There are many out there who have Rock-n-Roll dreams that dance through their heads as they spin their favorite albums in the confines of their bedrooms. It is a fantasy full of excitement, and only a few manifest it all into reality, like The Velveteers.
Interestingly enough, the foundation for the project began over a decade ago when two siblings – Demi Demitro (vocals/guitar) and John Demitro (drums) – decided to join forces and create something all their own. Raised in Boulder, Colorado, on a steady diet of The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Nirvana, and Elvis, they had the vision, but would they have the fortitude to make it happen?
Fortunately, they had youth on their side, being only teenagers with years of self-discovery ahead of them. Fast-forward over a decade, through some unpredictable twists and turns, The Velveteers stand here today in 2025, set to release their second album, A Million Knives.
A follow-up to their 2021 debut album Nightmare Daydream, A Million Knives, arrives on February 14, 2025, through Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys’ Easy Eye Sound record company. Now, as an older, wiser, more seasoned act, there are a lot of interesting aspects to discuss about The Velveteers that make them less than an average Rock-n-Roll band.
First and foremost, as stated, The Velveteers has always been driven by a sound that is a mix of Classic Rock, Alternative Rock, and Punk Rock. Considering this, their raw energy shines through well on Nightmare Daydream, but now they come together more refined than ever before with A Million Knives. With that, Guitarist/Vocalist Demi Demitro and Drummer Baby Pottersmith (who have known one another since their youth) come together as a trio with another drummer named Jonny Fig. Assuring that is reported accurately, yes, The Velveteers have two drummers. Adding even more intrigue is that Pottersmith and Fig are known to perform on a conjoined drum kit!
Rather wild, as a trio, The Velveteers’ sound on A Million Knives is a bold step in a more Garage Rock direction than unified heavy fuzzy guitars and even some ‘90s Grunge tendencies. Beyond this, the melodies are as engaging as ever, while Demitro’s voice reaches new heights with heavy emotions displayed throughout.
In short, you can easily see The Velveteers and A Million Knives appealing to fans of a wide range of other Rock bands, from Metric and Muse to Veruca Salt, Garbage, and beyond. The truth is the sound is heavily rooted in grungy rock with a keen sense of Pop Rock, thanks to melodic guitar work. A total of thirteen tracks, the album is preceded by “Go Fly Away,” “Suck The Cherry,” “On and On,” and Bound In Leather,” all of which have equally different vibes.
Breaking them down, you cannot shake the catchiness of “Suck The Cherry” or “On And On,” but also find a captivating mood in the more mellow “Go Fly Away” while “Bound In Leather” has a delightful New Wave sensation. Beyond these, the remainder of the album is full of distinctive moments, as heard in the heartbreaking “All These Little Things,” “Heaven,” and “Fix Me.” Then there are more upbeat Pop leaning “Take It From The Top” and the aggressive Punk feel of “See Your Face” that offer further diversity.
Overall, The Velveteers are a band that has transformed their experiences into songs full of heartache and growth that can make A Million Knives a fantastic listen. Working with Dan Auerbach, who acted as producer on the album, also has been a factor that appears to bring out the best in the band’s natural intuition. So, if you seek some unfiltered Alternative Rock, do not sleep on The Velveteers because Cryptic Rock gives A Million Knives 4 out of 5 stars.
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