The Art of THE UNSATISFIED - Part One

This amazing piece hangs in the main gallery at Meadowood. It is the first thing your eyes catch upon entering. This giant caricature, rendered in pen & ink of Eric, was created by Johnny in the early-1990s and immortalizes Eric's anti-hero spirit perfectly. It has always been one of my favorite pieces - Thanks, Johnny!

One of the most memorable attributes of The Unsatisfied's CDs, merch, and even their stage gear is the remarkable artwork that adorns them. This has become an earmark of the band's image, and we are lucky to have inspired fans to contribute works that continue to build the world Eric imagined. In this Music Blog, I will explore much of that artwork and tell a little about the provenance of each artifact to the best of my recollection. It is important to me to share the artwork we have curated over the years, as it deserves to be seen and its stories preserved. Undertaking the care of the collection has been a pleasure as I am an artist myself, and I am happy to showcase it for everyone.

One of the most loved parts of this collection is the guitar rig covers and bass drum head. These get a lot of attention from everyone who experiences them. They add cinematic power to the stage. Johnny is responsible for painting Seth's Ampeg bass rig and his own Marshall half-stack. In fact, this is actually the second Frankenstein's monster cover he has done for this amp; the first one was damaged and is now hanging proudly at HQ. Matt's bass drum head was ordered and printed elsewhere, but of course, it is Johnny's original disc design from Real Gone Pale Face. Wayno's Marshall is currently slotted for paint. The living dead girl, as pictured on the amp's temporary cover below, will be the final look once it's done. All of these pieces add an extra layer of intrigue to the backdrop and fill the stage with The Unsatisfied's elements, which enhance the atmosphere of the band's music and inspire a mood at their live shows that makes you feel like you're in an Unsatisfied movie.

Creatively, these musicians are the complete package. Experiencing their iconic amps on stage produces cinematic energy for fans waiting to see the band perform, amping their excitement and anticipation. These works of art have become as well-known as the band they represent and lend an ambient mood to the stage. (Photocredit: Jackie Courter)

The album covers are almost always hand-drawn art, but sometimes they are composited, or the band will commission photographers or alternative artists to create something unique. Traditionally, the covers have been designed by Johnny and me (Lysa). One exception is the Street Shaman album, which was commissioned work. This was Seth's project, and he did a great job. He felt commissioning a notable or upcoming artist would give the album something extra that would set it apart from the rest of the collection. Eric and Johnny gave him the green light, and Seth began researching and vetting, finally choosing French artist L'encrier Fele. The cover has a Native American Shaman, or perhaps even an African Voodoo Priest vibe, and it is just gorgeous! Seth also reproduced the album on T-shirts and limited edition vinyl, which truly showcases the beautiful artwork. There are no more shirts and only a very limited number of the vinyl, which features the original versions of "White" and "Angelic Wall" on the B-side and restructured versions of these tunes with Duane Denison on the A-side. If you do not have a copy of this album, you need one. To learn more about the studio sessions and other features, or to buy a copy of this album on CD or vinyl, check out our Discography page, where it is currently being showcased.

These six album covers show the types of mixed-media variants used; some hand-drawn, some composite. The Lustcraft cover was restored and rendered in a process similar to that of Real Gone Pale Face. Of all the covers displayed here, it is among the oldest, but it came out very high-res and beautiful. Originally, I created the cover from mixed media. The old female vampire image is an 18th-century woodcarving that I had PMT'd to bring into the 20th century, and make more printable and vivid. I layered the PMT against a black linen poster board, glued it down, and added touches of red beneath the vampire's nails and in a few other dramatic spots. I created The Unsatisfied pirate banner years ago by first sketching it out and then having it copied (this was before home printers were a thing!). The next phase was to tea-stain the print and bake it in the oven to age it, then add it to the vampire image to give it more pop. For the restored version above, I had to recreate a new title font, but I think it came out quite nicely.

Seven Inch Rock Scar is currently in the process of being restored for future rerelease. The original artwork, as you see it above, is very blurred and degraded, and the original files, sadly, cannot be recovered. The newer version will be a composite piece rendered from the complete set of original artwork plates with some new interior pages and back inset. You can view some of the current prototypes of this process below, which may change a few more times before we choose a finished plate. Although the original plates were damaged, fortunately, the photos and music are fully salvageable for remastering. It is a labor of love to restore and rerelease these albums. The Unsatisfied wants them out in the world and in the hands of fans. To their credit, these are all amazing albums. We hope to reissue them all gradually over the next few years, and with studio time in The Unsatisfied's near future, I am excited to have something new to work on as well!

Models for the updated art plates for Seven Inch Rock Scar. These are still a work in progress with many updates, but these are a good representation of the final cuts. Fortunately, the original photos and music remain intact, thanks to digital storage, and were able to be reimplemented into the redesign. If we decide to reissue this album on vinyl, we will create a special edition specifically to fit that format.

I also uncovered some plates from Real Gone Pale Face that we did not release in earlier Music Blogs. The first one (below left) is an animated variant of the cover meant for promotion but never used. It showcases some of Johnny's brilliance and skill, along with the original hand sketching and line work, which I personally love. The second one (below right) was an original plate from the second release of RGPF, and it features the Why-Man, another of Johnny's creations, with a small inset of Damon Moore, bass player for The El Caminos, who tragically passed away before the album's release. He is still memorialized in the liner notes of the reissued version, forever missed and never forgotten. The art on this one has a comic feel that stimulates the nerd in me. It's so emotive and atmospheric, and I appreciate the beautiful brushstrokes and dark palette Johnny imparted here, the imagery reflecting the overall theming that sets Real Gone Pale Face apart as a cathartic concept album.

More of Johnny's amazing conceptual art for RGPF. This unfinished version is perfect in its raw form and, for me, inspires strong Creepshow/comic book vibes!

Inset of Damon Moore (The El Caminos) against Johnny's forboding image of the Why-Man. This panel was the back page of the interior J-Card for RGPF in a previous version.

Flyers and promo posters make up a large part of the stronghold's collection. These were created and printed for every show, every album release, every event. Some were drafted by fans, notable artists, and other bands; others would arrive via record labels, and many were crafted in-house. We have some very large window and wall posters that were displayed in record stores. Criminal Records in Atlanta, GA, mounted a huge poster advertising The Unsatisfied on the outside of their headquarters for many months, which I wish we had acquired - though we would need a billboard to display it! Although we have almost run out of room for our current collection, we are always looking for more. The pieces are rotated regularly so that the whole collection may be enjoyed. They are mostly preserved in presentation folders in printed form; a few are framed and mounted; we also have a large collection of digital media and contributing artwork, gifted to us by artistically skilled friends, family, and fans.

This poster was created in the pre-Facebook era, when MySpace was the big thing! Celebrating the band's CD release of The Way to the Crumbs & 20th Anniversary, and here they are 20 years later, still Rocking & Ruling! The Unsatisfied's immortality is legendary! This gorgeous poster was produced by Antidote Records courtesy of CEO Sindo Lamas, and was circulated on postcards. One of my personal faves - Thanks, Sin!

Newer show flyer from 2024 created by artist Earl Freeman of Macon, GA (earlfreeman.com). David Black of Dogs of Verona commissioned his friend and artist for two pieces for this show. His use of color and imagery is so profound and evocative that it stirs your emotions and inspires your dreams! We here at The Unsatisfied HQ are huge fans of his work and are considering him for future projects. Thanks for the intro, David!

Original artwork created by Laurie Metcalf; circa 1986-1987. One of the first big art contributions to the cause, it was originally a flyer outline, then later transferred to a large canvas backdrop. Though the backdrop remains lost, the original art is still a vital and loved piece in the collection!

Great flyer by the folks at Burnt Hickory Brewery in Kennsaw, GA - many great shows there! The brewery has proposed crafting a specialty beer for The Unsatisfied titled "Real Gone Pale Ale!" What's your vote, Tribe? I think yes!

This flyer was created by the Star Bar for a show celebrating 35 years of The Unsatisfied. The El Caminos & Night Terrors shared the bill and together with the club owner, surprised the band with a birthday cake complete with candles and balloon decorations on the stage! Aw, you guys!

Much of the art in our collection was contributed by friends or professional artists. There are some interesting stories behind many of them. I want to examine these more closely, so I'll save most of them for Part Two. These few are just a handful of what we actually have in the archives to unpack, and some of the road stories that accompany them, and the origins of these pieces will blow your mind! Don't hesitate to comment with questions or requests, Tribe!

Drummer Matt Reynolds is a skilled tattoo artist. He has been contributing his talents not only to the music but also to The Unsatisfied's tradition of great art. Since joining the band in 2024, he has already created several sticker and flyer designs that are quickly becoming popular additions to the band's history and merchandise catalogue. One of my favorite pieces he's done so far is the snake man below. It brings Hit Parader vibes and makes me happily nostalgic!

If you are in want of a tattoo, stop by Matt's shop, Royal Cobra Tattoo, for ink! He'll do you good!

He is a versatile creator, and his style varies from project to project, which is important for a tattooist. But he tends to lean toward retro styles and pop culture influences that are a perfect match for The Unsatisfied's B-Horror movie, graphic, gritty, punk rock aesthetic and spirit.

Matt is also lending his articulate style to the complex, tasty Tribal percussions that the band's songs are structured around, adding his creativity to the new songs they are currently writing for the next album. One of the newer songs they are playing live at shows is "Feverhead." This tune carries a strong 70s head rock sound reminiscent of Deep Purple or Triumph that is quickly becoming a classic!

We have curated many unique specialty items created by some interesting, even frightening, sources. We have handwritten lyrics and comic art by Eric, which we will explore in another blog. Some novelty artifacts that were gifted by companies wanting to produce products for us. Large hand-painted wall banners. And of course, two huge wooden cutouts of the band name created by Johnny years ago. One is in desperate condition and requires rehab. The larger green one everyone is familiar with hangs in HQ, facing the studio table where we film, interview, and hold round-table discussions. I attached a few good samples below, but I will need to produce a video to more appropriately cover the scope of this part of the collection.

This amazing wooden cutout is a whopping 85" x 24" (roughly 7.5 x 2 feet) and a dark horror movie green! It makes quite an entrance when the band brings it out on stage and is a favorite conversation piece here at Meadowood. If you are ever invited for a visit, snap a pic of yourself standing next to it!

The cutout has graced the stages of Riverbend three times (2005 above), The Masquerade in Atlanta multiple times for showcases, and many other notable concerts while touring with the band.

Eric standing beside his artwork at the Artlightenment Exhibition held at the Church of Scientology Celebrity Center in Nashville, TN. This giant piece of the falling Morningstar was later sold after its brief tour in other galleries.

Eric has a history with crafted and visual art like his bandmates. He spent an introspective period exploring an esoteric theme. To that end, he was invited to attend the Artlightenment Exhibition at the Church of Scientology Celebrity Center in Nashville, TN. He was invited based on the nature of this particular collection of pieces, which fit nicely with their spiritual enlightenment exhibit. Though he is not a member, he was honored to be a part of this event and appreciates the experience as a validating part of his inner retrospective period. During this time, Eric painted theological deities such as Krishna, Lucifer, Jesus, and other religious and spiritual beings on large pieces of cardboard, paneling, hardwood, and even old doors. He upcycled by painting on remodeling and recycling scraps, and used lots of shimmering, colorful paints to give the pieces life and movement; most are substantial and heavy. The art made it to the stage with him at Riverbend in 2015 (video link here) and was featured in a few other local exhibits before being retired. Some of the pieces were sold, some were damaged, but we still have most of them here at Meadowood being restored for placement in the band's practice room. We will have to reserve Eric's sketches and journal art for Part Two of this series, but I hope we've given you a good lens of his style in these few pics.

Johnny's dancing devil girl. Penned for the CD jewel case back insert for the second release of Real Gone Pale Face and refurbished for the newer rerelease.

Eric hanging some of his artwork for a local month-long exhibit at Trailhead Juice here in Chattanooga, TN. Thank you, sweet friends, for including us!

The Unsatisfied setting up for soundcheck at Riverbend 2015; Eric's artwork (seen on stage behind Eric) accompanied the band to quite a few shows at this time, adding extra ambience to the stage set. Check out The Unsatisfied on FB to see a video of them performing "The Rupture" at this event! Click here to view now.

This is where we must part for now, Tribe. There is a shit ton of art to discover in the band's 40-year history, too much to cover in one 10-12 minute read. We will continue this series in either one or two more parts; each issue will reveal more rare items and uncover some forgotten classics. Future issues will also showcase more of the works created by outside contributors and the interesting stories behind them, like the story behind the flyer drawn by a serial killer! Yup, direct from his prison cell! We also may consider auctioning off one or two interesting items as part of our recording fundraising efforts later this year, but it's not set in stone yet, so keep following to learn more. Anything we decide will be revealed here in our Music Blogs!

Til next we meet, Luv 'N Blood, forever Tribe!

This is a small preview of some of the items you will discover on our new Random Unsatisfied Trivia Cards, being released this month as part of the 40-year celebration of The Unsatisfied's history. This artwork is some of Johnny's animation. The video was produced for U.S. Xpress and featured a song performed by the band. Do you know the title of this little gem? Watch for our Trivia Cards for the answer!

COMING SOON...

We will finish our stream of thought with The Art of The Unsatisfied - Part Two, and quite possibly Three. We are in the final editing stages of our Podcast trailers, and we will have those out soon. Also, we will be sharing some random trivia about the band members that is very interesting - watch for our Random Unsatisfied Trivia Cards, which explain the image above and more, here on the website, and in our socials. Please follow the band on their FB page & subscribe to their YouTube channel, they are trying to boost their numbers on FB, which is very close to 5,000 - you are the only ones who can help us reach that goal! And, if you haven't already, consider signing up for The Unsatisfied mailing list. You will get all the band news first! If you have flyers, stickers, photos, news articles, or any other media related to The Unsatisfied, perhaps something to enhance our art and music collection, please share them with the band’s archive collections by sending them to the email below, or mailing them to us at 4027 Meadow Lane, Chattanooga, TN 37406-1429. Thanks so very much for your contributions to our history, Tribe, especially for the time you have spent with us!

We want your feedback on this and all things The Unsatisfied. Please send us suggestions, comment on this Blog, leave a review on your favorite Unsatisfied album, or email us at theunsatisfied2020@gmail.com with whatever is on your mind. This content is for you; we value, want, and will consider your input before production.

THE UNSATISFIED THANK YOU, from the bottoms of our black hearts, for believing in us!