Who would have thought that on a balmy Thursday April evening you could find a band that simply blows you away. I had been given the word on good advice that The Satisfaction were a band that I needed to check out. I wasn’t given much more than that as my source clearly didn’t want to spoil what I was about to hear and witness.
The Espy Basement tonight was the place where I would be treated to a band that simply blew me away. This young quartet from Bunbury, Western Australia delivered a set that left me in awe. While the room was lit is nothing but red light and the sound as if it was through holdback monitors for the front of house you really did gain an understanding and essence of this band. They simply held their own light on themselves as they took us on a ride of twelve originals and a cover.
While the band started to only a few in the room frontman Rogers addressed us by saying I don’t care if I’m playing to five or six people, I always play like I’m playing to seven. A perfect icebreaker and charmed introduction to the band. What came next simply glued me to them and kept me there their entire set. By the third song the room began to draw people in. People were engaged and captivated just like I was.
Wearing influences on his sleeve frontman Johnny Rogers has more swagger than Jagger, more bounce, twist and turns than Iggy Pop with the flair of Freddie Mercury while staying completely himself. Words at time fail to describe the whole package, this guy is. Rogers is simply captivating and with a voice that has as much power as Robert Plant and Rob Halford with a heavy soul filled vocal that simply soars. It’s full and powerful in all the right ways.
Rogers then adds another element to his visual and vocal textbook by taking to the keys and playing with that same energy as he added another layer to the band’s sound. It just keeps getting better I swear.
As for the rest of the band, drummer Tommy Host, man he hits hard, he is the perfect mix of power and precision. He has a style that is reminiscent of John Bonham and Keith Moon. It has that swing, groove and punch. Add bass player Ayden James to it all and you have this big rhythm section that drives this machine.
Guitarist Ethan Robinson is simply a joy to watch and listen to, technical, loose but refined I got a huge Rich Robinson (The Black Crowes) and John Notto (Dirty Honey) feel from him. His solos were tasty and the riffs huge. The band musically shares the essence of The Who, Led Zeppelin, Kiss, The Stones, The Darkness, Dirty Honey, Queen and so many more. They haven’t re invented the wheel, but they sure have put some slick tires on that wheel.
Every song is a different form of expression but uniquely bonded by the band’s sound and style. I can’t put them anywhere but in their own 70’s inspired sphere that also has taken lessons from bands that share that same kind of feel of the rock resurgence of this millennium. It’s a well thought out hybrid sound familiar yet fresh.
The cover of “Georgia On My Mind” was a mix of Ray Charles magic and Cold Chisel grunt. Like their music their following will be organic and true. It truly is rare that you find a band so engaging, energetic and organic. They played like they were at a stadium even thought it was the smallest of clubs. The thirteen-song set included their five songs available on streaming. These songs take on a life of their own live and their latest single “Bleed” is delivered perfectly in a live setting.
You know you are doing something right when you have a few of the girls dancing and having a great time and I even heard a couple say to the band the next time they are in Melbourne they would be there. Another punter said how good they were so in terms of winning an audience over they did exactly that.
This band will be monsters and a force to be reckoned with in no time at all. Once word gets around, they will be unstoppable. The Satisfaction were simply that for this rock n roll soul. They are guaranteed to be huge as they hold their own and have so much potential. Production did them no favours tonight, but their performance was nothing short of breath-taking.
For a taste of what the band do check out their streaming, but I urge you to treat yourself and see this band live, bring your friends and experience their magic live.
The Satisfaction have two more Melbourne shows this weekend. Tonight, they are at the Cherry Bar and Saturday they are at Mama Chen’s in Fitzroy. Get along and get around these guys.
Check The Satisfaction out on their socials and streaming platforms in the meantime.
