Velvet Underground & Nico

Lou Reed and John Cale initially started the Velvet Underground in late ’64. During that time, Reed had been working for a record label as a songwriter while Cale, under a scholarship had moved to the U.S. to study classical music. Cale also had an interest in minimalist style of music, drone, of which Reed found fitting to his own style. Together they recruited Sterling Morrison to play guitar and after some disputes with their drummer they took on Maureen Tucker as a replacement. After playing a few small venues and an unsuccessful demo tape the band found a regular paying gig at the Café Bizarre.

Arguably the band may never have become a prominent part of counter culture if it wasn’t for Any Warhol. He started managing the Velvet Underground in the mid 60’s, making them his house band at the Factory in NYC. Under the pretext of incorporating music, art and film Andy also incorporated them into his multimedia event known as the Exploding Plastic Inevitable. In ’66 Andy helped produce their first album and under the insistence of Warhol had the German model Nico sing in three of the band’s songs.

             The Velvet Underground played a proto-punk style that was becoming popular in U.S. and British underground scenes. This distinctive style of music would later be seen as precursors of punk rock. Velvet found their niche during the age of peace & love with their intentionally gritty performances. Typical in today’s punk rock, they were able to shock audiences with chaotic performances citing drugs, violence and rebellion from the status quo in their lyrics. The band never cared for Nico’s involvement, but she added a softening look to their raw nature during the short time she was with them. There’s a blurred line between rebellion and wanting an alternative to mainstream. Regardless of Velvet’s motives they used this to their advantage. Unpredictability would become a trademark in their music.

            To me there’s in no enjoyment in listening to any of Velvet’s work save Heroin. I favor structure in music and don’t want to be hit with a wall of noise when listening to a song. They fit in perfectly with Warhol who was somehow able to gain a following inciting that the things he produces is art. Personally, their implosive nature neither works for the music scene or for themselves. Lou Reed has made great work outside of Velvet and I can also get behind Cale’s solo work, but them as a band doesn’t work. The Velvet Underground & Nico is highly overrated, mainly by the people who want to get more out of the eccentric part of the 60’s than what is deserving.