Velour

Velour. More than just a synthetic fabric, it is also the name of local Vancouver band founded by three musicians: Paul Marcotte, Flavio Monopoli and John Schubert. Formerly known as Sugar Candy Mountain, the trio's sound, classified as Beatle-ish by music review pundits, is as smooth and rich as their name suggests.

The Peak had the opportunity to speak to two members of Velour, one week after their concert with Daytona at the Gastown Music Hall. Although it would have been nice to include Paul in the telephone conversation, such advanced telecommunications is currently beyond the resources of the Peak. So, with apologies to Paul, here is how the Peak's mid- morning conversation with Velour went.

Peak: How was the concert with Daytona on Friday (February 5)?
John Schubert: I was out first big experience with our new name Velour and it went over excellently.
Flavio Monopoli: As John said, it was the first time that the three of us actually played a show that was hyped up since Sugar Candy mountain was, umm. . .
John: Transformed.
Flavio: . . .transformed. It actually turned out very, very well. It was greatly received and everybody seemed to really enjoy the fact that we are actually a three-piece band.

Peak: What happened to Sugar Candy Mountain?
Flavio: Well, as you know, Sugar Candy Mountain used to be a four-piece. But there comes a time when you realize that perhaps everyone is not motivated in the same way. And, when that realization comes about, drastic measures are necessary to ensure that the music and the band continues and keeps going strong.

Peak: Where did the name Velour come from?
John: Paul and I were on the phone one day and people had been suggesting a whole bunch of fabric names. And Paul had a dictionary, and he was looking up a bunch of velvety things, but there are too many bands with the name velvet, so we decided on Velour.
Flavio: Actually, I read in the Peak that somebody said that he loved Vancouver because it was as soft as velour. And I thought that was kind of funny when I read that. Velour! It just symbolizes warmth and happiness, I guess. And that's what we try to get across in our music, as opposed to being some sort of teenage-angst band. We're just trying to write good songs that people will enjoy. And, partly because of the name of this cuddly fabric, that comes along with the music.

Peak: So you would describe your music as cuddly?
Flavio: No... but I would describe it as warm.
John: I would describe our music as a teddy bear with tiger's claws.

Peak: How do you view Velour's comparison to the Beatles?
Flavio: It's really scary being compared to such a huge band. The Beatles were a band that was in the number one spot for 31 years! But, I don't know, I guess some comparison can be made. The Beatles' influence is definitely apparent in the music we play and the idea of us trying to be a vocal group stems from the Beatles and the Beach Boys. But that's where I think the comparison really ends. I think that we're a lot different from those bands. First of all, it is 30 years later and secondly, our combined musical style is an accumulation of the past 30 years. From the '60s, '70s, '80s and '90s.

Peak: Other than performing, what other projects are you currently involved in?
Flavio: Well, we're working on a CD that will be released in May. Once the CD is ready (and if we leave Vancouver) perhaps that magical lightning bolt will strike us and help us break through the music business on a larger scale.

Peak: Is there anything you would like to say on Paul's behalf before you go?
John: Paul would probably say that he loves the band, and that he loves everything and he's really looking forward to huge international success. - Monique Harvey, The Peak, 26 February 1996.