Imagine pairing the Britpop influence of Suede with David Bowie’s epic showmanship. The outcome would be Cleveland Cherry, the new EP from Red Satellites. At only four tracks, the band manages to not only draw from the best of these vintage influences, but sew the pocket back on that thrift store overcoat and sell it as modern day rock n roll. 

Drummer, Brenning Greenfield, counts in the measure as “Good Press” kicks off the EP with its positive charge. As the yeast rises, Drew Carroll’s guitar comes in quick and easy with classic rock ambition, almost Beatlesque to use the term loosely. The track lets Kevin Hivick’s vocals stand out amidst sudden halts in accompaniment and establishes the disc’s tone.

“Dancing,” which could easily be the band’s first single, follows up with Daniel Hivick’s romantic scales on piano fondly reminiscent of Elton John circa 1973. The vocals mirror Brett Anderson of Suede -- at times it’s even difficult to differentiate between Hivick and Anderson himself. A catchy tune, the “Dancing” rhythm keeps dancing on without a break similar to the way Roxy Music’s “Both Ends Burning,” well, keeps on burning. 

Rounding out the disc are “Wings” and “Saturday Night,” together a two-piece suit to go beneath that overcoat. “Wings” starts off gently; Kevin’s narrative illustrates with great imagery while Chris Ambler’s bass and Carroll’s guitar melodically snap together. As Kevin’s story climaxes, it plays catalyst to the gleeful chaos which transitions seamlessly into the amped “Saturday Night.” The suit’s pants, “Saturday Night” unzips its fly to expose mod rock n roll with a post-punk revival inseam. A clear shift from earlier in the disc, the band takes it up a notch and is as artistic and Bitpop as it can to be.

With only four songs, Red Satellites clearly demonstrate why they are the band that is currently being sought out by record labels for a deal. By taking a vintage sound and successfully making it their own, they create a brand of music that so many musicians overwork themselves to achieve -- Red Satellites just seems to inherit it. This quaint collection of tunes is just enough to leave you itching for a full-length album. It brings to mind the old saying, “It is better to have three songs that are well-recorded than ten songs that sound like they were recorded in someone's bathroom.” Well, with an outfit as chic as this, you don’t need to record in a bathroom.

By Author and Vice President: Ben Cokeley

Ben was born in Pittsburgh during the summer of 1983 (the year Roxy Music disbanded). He has since inhabited Chicago, New York, and several Virginian cities including Richmond, where he prefers to spend the majority of his time. His interest in music sparked at age three when he began taking piano lessons. A passion for theatre and film would soon follow; he was known for acting in high school and college productions while focusing on the independent film scene in Richmond. Nowadays, you’re likely to catch him at a bar in the Fan or commuting to Fredericksburg where he works as a high school teacher/behavior specialist. Ben enjoys a variety of music, some long-time favorite musicians/bands include: Tom Waits, Elvis Costello, The Doors, The Isley Brothers, Buddy Guy, Tom Petty, David Bowie, and George Clinton.