brad Roberts , Sean Tollefson and Jeff Fell .-History:...
and The Pastels have recorded and released cover versions of Some Velvet Sidewalk songs.
Al Larsen continued his musical career with bands such as The Polar Bears, The Evil Tambourines and Melting Igloo. In 2005, he released a solo album titled The Hardline According to Danny & the Dinosaur on his own label, Property is Theft. Al is now a media studies professor at the university of Buffalo.
Martin Bernier joined Seattle's The Heroic Trio, which featured Australian ex-pat and future Welcome bassist Jo Klaxton and drummer Lenni Rennals. They released one full-length album and one 3 song e.p. on La Push Records. Following Bernier's exit from that band he joined Olympia's Bunnyfoot Charm. Don Blair went onto play drums in Totfinder along with ex-Sleep Capsule member Russ Klatt. He now plays in the experimental Waves.
The original drummer and founding member, Robert Christie, was killed in January 2001 along with his wife, Denise and two sons, Ted and John.
Band members
- Al Larsen - Vocals & Guitar
- Robert Christie - Drums (1987–1989)
- Jenny Olay - Guitar 7 Vocals (1988-19890
- Tobi VailTobi VailTobi Vail is an independent musician, DIY zinester, and feminist activist from Olympia, Washington, noted primarily as the drummer of the defunct punk band Bikini Kill. She formed one of her first bands as the drummer for The Go Team when she was 15, later collaborating in several other groups...
- Drums (1990) - Don Blair - Drums (1990–1997)
- Louise Olsen - Bass (1990)
- Martin Bernier - Bass (1990–1997)
- Ryan Baldoz - 2nd Guitar (1994–1995)
- Paul Schuster - Keyboard (1996–1997)
Discography
Albums- From Playground 'Til NowFrom Playground 'Til NowFrom Playground 'til Now was the debut release of Some Velvet Sidewalk.-Track listing:#"Old Bridges"#"Jean Waits"#"all right."#"Big Orange"#"Playground 'til Now"#"Old Bridges"#"real cool time, again."#"worried man backdrop rock"...
(1988) - Appetite For ExtinctionAppetite For Extinction-Track listing:1. Seasons2. Old Bridges3. Dinosaur4. Hurt.5. Sidewalkin' 6. Crayons7. Snow.8. alright9. Moment10. Sidewalk and Sky11. Old Bridges 12. 20,000 Leagues...
(1990) - AvalancheAvalanche (SVS album)-Track listing:1. Avalanche2. Loch Ness3. Curiosity4. Froggy5. Peaches6. Little Wishes7. Deep Sea Green8. No Real Home9. Alien10. Right/Wrong11. Ice Cream Overdrive...
(1992) - I ScreamI Scream (EP)I Scream is an EP by Some Velvet Sidewalk, released in 1993.-Track listing:#"Ice Cream Overdrive"#"Shame"#"I Blame You"#"Ice Cream Overdrive "#"Shame "-Credits:Al Larsen - voice & guitar...
(EP) (1993) - Whirlpool (1994)
- Shipwreck (1995)
- Generate! (1997)
- The Lowdown (EP) (1997)
- Original Love Rock Masters (1999)
Singles
- I Know (single) (1988)
- Land and Earthbound (single) (1989)
- Pumpkin Patch (single) (1991)
- Eyes Like Yours (single) (1992)
- Free from It (single) (1994)
- Valley of the Clock (single) (1997)
Compilations
- Throw: The Yoyo Studio Compilation (1991)
- International Hip SwingInternational Hip SwingInternational Hip Swing is a compilation CD released by the label K Records in 1993.International Hip Swing gathered together a selection of recordings previously released in the series of "International Pop Underground" 7" 45 vinyl singles....
(1993)