The guitar gods have spoken—and their message is loud, proud, and packed with power chords. Joe Satriani and Steve Vai have officially launched their collaborative project, the SatchVai Band, with the scorching single “I Wanna Play My Guitar.” It’s a title that couldn’t be more fitting for two of rock’s most iconic shredders. Adding even more firepower is legendary vocalist Glenn Hughes, best known for fronting Deep Purple during the band’s ‘70s heyday.
The track, a thundering celebration of six-string devotion, also features an all-star rhythm section: guitarist Pete Thorn, bassist Marco Mendoza, and drummer Kenny Aronoff. Together, they fuel a track that feels both nostalgic and forward-looking—a sonic blast of pure, unapologetic rock ‘n’ roll joy.
Speaking to Guitar Player, Satriani reflected on the track’s roots. “This song depicts all that Joe and I used to think about as teenagers,” Vai added. “All of the things we loved about pounding rock and roll and the glorious guitar.” That teenage dream of guitar worship is embedded in every lick and lyric, a love letter to the instrument that shaped their lives and careers.
“I Wanna Play My Guitar” almost had a second vocalist—Justin Hawkins of The Darkness. Satriani had planned a dual vocal performance after meeting both Hawkins and Hughes on the Monsters of Rock Cruise. But a bout with COVID left him foggy and forgetful, and by the time he reconnected, Hawkins was locked into promoting a new Darkness record. Fortunately, Hughes was all-in and more than up for the task, delivering a powerhouse performance that Satriani described as “essential” to the final track.
The timing couldn’t be better. The SatchVai Band is set to ignite stages across Europe this summer on the Surfing with the Hydra Tour, kicking off June 13 in York, England. While Satriani and Vai have shared bills before, this marks their first full-fledged band project—a true summit of shred.
For fans of arena-ready riffs, virtuosic solos, and old-school rock attitude, “I Wanna Play My Guitar” isn’t just a song—it’s a mission statement.
