The Velveteers

The Velveteers challenge conventional ideas of a power trio through their unusual three-piece setup featuring a baritone guitarist alongside two drummers, which generates a thunderous yet lean sonic punch anchored solely by Demi Demitro's vocals in the upper register. Their approach blends the lean expressiveness of garage punk with the forceful drive of classic hard rock, particularly evoking Led Zeppelin, all propelled by intense passion and unfiltered rock & roll spirit. The group first drew widespread notice through a self-titled EP released in 2018 before achieving broader national recognition with the 2021 album Nightmare Daydream. Their 2025 release A Million Knives brought a shinier, more expansive production to the mix while retaining the band's core edge and force.

Formed in Boulder, Colorado during 2014 by guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter Demi Demitro, the band grew out of a household where creative pursuits thrived, thanks in part to Demitro's mother, who studied theater and dance. With two siblings already active in the eccentric hard rock outfit Pink Fuzz, Demitro naturally gravitated toward guitar, often skipping classes to focus on practice. Demitro first connected with multi-instrumentalist Baby Pottersmith, skilled on drums, guitar, bass, and keyboards, during a local reggae performance. The pair launched the project with Demitro handling guitar and vocals while Pottersmith covered drums, occasionally contributing second guitar or keyboards. The lineup solidified into a trio upon adding Demi's brother John Demitro on drums, leading to the 2016 single "Death Hex." That year also brought an opportunity to open for Deap Vally across the United Kingdom, shifting the band swiftly from intimate hometown venues to larger theaters abroad.

Following the U.K. dates, John exited to prioritize Pink Fuzz, leaving Demi and Baby to continue as a duo. They built a following through energetic live performances and steady touring. A contrasting digital single, the mellow and affectionate "This Love Lasted," surfaced in mid-2017, followed in 2018 by the well-regarded six-song EP The Velveteers. The group returned to trio status in 2020 with the arrival of Jonny Fig as the second drummer. Their rising profile attracted Dan Auerbach, co-founder of the Black Keys, another hard-rocking band with an atypical lineup, who signed them to his Easy Eye Sound imprint and produced their debut full-length. The resulting 12-track Nightmare Daydream appeared in October 2021.

In the interval before the album's release, the Velveteers secured a major break by opening a Denver, Colorado stadium concert for Guns N' Roses in August 2021 after the scheduled opener withdrew due to health concerns. Once pandemic restrictions eased, the trio resumed touring and developed songs for their next album. Again working with Dan Auerbach, the 2025 effort A Million Knives introduced additional keyboard layers for a polished finish, though the foundational rhythms and Demitro's powerful vocals stayed central.