Biography
This London, England-based band issued its first single in 1998 amid extravagant yet unwarranted enthusiasm from the city’s music journalists. Origins of the group reach back to 1986, when vocalist Pete Voss crossed paths with guitarist Arge (born Ian Carter) in Voss’s hometown of Portsmouth. The pair relocated to London in 1988, joined forces with bassist Barney Slater, and staged their initial performance in 1994. Multiple drummers rotated through the lineup until Lascelles Gordon joined in 1997. Their “skunk rock” approach drew parallels with fellow acts Lo-Fidelity Allstars and Regular Fries, while Voss’s juvenile lyrics and dissonant singing prompted some observers to cast him as a visionary figure. The debut single “Sauntry Sly Chic” delivered a catchy funk-rock punch that the follow-up album Bon Chic Bon Genre, issued the next September, failed to equal. From the contrived A Clockwork Orange slogans decorating its artwork to its blatant echoes of baggy pioneers the Stone Roses and the Happy Mondays, the record privileged contrivance above substance.
After severing ties with their label, the four members persisted in developing fresh songs, several of which surfaced during a live return in September 2002. Once they secured a deal with Pointy Records, the London imprint, Campag Velocet finally unveiled their long-postponed second album in summer 2004.
After severing ties with their label, the four members persisted in developing fresh songs, several of which surfaced during a live return in September 2002. Once they secured a deal with Pointy Records, the London imprint, Campag Velocet finally unveiled their long-postponed second album in summer 2004.
Albums
