Unusually, both on the biog and the EP, drummer Ryan Nicks list’s himself at the top of the band members list. Good on yer mate as it’s usually the opposite way around. Clearly then Mr Nicks must be the leading light of Satellite-state. A band with potential but one at the edges of the Hardrockhouse remit. 

The sound is mid-tempo, laid back and sort of Snowpatrol-ish with the addition of Ciaran Stephens, Edge (of U2 fame) guitar parts. The synths add a slight prog feel to it but there’s no doubt that there is an audience out there for this kind of stuff.  

That’s good news of course but the standard is high and the competition equally so. Therefore every aspect has got to be right. Sadly Gary Nicks’ vocals (astoundingly he’s third on the band members biog list! Unheard of for a singer!!!) whilst perfectly adequate, lack the focus and intensity to make you want to sit up and listen. 

It’s only on the final track ‘Lights Out’ (not the UFO one) that he lets go a bit and the band sound all the better for it. Also for a four track EP it’s just a little samey. A whole album of this would be quite dull. So mix it up a bit chaps and concentrate on getting those vocals spot on. Nicks can sing but his character just isn’t shining through enough yet to make Satellite-state stand out from the crowd. That said this is an encouraging mini-album and worth a listen if you like the melancholia of Snowpatrol etc. 

Contact: www.myspace.com/satellitestatemusic  

Bryan Clarke