The Lost Satellites admit they're a little backwards. Originally, the band started as the studio project for guitarist and singer Frank Scott, formerly of Richmond alt rockers the McGuffin. The band released its first album, “Worlds Collide,” before the live lineup had fully materialized. In fact, the first show for the band was the CD release party. Scott tells us, “I had a collection of different players on the album, including the people who are members of the band now. I was fortunate to have Chris Stamey, who was an old member of the dBs, mix the album and add the synth tracks. And Peter Holsapple, who did studio work with REM for a long time in the '80s and early '90s, played the organ on some songs. McGuffin drummer Chris Mitchell also did some tracking.” The current lineup consists of keyboardist John Hein and bassist Sammy Giacco, who he met through mutual contacts. Good friend Mark Henderson ended up as the drummer.
The Lost Satellites have new material in the works and hope to have another EP cut by the end of 2009, but they're just trying to do what is manageable. Scott admits that his lyrics can be the toughest part. “There are certain songs where you have to reveal yourself, really put yourself out there, and say something that not everyone's going to agree with. A few of my lyrics are tough to deliver, because they're just so personal.” Luckily, we got him to open up a bit more.
Style: Tell us about that one song…
Scott: It's a song about trying to get ahold of your sanity and the realization that you are disillusioned with life, love, or whatever it may be. There seems to be a point where we all kind of lose it in some way and let go of our tempered self-control. Sometimes it's just temporary and sometimes it's a little more permanent, but it's different for everybody. We all know this frustration. It's not an aggressive song, though. It's Pink Floydish, kind of mindless and innocent, but still with a dark feel to it. I definitely write about things that I feel, but I try to put a more objective spin on it. I like to make my lyrics fun and interesting, to create a distance. They're not so emotive as much as that's just the way it is.
Take the title of our album, for example. “Worlds collide” is just a statement, this is just what happens. One thing is guaranteed — things are always going to crash into each other in every level of being. Everywhere in the universe stuff just crashes into each other and for some reason that seemed like a simple truth.
What is your first musical memory?
I found an old recording years ago from when I was about 5 years old. I was singing the Spiderman theme song into a tape recorder. That was the first time I identified myself with doing anything musical. The first time I really felt like a musician though, I was at summer camp singing songs while this other kid played guitar. We had these nightly events where we got together and performed quick, thrown together versions of [Stone Temple Pilot's] “Plush” and [Bob Dylan's] “Knockin' on Heaven's Door.” I was about 13 and being at that age, it was really exciting and I felt like I was grasping onto something I identified with, something I really wanted to do. It was one of those things that kept giving me the hunger to play music.
If your music was a classic cartoon character, which one would it be?
I think it would be Wile E. Coyote. Everything I seem to go after leads me off a tall cliff or into some dynamite or something, figuratively speaking. When doing music and art independently, you often feel like your efforts are in vain, but you keep doing it anyway because you love it.
If you could play a show with anyone living or dead, who would it be and why?
I watched a Leonard Cohen biography called “I'm Your Man” and there was something so appealing about his sense of self, and his graciousness, and his being that was very calming. I felt like he was the type of poet that's been around the block for years and has come back to a simpler life. Someone who has real peace of mind right now, even though he's been through a lot. I would choose him, because I really do search for peace of mind and realize that so much gets in the way at the same time. It was inspiring.
What is one thing you think would help improve the Richmond music scene?
People need to work on creating synergies with other musicians and artists or anyone who shares common goals. There are a lot of small networks of musicians in Richmond that work together to combine ideas and efforts. I really like the community of artists I've worked with over the years. The people who really stick it out, who are really dedicated to it, and keep going through all of the trials and tribulations that inevitably come with trying to be a musician and trying to find some measure of success. I love seeing these people [in Richmond] who share these common goals and interests. I think we need more of this as well as more venues and organizations that can help bring people together in mutually beneficial situations. S
The Lost Satellites will play Cary Street CafAc on Aug. 29 at 10 p.m. Cover is $5. 353-7445.
