Who? Two months after the 2004 release of the Veils’ first album, The Runaway Found, the band disintegrated, leaving frontman Finn Andrews (son of Barry Andrews of XTC and Shriekback fame) to recruit an entirely new lineup. Two years later, the Veils reemerged with the U.K. release of Nux Vomica, featuring Andrews on vocals and guitar, Liam Gerrard on piano and organ, Henning Dietz on drums, Dan Raishbrook on guitar and Andrews’ former schoolmate Sophia Burn on bass. The proper stateside release arrived this spring via Rough Trade/World’s Fair.
What’s the Deal? Not quite the latest in the string of new British invaders (they are from New Zealand after all), the Veils do mix up post-Coldplay stylings and a Smiths-esque worldview with hints of the New Zealand folk scene Andrews frequented while in his teens. Andrew’s impassioned vocals often channel Jeff Buckley, especially on the back-alley rebel rouser “Jesus for the Jugular.” Sunnier sounds, including ’50s style backing vocals, surface on “Advice for Young Mothers to be” and “Under the Folding Branches” recalls the best of late-’90s British balladry. The Veils ability as a whole to drift between fire-starting swagger and contemplative lamentation — and excel at both — is what sets the band apart from its peers and influences.
Fun Fact: After Andrews pitched one of his snakeskin boots to the crowd at a Berlin show, it turned up on auction juggernaut eBay. The serpent-styled footwear held it’s own, fetching a sturdy $900. Hey, at least it wasn’t his half-eaten French toast. NATALIE B. DAVID
Now Hear This: The Veils -“Advice for Young Mothers to be” DOWNLOAD MP3
Now Watch This: The Veils – “Advice for Young Mothers to be” WATCH
On the Web: TheVeils.com
Talk: The Brits, er, New Zealanders are coming! Are the Veils up to par with the current British buzz bands?
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