Velocity Girl
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Velocity Girl was a Subpop indie rock band from Washington, DC. Although it would appear that they were a fleetingly short-lived band (from 1993-96), the truth is, this band appeared four years earlier - with Bridget Cross as main vocalist.
The band really didn't take off until the band was signed to Subpop in 1993, and by this time, Sarah Shannon was already aboard as lead singer. She brought a more shoegazing and melodic indie sound to the band. Often Archie Moore provided the male vocals, either duoing or backing up Shannon's vocals.
Like most people my age, who grew up on MTV, I first came across this band with "Crazy Town", followed by "Audrey's Eyes" from their debut album Copacetic. Obviously, they left an impression, because I kept notice of them and eventually when Simpatico came out, they were already pretty well known with "Sorry Again" and their funny Spike Jonze video, "I Can't Stop Smiling". I was in high school at this time, and I often thought of the smiling video whenever I had to fake smile when we took year book pictures, etc.
I'm not sure why the band broke up after the release of Gilded Stars And Zealous Hearts, but I suspect poor reception and declining sales... although I haven't done the research on the units sold for this third album vs their previous two.
Whatever the case, Velocity Girl are still much beloved in the hearts of fans.
SO WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
Sarah Shannon released two solo albums, both on Minty Fresh, with their music deeply in jazz and pop. I have mentioned before that I have really love all the songs I've heard from her.
Jim Spellman is now the lead singer and main guitarist for Julie Ocean, whose sound is not so dissimilar to Velocity Girl's indie guitar sound. It looks like the band's already released their debut album, Long Gone and Nearly There, out last Tuesday, May 27th. I tried requesting some information on the new band, no one was able to help.
Links:
www.sarahshannon.com
myspace.com/sarahshannonmusic
myspace.com/julieoceandc
Comments
Which reminds me, have you reviewed any Fastbacks records lately?
Thanks for this post. I loved Velocity Girl and am also fond of Sarah Shannon's solo records. I saw them play in an old warehouse in Baltimore in the summer of 1991. (Yes, I'm old. They opened for Lungfish.)
homebody, that is awesome re: seeing them live.
Useless trivia: VG was founded by Archie and Kelly, and originally called themselves Gotterdammacrats. Several band members and a name-change later, they became Velocity Girl.
-randy