The Ardvark Felon

The exciting musical outfit known as The Ardvark Felon is, in fact, the alter ego and anagram-inspired name of the artist Frank Velardo. As the composer, lead singer and guitarist of the band, he distils a fusion of in-the-moment energy and polished craftsmanship through his own unique creative lens to bring The Ardvark Felon’s musical universe to life alongside an ensemble of talented band members.
Their music, a blend of seriousness and absurdity, exudes funkiness in all the right ways. They revel in playing for dancers and possess the ability to escalate the energy with explosive group improvisations and jams. The saga of Ardvark Felon started in 2017 with the debut single “My Baby Gets Me High,” a prelude to a series of singles leading up to their eponymous debut album, The Ardvark Felon, in 2020. Following three additional singles, the band now unveils their latest sonic expedition, the sophomore full-length album titled Yes, There is Life… Baby!
This new offering goes to deeper, harder and moodier places while still maintaining hints of the jubilant approach that they’ve become known for. A fusion of groove, rock and dreamy elements thread the album, with each track offering its own entirely unique experience. Rooted in the blues but expanded and developed, the album showcases the band’s influence from the late 60s and early 70s psychedelic rock era.
The formidable quartet, featuring Frank Velardo on vocals and guitar, Mike Frank on keyboards, Jordan Berger on bass and Alex Maio on drums, combines to create a sensational ten-track experience. The album, recorded across various home setups and studios, bears the mark of Frank Velardo as the producer, with mixing assistance from Jordan Berger at Cat Hair Studio.

Opened by “One Time,” the album kicks off with a shimmering sound of lively drums, warm key notes, grooving bass lines and lightly gritty guitar tones. Setting up an uptempo backdrop of bouncy energy, Frank’s expressive vocal leads fly above, threading a dynamic performance that flutters between smooth melodic lines and rich belted lines lifted by backing vocals, resulting in an engaging jam capped by a slick electric guitar solo.
“Got This Feeling” starts with the pulse of bass guitar driven by the laid back snap of drums as delicate keys accent the rhythm and add harmonic colour. Frank’s superb bluesy lead vocals serve up compelling melodies that snake through the arrangement as piquant key tones dance and staccato horn flourishes pepper the mix, performed by Adam Hershberger on trumpet, Larry Toft on trombone and Thomas Razler on tenor sax.
With the album version of previously released single “Racing Through Time,” the band crafts a hazy psychedelic rock aesthetic propelled by the lulling punch of drums and intricate instrumental sprinkles as Frank’s velvet voice guides the listener through a shifting sonic landscape of evolving rhythms and varying instrumentation. It’s a stellar display of Frank’s songwriting panache, the band’s exquisite musicianship and the sonic chemistry that makes the project shine so brightly.
Other highlights on the record include songs like “Subject To Change” with its elegant guitar led intro, joined by the gentle taps of percussion and vibrant tones of the horn section. With a mellow energy and smokey vibe, the track lays down a smooth retro soft rock-inspired, jazz-tinged outing brimming with memorable melodic leads, picture painting lyricism and dazzling arrangement.
The album closes with “Small Star” where airy chimes float above the grooving skanks of guitar chords and lullaby-esque vocal style. Building with blissful guitar textures, injecting subtle energy with a shaker and rumble of drums, it’s a trippy psych cut to provide the perfect finale to The Ardvark Felon’s incredible sophomore full-length release. The whole album serves up a thrilling journey of enduring sound and timeless quality, making it the perfect record to own on vinyl, which can be ordered via their Bandcamp. - Plastic Mag

The Ardvark Felon, ce groupe énigmatique qui a émergé avec éclat sur la scène musicale avec son premier album éponyme, revient avec une deuxième offrande musicale tout aussi captivante : “Yes, There is Life… Baby“. Ce nouvel opus plonge encore plus profondément dans leur univers musical.

L’album, un mélange captivant de groovy, rock et de rêveries, dévoile une richesse artistique impressionnante. Chaque piste semble être une œuvre maîtresse unique, offrant une expérience sonore diversifiée. Bien que plusieurs morceaux s’inspirent du blues, The Ardvark Felon les transforme et les retourne.

L’influence du rock psychédélique des années 60 et 70 est palpable, démontrant le courage musical du groupe à prendre des risques. L’album se prête parfaitement à l’écoute sur vinyle, amplifiant les différentes sensations et humeurs qui émanent de chaque piste.

Voyage Musical : “Yes, There is Life… Baby” en Détail
Pour plonger dans l’univers sonore de “Yes, There is Life… Baby“, le groupe a dévoilé plusieurs singles qui donnent le goût de la diversité de l’album. Le premier single, “One Time“, est un morceau uptempo avec des accents rock, une basse profonde et une énergie palpitante. Le deuxième single, “Got This Feeling“, se transforme en une ballade amoureuse mettant en avant la voix du chanteur dans une ambiance de séduction.

Le troisième single, “Racing Through Time“, offre une atmosphère plus détendue avec une guitare psychédélique, tandis que le quatrième, “Cuddles in Nature“, apporte une joie et une détente palpables. Le cinquième single, “Keep It Together“, séduit avec des chœurs et une mélodie de synthé agréable. “Subject To Change“, propose une ambiance lounge et décontractée avec des parties de cuivres chaleureuses. “Conspiracy” se distingue par sa puissance musicale, une guitare profonde et un ton plus colérique. “Life I Don’t Mind“, exprime la dureté de la vie quotidienne et les luttes incessantes. “Let Your Love Shine Through” contraste avec des notes de piano douces et lumineuses, offrant une atmosphère plus positive que la précédente chanson avec un refrain accrocheur. La dernière chanson de l’album, “Small Star“, clôt ce voyage musical avec une touche finale mystique et réfléchie.

Le Mystère derrière l’Anagramme
The Ardvark Felon se révèle être l’alter ego dérivé d’anagrammes de Frank Velardo, compositeur, chanteur principal du groupe. Derrière ce nom intrigant se cache un artiste multifacette qui guide le groupe avec passion. La spontanéité de leur musique se marie parfaitement avec une touche de polissage, créant un équilibre subtil entre sérieux et absurdité. Leur style est imprégné d’une dose de funk, parfaitement ajusté pour enflammer les pistes de danse. The Ardvark Felon excelle dans l’art de savoir quand intensifier les choses, déclenchant des explosions d’improvisation de groupe et de jamming qui ajoutent une dimension dynamique à leur musique. C’est cet équilibre entre spontanéité et maîtrise qui fait de l’expérience The Ardvark Felon quelque chose de vraiment unique et mémorable.

Dans l’ensemble, “Yes, There is Life… Baby” est une œuvre musicale complexe, qui séduit par sa variété d’émotions et de styles. The Ardvark Felon prouve, une fois de plus, sa maîtrise dans l’art de fusionner les genres. - Riptide Mag

The whole soiree (sans Kalaxian Crystals and bird-people) was made even better with a live performance from The Aardvark Felon, a local band that played all the R&M hits such as “Get Schwifty,” “Head Bent Over, Raise the Posterior,” and “Goodbye Moonmen.” Their credibility was further cemented by the fact that bassist, Jordan Berger, was able to do some really convincing impressions of the series’ two main characters, both of whom are voiced by series co-creator, Justin Roiland.

“When I heard that the Rickmobile was coming, I jumped at the opportunity to perform,” said the band’s frontman, Frank Velardo, who also runs the brewery’s musical affairs. “We're all big fans and I knew we could really rock out on those Rick and Morty tunes. The Rick staff said they've had bands before, but none of them had worked out the tunes like we did. They really appreciated that. We had the fans and staff dancing and singing along to "Head Bent Over, Raise the Posterior" and it was magical. Live music makes everything that much better, especially waiting in line ... I feel like we found our people, a whole untapped fan base that's down with the absurd. Who knows! Maybe we'll get one of our songs in Rick and Morty! Wubba Lubba Dub Dub!” - Forbes Magazine

You have to love an artist that comes with his own inbuilt high-brow joke in their name, and knowing that Ardvark Felon is actually an anagram of his real name, if you can live with the poetic license of the spelling, is an immediate tick in the box. And musically the ticks keep coming. Where is Home is a nostalgic inspired by some old home videos and is a subtle mix of psych-pop and folky balladry.

Normally found ploughing a trippy, jazz-rock furrow, here he takes a more understated path, tugs at heartstrings, serenades the simpler pleasures and the people that matter, it is a paean to the past, our collective youths and the transition from innocent dreams to adult realities. It is a ballad at heart, built of emotionally driven personal narratives and rich vocal tones but never cliche or syrupy and there is some wonderful sonic augmentation. Nothing too dominating, just additional details, which gently colour the musical landscape, enrich the flavours of the song and add some extra depth. Less is indeed more…much more. - A&R Factory

Frank Velardo came up with the name Ardvark Felon when he was just 15.

Velardo says he was “infatuated” with the Doors as a teenager. He thought the way frontman Jim Morrison scrambled up his name into “Mr. Mojo Risin’ ” was cool, so he and his cousin attempted to make their own anagrams.

“Ardvark Felon” is what Velardo landed on, despite missing an “a” in Ardvark to make its spelling correct. Now, Velardo and his friends use that name to perform as a funk-blues group.


Ardvark Felon will perform at the seventh annual Gypsy Moon Blues Festival in East Petersburg on Saturday.

The performance will be a return to Velardo’s old stomping grounds. Velardo attended Hempfield High School for his junior and senior years. He graduated in 2005.

Velardo was surrounded by music all of his life. His mom plays piano, and his dad plays drums. Family parties often evolved into jam sessions. Before he could play, Velardo would contribute by dancing like Michael Jackson.

After doing a book report on Mozart in the third grade, Velardo decided to emulate the famous composer’s style.

“I had a little Casio keyboard, and I would use the harpsichord sound. And then I had the vest, and I would pull my socks up really high,” Velardo says. “I had the white wig. I always go for it, you know?”

After he hung up his wig, Velardo found himself drawn to the type of music his parents enjoyed: classic rock acts like Jimi Hendrix, Cream and the Beatles. Velardo was quoted in a 2004 Lancaster New Era story about teenagers enjoying classic rock.

At the time, he performed as part of the band Leap of Faith, which once took the stage at New York’s famous CBGB club. In 2004, he played at the Chameleon Club with a classmate’s band.

He told the New Era that his latest interest was the blues, a passion that’s continued in the music he makes today with Ardvark Felon.

Velardo transferred from the University of Pittsburgh to Temple University for its jazz program. He still lives in Philadelphia.

“Some of the greatest musicians I’ve come across have found a home here,” Velardo says.

Velardo adapted material from his first Philadelphia band — jazz-funk outfit Erroneous Crunk — to perform as Ardvark Felon. Drummer Alexander Maio, bassist Jordan Berger and keyboardist Mike Frank round out the band.

Velardo says the band’s live performances are enjoyably unpredictable. He describes his original music as “blues-funk psychedelic,” but covers by artists like Third Eye Blind aren’t off the table either. Velardo also performs in a wedding band, so he likes to feel out a room and cater to a specific audience.

“We know these songs, so if we’re out and playing in front of people and that’s what they want to hear, we’ll go in that direction, because we’re just trying to make everyone have a good time ultimately,” Velardo says.

A wireless guitar allows Velardo to dance his way through the crowd during a show.

“Along with being really diverse, when we play, we are pretty loose with each other,” Velardo says. “You can see that we’re friends and there’s a banter that’s happening. And just as far as being really animated performers, I think we get really into it, and that kind of pulls other people into it.”

Ardvark Felon released a three-song EP in January, which includes a song radio station WXPN has played on air.

“That was a huge thrill,” Velardo says. “I was working really hard on not Ardvark Felon stuff that day, learning a bunch of wedding tunes or whatever. I just finished all that and then got a text message from a friend saying he just heard it on the radio. I was like, oh man, everything’s worth it.”

JENELLE JANCI | Staff Writer
Jenelle Janci
Aug 30, 2017 - Lancaster News Paper

Embracing the sounds of late 60s and early 70s psychedelic rock, The Ardvark Felon has released their highly anticipated sophomore album, Yes, There is Life… Baby!, available now. It is a follow up to their debut album, the second record the band homes in on a deeper, darker sound — while still finding the balance of light and joy. The unique name actually comes cleverly from an anagram of the front man’s name Frank Velardo. Taking the era of their influence to heart, the record is also available to order on vinyl.

The rock-infused project launches the listener into the album with “One Time.” The bluesy riff starts the song and continues throughout, like a memorable ear worm. Lead singer Frank Velardo has an upbeat, passionate grit to his voice – making him extremely fun to listen to. The guitar solo is impressive and cool, gliding through the song with ease. The extended solo is perfect for the overall vibe of the song.

“Cuddles in Nature” sounds as sweet as its title – with light guitar picking and a vocal effect that makes it sound like the listener is on the phone with a close friend. The chorus goes, “cuddles in nature with my baby / squeeze and hold me tight / spirit’s shining light / her touch sets me free.” Overall, the song is romanticizing escaping modern-day problems like phones and cost of living – to just be with the one you love.

Yes, There is Life… Baby! is a perfect name for this album because that’s exactly what it captures: Life. The good, the bad, and everything in between. There’s rage and grit in “Conspiracy” while there’s joy and faith in “Let Your Love Shine Through.” The album closes with “Small Star” which is where the title name is pulled from. The track has a lullaby nature, singing to someone who might be scared from all the bad parts of life. “What a night Why did you wait? / There’s no need to hesitate / We’ve got all the fixins for some fun / Why don’t you come out from the clouds, my small star?” Velardo sings with what feels like an encouraging smile.

Overall, it is a polished, thoughtful body of work and a perfect way to follow their debut self-titled album. So, make sure to go and listen to The Ardvark Felon’s album Yes, There is Life… Baby! and if you’re in the Philadelphia area, go check out one of their live shows! - Music and Fashion Blog