Velvet Monkeys “Rock the Nation” b/w “Why Don’t We Do It In the Road?” 1991. Sub Pop. Sub Pop Singles Club limited release. Alt-rock/noise pop supergroup formed by Don Fleming (perhaps better known for his production work of such artists like Hole, Teenage Fanclub, Screaming Trees, Sonic Youth) and Jay Spiegel, with a revolving door of other musicians throughout the 1980′s. In 1990 Velvet Monkeys re-formed and added Thurston Moore (Sonic Youth), J Mascis (Dinosaur Jr.) and Julia Cafritz (Pussy Galore) – oh my god what a line-up! – and recorded the album Rise and a few other tracks that appeared on various comps, as well as this single.

“Rock the Nation” is dirty thrash-pop, late 60′s/early 70′s inspired garage punk in the vein of The Stooges and MC5. “Why Don’t We Do It In the Road?” is a sludgy, grungy, guitar-screamy cover of the Beatles classic from the White Album. It’s definitely not an improvement on the original, but is a good interpretation and representation of the alternative rock/grunge sound of the early 90′s.