The Dead Satellites

There is one artist, Matthew Ryan, who I can say, with full confidence, is my favorite discovery of the last decade. This singer-songwriter has consistently blown me away, both with his brilliance and his passion.

Once again I am just amazed by his latest endeavor....

From Matthew's blog on Myspace:

I've began an informal side project with Greg Richling and Rami Jaffee. We're calling it The Dead Satellites. It's beautiful, ugly and cinematic stuff. I wrote the lyrics, sang and added some music here and there. Greg and Rami built the tracks and played most everything. And of course, my good friend Brian Bequette played some guitar on the rather horny, If I Wanted You (I Could Have You). I'm pasting the Press Release info just below, because it say everything more concisely than I'll ever achieve. I hope you'll give it a listen. And you have my whole-hearted permission to share the songs as much as you like. We're doing this for the love of it, there is no label involved. So, truth is, we're depended on you sharing it. We want people to hear these songs. We're just gonna add songs to our Dead Satellites myspace as we complete them. So far there are two - Shook Down and If I Wanted You, I Could Have You.

Best,M

MATTHEW RYAN GIVING AWAY NEW SONG ON THE INTERNET

"Shook Down" marks the debut of Ryan's new project, The Dead Satellites - a collaboration with producer and long time member of The Wallflowers, Greg Richling and Rami Jaffee of Foo Fighters/WallFlowers

NASHVILLE, TN - Matthew Ryan, one of America's "most captivating singer/songwriters on the current scene" (-The Republican), is offering a free download of his new project's debut single, "Shook Down". The collaboration with Greg Richling, a record producer and long time member of The Wallflowers and Rami Jaffee, of Foo Fighters and The Wallflowers, under The Dead Satellites moniker, is a meditation on the economy and greed.

"It's a song about the economic narcissism of the insiders that lead to our current financial crisis," Ryan says. "The song is essentially calling for a coup, or at the very least, accountability."

"With 'Shook Down', Matthew came up with a timely and powerful lyric, perfectly complimenting the music," adds fellow collaborator Greg Richling. "He is one of the finest songwriter's in America and I'm so blessed to have the chance to work with him."

At the heart of the song are victims of the crisis- regular working-class folks facing unemployment, going uninsured, foreclosure, and worse, all without a voice: "Workers on the news/They take it in the gut/And in the kingdom's view/It doesn't mean that much." The song concludes with a powerful chant torn from the headlines: "The average CEO makes 400 times what the average worker makes."

"On a personal note, I've watched my Dad go from a fairly comfortable retirement, to a stressed malaise," Ryan says. " It pisses me off. He worked 35 years, saved every penny, invested what he earned, and is now feeling took."

As far as The Dead Satellites go, it's an informal but potent collaboration.. The purpose is simple: "I want people to hear the music. There's no label involved," Ryan says. "It's just a couple of guys wanting a song to be heard in such strange times. A song always has the ability to comfort or rally people around an idea."

In the meantime Ryan is writing and recording a new solo record, building upon the success of his two most recent indie releases, From A Late Night High Rise in 2007 and Matthew Ryan Vs The Silver State in 2008.

Ryan and Richling are making "Shook Down" available for FREE on The Dead Satellites MySpace page, and there is a the direct download link for fans to share anywhere: http://cache.reverbnation.com/widgets/swf/31/widgetPlayerMicro.swf?emailPlaylist=artist_405799&backgroundcolor=1D1A1A&font_color=F61607&posted_by=artist_405799&shuffle=&autoPlay=false

The Dead Satellites plan to release songs on their myspace page as they finish. For songs and updates, check out: Myspace.com/thedeadsatellites

For further information, please contact THINK PRESS:Monica Hopman / (818) 291-9513 / monica@thinkpress.net

Links:
myspace.com/thedeadsatellites

myspace.com/matthewryan


Another article:
Matthew Ryan's The Dead Satellites Give Away Protest Song "Shook Down"

Chickenfoot

I just heard about this... seems that former Van Halen members Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony, Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith and guitar virtuoso Joe Satriani have banded together to form the supergroup Chickenfoot.

Wow. Check this out:

Sammy Hagar

For some people, his joining Van Halen was a sin committed against rock and roll, but frankly, I always thought that was bullshit... there was Van Halen Part I, and Van Halen Part II, and to me they were separate entities, each meant to be weighed by its own might and influence.

Van Halen, Part I, was a juggernaut. Pure and simple. I mean, the album Van Halen is and always will be a classic, and extremely influentual. Just think of what rock and roll would have been like if that album hadn't been let loose! C'mon! Running With the Devil! You Really Got Me! I could go on and on about Van Halen with Mr. Roth on vocals. But I won't. That's not the focus here.
Van Halen part II: Sammy Hagar. I've been a Sammy Hagar fan since 1981, when I first heard "I'll Fall in Love Again" from the album "Standing Hampton". His music seemed like the perfect mix of great hooks, a cool voice, and harder-edged rock. Three Lock Box had great songs, VOA had great songs, the supergroup HSAS had great songs (such a great album, and barely anyone knew about it).

Then he joined Van Halen in 1986, 5150 came out, and I loved it. No, really, I mean I LOVED IT!

I don't need to expand further, because you know the rest...

Chad Smith

Chad Smith, the Red Hot Chili Peppers. I don't need to say more, do I?

Joe Satriani

Joe Satriani is arguably one of the best rock guitarists of the last 20 years. His students have included Kirk Hammett of Metallica, Marty Friedman of Megadeth, David Bryson of Counting Crows, Kevin Cadogan from Third Eye Blind, Larry LaLonde of Primus, Possessed, Alex Skolnick of Testament, Rick Hunolt of Exodus, Phil Kettner of Lääz Rockit, Geoff Tyson of T-Ride, and Charlie Hunter. When his friend and former student Steve Vai gained fame playing with David Lee Roth in 1986, Vai raved about Satriani in several interviews with guitar magazines. What more can I say?

So, Chickenfoot. I'm gonna keep an eye on this. It should be interesting at the very least...


Links:


Rolling Stone article:
http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2009/03/25/chickenfoot-supergroup-of-van-halen-chili-peppers-members-satriani-ready-debut

Chickenfoot on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?profile&id=44512487307

Blabbermouth.net:
http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=116811

and the Chickenfoot website:
http://www.chickenfoot.us/