34 Satellite Stop CD

The grit of 34 Satellite's debut album carries over on Stop, but here it serves as the energizing ingredient in a welter of Wall of Sound, throwback grunge, and sharp-eared pop tunefulness. Marc Smith's guitar focuses and ultimately defines the band's sound, from the gentle arpeggiated intro and explosive follow-up on "Elijah St. Marie" to the carefully crafted lines that lace through "Charleston"; an Edge influence shows in Smith's pursuit of maximum effect through minimal gestures, but Smith isn't above throwing in the occasional screaming lick as well. Around this core the band builds their arrangements, at times with barely audible synth additions, as on "Charleston," but most dramatically in the string quartet that rises like a seductive apparition from Mark Boquist's no-nonsense backbeat on "Longest Day." Overall 34 Satellite plays with enthusiasm tempered only slightly by premonitions of maturity; Marc Benning shows a developing ability to write and deliver real-world lyrics, and the band's consistency at framing his performance suggests that this combination has real staying power. They know how to rock without blowing all their energy or overwhelming their material. Tom Petty and R.E.M. learned this same lesson early in their careers, a fact that confirms Stop as a solid second step. ~ Robert L. Doerschuk

Check out the 34 Satellite E-Card ... it rocks! http://www.34satellite.com/ecard34 Satellite STOP was awarded the "2002 Best Power-Pop Recording" by the Denver Westword."34 Satellite shine truer and brighter than the trite bands and pop stars that falsely glitter and litter the musical universe." -- Amplifier Magazine"34 Satellite's songs come from the perspective of dreamers, travelers, and the broken-hearted. In other words, real people who have real hopes, fears, problems, and stories. But also it works because - plain and simple - it rocks." -- PopMatters Magazine - Chicago, IL"Benning's smart, sharp lyrics and the band's infectious pop-rock sonic blast set it apart from the hot running pack." -- The Flagepole - Athens, GA34 Satellite are living in the right now.Their music makes you wonder what it might be like to walk in their shoes, to be where they are, living the late night and isolation and camaraderie of a rock bank. It's the sound of opening doors, traffic lights, and electricity. The individual roadmaps that brought the band together were full of twists and turns, but became meaningless at their first show at TT the Bears in Boston.Guitarist Marc Smith brought his black Gibson ES 135, bassist Mike Santoro brought his Fender P Bass, and drummer Mark Boquist brought the loudest snare he could find. Marc Benning brought the words and the voice.So what was it that pulled them together? Listen to the song "Wishing Well", from their 2000 release "Radar". Straightforward lyrics mask the complex emotions underneath, while explosions of distorted guitars and drums burst free. Benning's teeth-clenched vocals express the kind of pain that makes hope itself agonizing. The song hints a connection to other mavericks - from the Beatles to Crazy Horse to the Flaming Lips - and speaks so forcefully that it's hard to imagine any other band attempting it. 34 Satellite makes this type of colossal sound. It's earned that vast territory through a great deal of hard work and the luck of each member finding one another."Radar" was enthusiastically welcomed by both college and AA radio, and tracked at over 200 stations nationwide. The band spent eight months of that year in a Ford van, and their touring ethic paid off. From The Mint in LA, to Cat's Cradle in N.C., to Arlene's Grocery in NYC (where they completed a month-long residency), touring has honed the band's sound and focused their direction. New friends were made, including the esteemed producers Dave McNair (Arc Angeles, Los Super Seven) and John Agnello (Dinosaur Jr., Buffalo Tom). Both helmed the boards for 34 Satellite's new cd, entitled "Stop".TCMJ (3/18/02, p.10) - "...It's a power-pop platter crammed with singer/guitarist/songwriter Marc Benning's vibrant, invigorating rockers..."