Wild Americans + Velveeta Underground

Wild Americans are a Montclair, New Jersey-based indie rock band. The band, founded by songwriters Andrew Milea and Michael Neglia, released their first EP titled “lighten up” in 2016. The songs, which the band has labeled as “somewhere between sleepy funk and mid-tempo space music”, have since received nearly 400,000 plays on Spotify.



Their style is unique, everything from the way they look to the way they collaborate. The material is low key in general; mellow and pocketed. Even the more up tempo songs seem to convey the acceptance of defeat, without the satisfaction of acceptance. The music provides a non-invasive soundtrack to a high vibe lifestyle.


The material is born on impulses, and saves the details for later. It may not be the stuff that you crank with your windows down at a red light, but it’ll certainly be something that feels real and keeps your head bobbing. Wild Americans aim to offer a headspace where everyday listeners can find an escape from the noise of the day to day. Wild Americans will be celebrating the release of their new single 'Predictable Magic' at Brooklyn Bowl on 1/29.



The band has received press coverage from multiple countries including the US, UK, and Canada. They have also had the privilege of playing many of the greater NYC area’s top venues, such as: The Studio at Webster Hall, The Bowery Electric, and American Beauty.


If Andy Warhol had taken the Velvet Underground’s “Exploding Plastic Inevitable” show to the Grand Ole Opry...


Lots of people ask us “Why the Velvet Underground as a bluegrass show?” The Crusty Gentlemen (Doug Allen, Bob Holmes, Jonathan Gregg, Roger Moley and Jeffrey Friedberg) had become quite well known in Lower Manhattan circles as the Americana band who seemed to have a unique take on what “bluegrass” meant. As the band’s leader has often been quoted as saying “Bluegrass is better than it sounds.” And the Crusty Gentlemen prove that in every show, mixing bluegrass renditions from acts ranging from Bill Monroe, Old and in the Way, and Guns & Roses.



When the Crusty Gentlemen were approached by their old friend “Thirsty” Dave Hansen, leader of NYC’s best Western Swing band, Western Caravan with the idea of recreating the catalog of the Velvet Underground as a bluegrass/string band show, they had to take him seriously. Members of the Crusties have known Dave since the mid-70’s when they were all part of a burgeoning Providence, RI music scene that included Dave’s legendary Young Adults, Jonathan’s The Mundanes and Bob and Doug’s Rubber Rodeo. It was evident from the beginning that if the Crusties were going to take on the Velvet challenge, that “Thirsty” Dave would need to lead them, handling all the Lou Reed vocals.



The results exceeded all expectations. What could have been performed (and perceived) as a pastiche of downtown chic, retro rock and hillbilly rave up, has been delivered as a loving homage to the original - less mash-up and more tribute to the beautiful melodies and lyrics inherent in the Velvet’s music. The Velveeta Underground show also captures the psychedelic atmosphere of Andy Warhol’s “Exploding Plastic Inevitable” with a projected lightshow and movie created by animator and and filmmaker Gary Leib, a long time collaborator of Doug & Bob’s. The Velveeta Underground show features over 60 minutes of classic VU music including “What Goes On”, “Pale Blue Eyes”, “Waiting for My Man”, “Candy Says”, “White Light/White Heat” and many more.