Chickenfoot Hit The Studio

After playing together live for the first time last February during a solo Sammy Hagar concert in Las Vegas, Chickenfoot, a new group featuring the ex-Van Halen vocalist, bassist Michael Anthony, guitarist Joe Satriani and Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith, is making an album.

"We were very excited about that show," tells Billboard.com. "We had never played together before and when we walked off stage, we looked at each other like, 'Wow, there's a connection here. We should do something about it.' So last week we were together for five days and we recorded nine tracks.

"As soon as Sammy and myself finish touring our separate solo tours we'll reconvene in Northern California and finish the record," he continues. "We hope to mix the album in January, have it ready for April and then we'll follow it up with a tour."

While the group was reportedly going to call itself Chickenfoot, Satriani said this was only a Hagar working title with a new band name expected closer to the release of the album.

"The style is high-energy, kick-ass rock'n'roll," says Satriani, who is about to begin a stateside tour in support of his latest solo album, "Professor Satchafunkilus and the Musterion of Rock." "We all bring to the table some unusual influences and then we also share a lot of roots. And I think that's where a true color of a band comes out, just how we react to each other. So, it's definitely rock music. We haven't brought each other together to do a techno record."

He adds, "We'll draw from funk, blues and experimental. We know what we want to get out of it. We want passages in songs that develop and we want everyone's personality to be able to come out. So, it's going to be expansive but it's going to be rough."

If the band's three-song performance, which included Led Zeppelin's "Rock And Roll" and Traffic's "Dear Mr. Fantasy," during the Hagar show encore is any indication, it appears that Smith is the glue that holds the unit together.

"The material is really slamming, and anybody who has ever been around Chad knows that he is a very huge personality, a very high-energy guy and his drumming in person is explosive," Satriani says. "This band really gives him carte blanche to go crazy. I think it's the best of what you'd expect, that's the best way to put it. No one is acting out of character."

Thanks for the info to Billboard.com.

Comments

[ValoRhoads]

I can't wait to hear what these cats come up with! It's such a weird mix of people and then wou through in Satch! Cmon, he's the man with the midas touch. This is gonna be a keeper!

[edbert]

"So last week we were together for five days and we recorded nine tracks."

very nice, that's efficiency right there, can't wait for the album

[Bamitchell]

This is either gonna be amazing, or a flop. Nothing in between

[init24]

i doubt the album is going to be that good
they're all good musicians, except Hagar, but i doubt their styles will meld very well to produce a good album

[dst127]

Chickenfoot sounds like the name of a Tom Petty band.

[heebblow101]

I heard some of it already, the album is going to be amazing!!!!

[eliterun]

this is going to rock.

hardcore.

[RonMexico]

The best part of this is Chad Smith.

They should get Scott Weiland as their back up singer. I've heard he is available.

[mdr9inchnails]

dst127 wrote:

Chickenfoot sounds like the name of a Tom Petty band.

+1

[riffer_raffer]

init24 wrote:

i doubt the album is going to be that good
they're all good musicians, except Hagar, but i doubt their styles will meld very well to produce a good album

I think you mean "except Michael Anthony", because Hagar knows how to write a tune... when a 16 year old kid can replace u in a band you have been in for 30+ years, that's embarrasing

[riffmasterjosh]

come on no youtube clips? there had to be at least one person there witha camera

[jmetalf]

The ultimate supergroup.

[hazzmatazz]

It does actually sound rather promising, and I'm kinda glad to hear Chad is occupied.

[charger356]

Can't wait to hear the new record. I'm not sure if it's going to be amazing or terrible... but I know it should be interesting. ha

[-[NiL]-]

I propose that they change their name to Satch, Chad, and the Leftovers.

[alex-led-zepp91]

riffer_raffer wrote:

init24 wrote:

i doubt the album is going to be that good
they're all good musicians, except Hagar, but i doubt their styles will meld very well to produce a good album


I think you mean "except Michael Anthony", because Hagar knows how to write a tune... when a 16 year old kid can replace u in a band you have been in for 30+ years, that's embarrasing

Michael Anthony is an alright bassist,he only got replaced by a 16 year old because EVH,for all his godly guitar skills, is an absolute ****

[ironBLSmaiden]

yea i agree with alex-led-zepp. i love evh but he's a ****ing duechebag. it's not michael anthony's fault he got replaced. he wanted to tour and the vh twins didn't want to, so he toured with hagar, and they kicked him out and replaced him with a shitty 16 year old

[ironBLSmaiden]

sorry for double post. meant brothers, dont knnow why i said they were twins

[panterarocker]

Satch is the only good one in the band imo, the music will probably be bad but I'll give it a listen

[Metallicaloveu]

panterarocker wrote:

Satch is the only good one in the band imo, the music will probably be bad but I'll give it a listen

WHAT THE FUCK?! Chad Smith? Not good? This is going to be awesome!

[Divided_Eye]

i expect something decent from chickenfoot. i wont be surprised if its pretty good, but i WILL be surprised if it turns out to be amazing. either way im gonna get it, because satch is just that awesome.

[goon316]

Sounds cool, I will definately give it a listen. Sammy has had some great vocal performances and Satch is Satch.

[jrayz13]

-[NiL]- :
I propose that they change their name to Satch, Chad, and the Leftovers.

AMEN ! =P

[scawti]

Michael Anthony is a lot better player than his VH resume shows - remember his sole-purpose was to keep steady time and make EVH look good. I remember telling people James Lomenzo was an amazing bass player and they judged him from White Lion to suck...

[b-rock34]

Why does everyone think this is such a weird combo? Let's see... a solid drummer... a guitar virtuoso shredding on a Peavey... Sammy Hagar on vocals... Michael Anthony on backing vocals and bass... a band that sites Led Zeppelin as their major influence...

Come on, people, it's gonna sound like Van Hagar. Which I don't have a problem with. I loved both versions of VH! But there's no way it won't sound like them.

[jshwak]

it's going to rock.. I don't think that Satch would be a part of something that was a piece o` shite !

[SoftParade1967]

this is gonna be awesome!

checked

[androidred0100]

This is definitely gonna be sick. It figures the drummer is the lynch pin that keeps everything together. It was the same with Ringo and The Beatles, though I highly doubt these guys will ever be that big. Hell, NOBODY will ever be that big. Still though, CAN'T WAIT!

[tom-the-lawn]

I'm excited

[5150rando]

im pretty excited about this. like someone else said i think this will either be a flop or a major hit. i cant see it being mediocre, cuz stuff like this in todays time will either be a hit or die completely... lets just hope sammy doesnt get smashed again and say that they are better than zeppelin! its a pretty bold statement.

[rageagainst64]

RonMexico wrote:

The best part of this is Chad Smith.

They should get Scott Weiland as their back up singer. I've heard he is available.

hahaha scott weiland...Chad Smith is the man though.

[kennyvspenny]

this will ****ing own.

chad smith is THE man.

[newaccount]

Did anyone find a video clip of when they played for the first time?

[acshadow25]

i bet they will end up calling themselves chickenfoot

[everlong12]

i hope they keep the name chickenfoot

[Badmotorfever]

People should drop the shit about Hagar and Anthony. They're a solid team, and remember, theres a REASON Anthony was in VH for 30 years. He's a solid bassist and one hell of a harmoist. Hagar is steady with his voice, his guitar skills are intermediate and a good-kind-of-cheesey at best. Chad is one of the best drummers, Satch is Satch, nobody's expecting anything less of him.

Interesting point that this will sound like Van Hagar material. Ever noticed how the ex-lead singer swipes up someone just as good as Eddie? Happened with David Lee Roth and Steve Vai...

[rhcpjhlz]

It's nice to see Chad Smith really get some credit, especially when you consider who is in the article. It's nice to see a drummer get the spotlight.

[alnicoV]

i just noticed, steve vai played with roth. and now satch is playing with hagar. vai and satch are really good friends and played together as kids...

ITS A CIRCLE!

[Flariduh]

alnicoV wrote:

i just noticed, steve vai played with roth. and now satch is playing with hagar. vai and satch are really good friends and played together as kids...

ITS A CIRCLE!

He taught Vai how to play...

[Polystant]

I cant wait, this should be awesome.....Just wondering though, what happens to Chad when the Chili Peppers start up again?

[Buttman5000]

I really hope this rocks. i love all these guys...but they're kinda hardcore talking big about it...

[Megadeth2011]

Cant wait for it. As for Wolfgang VH replacing Anthony, Anthony is much better. I think Eddie just wanted his kid to play in Van Halen. I saw VH in Indy, and let me tell ya, Wolfgang blew.

[Pauldapro]

I'm glad to see more "We", not "me" from someone as awesome and technically gifted as Satch. This proves that even the best guitarists in the world can be humble and considerate.

[redhotsexmagic]

Polystant wrote:

I cant wait, this should be awesome.....Just wondering though, what happens to Chad when the Chili Peppers start up again?

peppers aren't gonna be doing anything for another 2 years and this kind of band is a side project for all these guys so once their main commitments come back into play, they'll all resume those when the time comes. for the record chad is the friggn man. so so so damn underrated. I think he'll finally get a chance to show off how nasty he is on the kit with this group. lookin forward to this one for sure.

[Seidenschnur]

Why give Michael Anthony any flack? His sole purpose was to provide the bass rhythm so Eddie could do everything he wanted. There was no room for fills or solos because that's what Eddie did. If anything Mike knows when not to play, which is the best thing a bass player can do. Plus, he's an excellent back-up vocalist.

[Aftertime]

"So last week we were together for five days and we recorded nine tracks."

There's something Axl should take note of. 5 freakn days! not 14years dammit!

can't wait to hear this out! Satch continues to impress and inspire me not matter what

[iksero]

Aftertime wrote:

"So last week we were together for five days and we recorded nine tracks."

There's something Axl should take note of. 5 freakn days! not 14years dammit!

can't wait to hear this out! Satch continues to impress and inspire me not matter what

Haha +1 they did in one week what it's taken GNR to do in a decade Sounds like it'll be good though.

[Tatersalad1080]

sweeeeet
chad smith is one of my favourite drummers and i love satch

[randyaintdead82]

dst127 :
Chickenfoot sounds like the name of a Tom Petty band

i think it sounds more bucket head "Enter the Chicken" anyone?

[Moe-]

This is going to be an awesome band or a total fail. I'm still disappointed by Wolfmother separation, im hoping this will make me forget about it

checked.

[Haveacigar]

at the very least, we all know the guitar will be great

[ironman01]

joe is the maddest he makes everything rad.

it will be awesome if he shredds the whole way through it

[Pete24v]

i think this will bre great, All the guys are awesome, it'll be good to see Satriani playing with songs and playing 'for the song', instead of the usual instrumental stuff. There'a few posts here about Hagar, there's no denying the guy has a great voice, and can write songs, all of VH 'hits' were Hagar's. Also the guy is a fantastic guitarist, i saw him live in Cabo 2 years ago, boy can he play!

[waveningkan]

yes!will farrell is making music!lol.was referrin to chad there.

[GN'R Dude]

Looking forward to some new Hagar/Anthony harmonies. Check out Big Fat Money off of Balance to hear exactly what I mean.

[Samothomas]

heebblow101 wrote:

I heard some of it already, the album is going to be amazing!!!!

links?

this is going to be awesome.

[poor_blue_crabs]

It might be good, but the name they have is soo dumb. How did they discover it again? Weren't they eating chicken legs?

[RUSH is GOD2112]

scratch hagar.
how bout.
chris cornell and joe satriani?
that's a band made in heaven...