Van Halen, Red Hot Chili Peppers Launch New Project

Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith has joined the new "supergroup" started by former Van Halen frontman Sammy Hagar. The band, tentatively called Chickenfoot, also features ex-Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony and guitar virtuoso Joe Satriani and will enter the studio to begin recording its debut album this summer. Smith told The Pulse of Radio he got involved in the project by owning a home near Hagar's place in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. "If you're in Cabo, of course you know Sammy 'cause he's, you know, he rules the joint," he said. "And he's a really nice man, he's a great guy actually. Somehow he's taken a liking to me, and we played in Vegas, and we played some cover songs — we're a good cover band now. He got pretty excited about it and it actually sounded really good. Him and Joe got together up at his place and they wrote like five things together, and we'll see."

Hagar himself spoke about the project in a recent interview, explaining, "We've written eight, nine songs...When people hear the music, it's Led Zeppelin. It's as good as that. I know that's a mighty bold statement...We could rival Zep."

Hagar sang with Van Halen from 1986 to 1996, and again on a 2004 reunion tour, but left both times after feuding with guitarist Eddie Van Halen. Hagar said recently about his relationship with the troubled guitar hero, "I love Eddie, but we don't love each other. I heard that he got cleaned up again. Hopefully he stays that way and doesn't die, because before we both die we have to be friends again."

Chad Smith has been playing with former Deep Purple bassist/singer Glenn Hughes as well as his own jazz combo since the Chili Peppers came off the road last year after touring in support of 2006's "Stadium Arcadium" CD.

Thanks for the info to Blabbermouth.net.

Comments

[nehpets5555]

that sounds really ****in cool

[Farether]

cool ^^

[istegal]

wow that article just kept on getting better. Band with chad smith...sweet...fronted by sammy hagar....sweeeeet...with micheal anthony....sweeeeet.....with joe satriani!....**** YES!!

[100%guitarmad]

insane

[100%guitarmad]

understatement


:wtf:INSANE:wtf:

[VILLAIN90]

That sounds like one awesome band.

[Godbe]

Wow sounds pretty cool. Can't wait to hear some of their stuff.

[Stampede]

neat. very neat.
i'm sure it'll be a nice treat.
rival zep tho? that is bold as hell. it's hagar tho he can say whatever the hell he wants to i guess.

[negativecreep92]

Haha, modest as ever.

Should be quite interesting to see though. Not really a fan of Van Halen, and Satch isn't exactly someone ill listen to a lot. But Chad Smith is a bloody good drummer. Check out his Meatbats stuff.

[Vintage_Axe]

****ing awesome =D

i just lol'd when they said we could rival zep =P
but agreed with stampede, that is a bold statement to say =P

[dimebagsmygod]

No one can rival Zep, unless they add Eddie to the line up :P

[thejester]

ya dont think it will rival zep but hopefully it is good, i personally despise satriannis style but im pretty confident he can do anything as he is an amazing player

[belkobass]

yeah right. rival zep? haha thats funny.

[George W Bush]

I am your president and I ordered this group to be made. :] your welcome

[estranged_2003]

sounds .... well words cant describe what it sounds like hope they change the name though

[Habit Zero]

Might rival Zep? Not that hard to do, just steal from all the same people as them.

Sounds pretty cool, and Sammy sounds like a pretty cool dude.

[bolezhinkov]

I cringe at the thought . . . Im not a fan of any of these musicians.' to say the rival LZ is arrogant and weak at the same time.

sorry guys - you arent even in the same league.

[Stanty]

has the potential to be a awful collaberation..

Hagar has a great voice, but satriani would never fit into a "band" in the common sense. Michael Anthony is the most generic bassist going and im a massive Van Halen fan.

this is... ALSO old news.

[This1GoesTo11]

Laughing too hard to type any more . . .

[lead_zeppelin]

b itchin'
But no way they can rival zep (Satch isn't comparable to Page)

[sowhat360]

what is this going to wind up being...cabo wabo tequilla lryics with some rocking guitar.....basically some hard edged jimmy buffet?

[cj878]

Well this is a strange lineup if i ever saw one.

[acidfast]

this will either OWN all or flop on its face. Either way I look forward to hearing it.

[teo_huat]

cj878 wrote:

Well this is a strange lineup if i ever saw one.

+1.. definetely not expecting satriani would join em.. should be interesting, just hope it will sound like something we never heard of but in a good way.

[IMABBALLPLAYER]

Hopefully Chad doesn't just up and leave the Chili Peppers.

[aeroj06]

Sounds cool, but idk why they say VH when none of the VH brothers are in it

[RU Experienced?]

This should be a hilarious album. Not quite sure how they'll work together and there's no doubt in my mind they will fall well short of what Zep accomplished.

[redhotsexmagic]

thats some pretty ridiculous stuff right there..chad is awesome..definitely gonna have to check this out..and chickenfoot? haha crazy name

[thbeekk]

Chad Smith is THE SHIT

[guibass]

OH MY ***** GOSH Satch! Chad! Hagar! Van Halen!

WHAT DID WE

[guibass]

DO TO DESERVE SUCH AWESOMENESS?

[Andy Reierson]

Replace Hagar with, well, just about anyone and I'll be excited. I just can't stand the dude's voice.

[FreedomFighter]

This is gonna own.

[Aziraphale]

Yay for Chad and Joe, the other two... ehm, well... after the "Give to Live" video I'll never be able to take Hagar seriously. He's got a good enough range but that's about it, they'd do well with just about anyone else in my opinion. Paul Stanley maybe

[Fishermann]

"...When people hear the music, it's Led Zeppelin. It's as good as that. I know that's a mighty bold statement...We could rival Zep."

No, that's not a bold statement. Don't sell yourself short Sammy! LMAO!

[flamencogod]

Stanty wrote:

satriani would never fit into a "band" in the common sense.

satriani was in the touring deep purple for a while and it sounds quite great.

[bnull24]

Will Ferrell is hooking up with ex Van Halen members and Satriani?

[dgme92]

Satch, Chad, Hagar, and M. Anthony? Jesus Christ, this will be awesome. It's great to see Satch involved in a group with a singer too, I'm sure he'll have some awesome melodies, as will Hagar. Needless to say, Chad and Anthony won't disappoint either, they're too high quality. I'm all hyped up now :p:

[eltravo]

^lol thats exactly what I was thinking.

[CrabShrapnel]

I just came and shit my pant....I think that's called blimping

[CrabShrapnel]

*pants

[panterarocker]

The only good one in that band will be Satch.

Smith is a very over-rated drummer for what he does.

[flyingmarlin]

Holy shit!

[conman5895]

i heard this on the radio just 2 day awsome

[Goblumich07]

lead_zeppelin wrote:
(Satch isn't comparable to Page)

i can't stop laughing. seriously. that was one of the most ridiculous things i've heard in a while.

[perilouspete]

interested for the sole reason that Satch is the guitarist. so then it can't suck.

[Agregg9815528]

id heard about anthony and hagar on the radio a few weeks ago and i was like ....meh.....

but now that SATCH AND CHAD are onboard, HOLY SHIT!!!!!THIS IS GONNA BE FUCKIN AMAZING

[davedoom]

can't rival Zep. end of.

any one heard of "sum of its parts" saying....?

foolishness from Hagar once more.

[daytripper75]

this could be awesome. note i said could be. im interested to hear some of their songs.

[silent caution]

"it's Led Zeppelin. It's as good as that. I know that's a mighty bold statement...We could rival Zep."

i dont know.. i heard alot of "supergroups" that started talking before the music came out. and they sucked

[zerodeck]

davedoom wrote:

can't rival Zep. end of.

any one heard of "sum of its parts" saying....?

foolishness from Hagar once more.

if they have chad and satch, I honestly believe they can rival zep, really, I do

[IndianRockStar]

Michael Anthony isn't a very good bass player. Not as good as Flea. I don't think he'll do well with Chad. Flea and Chad just GET IT when it comes to playing with each other. And I'm not a fan of Sammy Hagar. But we'll see if this is good.

[mattvl]

Just the fact that THEY said they could rival Zeppelin, not even taking into the account that they haven't even recorded any material yet, is blaspemy. I don't care if they were some Elvis/Beatles pseudo-group, one album, no matter how good (and I'm sure it's not) does not best a legacy like that.

[darkfrost12]

That zep comment was supposed to come of as a joke, I think. That is a great line up, all well known musicians. The only one I'm concerned about is Michael Anthony. But if it is just good old rock and roll (which it sounds like its going to be) he should do just fine. And I'm sure he has learned to play outside of straight quarter notes by now.

[DarkfnTemplar]

[quote=lead_zeppelin] :
b itchin'
But no way they can rival zep (Satch isn't comparable to Page)[/quote]
I don't want to start a "guitar fanboy" fight, but thats just ignorance. You obviously haven't listened to both of them enough.

[stevezy]

i'm all for Smith, Satch and Anthony, but Hagar? that dude is sooo effing washed up it's not even funny.

[AdamOnDrums]

this could be killer, but Hagar and Smith is preddy different, when we talk about sound, but it could still be awesome, 'cause their all good musicians

"Hey, are you gonna eat that?"
John 21/14

[Samothomas]

This is going to be interesting.

OK I lied this is going to be absolutely totally ****ing awesome.

[whitestrat279]

Sounds cool, but the headline a kinda misleading. Its only Chad, it said RHCP and Van Halen, so I thought it would be more than one member of RHCP. Oh well, sounds kick ass.

[Neon D-von]

Rock on
Can't wait to check it out

[SoftParade1967]

Oh my god... thats ****ing intense!! I cant wait!

[Ichimaru]

Sweet, Joe Satriani and Chad Smith in one band.. can't wait.

[Captain Insano]

It's Sammy. Van Halen sucked after David Lee left. I don't see why there is so much hype over it.

[axeslinger0u812]

wow. satch, sammy, and chad smith? un-****ing-believable. i'm looking forward to this a lot.

[jakewynnrocks]

thats freaking amazing!!!!!

[iplay6string]

George W Bush wrote:

I am your president and I ordered this group to be made. :] your welcome

it's "you are" not "your"

but listen to this man!

SWEEEEET FUCK YES!

[Rocker_94]

I can't wait to see this!

[Guitar_Poet]

"before we both die we have to be friends again."

hahaha.

and joe satriani really came out of the blue there! lol.. sounds ****in cool.

iplay6string wrote:

George W Bush wrote:

I am your president and I ordered this group to be made. :] your welcome

it's "you are" not "your"

but listen to this man!

SWEEEEET FUCK YES!

nah, "your" was right in that case.

[Patres87]

this is very old news like 6 months old.

[Flying Couch]

Much as I am a David Lee Roth man... this sounds pretty damn cool.

[tomsawyer67]

man, like all the big bands that split are on different projects with eachother. its another hybrid band. these guys all rock so it should be pretty good, but on the other hand velvet revolver wasnt anything to die for. should be sweet though.

[TheReverend724]

George W Bush wrote:

I am your president and I ordered this group to be made. :] your welcome

shut up u stupid may '08er

[TheReverend724]

sry bout the double post but
chad=amazing

[magnum1117]

George W Bush wrote:

I am your president and I ordered this group to be made. :] your welcome

you are a president not a queen...democracy!!!!...but yeah looks like a good band...

[axefreak129]

wow. this has got to be the greatest thing thats ever happened!

[magnum1117]

iplay6string wrote:

George W Bush wrote:

I am your president and I ordered this group to be made. :] your welcome

it's "you are" not "your"

but listen to this man!

SWEEEEET FUCK YES!

it's "your" not "you are" "i am you are president" is not correct.

[matthippie88]

its sounds like its gonna be ok but i sick of these supergroups its just not impotant to music, moe just fun for the musicians

[kennyvspenny]

holy jesus that ****ing rocks! how about frusciante, alex van halen, flea, and diamond dave get something going?

[deknisely]

OHHH MAN. 07 and 08 have been very good to music so far. It's kind of funny how Michael Anthony is in this super group, considering he's pretty lame at the bass. IMO. lol. Runnin' With the Devil...HA. He can make some pretty catchy bass riffs though, I suppose...

[kar_kar]

hmm rival zeppelin, i dunno
i love the guys in the band though
and i zeppelin
who knows
but bonham is a god, chad can not be bonham

[tpot06]

**** me...what a band!!

[nothingman34]

This sounds cool.. But Hagar has quite the nerve to say they could rival zep!! I think that was a dumb*** statement

[E V H 5150]

I don't find Led Zeppelin that great, so I really don't care if they rival Led Zeppelin. I just want to hear what they could come up with. I don't listen to RHCP, so I don't know how good Chad Smith is, but if he's hanging out with Hagar, Mike and Joe, he must be good.

I think the real question is: Can they rival Van Halen?

[Batvanvaiych]

davedoom wrote:

can't rival Zep. end of.

any one heard of "sum of its parts" saying....?

foolishness from Hagar once more.

Although i agree that was a rash statement, Led Zep isnt THAT spectacular, i mean seriously i respect your opinion but im pretty partial so Satch

[Mattylightning]

i think my head will explode when this is all done and ready.

11 metalheads up!

[turbopantsdx]

Ichimaru wrote:

Sweet, Joe Satriani and Chad Smith in one band.. can't wait.

My sentiments exactly! Hagar I'm not too psyched about, and Michael Anthony doesn't really stand out as a bass player. They should ditch Hagar for Ozzy and Anthony for Flea.. I think my brain would explode.

[Kaervek]

Insane

[numberc]

wow, cant wait to hear something from them

[adamungar1]

magnum1117 wrote:

iplay6string wrote:

George W Bush wrote:

I am your president and I ordered this group to be made. :] your welcome

it's "you are" not "your"

but listen to this man!

SWEEEEET FUCK YES!

it's "your" not "you are" "i am you are president" is not correct.

He means the your from "your welcome" which is supposed to be you're

[tubey69]

the article has just melted my face, THIS IS GOING TO BE THE BEST BEEPING GROUP EVER!

[scarfacesuit]

So wait, why didn't they make a bigger deal out of Joe Satriani being in the band? I mean, this is UG... he's more famous/legendary on here than Chad Smith, or even Sammy Hagar really...

[Shread_6009]

This sounds really cool, unfortunately it means that RHCP and Satch wont be able to record anything for at least a year, but still, if its as awesome as i think its gonna be, it'll be worth it.

and for the record, it will neve come close to Led Zep, but that's not necesarily a bad thing

[oh poe poe]

"supergroup" is right, dang...

[Anno[fzk]]

With the talent they have on hand, they definitely can rival Zeppelin and than some.
I don't see the big deal with Led Zep anyways.
I know they helped pioneer proto-metal, influenced countless bands, got some rockin tunes, and so on.

What baffles me is how they are still the gold standard or that they are "untouchable".
They've been surpassed a multitude of times.
Not saying that they are bad by any means, just that people need to take them off the ****ing pedestal.

[the_white_bunny]

its going to be effin sweet.

[JWFcrazedguitar]

This is gonna' be one awesome band!!!!!

[aliceinnirvana]

This is amazingamazing.
If only a singer I truly enjoyed instead of tolerated.

[Hp312]

meh, it should be kinda cool, not a huge sammy hagar fan, nothing on david lee roth, but there we go
Think its really cool to see satch with chad and michael anthony, all in one group
I wonder if they can really rival zeppelin
I'd be suptised tbh
but we'll see

[Unrulyguitarist]

I hope this is the end of RHCP cause honestly, their last album was just over done. Everything sounded the same. I'm sick of hearing that dude "rap". Flea is the only one in the band I really like. Good luck to Hagar and all them.

[PCbassist]

Stampede wrote:
it's hagar tho he can say whatever the hell he wants to i guess.

...I think (hope) you're confusing him with David Lee Roth...

[BlackSymphony6]

great band awful name. chickenfoot wtf ...

[gilmour-page]

interested, but it probably won't last...what supergroup has??? I'm guessing one album, a tour, then they break up

[thisHATEinside]

HOLY FUCK ON A SHIT SANDWICH.

This will either be the most EPIC band ever or the biggest joke since "Supernova".

As well the claim that they are as good as Zeppelin is THE BOLDEST CLAIM EVER. Which either means Hagar has the biggest balls ever or is the biggest ****ing idiot ever.

[DOOdooroCK]

interesting shit

[the_white_bunny]

sammys pretty bad ass i dont know if he thinks its good it might be pretty effin sweet.

i mean he has been around since like 1973 he knows whats up.

[arcticradiohead]

Anno[fzk] wrote:

With the talent they have on hand, they definitely can rival Zeppelin and than some.
I don't see the big deal with Led Zep anyways.
I know they helped pioneer proto-metal, influenced countless bands, got some rockin tunes, and so on.

What baffles me is how they are still the gold standard or that they are "untouchable".
They've been surpassed a multitude of times.
Not saying that they are bad by any means, just that people need to take them off the ****ing pedestal.

ya people do put zeppelin on a pedestal but really like if you're looking at rock, if anyone deserves to be on a pedestal it's them. it doesn't mean they're the best ever, but they were the first to make that type of music at that level. it's like how everyone puts nirvana at the top of any grunge band or how rage is always gonna be put ahead of any rap-metal (haha that one's true tho)..

but ya idk. i like chad smith and satch a lot but i can't stand anything sammy hagar puts out. he has a fine voice and w.e but everything he does just sounds like a joke.

[fagelamusgtr]

Strange line up. Could be either REALLY good or REALLY bad. If they can mesh together well, it will be insane.
I'll be listening for the album to come out...

[bendystraw]

the title was misleading. i though all the chilis and all of current van halen were gonna make music, or tour.

[DANZIG767]

Anything with Joe Satriani is amazing

[0h The Horror]

Rival Zep...
A bold statement indeed.

[Harry Krishner]

sowhat360 wrote:

what is this going to wind up being...cabo wabo tequilla lryics with some rocking guitar.....basically some hard edged jimmy buffet?

That's too funny!

[Page/Rhoads]

I wanna hear this.

[scawti]

Sammy Hagar always says BS for a joke. I'm sure that's all that Zep comment was - to be taken as seriously as Spinal Tap

[castellorizon]

thats awesome

[SG-boy]

pretty cool for those guys to get together, but they won't be close to being as good as led zeppelin.

hey, does anyone other than me think that Chad Smith looks exactly like Will Ferrel??

[GodbowstoMath]

hmm, sounds like it'll probably be a fun record.

[travd92]

i hope sammy hagar's led zeppelin comment was a joke...i'm sure they won't surpass led zeppelin.

[ticklemeemo]

If they had Flea instead it might work out better. Satch and Flea seem like they would go together well. Except I don't think Sammy Hagar is crazy enough to work well with them, he's just too... normal..

[marktuazon]

trying to make the the ultimate band...reminds me of BECK.

[deadlyMETAL]

Never thought I'd see RHCP in the same article as Joe Satriani. But that's gotta be great right there. Plus ex-Van Bloody Halen members? Please give it a name other than Chickenfoot and I'm getting the first album!

[HighPotency]

Chad =D
Joe =D
Michael =D
Sammy =\
And rival Zep? Aside from a bold statement, its damn near impossible, and Sammy won't be the guy to do it.

[boxcarblink94]

George W Bush wrote:

I am your president and I ordered this group to be made. :] your welcome

rofl

and the worst part of this band is hagar.. haha... the others, im pretty stoked on.

also, PLEASE DONT COMPARE YOURSELF TO ZEPPELIN! god i want to slap him

[Ledhead82048]

OH SHIT OH SHIT OH SHIT!

oh my god, this sounds so sick

[jakethesnakeLP]

chad smith looks like will farrel

[korn2601]

haha chickenfoot what kinda name is that but whatever everybody in the band is badass!!

[zeppelin4evr41]

I would sell my left arm to get this album when they release one. This will be the best thing since the Zep reunion. Especially since no one can rival Zep except maybe Pink Floyd on a good day. That was a really egotistical statement on Hagar's part, but maybe thats just my inner Zep fanboy talking. Anyway, this will be awesome, and even better would be a world tour.

[flesheatingbull]

nice

[ihaterap69]

chad smith = will ferell

[TheNERD250]

awesome

[Havox]

Wow, this might actually be worth a listen.

[foob85]

I hate Sammy. He's such a cocky bastard and he made Van Halen into a cheesy keyboard group. Right there, he's just trying to look good. Ugh.

And Michael Anthony is a traitorous bastard for giving up the reunion for this crap.

[justine0393]

ihaterap69 wrote:

chad smith = will ferell

LMAO

This sounds niiiiice

[latkingz781]

Rival zep? haha yeah right... Everyone in zep has much more talent.

[marvelboy_04]

IndianRockStar wrote:

Michael Anthony isn't a very good bass player. Not as good as Flea. I don't think he'll do well with Chad. Flea and Chad just GET IT when it comes to playing with each other. And I'm not a fan of Sammy Hagar. But we'll see if this is good.

whoa, that just made me think, imagine if satch and flea got together! that would be insane.

[ViperScale]

Anno[fzk] wrote:

With the talent they have on hand, they definitely can rival Zeppelin and than some.
I don't see the big deal with Led Zep anyways.
I know they helped pioneer proto-metal, influenced countless bands, got some rockin tunes, and so on.

What baffles me is how they are still the gold standard or that they are "untouchable".
They've been surpassed a multitude of times.
Not saying that they are bad by any means, just that people need to take them off the ****ing pedestal.

Who has surpassed zeppelin? Zeppelin is one of a kind, no other band had the range of styles with good songs like them. There is no other guitarist like page imo, may not be technically skilled as other players but few if any other players that play like him.

Satch on the other hand probably technically better but you got Vai who is very close to his style and others.

[stevezy]

Anthony and Hagar are old friends from before he was in Van Halen I believe, so Anthony will probably always go wherever he goes. Whatever, I saw Van Halen a few nights ago, Wolfie's doin just fine.


"Have you seen Wolfie's grades???"
^Roth during "Cradle Will Rock"

[ramherson]

sweet satriani with chad smith man how cool is that

[druz15_UG]

OMG that is sooooo cool

checked.

[sheppo]

cool this will be a sweet supergroup. i feel so bad for michael anthony he plays in valen halen from the start and then when the reunion tour starts he gets ousted for the simple qoute "Well the band is called Van Halen"

[guitaringsailor]

Wow this is soo cool can't wait to hear it

[Ali-b912]

dimebagsmygod wrote:

No one can rival Zep, unless they add Eddie to the line up :P

Satch>Van Halen.

sammy hagar sounds like a twat, but hes probably close to being right. and damn UG for misleading article titles.

[ed_the_head]

can't wait!

[Night_Lights]

satch!!!!! awesome

[Agregg9815528]

I swear to god if this article somehow turns out to not be true (like the led zeppelin touring article) i think im gonna smash my guitar

[Time Seller]

Technically, any 'supergroup' with Satch in the mix has the very large possibility to be odd.

[Agregg9815528]

[afadsfas][sdafafsd]

[Agregg9815528]

turbopantsdx wrote:
My sentiments exactly! Hagar I'm not too psyched about, and Michael Anthony doesn't really stand out as a bass player. They should ditch Hagar for Ozzy and Anthony for Flea.. I think my brain would explode.



haha ok now that we're going down that road, how bout a group with steve vai, chris cornell, les claypool, and neil pert.

and throw in john popper on the electric harmonica

[CanCan]

holy win.

[tomastheboss]

When people hear the music, it's Led Zeppelin. It's as good as that. I know that's a mighty bold statement...We could rival Zep."



.....van halen not van hagar!

[MooshMooshMarc]

CrabShrapnel wrote:

I just came and shit my pant....I think that's called blimping

2nd'

[jshwak]

lead_zeppelin wrote:
(Satch isn't comparable to Page)

You've got to be kidding me !! right ?? Page is awesome.. but saying that satch isn't comparable?? are you Friggen serious ? It's Joe Fracken Satriani !!!

This will definately be an interesting album ..

[Entrant_21]

Sans Halen lol I have a feeling this might end up like the David Lee Roth band..remeber he left 'halen and hooked up with Steve Vai and Billy Sheehan not sure about the drummer but all star line up and it hit the pan..

[bolezhinkov]

well this band doesnt have david lee roth in it . . . so that might make a difference.

[soupdragon]

Unrulyguitarist wrote:

I hope this is the end of RHCP cause honestly, their last album was just over done. Everything sounded the same. I'm sick of hearing that dude "rap". Flea is the only one in the band I really like. Good luck to Hagar and all them.

OMG how dare you.

[cuige]

He's not trying to rap idiot!

[rancidryan]

too much win = fail

[Zertuche]

I dont like the RHCP at all, only because the local rock radio station plays their stuff religously.

[Funky_Fresh91]

Holy Crap RHCP are one of the best bands out there IMO, lookin forward to hearing some chickenfoot

[InsomniaRocks]

Hopefully this won't turn out like the steaming turd of Colonel Claypool's Bucket of Bernie Brains