The Satellite Towns began to form many a moon ago in 2005 when guitarist Aron Royle and keyboard player Carl Heyes met in a dismal office environment, in central Manchester. Fuelled by their passion for music and for want of an escape route from their bleak vocations, they set about penning some tracks (many emanating from Aron and his Shoebox Of Ideas!) with a view to forming a proper good Manc band, that had something different. Fast forward to 2007 and along came James Cashin on the bass, via the wonders of the information super-highway. They then actually ventured out of their sheds and spare rooms into a rehearsal space in central Manchester. As any of their warblings were not up to scratch they stumbled upon and enlisted the profoundly voiced Steven Butterworth for his vocal talents, and his lovely nose! All that was left was a drummer - this came in the form of the fiery and enigmatic Ben Zenith.
There are lots of bands out there at the moment, a lot of which are "scene" based, riding around a certain theme or spending more money on their hair and fancy pants than on actual instruments! Thats not The Satellite Towns, they're in it for the music and buzz of gigging. They're grafting hard, sprouting some decent tunes and standing out from the crowd as original music creators.
They have had air play on several local stations, including XFM Manchester, BBC Radio Manchester & Lancashire, Manchester Radio Online, Wythenshawe FM and Salford City Radio. You may have caught them live at The Roadhouse, Night & Day Cafe, Academy and many more fine muso watering holes around Manchester. Check out the events box for upcoming appearances.
WE ARE NOT ROBOTS
:: The Satellite Towns ::
05 October 2009 / Demo / 4 Trk CDR
By Emily Slowlie
Last year’s promising CD is followed up by this great little demo, that bounces into action with “Tunnel Vision”. This is the sound of Manchester’s new wave underground from 30 years ago. There’s a smart synth keyboard following the singer’s melody, then the band execute a handful of ringing, slightly scuzzed chords. It’s light stuff, but this opening track is a corker – understated yet brilliantly conceived. There’s something about Steve Butterworth’s vocal work – he doesn't sound completely original, but he delivers each tune so assuredly and with a perfect intonation, that he’s hard to ignore. The EP has a collection of odd songs and the more you listen to them the more you realise they’re unlikely to be top 30 hits, yet there’s something immensely addictive about their whole performance. Thank heavens therefore, for bands like The Satellite Towns who dare not to be trendy and who dare to be different in a world where hip bands like MGMT are mainstream.
MMMM
Review from manchestermusic.co.uk
“"a band who actually live up to their claims of sounding just that little bit different" CD review from Manchestermusic.co.uk
“A blend of Madchester beats and spiky post punk guitars and synth, fronted by a man with an attitude and confidence that is somewhat lacking in new music these days” Jabez Clegg – 05.01.08 (from Guestlistmusic)
“Close to Midnight’s indie groove deservedly got several from a decent turnout moving. Bohemia Dreamer, a slower number, featured a useful organ sound; the keyboardist definitely adds another dimension to this band. An expanding of their horizons will see this band move from being just another act, to one of the best bands on the Manchester unsigned circuit”. Academy 3 – 11.12.07 (from UBspotlight)
We Are Not Robots EP
Giving an innovative new sound to the 'Indie' scene are Manchester five piece, The Satellite Towns, bringing us their new EP We Are Not Robots. The feel of the EP gives me a buzz that I rarely get with typical Indie music and the fact that they actually spend their time making great music and not on how good their hair looks makes them credible. 'Seaside' is a lovely little track from their EP with imaginative rifts and synths that adds extra dimension to the song. They claim, like every other band, that they are different from the norm, and in this case they certainly live up to that claim, something that makes me respect them as they have their minds focused on what they're doing. A brilliantly structured second EP and a tight band means they could expand beyond being on the unsigned local scene, which 'Emily Built a Boat' and 'Tunnel Vision' definitely proves. The Satellite Towns are going all out to show they certainly are not robots!!
Many thanks for the add chaps. Metonia wish you well in your ventures and adventures. Please feel free to check out our tunes and give us some feedback. Hope to see you at a gig sometime... Cheers
Alright boys, really enjoyed your set last night, some nice interesting dancy beats going on, sure to be crowd pleasers... was good to meet ya's all. top set!
Much Luv & Respect We don't accomplish anything in this world alone ... and whatever happens is the result of the whole tapestry of one's life and all the weavings of individual threads from one to another that creates something.
p.s. i'm in new york for the first week in april, doing = ** 7 live shows, ** some in-store thingies (incl. 'looney tunes') ** a couple of radio's and ** a cable telly thingy.
** oh yes,... and "saving cony island" too. that's verrr good !!!
p.p.s. i made a handmade badge (by hand) at the weekend... it's now on ebay !!!
*enthusiastic wave* hi guys.. sorry not been in touch lately.. lots of things happening here but hope all is well with you.. and that the band is still progressing and enjoying the journey. X
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