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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, and is gaining popularity throughout the Northeastern U.S.
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). This was followed by Recess (2004), a “double EP” featuring new and unreleased studio tracks, as well as several live tracks. The Velmas released their second full-length album, Station, on City Canyons Records on October 31, 2006.
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" have voted them the Capital Region’s "Best Alternative Band" (Metroland, 2006 & 2007).
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Name: Mike "Harvey" Grosshandler
Instrument: Guitar, Vocals
Birthday: August 28
Myspace: myspace.com/mikegrosshandler
E-mail address: harvey@thevelmas.com
Musical Influences: The Beatles, Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, Alice in Chains, Type O Negative, The Verve Pipe, Radiohead, Days of the New, Veruca Salt, Blind Melon, Pearl Jam, Led Zeppelin, Stone Temple Pilots, Banana Fish Zero, Jethro Tull, Johann Sebastian Bach, Silverchair, Puddle of Mudd, nearly every song/jingle/piece of music i've ever heard
Other Endeavors: I released my first solo CD of some of my acoustic recordings, Scales, in April 2003. I released my second acoustic CD, Wrote Myself, in October 2004. Working on a full-band solo CD currently... Check out my solo site: www.mikegrosshandler.com
Past Bands: Pour Jayce, State of Nowhere, Fusion Monkeys, all after a brief but lucrative stint with Yanni
Equipment:
Guitars:
GMP Custom Roxie Deluxe (silver sparkle)
Les Paul Studio Lite (red)
Cort CL1500 Hollowbody Electric
Les Paul Studio Doublecut
"Green Meanie" Custom (built with my own two hands!)
Fender Mexican Stratocaster (Seymour Duncan Lil' 59s, neck/bridge)
Takamine Acoustic/Electric
Amps:
Marshall VS265R
Fender Hot Rod Deluxe
Marshall VS100
Crate G600
Other:
MXR Phase 90
Crybaby Wah-Wah
Boss TU2 Tuner
D'Addario 11s Electric strings
Martin SP 12s Acoustic Strings
Dunlop Delrin 1.14mm Custom Guitar Picks
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Currently Listening To:
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Name: Todd "Figaro" Minnick
Instrument: Bass, Vocals
Birthday: March 20
Myspace: myspace.com/figfig
E-mail address: figaro@thevelmas.com
Musical Influences: Primus, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Victor Wooten, John Coltrane,
Fishbone, Stu Hamm, Doug Underwood, King Diamond, Megadeth, Sublime, No Doubt, Banana Fish Zero, Chris Wyse, Green Day
Other bands I've been in: Doc Apple, Pourjayce, John Savage Band, Cleen
Street, Fire & Ice, Heads or Tails, American Cheese, Kamikaze, Lady & the Tramps, Mr. Zero, Monarch, Three Cows and a Chicken
Personal Note: I am the Barber of Seville..... Figaro, Figaro!
Personal Note 2: I'm not a kid, I'm a girl, and today is my birthday!
Equipment:
Ibanez K5
Ibanez sr405
Ampeg SVTIII head
Hartke 210 & 115 cabs
D'Addario EXL220-5 strings
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Name: Michael "Bruce" Bruce
Instrument: Percussion, Vocals
Birthday: January 9
Myspace: myspace.com/velmabruce
E-mail address: bruce@thevelmas.com
How long: I've been playing drums since I was 11, but the air-guitaring and dreaming started when I was 5.
Influences: Honestly, I learn from Everything. I like every style of music. As long as it's a cool song, I couldn't care less what style of music it is. Obviously, I do have some favorite bands, solo artists, and drummers. Kiss are musical gods, and god bless Eric Carr. Van Halen, Yanni, Night Ranger, Foo Fighters, Third Eye Blind, Michael Bolton, Lenny Kravitz, Winger, Extreme, Shania Twain, and on and on... All the Kiss drummers, Dave Weckl, Alex Van Halen, Charlie Adams, Kelly Keagy, Rod Morganstein, Kenny Arnoff, Vinnie Caliuta...
Do I teach? Yes, and I enjoy it very much. I teach private lessons and clinics. Every kid should play a musical instrument.
Theatre? I love it. West Side Story is GENIUS!
Will work for food: I'll sit in for anyone who needs a drummer.
Other Endeavors:I write country/pop tunes I'm hoping to sell to major artists. I'm also working on an instrumental solo album.
Tennis: Great game!
Chipmunk: Yes.
Personal Note: I thank all those who help support this band. You're the greatest!
Equipment:
Sonor Drums
Zildjian Cymbals
Gibraltar Rack
Dave Weckl Signature Sticks
DW Pedals
Woody Woodpecker Doll
Protechtor Cases
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