Velocity Girl is an American indie rock band formed in 1989 in College Park, Maryland, and active in the Washington, D.C., area.[1] The band released three albums before splitting up in 1996. The band reunited for a one-off concert in 2002 and for a few concerts in 2023 and 2024.
History
1989–1996: Formation and initial run
The band started as the duo of Kelly Young (formerly Riles) and guitarist/singer Archie Moore (ex-Black Tambourine) in 1989 (the two having met at the University of Maryland[1]),[2] initially going under the name The Gotterdammacrats. They became Velocity Girl with the addition of Brian Nelson (ex-Black Tambourine, Whorl), Jim Spellman (of High Back Chairs), and lead singer Bridget Cross (soon to join Unrest).[3] The band took its name from a Primal Scream B-side which appeared on the C86 compilation album.[2] Sarah Shannon replaced Cross after the release of the band's debut single, "I Don't Care If You Go."[3]
Unlike some 1990s rock music that featured an abrasive vocal and instrumental style, Velocity Girl's sound, especially post-1993, was more melodic and typically featured "clean" (non-distorted) electric guitar sounds and two-part harmonies.[2] The band described their influences as "the Rough Trade and Postcard labels and some of the early Creation bands",[3] as well as the Wedding Present.[4] However, on their first seven-inch records on Slumberland and Merge, as well as their first Sub Pop album, Copacetic, Velocity Girl were noted for their shoegaze influences. The band was noted for its love of releasing a steady stream of 7-inch vinyl singles. Slumberland Records was formed in 1989 by members of several D.C.-area bands, including Velocity Girl. Velocity Girl's songs often featured female/male vocals, sometimes simultaneously, with Archie Moore providing the male vocals.
Velocity Girl toured frequently, releasing three full-length recordings on the Sub Pop label. Music videos were released for "Crazy Town," (1993),"Audrey's Eyes," (directed by Phil Harder) (1993) "Sorry Again," (1994) "I Can't Stop Smiling," (directed by Spike Jonze) (1994) and "Nothing" (1996). The group disbanded in late 1996 after playing their last show "The Buzz Bakesale" in West Palm Beach, Florida. Shannon, Riles and Spellman reunited in a short-lived project called Starry Eyes, releasing one EP in 1998.[5] Moore had already formed Heartworms before Velocity Girl split up, and later formed The Saturday People with Terry Banks of Tree Fort Angst.[5]
2002–present: Subsequent activity and reunions
Sarah Shannon went on to release her self-titled album in 2002. There was one Velocity Girl reunion show played at the Black Cat in Washington, DC on June 9, 2002.[6]
Jim Spellman, now a CGTN correspondent, went on to play guitar in the Washington, D.C. based power-pop bands Julie Ocean and Foxhall Stacks.
Velocity Girl performed a reunion concert in Washington D.C. for the Black Cat's 30th anniversary celebration on September 9, 2023.[7] A second concert followed at the Bowery Ballroom in New York City on September 30, 2023.[8] After the success of the Black Cat anniversary show, Velocity Girl performed two more shows at the Black Cat in December 2023, with the recently reunited Tuscadero opening.[9]
In September 2023, the band announced they had remixed their debut album Copacetic to better suit how they want the album to sound. In that process, they discovered old recordings with alternate takes, covers, and unreleased material, which the band is reworking for release to streaming services.[10]UltraCopacetic (Copacetic Remixed and Expanded) was released by Sub Pop on August 16, 2024.[11]
