The Velvet Underground

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New York City (1965 – 1973, 1992 – 1995)

The Velvet Underground was a pioneering experimental rock band from New York City first active from 1965 to 1973. Its best-known lineup consisted of vocalist/guitarist Lou Reed, bassist/violist John Cale, guitarist Sterling Morrison and drummer Maureen Tucker. The band also collaborated with Nico for their debut album in 1967, under the supervision of producer and pop artist Andy Warhol.

Some see The Velvet Underground as being a bridge between the pacifist themes of the late 60s and the sheer chaos and indifference of the mid-70s punk movement.

The Velvet Underground was one of the first rock music groups to experiment heavily with the form by incorporating avant-garde influences. The group’s often raw, sometimes difficult sound would influence many later punk, noise rock, and alternative music performers, and singer Lou Reed’s lyrics brought new levels of social realism and sleaze to rock. Critics Scott Isler and Ira Robbins argue that “The Velvet Underground marked a turning point in rock history. After the release of The Velvet Underground & Nico knowing the power of which it was capable, the music could never be as innocent, as unselfconscious as before.”

Pre-history (1964-1965)

The foundations for what would become The Velvet Underground were laid in late 1964.

Tagged as:

rock, classic rock, psychedelic, proto-punk, alternative
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schoenburger wrote:
3 hours ago

Start with the first album.

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imanearthling wrote:
3 hours ago

whats a good velvet album to start off with?

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Deardeadfriend wrote:
yesterday evening

"Oh! Sweet Nuthin'" rules.

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evgeniy_surreal wrote:
Friday afternoon

26 dollars in ma hand :

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GallowsFuneral wrote:
Friday morning

im sooo jealous

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JAMESisCreepy wrote:
Friday morning

if you say this in public space, it considers as saying "i don't know how VU truly sounds" - that isn't even a sentence fuck head. anyway, i was given the greatest christmas present ever in the form of a zippo engraved with vu lyrics.

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GallowsFuneral wrote:
Wednesday afternoon

those pics where they pose in front of a screen are sooo artistic

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Scentlesss wrote:
Tuesday morning

http://www.last.fm/music/The+Velvet+Underground/+images/39621919

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le_dzedaj wrote:
Monday evening

"sister ray is their worst song" - if you say this in public space, it considers as saying "i don't know how VU truly sounds"

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saltybalz wrote:
Monday morning

s/t = self-titled = "The Velvet Underground"

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SNAKE_ADRIAN wrote:
Sunday evening

heorin mmmmmm delicious

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antonjr wrote:
Sunday evening

What album is s/t?

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PFGrifter wrote:
last week

ya i havent heard any sister ray live versions that match the frenzy of the studio version.. i guess maybe i havent heard one w/ cale

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IanCurtis13 wrote:
last week

I agree.

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Monty__ wrote:
last week

The Gymnasium Tape is incredible, get it.

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IanCurtis13 wrote:
last week

Blogspot? the internet?

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schoenburger wrote:
last week

Try here for one of the few Cale-era bootlegs. The quality isn't ideal, but it's listenable (if you can sit through the Quine Tapes, you'll be able to sit through this).

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Der_Reek wrote:
last week

Where can I get some quality VU bootlegs?

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sibbiri wrote:
last week

ok//////////////

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schoenburger wrote:
last week

Sister Ray is the best VU song, but the live versions form the Quine Tapes are tame and disappointing. The version from the Gymnasium bootleg is amazing, though.

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