Since 1999, the Velmas – bassist Todd “Figaro” Minnick, guitarist Mike “Harvey” Grosshandler and drummer Michael “Bruce” Bruce – have been entertaining upstate New York. The band has become a favorite around Albany and Syracuse, NY.
In 2002, the Velmas released their debut album, Another Day At School. Since its release, the album has received rave reviews and has opened doors of opportunity for the band (see press page).
“ADAS” was followed by Recess (2004), a 10-song “double EP” featuring new and unreleased studio tracks, as well as several live tracks. Recess included the song “Restless, Restless,” which was selected out of thousands of entries as one of the top 20 finalists on Howard Stern’s much-publicized “Restless, Restless” contest. The song also wound up being included on a compilation album called “The Best of Restless, Restless” with other entries including those from William Shatner and Robert Goulet.
In 2006, The Velmas appeared on a tribute album to the band Blind Melon with their version of the song “New Life”.
The Velmas released the full-length album, Station, on City Canyons Records on October 31, 2006. Station was recorded at Robby Takac’s (Goo Goo Dolls) Chameleon West Studios in Buffalo, NY. A new digital single, “Playground,” was released by City Canyons in April of 2009. November of that year saw the release of another single, “Wait”.
The Velmas went back to the studio and in 2020 released three Christmas songs: Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer, Silent Night, and White Christmas.
The Velmas are three singers and songwriters creating powerful rock music. Their sound is influenced by old-school to modern rock, punk, reggae, and even country and classical. In concert, the Velmas back their music with a playful, high-energy live show, which is the reason why Albany-area “Velmites” keep voting them the Capital Region’s “Best Alternative Band” and “Best Rock Band” (Metroland).
The Velmas have shared the stage with numerous acts, including Soul Asylum, Collective Soul, Everclear, moe., Tally Hall, Winger, Vertical Horizon, Richard Lloyd (from Television and Matthew Sweet), Samantha Ronson, and Shaw Blades (members of Styx, Night Ranger, and Damn Yankees).
