SATCHVAI Band: The Wild “Dancing” Video Featuring Dethklok’s Brendon Small

Published on March 3, 2026Updated on August 11, 2026

Key Takeaways

The SATCHVAI Band unveils « Dancing », the third single from the joint project by Joe Satriani and Steve Vai, released on March 2, 2026 via earMUSIC.
The video, directed by ZZ Satriani, features Brendon Small (creator of Metalocalypse / Dethklok) in a hilarious role as an over-the-top manager.
The track is a reinterpretation of a song by Paolo Conte, transformed into a high-intensity melodic guitar duel.
The U.S. « Surfing With The Hydra » tour kicks off on April 1, 2026 in Seattle, with Animals As Leaders as the opening act.

At Woodbrass, we’ve been following Satriani and Vai’s adventures since their first G3 shows, and every new chapter gets us fired up. When these two electric guitar giants release a video featuring the mind behind Metalocalypse, we jump out of our chairs. « Dancing », the third single from the SATCHVAI Band, has been available since March 2, 2026 via earMUSIC. Let’s break down a track that celebrates the joy of playing, humor, and limitless virtuosity.

A completely wild video directed by ZZ Satriani

The video was directed by ZZ Satriani, Joe’s son. The concept? Brendon Small, creator of the cult animated series Metalocalypse and real-life frontman of Dethklok, plays an hyperactive manager determined to recruit dancers for the band’s next show.

What follows is an absurd parade of audition candidates, synchronized with the lightning-fast lead exchanges between Satch and Vai. Sharp-eyed fans will spot a cameo from drummer Kenny Aronoff. It’s a fun, offbeat video that reveals an unexpected side of two guitarists often seen as “serious.”

Good to Know

Brendon Small is not just an actor and comedian: he is also an accomplished guitarist and a longtime friend of Satriani and Vai. His role in the “Dancing” video is therefore more than a marketing move; it reflects a genuine bond between fellow six-string enthusiasts.

« Dancing »: a Paolo Conte cover, shred-style

Musically, « Dancing » is not strictly an original composition. It is a reinterpretation of a song by legendary Italian singer and pianist Paolo Conte, revisited the SATCHVAI way. The original track is transformed into an ultra-melodic guitar dialogue, driven by infectious energy.

Joe Satriani describes the track as capturing the playful side of what he discovered with Vai during the 2025 European tour. Steve Vai emphasizes the idea of constant surprise, both musically and visually. The song alternates between soaring melodic passages and fierce bursts of speed—a perfect playground for two virtuosos who know each other inside out.

Pro Tips

Want to break down the techniques used in “Dancing”? Focus on the call-and-response exchanges between the two guitars: Satriani often lays down the main melody while Vai weaves harmonized lines around it. It’s a great exercise for working on interplay (two-guitar playing) and mutual listening within a band.

The SATCHVAI Band: a historic collaboration

“Dancing” is the third single from the SATCHVAI Band, following:

« The Sea of Emotion, Pt. 1 » (March 2024) — a cinematic instrumental that marked the official start of the collaboration.
« I Wanna Play My Guitar » (May 2025) — a rock anthem featuring the powerful vocals of Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple, Black Country Communion).

Despite nearly 50 years of friendship (Vai was Satriani’s student as a teenager!), the SATCHVAI Band is their first true band together outside the G3 format. The full lineup is a dream team:

Joe Satriani — guitar
Steve Vai — guitar
Kenny Aronoff — drums
Marco Mendoza — bass
Pete Thorn — guitar

A full album is slated for later in 2026. With three singles showcasing very different flavors, the record promises a journey through instrumental virtuosity, pure rock, and more atmospheric moments.

2026 “Surfing With The Hydra” tour: heading to the United States

Following a triumphant European tour in summer 2025—London, Paris, Copenhagen, Hellfest, Umbria Jazz Festival, Guitares en Scène—the SATCHVAI Band is taking on the American market. The « Surfing With The Hydra » tour will begin on April 1, 2026 in Seattle and wrap up on May 30 at Wolf Trap.

The icing on the cake: Animals As Leaders, Tosin Abasi’s trio, will open the shows. A double bill that will drive any technical guitar fan wild. Tickets are available at satchvaiband.com.

Woodbrass Tip

Inspired by Satch and Vai’s sound? Joe plays Ibanez JS guitars, while Steve plays his legendary Ibanez JEM/PIA. At Woodbrass, we offer the full Ibanez range to help you find the model that suits you. Sound-wise, a good pedalboard with delay, wah, and overdrive will work wonders!

A new chapter for two guitar legends

With « Dancing », the SATCHVAI Band confirms that this is not simply a side project between old friends, but a genuine artistic entity that embraces humor and unapologetic fun. The video with Brendon Small brings a welcome comedic dimension, and the song proves that Satriani and Vai have lost none of their chemistry. See you for the album—and onstage in the United States starting in April!