Chickenfoot, The Ultimate Super-Group…Sorry Velvet Revolver

This is turning out to be one of those things that I just can’t wait for. In fact, I am so anxious for this particular thing, that I can barely sit still. This thing that I am talking about, it is the upcoming release of Chickenfoot’s self-titled debut album, and the subsequent tour that will follow.

Chickenfoot consists of Sammy Hagar (Van Halen, Montrose, The Wabos), Michael Anthony (Van Halen), Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers) and guitar hero Joe Satriani. As you can tell by the line-up, this band will classified as a super-group, and the expectations are going to be high due to the backgrounds that these gentlemen come from.

I have always been a big Van Halen fan, whether it was David Lee Roth singing, or if it is was Sammy Hagar singing, I am a fan either way, I don’t take sides. So to hear that Sammy and Michael Anthony were working on a project together got me quite excited to say the least. I became even more excited in the last year, as I had a chance to see Sammy Hagar live in concert with his backing band the Wabos. Let me say, that Sammy puts on the best show I have ever seen in my life. He still sounds exactly like he did during is Van Halen days and its easy to see this because he plays a lot of his Van Halen tunes, and when couples with his solo catalogue of songs, it is quite impressive. 

By bringing in Michael Anthony, it will give fans a bit of nostalgia for Van Halen, and I think this will draw in the crowds. With Chad Smith on drums, they get a very reliable drummer, and get access to the RHCP catalogue, which would be quite interesting to hear Sammy sing some of those songs. I don’t know a lot about Joe Satriani, but I do I know that he is a legend among guitar players, and I hope to hear some kickass riffs coming from his direction.

Yesterday I managed to listen to the two songs that were released by Chickenfoot as a teaser for their upcoming albums. These songs can be found here. Let me just say that these two songs fucking rock! I was quite impressed with what I heard, and it got me even more excited for the release of their new album. Chickenfoot has already stated that neither of these songs will be their first or second singles, so this gets me even more excited to hear what else they are going to unleash upon us.

Finally, the thing that gets me the most excited is the North American tour that will commence in fall 2009. As I alluded to above, Chickenfoot will not only be playing their own songs, but they will be playing songs from all of their very distinguished backgrounds. That means we are going to be hearing some Van Halen, some RHCP, some Satriani solo stuff, and some Sammy Hagar solo material. This will fucking unbelievable to see live in concert, and I will surely be one of the many who go and see them when they come to Southern Ontario. Hey Sammy, how about a stop at Casino Rama again like you did last summer?

Anyway, this has the feeling of one of those bands that are going to gather quite a large following. Like I mention in the title, sorry Velvet Revolver, I think your place as the pre-eminent super-group of the 21st century has been taken by these legends of rock and roll.

And as the band themselves have stated on their website:

What is Chickenfoot?               I dunno.