Smashing Satellites

Smashing Satellites was a Canadian alternative rock band active from 2014 to 2017. It was founded by Sal Costa, who had previously served as lead guitarist for the successful group My Darkest Days. The band is most recognized for the 2016 single "Gamblin' Man." Their recorded output includes one full-length studio album, released in 2015, and two EPs, released in 2014 and 2017.

Formation

Costa left My Darkest Days in early 2013 and announced plans to start his own group. He spent the rest of that year and part of 2014 posting updates on his personal Facebook page, which he renamed from "Sal Coz Costa" to "Smashing Satellites" in the summer of 2014. He then traveled to Los Angeles to work with producer Bob Marlette, experimenting with live trumpets, dozens of guitars, and vintage keyboards. After writing and recording, Costa returned to Toronto and recruited Mick Valentyne (lead guitar), Devon Lougheed (rhythm guitar), and Mykey Thomas (drums) for the live band.

SonicAluzion EP & Album 2014-2016

The group traveled to Oklahoma to record at Back-Lounge Productions, the studio of Hinder drummer Cody Hanson, whom Costa had befriended during tours with My Darkest Days. Their debut EP, SonicAluzion (A-Side), was announced in August 2014 and released on September 30, 2014, preceded by the single "Hounds" the day before. The band toured heavily around Toronto. A second single from the EP, "Waterfall," was released on February 12, 2015, and reached No. 48 on Billboard's Top 50 Alternative chart.

On April 14, 2015, the band announced their debut album, SonicAluzion, and its first single, "What It's All About." The album was released on June 16, 2015, and included the five tracks from the EP plus eight new songs. It produced the singles "Hounds," "Waterfall," "What It's All About," "Love Is Forever," and "Living Loud."

Gamblin' Man, White Elephant EP and retirement 2016-2017

On January 8, 2016, the band released the standalone single "Gamblin' Man," which debuted at No. 38 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart. In 2017, they released the single "Benny" on May 26, leading into a second EP titled White Elephant. On October 22, 2017, Costa announced his retirement from music and the end of Smashing Satellites, though he stated the White Elephant EP would still be released as a gift to fans. The band's members were Sal Costa (vocals, guitar, piano), Mick Valentyne (lead guitar, keyboards), Mykey Thomas (drums), and Devon Lougheed (rhythm guitar, keyboards).