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Five years ago, on October 11, the Satellite Cocktail Lounge opened on California Avenue. To celebrate, they're throwing a Gold Anniversary Party as a sort of pre-Halloween Halloween bash.
Co-owner Andy McKennie said the bar's opening date was unknown for a while because of the management change about three years ago, but they knew it had been in October. They wanted to do something special and started to line up bands that had connections to the bar.
They eventually uncovered the Satellite's birthday: Oct. 11. Jaguar Love was already booked, and they were delighted to build off that.
Jaguar Love is described in their own press materials as being an "indie supergroup." Spin Magazine wisely questions whether any supergroup could still be called indie, but it's hard to argue with the sentiment.
From Portland, with love
Former Blood Brothers members Johnny Whitney (vocals) and Cody Votolato (guitar) joined with former Pretty Girls Make Graves guitarist Jay Clark, who now does drum duty. The band writes songs that skirt the anarchic noise rock world, but retain catchier cores that you might be tempted to dismiss at first listen.
Whitney's voice lives in the high notes, only taking the occasional vacation to the tenor range and possessing a sort of manic warble. Think of the art rock whine integral to Coheed and Cambria or the Mars Volta. But it is catchy and helps make the music a sweet marriage of the odder side of rock with dance-pop's infectious beats.
This Portland, Ore., band even has a tenuous connection to the bar, since Votolato's brother, folk minstrel Rocky Votolato, often stays with the Satellite's owners when he comes to town.
Cream of a local crop
Supporting the headliner is a great cross-section of local talent. Promises Promises made their debut with Satellite, and they'll be back to showcase more of their Brit-rock-influenced power pop. The Humans have been in and out of Satellite for a while, with drummer John Ludwick counted as a personal friend. And the alt-folk-rock regiment known as Buster Blue played one of their earliest shows at the Satellite. The bar opens at 6 p.m., and with four bands, the live music should kick off a little early at 9:30 p.m.
So, that takes care of a great musical lineup for the night. But the party goes far beyond that. Guests are encouraged to dress up in gold or other costumes. Plato's Closet actually is giving a 20 percent discount if you're buying clothes for the gold party. Aside from adding to the insanity, doing so will get you free Pabst Blue Ribbon until the keg runs dry.
More than a concert
Aside from the free beer, you can try to hold onto summer with one of Satellite's mojitos (such as the Nevada variety made with gin). Or embrace the coming season with a hot toddy made with Jameson or a Triple Negro, with a double shot of either Van Gogh or Patron espresso served up in a Newcastle Brown Ale.
And there will be no more standing around during set changes. DJ Mesh (and possibly others) will spin during downtimes and, cone the bands are finished, into the early morning. And to top it all off, the enjoyably-grungy place will take a classy step up, at least temporarily, with a champagne toast. Hopefully, it will be to another five years of great music at Satellite ... or maybe 10.
