"The rock songs rock, the quiet songs are quiet, and then we have our nice pop songs that do what they do," says Velocity Girl bassist Kelly Riles about the band's new CD, Gilded Stars and Zealous Hearts. With a new record, Velocity Girl have done what they have been doing all along--written songs so beautiful and energetic and catchy you can't help but play along.
The band formed in 1989 in College Park, Maryland, originally with Bridget Cross (now in Air Miami) on vocals. Cross later dropped out of the picture and the four remaining guys asked Sarah Shannon to join. The lineup has been the same since.
1993 saw the release of the band's first full-length, Copacetic, which many credit with expanding the perception of Sub Pop beyond "gunge."With 1994's Simpatico!, a much cleaner and thoroughly produced record, Velocity Girl were firmly entrenched as indie-pop heroes. Now in an attempt to take over the world, Velocity Girl have created Gilded Stars and Zealous Hearts
The first things longtime fans will notice is the greater strength and confidence of Shannon's vocals. Along with each member's increased proficiency on their respective instruments, this has allowed Velocity Girl to extend their musical expectations. "The playing for all the members has risen to a great degree," says Riles "Everyone's more confident on their instruments, there's more stuff we can do, and we can do it more purposefully."
The band's base is in Washington D.C., but with an engagement and wedding date set, Shannon has recently moved to seattle. Fortunately, the band doesn't see this as a problem, especially since they plan on spending the better part of 1996 on the road. "I'm very proud of the new record," Riles readily admits. "if nothing else, when I'm in poverty and working at Mcdonald's, I'll have my copy of Gilded Stars and Zealous Hearts."
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