Despite what Martians have to say, there's no place like earth. After all, not everything has to be "out of this world" in order to gain our worship, or even vague appreciation. Sometimes we welcome what lies within a familiar grasp--whether that means a favorite melody or hangout--more than what floats in the unimaginable distance. The Lost Satellites, a Petersburg based band, somehow manages to occupy both dimensions simultaneously. A self-described group of hippies, The Lost Satellites draw inspiration from well-known Classic and Alternative Rock acts like The Beatles and Radiohead. Yet they still write and produce most of their own groovy, edgy material, interpreting old genres with new (some might say extraterrestrial) flair.

During their December 12th performance at Cary Street Café (CaryStreetCafe.com), for instance, The Lost Satellites explored both the near and far. They delved into the 'near' by belting out sounds you may have heard before; just imagine psychedelically infused versions. Covers included songs by The Church, U2, The Rolling Stones, Radiohead, and The Beatles. Frank Scott, writer/singer/guitarist, stated that the band's choice in covers reflects their "really diverse tastes." These tastes range from "New Wave to Classic Rock...to the obscure." Their own songs for the evening included pieces from their current and upcoming albums, "Worlds Collide" and "Sound of Music." Original compositions by the only female member, Tina Marie, made it into the line-up, too. Overall, The Lost Satellites maintained an upbeat yet hypnotic sound throughout the evening. But in paying tribute to the age of flower children and tie-dye, The Lost Satellites never once came off like an outdated period ensemble. They balanced soul and fun, all while demonstrating a strong stage presence and superior knowledge of eclectic rock genres and styles. 

Not that the band should have felt anything less than comfortable in the homey, Grateful Dead obsessed bar that December evening. Cary Street Café does, after all, "feel like home," in the words of Sam Giacco, one of the band's guitarists. 

"I like this bar. It's like the land of misfit toys," Tina said of Cary Street Café. "Everybody's accepted here. It's relaxed, not snooty." With tacky decorations like a silver mirror disco ball and license plates reading "Arts Kid" and "Dead4" tacked to the wall, that statement could not have rang truer. 

The band has regularly played at the Cary Street Café for about a year now. Sam said, "[The owner] knew us from other bands...The good thing about Richmond is it's a close-knit group of musicians to start--that's how we met. You know everyone around town. It's a big family around here."

Mark Henderson, the band's drummer, added, "If people don't really know what they're going to do on a Friday or Saturday night, they can always come here [because they know what to expect]."

That is not to say that The Lost Satellite's act is predictable, though--unless you mean in terms of consistently producing quality music. In that case, predictability is their specialty. 

For their December 12 show, they played the span of "Worlds Collide," their only released album to date. "Worlds Collide" shows sophistication that never once verges on pretension. Stream of consciousness lyrics prevail, such as gems in the song "Nightmares": 'Tore out the pages of my book today/Couldn't see myself in the same way/Everything gets stuck behind the glass/I've got to set them free so they will pass.' Life lessons also shine through their songs without being preachy, either: 'No need to get hung up in the race' ("Moments of Clarity"), 'You don't know what you've got 'til you've got more' ("Hole"), 'You shouldn't teach what you don't understand' ("Nightmares"). The concepts of space, sleep, dreams, and personal identity appear throughout the album. Even when the lyrics do not explicitly mention these subjects, you feel their presence, like faint, ever-lingering memories. 

Frank, who wrote all the songs on the album, personally recommends the songs, "You've Lost Your Mind" and "She Understands Me." 

In an interview after the performance, Frank commented, "I really loved the flyers for the show and the opening act [Two Ton Tractor], and overall we had a great crowd out there... It was a fun show."

The Lost Satellites will be playing with Two Ton Tractor again in March at Capitol Ale House for a fundraiser. Learn more about The Lost Satellites and their projects at TheLostSatellites.com. 

By Author: Christine Stoddard

Christine Stoddard is a writer and interdisciplinary artist who employs her words in the realms of poetry, prose, film, theatre, collage, and comics. Her art and writing have been published in multiple venues, including literary journals from Grinnell College, Howard University, Virginia Commonwealth University, George Mason University, and the University of Arkansas, as well as in books by Candlewick Press and Sabella Press. Christine has also won recognition from USA Today, The Poetry Society of Virginia, The Washington Post, the Virginia Cable Telecommunications Association, the International Cinematographer's Guild, and other companies and organizations. Her 'zines also appear in the permanent collections of Barnard College and Depaul University. Previously, Christine has interned for several arts and media companies, including the Smithsonian American Art Museum and The Washington Post. Christine is also the founder of the Greater Washington Indie Arts Festival (formerly the Neo-Indie Arts Festival). Currently she is studying Cinema (film studies and production) and English with minors in Creative Writing and French at VCU Arts in Richmond, VA. To learn more about Christine and her creative projects, visit christinestoddard.com.

More Featured Articles