Underground to surface in Perth

Nov 17 2009 by Andrew Welsh, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

HOTLY-TIPPED guitar outfit Satellite Underground (right) will be hoping to impress when they play in Perth this weekend.

The up-and-coming Glasgow pop-rockers, who have just released their second single, will be appearing at the Fair City’s Malt House on Saturday in a live double-header with Perth favourites The Windows.

Recorded at their home city’s Q10 studios and mixed by Cosmic Rough Riders frontman Stevie Fleming, Satellite Underground’s latest soaring effort Sea Of People is the follow-up to their 2008 debut Bright Lights, which hit the Scottish airwaves running.

Though these are still early days in the band’s career, they’ve had a busy year.

The new single’s release has seen the five-piece embark on their first full Scottish tour, and they’ve also given buzz-building performances in various Glasgow venues, including a sell-out gig at King Tuts Wah Wah Hut and an appearance at the O2 Academy.

Satellite Underground were formed in 2007, with former promoter Grant Agnew - who had originally been keen to book the band - later joining up as their new vocalist.

He describes the group’s signature sound as a blend of “the melodies of Squeeze, the sharpness of Roxy Music and the licks of Richards and Wood”.

The band’s influences range from classic acts The Rolling Stones and The Police to contemporary outfits like MGMT and Kasabian.

“We do sound ‘familiar’, but with a definite original edge,” Agnew declared.

“The new single is about first impressions and how these can be altered. It’s an anthemic and driven song, with a bit of funk to keep the feet moving.

“Really, we create music to make people dance.”

Increasingly familiar faces on the Glasgow circuit, the band recently embarked on a popular monthly residency at the Capitol nightclub.

Behind the scenes, and in true D-I-Y indie fashion, they’ve built their own studio in a former mechanic’s garage in Kirkintilloch.

It’s in the humble surrounds of ‘The Den’ that the demos for Bright Lights and Sea Of People were recorded, as well as new material for the forthcoming album, which the band plan to fund themselves.

They’re also keen to continue working with producer Stevie Fleming.

The album is planned for 2010 and, if Sea Of People is anything to go by, it should be a slick and lively affair.

“We’re really happy with the single,” said Agnew. “Most of all, we’re excited to showcase it and the new material to audiences across Scotland.”

There’s more on the band at www.myspace.com/satelliteunderground, with Saturday’s gig at the Princes Street venue getting underway at around 9pm.

The Windows (below) - featuring singer / songwriting frontman Athole Fleming - are due on stage for their Malt House debut at around 10pm.