One of the most influential bands of the '60s, the Velvet Underground's stark sound and nihilistic attitude contrasted sharply with the psychedelic themes of many bands at the time. Andy Warhol had become their manager in 1965 and used them in his Exploding Plastic Inevitable road show; he designed the well-known peelable-banana front cover of their first album. The Velvet Underground & Nico (1967) highlighted John Cale's droning, screeching viola and Lou Reed and Nico's deadpan vocals. Songs like "Heroin" and "Venus In Furs" proved them to be controversial and unafraid to tackle taboo subjects.
