Pocket Venus

Infobox musical artist
Name = Pocket Venus


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Origin = Conwy, Wales
Genre = Britpop, indie rock, alternative rock, piano rock, post-punk revival
Years_active = 1998–present
Label = Secrets Of Sound
URL = http://www.pocket-venus.co.uk
Current_members = Chris Yates Dyfed Roberts Steve Flavell Naldo Algieri Dave Robinson

Pocket Venus are a Welsh rock band from Conwy in North Wales. The band's sound has been difficult to pigeonhole as they have such a diverse range of sounds, however, many critics have compared the group to classic rock bands such as Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin for the progressive rock dynamics and comparisons of the precise orchestration and song writing techniques of bands like The Verve and Spiritualized were also abundant in reviews.Fact|date=August 2008 The band formed in 1998 and toured the UK extensively, hailed as the one of the best unsigned bands of their timeFact|date=August 2008 they achieved critical acclaim both in the UK and abroad. Pocket Venus split in 2003 during negotiations with major record labels, the band cited musical and personal differences as the reason for the break up. In 2008 Pocket Venus announced they were reforming.

Current Lineup

* Chris Yates (lead vocals, guitar)
* Dave Robinson (keyboards, piano)
* Dyfed Roberts (backing vocals, guitar)
* Naldo Algieri (bass)
* Steve Flavell (drums)

History

Formation (1998 - 2003)

Pocket Venus, from North Wales formed in 1998, an amalgamation of various members of earlier bands, the original line up was comprised of Chris Yates, Naldo Algieri, Steve Jones, Chris Bainbridge and Mark Roberts. The line up changed in 1999 when guitarist Chris Bainbridge left transferring rhythm guitar duties to Chris Yates. Keyboardist Dave Robinson joined shortly after but the lineup changed again in 2000 when drummer Mark Roberts left the band to be replaced by Pete Ryan. The band were managed by Neil Crud, who released two singles for them on his Secrets of Sound record label. First release; "Make It Through Your Day" was highly acclaimed and received airplay on BBC Radio One from John Peel and Mark Radcliffe, [ [http://www.link2wales.co.uk/history/jul.htm Pocket Venus played by Mark Radcliffe, BBC Radio 1] Link2Wales archive] and also countless airings on BBC Radio Wales from Adam Walton, [ [http://adamwalton.co.uk/?this_blog=191 Adam Waltons Online Blog] Pocket Venus article] who subsequently invited the band on his show for a session. The band produced a video for their second release Tell Me Why, which is still available on You Tube and the NME's official website. [ [http://www.nme.com/video/id/-rrMLkwqilY/search/pocket+venus NME official website] Video for "Tell Me Why"] Countless gigs and an energetic stage performance led to plenty more airplay from radio stations both across the UK and internationally, [ [http://www.aural-innovations.com/issues/issue22/pvenus02.html Aural Innovations] review of "Tell Me Why"] [ [http://www.aural-innovations.com/issues/issue19/pvenus01.html Aural Innovations] review of "Make It Through Your Day"] notably winning "Best International Artist" at the Orange County Music Awards. [ [http://www.room105.com/ocma2003.htm OCMA Archives] ] The lineup changed again in late 2002 with the departure of Steve Jones on lead guitar. Jones's place was taken by Dyfed Roberts formerly of Gwacamoli. The band continued to play live shows until August 2003 when the band split up. The band had become disillusioned and disheartened by the music industry, so in order to save their friendships and personal relationships they went their separate ways.

Post-breakup activities (2003 - 2008)

After the band split Yates and Roberts went on to form Gotti, with Steve Flavell on drums and bass player Mauve. Gotti played locally and also recorded a number of demo tapes. Ryan, Algieri and Robinson stayed away from the music scene for various reasons and concentrated on their family lives and other responsibilities.

Reunion (2008 - present)

In June of 2008 the band announced they were reforming, however, this time without drummer Pete Ryan, he would be replaced by Steve Flavell formerly of Gotti. The band are promising to be playing live towards the end of 2008 with a mixture of both old and new material.

Live

Pocket Venus claim they never managed to capture the true essence of the band in their recordings and urged people to see them live instead of relying on the EP's and singles they produced. They played at many of the more infamous London venues including the Garage in Highbury, The Water Rats in St Pancras and The Bull And Gate in Kentish Town. The band played several festivals during their career playing Pigstock [ [http://adamwalton.co.uk/?this_blog=195 Adam Waltons Online Blog] Pig Stock article] [ [http://icnorthwales.icnetwork.co.uk/entertainment/events/2002/07/18/there-s-snout-better-50142-12044256/ North Wales Weekly News] Preview Pig Stock 2002] in North Wales and also played alongside Reef at the prestigious Wakestock festival. [ [http://www.efestivals.co.uk/festivals/wakestock/2002/ Wakestock on eFestivals] 2002 Line up.] Pocket Venus have also played Manchester's world renowned "In The City" showcase festival.

The band have recently issued a statement claiming they are hoping to be playing live towards the end of 2008. [ [http://pocketvenus-2008.blogspot.com/ Pocket Venus Online Blog] ]

Discography

EP's

#"Make It Through Your Day" (06/2000)
#"Tell Me Why" (03/2002)

Notes

External links

* [http://www.pocket-venus.co.uk Official website]