Codeine Velvet Club is a band formed in 2009 by Lou Hickey and Jon Lawler (better known as Jon Fratelli), while Jon’s main band, The Fratellis, were taking a break before recording their third studio album. The band released their début album, Codeine Velvet Club on the 28th December 2009.
Jon Lawler stated in 2008, while The Fratellis were touring their Here We Stand album, that he wanted to release a solo effort to keep himself busy between albums, indicating that the band were going to take a break once they finished touring the album. When The Fratellis finished their touring commitments in July 2009, after the Hop Farm Festival, the band went on to their new projects. Fans already knew that Jon was going to do a side project by this point. It was later reported that he had formed a band called ‘Codeine Breakfast Club’ with Lou Hickey on NME, but fans has already been aware of the involvement of Lawler and Hickey.
On August 23rd 2009, it was reported in the Sunday Mail that the band was to be called Codeine Velvet Club and will be releasing their eponymous debut album on November 16th 2009. The article also included a track-by-track with Jon Lawler. This article also mentioned that Lawler and Hickey shared songwriting duties between them. The band’s offical website was unveiled (although in a basic form for now) and featured a clip of their song Vanity Kills. Fans who sign up to the mailing list were able to view the full song as performed by the band. Later on, the website contained information about their debut shows (September 15th, 17th and 19th), a video player was also added to the site, showing full versions of “Vanity Kills” and new track “Hollywood”. Reviews to the inital shows were positive, complimenting the duo’s vocals and the musical arrangements. |
