POP MUSIC REVIEW : Georgia Satellites Have Yet to Reach Potential

Despite the unaffected good-rockin’ they may represent, the sad truth is that most actual bar bands are numbingly commonplace.

Certainly some groups elevate party music to a high art, but the Georgia Satellites at first didn’t seem to be one of them.

When this band hit in 1986, it seemed unworthy of the attention brought by its left-field hit “Keep Your Hands to Yourself.”

The Satellites’ Saturday Coach House show, however, had moments that suggested the quartet may yet attain the sublime.

While the songwriting, singing and playing that went into the 24-song show didn’t offer much in the way of individuality or virtuosity, some points go to Rick Richards for his snarling slide guitar work, which helped pump plenty of spirit into several of the songs.

The Beatles’ “Don’t Pass Me By” became a hard-rocking hot rod in their hands, matched by their own “Shake That Thing” and “Saddle Up.”

Richards fronted a smoldering ballad version of the current “All Over but the Cryin’ ” while co-singer/guitarist Dan Baird led an uproarious, free-flying “Dan Takes Five.”

If more of the band’s delivery was as unfettered, the Satellites might vie for greatness, but those moments were spread thin over a two-hour show.

And it was ultimately fatiguing hearing a group whose cultural matrix begins and ends with the Faces.