Satellite Party is the latest band to be fronted by the strange but immensely talented Perry Farrell (Jane's Addiction, Porno For Pyros). I never really “got into” his previous bands, as they were just a little bit too “out there” for my liking. Satellite Party however is a totally different animal to what has gone before, the music is more accessible and there is cool guitar playing all over the place thanks to the inclusion in the band of ex-Extreme guitar legend Nuno Bettencourt.

I arrived at the Academy and found Nuno wandering around the hall posing for photos and chatting to those fans that had arrived early. He was a real gentleman, had time for everyone and was visibly thrilled with all the attention. Sadly I had no camera so missed what would have been a great photo opportunity.

Tonight the Academy had curtained off the big hall at the halfway point. The raised platform area was out of bounds and only the floor of the hall was being used. The opening act “Change Of Shade” took the stage at 8.15.Here was a very talented acoustic guitar duo who gave an intriguing performance of very original material. The music was very mellow but creatively very sophisticated. There were no standard chord voicings here instead we were given a lesson in strange chords and alternate tunings. At times I was reminded of acoustic moments by bands like Rush, Alice In Chains, Crowded House, America and Yngwie Malmsteen. I know that sounds like a rather all encompassing list but I must be honest and say they had a little bit of something for everyone. Their set was short but very sweet and standout tunes for this reviewer were “Honest” (which looked like dropped D tuning) and the opener “I Want It Now”. Change Of Shade finished at 8.46 and it was 45 minutes till the main event took the stage.

  

At precisely 9.30 “Satellite Party” burst onto the stage like a tornado with Perry Farrell looking like a possessed dancer in the eye of the storm. I had placed myself stage right so that I could watch close up the guitar heroics of Nuno and it was apparent from the very start that he looked as happy as a cat with the cream. The other startling thing about this band is the aura of “coolness” that every member gives off. The band launched through the first two numbers at breakneck speed before launching into the great song “Kinky”. It’s a hard thing to describe but this band can play music and make it sound sexy. Things were very saucy on stage with Farrell cavorting with Etty Lau (his wife) in a very decadent manner. At one point she pulled open her shirt for him to run his tongue over her breasts. I’m sure the Academy were keeping a close eye and before anyone asks no she didn’t get them out but it got rather close to the line.

At this point the band had got the sizable audience in the palm of their hand. I have to be honest when I say this band were really playing and behaving in a manner, which were above all my expectations. There was a real sense of fun on stage and there was some serious shredding coming from Nuno who was given loads of space to “do his thing”.

Farrell showed that he knows how to work an audience and it was great to see a front man talking to the audience in a sincere and humorous way. He sometimes may seem a bit contrived and a bit of a poser but when you can pull it off as well as he can it’s a pleasure to witness.

“Been Caught Stealing” saw the band revisiting the Jane's Addiction classic and I have to say Satellite Party actually gave the quirky track a real kick up the backside. ”Hard Life Easy” followed with Nuno putting in a ripping solo, which had those of us who were close enough to see his technique picking our jaws off the floor.

Looking around one could see virtually every member of the audience nodding their heads, tapping their feet and really “digging” this show. The music reached even greater highs with a superb rendition of “Wish Upon a Dog Star” with Nuno playing a very cool silver painted finish of his iconic Washburn signature model. ”Mr Sunshine” had Farrell stripping off his shirt and encouraging members of the audience to do so, and yes there were a few “chaps” who couldn’t help themselves.

As the band began “Milky Avenue” the drummer decided to have a cigarette onstage, which he began to share with Nuno. The cigarette ended up on Nuno’s headstock and it wasn’t long before the Academy staff discreetly told him to stub it out. Leaving the music aside for a short moment I have to commend the Academy for doing this as being in a smoke free venue was a real pleasure and before anyone writes in and says I’m anti smoking can I state I don’t mind people smoking in any shape or form it’s their individual choice.

The show came to an end and Farrell said rather than leave the stage they would stay on and play another one. He wanted to be with his people as long as possible and before we could catch our breath they launched into “Ultra Payloaded Satellite Party”.

Without a doubt this was one of the most enjoyable and entertaining gigs I have seen for a long while. Every song was played out of its skin and visually the band knows how to keep the audience hooked. Farrell is without doubt one of the quirkiest yet mesmerising front men I have ever witnessed. He continuously kept eye contact with the audience was always aware of what was happening around him and his need to be with the people was demonstrated at the end of the evening as he clambered into the crowd to sing.

As I left the Academy I heard many people remarking, “that was one of the best gigs I’ve been to in years”. For myself I have to agree.” Satellite Party” came and played their hearts out and considering the stature of Farrell and Bettencourt there was never any sign of individual members flexing their egos. Instead we witnessed a band that appears to have real chemistry and have the ability to create wonderful decadent rock music like no other band can. I sincerely hope “Satellite Party” isn’t a one off project as it would be great to have them back again.

As a footnote if you were watching the audience as well as the band you would have noticed Ginger from The Wildhearts at the stage right bar. He watched the whole gig with interest and I think it’s safe to say that like everyone else he was mightily impressed