The SatchVai Band Dazzled in Long Beach

Photos and words by Steve Rose

It’s always special when you get to see Joe Satriani or Steve Vai, and it’s even better when those two virtuosos share the stage. Recently, the SatchVai band released a fun video for their latest single, “Dancing,” and the beginning portion of the video featuring Brendan Small of Metalocalypse fame kicked off the night.

This band is comprised of talented musicians, as you’d expect, and all of them are stars in their own right. Drum legend Kenny Aronoff handled duties behind the kit and has been with Joe for a few years now. Bassist and vocalist Marco Mendoza was the other half of the rhythm section and handled vocals for the night. Marco has played with a number of great bands, including Whitesnake, The Dead Daisies, and Journey. Pete Thorn is a monster guitar player, and you’d have to be to take the stage alongside Satriani and Vai and not only hold your own but stand out amongst those titans.

The night kicked off with a trio of songs by the SatchVai Band, including the catchy “I Wanna Play My Guitar” before going into a stellar song by Vai called “Zeus in Chains,” which is a catchy earworm of a tune that has a melody that will stick with you long after the show is over. Other highlights of Vai’s set included “Teeth of the Hydra,” which featured Vai playing a three-necked beast known as the hydra. Vai also played hits like “Tender Surrender” and “Little Pretty” without Joe’s participation. However, being able to witness Steve Vai perform his opus, “For the Love of God,” with Joe Satriani accompanying him was really something remarkable. That song has been a fan favorite since its release in 1990 and continues to be.

Comparatively, having Steve join Joe on stage was magical and it was really cool to see the one-time student and teacher share the stage and play some of Satriani’s hits like “Ice 9,” and my vote for Satriani’s best song, “Always with Me, Always with You.” Vai accentuated what Satriani played, much like Joe did for him during “For the Love of God.” Satriani also played fan favorites like “Satch Boogie” and “Flying in a Blue Dream.” There are certain Satriani songs that can never leave the set, and these are definitely ones that will always remain. Throughout the evening, they never stepped on each other’s toes, both literally and musically, and just allowed each other to shine and really connect with the sold out crowd.

The set was rounded out with covers of “Rock and Roll” and “Born to be Wild,” which got the fans up on their feet and singing. They fed off the energy from the stage and sent some back to the band as a thank you and farewell in a highly explosive night of high-level guitar playing.