Velocity Girl Explained

Velocity Girl
Background:group_or_band
Alias:The Gotterdammacrats
Origin:College Park, Maryland
Genre:Indie rock, indie pop
Years Active:1989-1996, 2002, 2023-2024
Label:Sub Pop, Slumberland
Associated Acts:Black Tambourine
Starry Eyes
The Not-Its!
Past Members:Sarah Shannon
Archie Moore
Kelly Young
Brian Nelson
Jim Spellman
Bridget Cross

Velocity Girl is an American indie rock band formed in 1989 in College Park, Maryland, and active in the Washington, D.C., area. 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. Sarah Shannon replaced Cross after the release of the band's debut single, "I Don't Care If You Go."

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. The band described their influences as "the Rough Trade and Postcard labels and some of the early Creation bands", 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.

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]

Personnel

Discography

Albums

Singles & EPs

Compilation appearances

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Secret History: Velocity Girl's ¡Simpatico! . 2022-11-17 . DCist . en . 2022-11-17 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221117234526/https://dcist.com/story/09/09/08/secret-history-simpatico/ . live .
  2. Book: The Virgin Encyclopedia of Nineties Music. Colin Larkin. Colin Larkin (writer). Virgin Books. 2000. First. 0-7535-0427-8. 414.
  3. Bonner, Michael (1993) "Velocity Girl: Cop This", Lime Lizard, May 1993, p. 74
  4. News: Gilstrap . Peter . March 30, 1993 . Velocity Girl: Fuzzy Favorite . July 1, 2023 . The Washington Post.
  5. Strong, Martin C. (2003) The Great Indie Discography, Canongate,, p. 1050
  6. Web site: Comments on 16930. Metafilter.com. December 22, 2019.
  7. Web site: Brodsky . Rachel . Velocity Girl Reunited For Their First Show In 21 Years: Watch . Stereogum . 10 September 2023 . en . 10 September 2023.
  8. Web site: Pearis . Bill . Velocity Girl add NYC reunion show . BrooklynVegan . 10 September 2023 . 24 July 2023.
  9. Web site: Tuscadero Announce First Show In Nine Years Opening For Reunited Velocity Girl. Stereogum.com. September 15, 2023. August 21, 2024.
  10. News: Jenkins . Mark . 2023-09-06 . Legendary D.C. indie band Velocity Girl is back with old songs, new gigs . en-US . . 2023-09-06 . 0190-8286.
  11. Web site: Records . Sub Pop . Sub Pop To Release Velocity Girl's UltraCopacetic (Copacetic Remixed and Expanded) Worldwide on Friday, August 16th, 2024 . 2024-08-26 . Sub Pop Records . en.
  12. Web site: Sound file : I Don't Care If You Go. MP3. Slumberlandrecords.com. December 22, 2019.
  13. Web site: Sound file : My Forgotten Favorite. MP3. Slumberlandrecords.com. December 22, 2019.
  14. John Peel Sub Pop Sessions 1989–1993 (AllMusic)
  15. Web site:

    beck :: diskobox :: compilations :: cmj new music monthly, volume 13

    . Diskobox.org. 2019-06-17.
  16. Golden Jam: General Mills' Golden Grahams (AllMusic)
  17. Poptopia! Power Pop Classics of the '90s (AllMusic)

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