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CRASH THE SATELLITES

Saturday, June 16 at 8 p.m. at The Phoenix Taproom,

325 W. Forsyth St., Jacksonville

798-8222

It’s been nearly a decade, but one of the Jacksonville music scene’s most recognizable names has re-emerged. Founded in 2003 by songwriter/guitarist Paul Paxton, indie quartet Crash the Satellites quickly became a scene favorite, releasing “Learning to Land” in 2005. Life often gets in the way of the creative process, though, and the band soon battled lineup changes, budding “real-world” careers and the arrival of children. Still, the Satellites continued to perform and write, taking their time to build enough material for the new self-titled record. Original guitarist Brian Blades remains, though longtime drummer Julia Gregory, who provided drums for the new album, has left the band to raise her new baby girl. Taking her place is former Julius Airwave skinsman Mark Hubbard, who brings with him fellow Julius member, bassist Chris Gibson.

The new album is a bit darker than the Satellites’ earlier work, but dense, guitar-heavy songs are still the centerpiece of this DIY offering. Cases in point: album-opener “Barrels in Georgia,” the driving rocker “Tales of Transformation” and the darkly humorous standout “Trailer Park.”

Folio Weekly recently spoke with Paul Paxton about longevity, the local scene and collapsing buildings.

Folio Weekly: What was the impetus for recording a new set of songs?

Paul Paxton: Just the love of the music. Even though it was a struggle at times to all meet up — and it was taking quite a while, and we knew that — just for the fun of doing it. Another reason it took so long for the second record is ’cause we mix our own albums and, honestly, we’re not experts at it. We’re kind of novices at mixing. We take our time. We try different things, like recording in cars.

F.W.: What was the writing process like for the new album?

P.P.: I did the majority [of the writing], but it is a collaborative effort. I write all the lyrics, and I bring in most song ideas — not a hundred percent — but the band really helps put their flavor on everything. We keep on going until everybody is satisfied. It’s not just to please me.

F.W.: You’ve said you went dark on this album.

P.P.: We purposely wanted the music to sound darker. I put the lyrics on top of that, and they also came out very sarcastic, sometimes borderline mean, angry. But sometimes gentle and sweet, too … I think.

F.W.: The cover art is provocative. Are you worried about the response you may get? I know we’re more than a decade removed from 9/11, but there’s an interesting reference to the attack on the World Trade Center, yes?

P.P.: You mean the buildings falling apart? Is that what you’re talking about? … I never really thought about it.

F.W.: There’s people jumping out buildings, falling to the ground, and this didn’t cross your mind?

P.P.: I’ll have to look at it.

F.W.: I may be reading too much into it.

P.P.: I’m going to look at it again. If it does resemble the World Trade Center falling, then it would be a concern. I would dig into that a little further. But I hadn’t noticed that.

F.W.: As a veteran of the Jacksonville scene, what is your take on the last decade?

P.P.: Jacksonville is such a small — but large, spaced-out city — it’s like a small-town community. Everybody knows everybody. I know a lot of local musicians, and they’re really sweet. They’d give you the shirt off their backs. We borrow equipment or loan it out. Stuff like that. We have people come over when we’re playing in the garage, and they stop by and say “Hi” on their bicycles. So I like that part about Jacksonville. This isn’t such a huge city, and everyone has such huge egos that they won’t talk to you. Everybody’s kind of down-to-earth here, which is cool. As far as the potential to have a career in music in Jacksonville, there might be some drawbacks, but overall, I don’t see why this area is holding anybody back. People have had careers start up here. A lot of people complain about Jacksonville, but a lot of people complain about whatever city they live in.

John E. C

themail@folioweekly.c