SATCHVAI: Ten Questions with Joe Satriani!
Published on 26 May 2025
The SATCHVAI tour is mere weeks away from the UK! Are you excited? Two of the greatest shredders in the universe, coming together on one stage? It’s going to be special, to say the least!
Hopefully some of you will be coming along to our celebratory Shredathon event in Glasgow, but for everyone out there who loves Joe Satriani, here’s a little something special for you…
Joe is deep in prep-mode for the tour and so wasn't able to chat via Zoom as we usually do, but he did offer to answer a few questions via email! (Satch fans can check out my first Joe Satriani interview and second Satch interview here).
So, without further ado, hot off the press, here is an exclusive interview about what’s been happening in Joe’s world…
Joe Satriani Interview
guitarguitar: SATCHVAI is an ‘actual’ band rather than a double bill of solo performances, right? Since you’ll both be playing on all of the songs, is this an opportunity to radically change some of your repertoire in order to make space for Steve?
Joe Satriani: At rehearsals we realized each song we tried could be expanded to make room each of our own playing styles. The collaboration has been an exciting new musical chapter for us both.
GG: Presumably Steve is playing on your songs and you on his? Is this kind of like two great lead singers duetting on a song? How are you approaching Steve’s music as a guitarist?
JS: We’ve had so much experience playing with each other over the decades, it really makes things very easy. However, some of Steve’s songs are better left to him performing them on his own. The level of technical difficulty and the importance of one clear voice playing the melodies and solos are things we take seriously, song by song.
GG: We’ve heard some amazing new compositions from the two of you (including last year’s The Sea of Emotion Pt 1): what is the co-writing process like for the two of you? Do you both have to compromise on occasion for the other’s vision?
JS: It’s been fun! We take each other’s suggestions as an opportunity to stretch our individual musicianship to new levels. Even with our busy touring schedules we’ve been able to work on the songs by trading session files and working remotely. It has its upside, which is affording us time to reflect on each other’s work before jumping in.
GG: Your newest song I Wanna Play My Guitar has Glenn Hughes on vocals, and you have a long history of working with Sammy Hagar. Despite being a worldwide legend, does a part of you prefer to be a ‘band guy’ rather than the focal point/frontman?
JS: I always thought I’d be a “band guy” like Jimmy Page, with a lead vocalist in front so I could hang with the bass player and drummer. I wound up being the guy up front! I can’t complain because it appears I’m both now. With my own solo career and working with Sammy Hagar, Chickenfoot, etc… I’ve been able to enjoy both situations.
GG: Have you noticed any particular changes in your playing after doing the Best of All Worlds Tour and playing so much Van Halen music? For example, have any new playing habits emerged?
JS: I’ve had to increase my ability to memorize the nuances of someone else’s playing style, and re-tool my entire live amp setup. I’ve had to switch to a wireless guitar setup and use
IEM’s because of the size of the stages we played on. And, I had to get used to playing at D standard with .010’s. So much to adapt to! But it’s been fun and eye-opening.
GG: I presume your live guitar sound is an entirely different beast to your studio tones. Generally speaking, do you have any special ‘tactics’ that you’ve developed to get great live guitar tones?
JS: Plugging into a 3rd Power amp is the best thing I’ve done in decades. It all starts with the amp/speaker mojo.
GG: Speaking of which, are you taking any tasty new pieces of gear out with you for the SATCHVAI tour?
JS: After a very big wet/dry/wet setup on the Best Of All Worlds tours I’ve decided to go back to mono for the SATCHVAI tours. Mainly because I love a strong, full bodied, straight forward guitar sound, and also because both Steve and Pete Thorn are using stereo setups.
I’ll have my Ibanez JS guitars, BBW Wah, a Fender Tone Master Pro for time based efx, my 3rd Power Dragon 100 head with two 3rd Power 4x12 cabinets.
GG:I love your new D’Addario Satch Grip picks! You’ve spoken before about holding the pick in different ways, sometimes from lick to lick. Are players missing out on extra expressive power by not changing up their grip?
JS: I think most players do it unconsciously. I think it’s a great way to get more out of your picks. Each side of a traditional pick will give a slightly different tone.
GG:You and Steve are lifelong friends and have influenced each other back and forth over the years. The energy onstage between you two must be incredible! How is that energy and influence currently manifesting?
JS: We tend to push each other to play crazier every night! It’s like we’re still teenage kids just having fun playing our guitars.
GG: Finally, you and Steve are both rightly regarded as among the greatest electric guitar players in the world. That said, is there a Steve Vai song that even you wouldn’t attempt to try playing?
JS: There are many! Most recently I’ve been fascinated by the harmonic structure of “Little Pretty”. I can’t figure out how Steve can manage to solo over those changes!
There you go: short, sweet, and full of info! Joe always delivers, and even though we weren't able to have a proper conversation this time, there is still lots of value to be had in these answers. I hope this inspires you to play your guitar with a sense of purpose and joy, just like Joe!
Here’s some info on the upcoming SATCHVAI tour, which is definitely not one you want to miss if you are a fan of awesome guitar playing!
Joe Satriani and Steve Vai’s SATCHVAI Band on tour in the UK from June 13 – 19th.
Tickets are available from: https://comm.tix.to/SatchVaiBand and https://www.satchvaiband.com
York Barbican – Fri June 13
London Eventim Apollo – Sat June 14
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall – Tue June 17
The Halls Wolverhampton – Wed June 18
O2 Apollo Manchester – Thu June 19
My thanks to Joe for his wonderful answers, and to Peter for getting them to me! Enjoy the SATCHVAI experience at whichever show is closest to you, and use it to inspire your own playing!
