The Velvet Underground and Nico

After careful research and reading dozens of articles The Velvet Underground and Nico seem to have summoned a trend amongst the past and present musicians of all genres. Being that The Velvet Underground was a success with the visual arts, I feel as though they lacked in the actual music department. In the sixty’s their music caught the attention of very little people. For some they just didn’t have the wow factor, to others they encouraged to start their own band. The Velvet Underground and Nico’s style of music was unique at the time. It is said “hardly anyone bought the album when they were originally released.” In my opinion this shows that the Velvets sound was ahead of its time. The Velvets image was created with the help of artist Andy Warhol. Andy Warhol owned his own loft he named The Factory. The band would shoot music videos in the Factory. Warhol introduced famous supermodel named Nico in which she later becomes the singer of the Velvets. The Velvets were made up of five talented individuals; each with played a specific role in the band. Lou Reed was the guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter. John Cale studied composition at the London University Goldsmith College, and had experience in drone and classical music. Holmes Sterling Morrison would play the bass, but usually stick to electric guitar. Morrison also was also responsible for backing vocals. Last would be Maureen “Moe” Tucker was known for being the unconventional drummer. Maureen would play a specific drum kit; she would do this with mallets instead of drumsticks. The Velvet Underground as we already discussed had their own sound. But in my opinion there were two characteristics’ that set them aside from other known bands in the mid sixty’s. They were not only driven by art but the knowledge of the amazing and intelligent John Cale. John Cale’s understanding of multiple complex genres gave the band certain structure. As for the sound being set apart from other music in the sixty’s was Maureen Tucker’s unorthodox way of playing with the mallets. Playing with the mallets instead of the standard drumsticks gives me as musician a different mood/sound.