Artist description Velvet Chain's music combines modern grooves and textures with beautiful melodies and hard rock power. They're a trip-hop band mixed with a rock band and a pop band. Like a cross between Portishead, the Doors and Garbage -- with some Fleetwood Mac and Henry Mancini mixed in. The Velvet Chain sound is unique and very identifiable, yet the band's overall style is quite diverse. You never really know what they'll do next. They're smooth, dark and melodic, then they slam you. The tension and ingenuity of the music is mesmerizing. Their live show unpredictable, sophisticated and very powerful. Velvet Chain consists of bass, drums, keyboards, guitar, DJ/samples, and is fronted by vocalist, Erika Amato. The band is headed by composer-producer-bassist Jeff Stacy. The perfect match between Jeff Stacy's music and Erika Amato's vocals is the essence of Velvet Chain's liquid-explosive style. Of all Velvet Chain's assets, their ultimate weapon is their lead singer, Erika Amato. Her voice is silky and haunting, with power underneath, just like her band. She is a class-act, starkly beautiful, yet warm and gracious. Velvet Chain has been on the internet since the beginning, and has developed a fan base stretching across the world. The band has a huge mailing list and is religious about responding to fans. Velvet Chain is based out of Los Angeles, where they have a large local following. They have played over 150 L.A. shows and have toured the U.S. Velvet Chain performs at The Key Club, Troubadour, Lunapark, Martini Lounge, Spaceland, Atlas, and other L.A. venues.

Music Style Psycho-groovy, trip-funky, vibed-out, loaded with sexual innuendo, unpredictable, liquid-explosive rock music.

Musical Influences Roxy Music, The Doors, David Bowie, Portishead, Echo and the Bunnymen, The Cure, William Orbit, Pink Floyd, Madonna, U2, Tori Amos, Sheryl Crow, Billie Holliday, Frank Sinatra, UB40, Nirvana, Sex Pistols, Led Zepplin, Duke Ellington

Similar Artists Portishead, the Doors, Garbage, Fleetwood Mac, Henry Mancini, Tommy Dorsey, Miles Davis, Coleman, Smith, Smiths, Jones, Jackson

Artist History Erika Amato is an accomplished singer, actress, and musician. Her stage presence, attractive/alternative look, and most importantly, her sultry, expressive voice provide the focal point for Velvet Chain's image and dynamic musical style. Jeff Stacy is a composer, lyricist, musician, remix artist, and producer. He is the leader and creative foundation of Velvet Chain. Jeff officially started his musical career when he sold nearly everything he owned and moved to Munich, Germany with his bass guitar and midi studio. For two years, Jeff sought out every sort of musician imaginable for playing and collaboration, experimented with various musical textures and formats, and essentially built the foundation for his diverse musical style. When digital studios became available in the early 90's, Jeff established Freak Productions, and modeled his studio after a system put together by a couple of friends (The Dust Brothers). With this technology in his hands, Jeff was soon remixing everything from Herbie Hancock to local punk bands. But the most interesting productions were of his own music, which tended to combine slowed down loops with groovy bass lines, vocal melodies, and atmospheric sounds. A few years later, this style of music became known as "Trip-hop." When Jeff hooked up with Erika Amato, he knew he had found the perfect vocalist for his pensive, groovy music. Shortly thereafter, he formed Velvet Chain (his third band), and molded the band around Erika's pure and powerful voice. It was a natural combination which has become the essence of the "Velvet Chain sound."

Group Members Velvet Chain consists of bass, drums, keyboards, guitar, DJ/samples, and is fronted by vocalist, Erika Amato. The band is headed by composer-producer-bassist Jeff Stacy. The perfect match between Jeff Stacy's music and Erika Amato's vocals is the essence of Velvet Chain's liquid-explosive style.

Press Reviews Favorite Description of Velvet Chain Music: Psycho-groovy, trip-funky, vibed-out, loaded with sexual innuendo, unpredictable, liquid-explosive rock music. - Sam Storey, Studio Engineer Favorite Quote by a Club Owner: You'd have to be an ass-hole not to like Velvet Chain. - Steve Yablok, Club Fais Do-Do, Los Angeles Favorite Reaction by a Fan: Ok, I need to have sex immediately. - Lisa Langston, Chicago Favorite Line from the Press: "Warm" is so urgent it makes my entire CD collection sound outdated. - J.P. Griffith, Jam On-Line For More Press on Velvet Chain Go To: http://www.lama.com/velvetchain/press.html

Location Los Angeles, CA. - USA

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