Getting their start as the 1980s bled into the 90s, Velocity Girl arose from a new pop underground that had been percolating in Washington, DC, and its suburbs, a group of bands clustered around our then-nascent Slumberland Records who broadened DC’s punk paradigm with an ear for pop tunes and feedback-driven racket. Velocity Girl, blessed with multiple gifted songwriters, particularly knew how to merge euphoric pop hooks with waves of noisy bliss and lovelorn melancholy.
This new compilation 1989–1992 covers the band’s pre-Sub Pop years and shows that their skill with a tune was there from the beginning, across several line-up changes and numerous early releases. Their maiden vinyl voyage “Clock” is Velocity Girl at their darkest, a neat slice of gothic pop featuring original vocalist Bridget Cross, later of fellow DC legends Unrest. Cross also provides vocals for the band’s debut single “I Don’t Care If You Go,” included here with all the b-sides from the US and Australian 7″ versions.
The next phase of the band begins with the departure of Cross and the addition of Sarah Shannon as main vocalist, whose powerful and effortlessly melodic voice is first heard on two previously unreleased songs from a 1991 session, including current single “I Know Exactly What You Mean.” It’s a brilliantly catchy pop tune with all the melody and energy the band is known for, a thrilling archival find and heretofore unreleased. The aforementioned “I Don’t Care If You Go” is included as a digital AA side, a showcase for original vocalist Bridget Cross and the band’s gentler side. Another classic!
Seattle label Sub Pop would soon come calling and worldwide fame would ensue, but that’s a whole other story. Restored from the original tapes, newly remastered and featuring extensive liner notes by DC scene scholar John R. Davis, 1989–1992 is the comprehensive view of their early years that Velocity Girl has long deserved and their fans have long wanted.
