We have been receiving scattered reports concerning the resurgence of a somewhat mysterious phenomenon that first began affecting our sector in 2018. Sensors have detected distorted and thunderous but carefully arranged sound waves entering our atmosphere, originally broadcast from an undetermined point in space.
The arrival of the crew known as Jupiter Pilot in the southernmost points of Mississippi has informed the local population of a much broader story with the sonic energy they carry. Travelers on a mission, they seek knowledge to gain and to share, and each stop on their journey is an opportunity to bring more people into the cause.
The story began for the crew as it does for many rock bands: with the creation of a superpowered artificial intelligence system by corrupt, money hungry authorities.
Jupiter Pilot’s mission leader, known as Mercury, met with the original crew lineup several Earth orbits ago when investigating this alleged AI system and the fleet of stolen starships it helped command. During this task, it was discovered that the government of their universe had misrepresented their creation, and that the AI was not a machine, but a human woman called Jupiter whose mind had been merged into the system to act as its core against her will. The crew commandeered a ship and Mercury, who has the ability to interface with machines through touch, connected with a piece of Jupiter that day, established a mental link, and gained the insight that formed the center of what would become Jupiter Pilot’s mission. The original crew landed and began appearing in the southern United States, spreading their sounds and recruiting an audience before mission conditions and personnel changes caused them to suspend their search and go dark almost entirely… until now. Mercury and Major Ezrah Riker, a rogue sniper and long time crewman are joined by the bounty hunter-turned-loyal-partner known as Cipher, and S207, a spaceship mechanic android on a personal mission to learn more about being human. As the crew continues on their journey of discovery and their quest for justice and truth in the face of corruption, Jupiter speaks to Mercury at every stop, guiding them one step further on their path.
Section 2: The Band
Jupiter Pilot is a Cinematic Experimental Metal band, presented with a “cyberpunk space opera” narrative. Their original music incorporates atmospheric ambience, hard driving rock tones and multi-genre influences arranged to flow with their story and concept. Currently on a resurgence after a long hiatus through the early 2020’s, they’ve spent much of the last year blasting their way back into the rock scene with a revamped catalog and stage show.
“The shows themselves are supposed to feel like you’re going to the movies,” said vocalist Michael Sanders, aka Mercury. The band’s original music, he explained, is often performed in a particular order and is meant to act much like a film’s score, carrying the tone and pushing the story forward through sound. The band’s reimagined and curated selection of cover songs, such as Filter’s “Hey Man, Nice Shot,” are more comparable to a film’s soundtrack, adding spice to the story and are peppered throughout. The band embody their characters on stage and have been developing and increasing the level of visual theatricality they bring to their shows. They’re a fully self-contained crew, having taken to producing their own merch and recording and re-recording their own music in house.
Currently, three tracks are available to stream which were freshly released in 2023 ahead of the band’s new chapter, including their current leading epic “Cryosleep.” They are planning for a full EP release in early 2026 and have ideas in motion for theatrical style music videos and accompanying media such as books. Their music is steeped in lore but also fully enjoyable at its surface. You don’t have to know every detail of the backstory to rock out at a Pilot show, but if you want to, you’ll find their in-universe authorities have presented a bit of publicly accessible information that can be reached through the band’s official website. There you can learn a bit more about the status of their world, and even the current bounty for Mercury’s capture.
Being an involved part of the area’s music scene and working with artists and venues who are passionate about their craft, and letting loose with good people looking to make a positive difference is a driving experience for the band.
“I want to tell stories,” Sanders said, “and I want to… as cliche as it might sound, make people think about the stuff that’s going on in the world.”
Jupiter Pilot will be landing at Trax Bar in Long Beach on November 8th with Left on Red and Etched in Embers to join in on the Self Doubt and Burnt Out tour, and are scheduled to appear on an upcoming episode of The Red Radio Show.
Catch their official website and socials below for transmissions about future appearances.
~Enjoy Local Music~
@ScottiRedd
scott@coastobserver.com
Mercury – Vocals – Michael Sanders
Major Ezrah Riker – Guitar – Dustin Brooks
S207 – Drums – Matthew Stegall
Cipher – Bass – Richard Stegall
jupiterpilotband.com
Facebook @jupiterpilotband
TikTok @jupiterpilot
Instagram @jupiterpilotband
Photos by Samantha Overby Photography LLC
