The Velvet Teen

by Ron DePasquale
What began as a side project called "the Secret Band" -- an apt name, considering singer/guitarist Judah Nagler and drummer Logan Whitehurst were actually hiding the music from their bandmates -- soon blossomed into something these musicians wanted to share with greater public. After putting together a full-length demo on a four-track, they left behind their band Little Tin Frog and recorded an EP, Comasynthesis, as the Velvet Teen. Bassist/vocalist Josh Staples joined and the art pop trio self-released an EP, The Great Beast February, in early 2001. In 2002, the group kicked off San Francisco's vaunted Noise Pop Festival and toured the country in support of their full-length debut, Out of the Fierce Parade. Elysium followed two years later. Their 2006 EP Gyzmkid with drummer Casey Deitz captured a more IDM-influenced sound and paved the way for their next full-length record, Cum Laude, which came out later that year. Sadly, Whitehurst (who had been playing with Junior Science Club) passed away that December, ultimately losing his battle with brain cancer.