Sammy Hagar: Chickenfoot Better Than Van Halen

If you’ve been following the news articles on Ultimate Guitar in the past couple of months, you’ll know that ex-Van Halen front man Sammy Hagar has been very vocal on his thoughts about the band’s recent reunion with original singer David Lee Roth. Now, in a new interview with Radio Metal, Hagar has compared his current act, Chickenfoot to his former band mates. According to him, his current group comes out on top:

Radio Metal: Anyway, does that bother you when you hear people comparing Chickenfoot and Van Halen?

Hagar: Oh, no, I think it's fantastic. Really, it's fantastic. Are you kidding me? If you take Joe [Satriani] versus Eddie, you take Dave [Lee Roth] versus me, Wolfie [Wolfgang Van Halen] versus Mikey [Michael Anthony] , Chad [Smith] or Kenny [Aronoff, Chickenfoot's touring drummer] versus Al [Alex Van Halen]… I mean, come on! You know what I mean? Man for man, who can sing the best? Dave or I, today? Who can play the best? Joe or Eddie, today? Who could play or sing the best? Wolfie or Mikey? I think it's a joke. Sure, I love the comparison as long as it's fair. Not because you're a big Eddie Van Halen fan, you think that he's God, therefore you think that he's better than Joe; you have to be bipartisan and just listen and watch both of them play. Listen, I played with them both, I can tell you right now: there is no comparison today. Never mind the innovator that Eddie was. I'm talking about what they can play today.

So in other words, Chickenfoot is way better than Van Halen?

As individuals, absolutely! I've been in both bands, I can tell you right now. Take the new albums and compare them track by track and then tell me.

Hagar also criticised Van Halen’s decision to recycle a number of their original demo tracks for their new record, A Different Kind of Truth:

So you think they don't have any inspiration today?

I don't think so. I think there's zero inspiration and zero creativity. If there was any, they would write new songs. What does the band do? When Chickenfoot got together for our first album, we were four new guys and we got together and wrote ten, twelve songs and made an album. When we decided to do our second album, we didn't go back and take the two songs that were left over from the first album, we wrote all brand new songs. Because we're new people, we're inspired. Here's what we have to say, here's what we want to play now, here's who we've become since then.

Comments

[Pagan_Poetry]

Remember that time he said he was abducted by aliens? He must have been probed way too hard or the aliens left something in him. No one with a sane mind could be this arrogant.

[Soundservant]

completely different genres...

[PatVanHalen5150]

God Sam, shut the f**k up. The only thing he says here that holds water is him singing better than Roth. He always had the stronger voice.

However...

Joe wouldn't have a pot to shit in if it wasn't for Eddie, I guarantee you Wolf can outplay Mike with one arm tied behind his back & Al, while not a technical wizard like Mike Portnoy or someone else of that nature, is one of the most solid drummers ever to sit behind a kit.

Lay off the Cabo, Sammy. CF had trouble filling the Bank of America Pavilion when they came to Boston in 2009 (place holds 5,500 people). Van Halen just sold out the Garden in a half hour.

[L2112Lif]

I'll agree with him on this; Chickenfoot is comprised of superior musicians.


That being said, they make shitty music together.

[MonsterOfRock]

PatVanHalen5150 wrote:

God Sam, shut the f**k up. The only thing he says here that holds water is him singing better than Roth. He always had the stronger voice.

However...

Joe wouldn't have a pot to shit in if it wasn't for Eddie, I guarantee you Wolf can outplay Mike with one arm tied behind his back & Al, while not a technical wizard like Mike Portnoy or someone else of that nature, is one of the most solid drummers ever to sit behind a kit.

Lay off the Cabo, Sammy. CF had trouble filling the Bank of America Pavilion when they came to Boston in 2009 (place holds 5,500 people). Van Halen just sold out the Garden in a half hour.

I'd agree with you on the fact that Hagar should shut up, but its practically retarded to say EVH is a better guitarist than Satch. Satch isn't from the EVH school of thought, Satch is way more old school inspired, and the eccentricities that separates his guitar playing from the rest is completely his original and shares 0 similarities with EVH. Eddie still sticks to his old tricks and hasn't evolved a single bit, whereas Satch sounds different on every album. Lets set 'popularity/influence' aside for a second, and see that Satch is the epitome of modern guitar playing.

While I dunno about Wolfgang's playing much, but sure as hell can't do backing vocals like Mikey. No one can. And please, don't call Alex a solid drummer when you're comparing him to the mighty Chad Smith.

Look I hate having to compare the bands and I like both and think Hagar should STFU. But man for man, player for player, Chickenfoot is factually better than current VH. Chickenfoot might not sell half as many tickets as the reuniting VH, but they put out a killer live show (watch 'Get Your Buzz On' dvd) and I don't see current VH being a more solid band than they are. Don't like the band? Good for you, but don't diss the players.

[motorizer]

Baby needs his diaper changed, He`s only crying like the little bitch he is cause he isnt in Van Halen anymore ..

Get over dude grow the **** up, Chickenfoot is just nothing but a group of ''Never-Was'' put together for a last gasp of nothing. 30 years from now Van Halen will still be icons and people will go what the **** is Chickenfoot ... You already lose 10 points for having a name as stupid as that ..

[jamsking]

tool

[SaintBento]

motorizer wrote:
Get over dude grow the **** up, Chickenfoot is just nothing but a group of ''Never-Was'' put together for a last gasp of nothing. 30 years from now Van Halen will still be icons and people will go what the **** is Chickenfoot

I'd like to point out most of the group is in the Rock and Roll HOF.

[BlackLabel5150]

Who the the hell is chickenfoot?

[sabres61]

Duane Allman once said the great thing about music is it's not a competition, there's no score...

[MattKempton]

lets see whos still on the radio in 10 years

[Tarsplitter]

MattKempton wrote:

lets see whos still on the radio in 10 years

As individuals, absolutely!

Read the article before commenting, yo.

[wafflesyrup]

So what does this have to do with the love of music?

[Charley2715]

SaintBento wrote:

motorizer wrote:
Get over dude grow the **** up, Chickenfoot is just nothing but a group of ''Never-Was'' put together for a last gasp of nothing. 30 years from now Van Halen will still be icons and people will go what the **** is Chickenfoot

I'd like to point out most of the group is in the Rock and Roll HOF.

True, and I would like to point out that the R&R HoF has essentially become a load of bureaucratic BS.

[mustaine42]

A group of Never Was... Do you think before you speak?

[MidniteHaze]

Chickenfoot: Supergroup.
Van Halen: Regular friends/garage band.

I love chickenfoot, but Van Halen has 30 years up on Chickenfoot.

[AcdcTXfan]

So far, Chickenfoot III > A Different Kind of Truth. Seriously, "Last Temptation" and "Different Devil" are better than anything I've heard so far on the new VH album.

[1201ZJ]

Chickenfoot: Superior musicians.
Van Halen: Better songwriting.

Just my opinion.

[anwclark]

Chickenfoot may have the superior musicians but they'll never be remembered like van halen

[VanHalenPanama]

yeah Chickenfoot is full of amazing musicians Satriani is immense Michael Anthony is fantastic Sammy Hagar is old but still good but Van Halen have influenced so many people and Eruption is a guitar masterpiece so Mr Hagar needs to hush

[bubkusjones]

MattKempton wrote:

lets see whos still on the radio in 10 years

There are stations that still play Sinatra, Paul Anka, Elvis, Roy Orbison. There are stations that specialize in the 60's and 70's stuff, there are disco and Soul stations, there are 80's metal stations. Trust me, there will be stations that play both bands 10 years from now.

The question is, will their Van Halen quota have any of the new album, or will it be classic Van Halen/Van Hagar, the same as they play now?

Like it or not, Sammy has some good points. Each Chickenfoot album is of new material written for those albums, the new VH has at least a few rehashed songs and studio outtakes. Joe Satriani, today, is miles beyond the guitar player (from a technical standpoint and a musical standpoint) than Eddie is. People can't disagree about the Mikey/Wolfie comparison, because that seems to be the biggest complaint about the new Van Halen stuff, it's missing Mikey's background vocals.

Sammy Hagar made some good points, and I find it funny the number of you are getting offended over it. It's like you put Van Halen on some sort of pedestal to be worshiped.

[Trmoen89]

PatVanHalen5150 wrote:

God Sam, shut the f**k up. The only thing he says here that holds water is him singing better than Roth. He always had the stronger voice.

However...

Joe wouldn't have a pot to shit in if it wasn't for Eddie, I guarantee you Wolf can outplay Mike with one arm tied behind his back & Al, while not a technical wizard like Mike Portnoy or someone else of that nature, is one of the most solid drummers ever to sit behind a kit.

Lay off the Cabo, Sammy. CF had trouble filling the Bank of America Pavilion when they came to Boston in 2009 (place holds 5,500 people). Van Halen just sold out the Garden in a half hour.

Van Halen also has the name, which makes a big impact, even with many hit-and-miss albums. Joe and Eddie are the same age, so there's no influence there. Wolfie first learned guitar, and a guitarist playing bass for the convenience does not a bass player make.

[RichieJovie]

Pope catholic, bear takes poop in woods. Yes Chickenfoot are better, there is no doubt. They just need a few more albums with classics to be legendary. Van Halen these days are poor tribute to themselves.

[chrisvasco23]

both bands are good if it werent for van halen where would music be? sure the new stuff isnt what we were expecting.. but sammy is "pulling a portnoy" with it and has been for sometime.

[KingBobert]

sabres61 wrote:

Duane Allman once said the great thing about music is it's not a competition, there's no score...

And he was awesome!!
Really though, I just love the music. So Van Halen's new record isn't going to be fantastic, big deal. I never expected it to be. But maybe the next record, or the next record, or the next... I just love the idea that we might get more Van Halen.
And Chickenfoot's awesome, and ALL of these musicians in BOTH bands are outrageously talented (with the possible exception of Wolfie..?)

[CronoMagus]

Someone needs to get that stick out of his ass.

[Xomar]

what a joke.

[Archieisted]

anyone who says eddie is better than joe has some issues with being able to see technical skill on the guitar, Sammy also sings way better from a technical standpoint but meh its all opinion really

[benjixoath]

motorizer wrote:

Baby needs his diaper changed, He`s only crying like the little bitch he is cause he isnt in Van Halen anymore ..

Get over dude grow the **** up, Chickenfoot is just nothing but a group of ''Never-Was'' put together for a last gasp of nothing. 30 years from now Van Halen will still be icons and people will go what the **** is Chickenfoot ... You already lose 10 points for having a name as stupid as that ..

yeaaaaah. because chad smith and joe satriani are REALLY struggling. how many millions is the new chilli peppers record selling?

[Highelf04]

Oh god Sammy....
You could not BE more of a douche right now

[HARTATTACK69]

I have to disagree, first I prefer Sammy's voice and Solo work. But I like David Lee Roth's Van Halen over Sammy's (Why Can't this be love is my favorite song either way) My ranking would go
Van Halen (Roth)
Sammy Hagar (Solo)
Van Halen(Hagar)
Chickenfoot
David Lee Roth (Solo)

[TheLifeguard]

I saw Sammy opening for Aerosmith a couple years ago, sounded like absolute garbage live.

[__Aggie1876__]

Bro, I'm a Van Hagar fan. Been a fan of all things Van Halen since I was in first grade, and I grew up listening to 5150 and Balance (they're still two of my favorite albums.) So understand that I say this as a devoted fan: Shut. The. Fuck. Up. You have "Not over it" written all over you, and it's getting embarrassing. I would pick you over DLR because you were the voice of my childhood. You could make the case that Anthony is better than Wolfie (he has a couple of years on him after all). But comparing Satriani to EVH and Smith to AVH is just ****ing dumb. And I think you know how stupid you sound. Just get over yourself, dude. Get over it.

[RDRUMMER]

Entitled to his opinion... Just not making it that big deal, though.
I love Chickenfoot, so if you don't like it, be respectful to these amazing musicians and keep these comments to yourselves. Same goes for Van Halen.

[Eirien]

chrisvasco23 wrote:

both bands are good if it werent for van halen where would music be? sure the new stuff isnt what we were expecting.. but sammy is "pulling a portnoy" with it and has been for sometime.

I hope the phrase 'pulling a Portnoy' sticks.

[bobt68021]

van halen was the best, then he wrote jump... enough said. i literally vomited one time after hearing that song

[FootSwitch]

Sammy makes a great point, as individuals chickenfoot camp is much better cept with drumming I'd take Alex over Kenny any day. Still love Van Halen and Chickenfoot, its a shame they cant get along cause Chickenfoot opening for Van Halen would have be awesome, rather then Kool and the gang.

[NJ1018]

Satch is WAY better solo than he is with Chickenfoot. Their music is anything but special to me. When I listen to one of their songs I forget about it the second it is over. The last two days I've been listening to the 90 second previews of VAN HALEN's new album and they all stick in my head. So what if it is all old demos? That's a normal thing to do if a band has been around so long.
And it makes absolutely no sense to compare a band man by man. That's so ridiculous I had to laugh. That way Chickenfoot would win over lots of iconic groups, whose music is still faaaaar superior. To me Sammy Hagar has always had the image of a pretentious sellout. (Wow, i am probably stepping on a lot of toes here) He is only seeking attention by saying things like that. I just got even more sick of him after reading this. Satch, Chad and Mike I love. As musicians and as individuals. But Sammy.... ok I'm done.

[DarkieBC]

Where is the "aliens" guy when i need him ?

[scawti]

Mike Anthony is the most under-rated bass player on the planet - and Wolfie is quickly becoming the most over-rated. As far as writing, DLR+EVH have written songs way better than anything that Chickenfoot has put out. Most songs written by SH+EVH are way better than anything that Chickenfoot has put out. However,the new VH material isn't nearly as good as Chickenfoot. It seems 'trendy' to think any Van Halen song sung by DLR is better than anything sung by Sammy, so the band puts out mediocre songs knowing it will sell just for DLR singing them.

[Arr0wHead]

I get the impression that, much like megadeth/metallica, these guys intentionally re-kindle these Van Halen feuds every time there's a new album release so they can get more press and sell more records.

At this point, it just feels contrived.

[nido]

What a ****ing troll

[dcamp67]

Sammy, I completely agree. Eddie was the man. Now he's a nutty recovering alcoholic who is trying to relive his glory days with the singer he never should have kicked out of the band. Chickenfoot is better, now... and before this project I wasn't even a Satch fan.

[rockfreak611]

I chickenshit is so much better, then why is a huge chunk of your solo set still filled with van halen tunes? might wanna think before you say something next time, Sammy.

[rockfreak611]

if*

[rkbls111]

rockfreak611 wrote:

I chickenshit is so much better, then why is a huge chunk of your solo set still filled with van halen tunes? might wanna think before you say something next time, Sammy.

this makes absolutely no sense, yes, ok, his solo set hes playing HIS Van Halen songs.....so whats your point....Sammy is absolutely correct and he speaks the truth!!! Everyone in the current VH is washed up and finished....they waited x-amount of years to give us this dogshit?!?!

[AnEvilWalrus]

Chickenfoot is one of those bands that is NOT greater (or even up to par) than the sum of their individual parts, unfortunately. Man for man Chickenfoot is better, but as a whole Van Halen is a stronger band, and I don't even LIKE Van Halen.

[ed_the_head]

Honestly, I prefer Chickenfoot to "new" Van Halen, but it is ridiculous to compare them, especially if you are Sammy Hagar. Nobody needs this kind of discussion

[Enix165]

Oh, please. Maybe it's because I grew up on Van Halen and never liked Satch's playing, but...c'mon. And Chad Smith's a good drummer, sure, but Iunno, I think Alex is better. But...yeah...EVH kicks the SHIT outta Satch IMO, maybe not from a technical point of view, but...Iunno. You never hear of people going around with Satriani shirts, and I never even heard of the guy 'til they put him in Guitar Hero(that being said, that's just after I got into guitar).

[RGallagherFan]

I don't particularly care for either of them *puts on Zeppelin*

[Christmas Guy]

I will state a fact. "I had pizza over my lunch-hour". I didn't sit there and ponder if the pepperoni's were better than the Canadian Bacon's... I just enjoyed them BOTH. Let's just all agree to disagree.

[stef123]

RGallagherFan wrote:

I don't particularly care for either of them *puts on Zeppelin*

Win.

[Spud Spudly]

Sammy just sounds bitter at this point. There's no need to compare the bands. If one is better than the other then everyone will know without him saying anything.

And Duane Allman getting on the motorcycle has to be the worst thing to ever happen to rock and roll.

[Chozodragon]

rockfreak611 wrote:

I chickenshit is so much better, then why is a huge chunk of your solo set still filled with van halen tunes? might wanna think before you say something next time, Sammy.

You haven't read the quote ...

[Tylern1]

I'm sure if he was in Chickenfoot then, and Van Halen now he would say the opposite

[rhs5110]

Chickenfoot is a thousand times better than van halen seriously have you guys heard van halens new album its total garbage!

[rhs5110]

And this is ultimate guitar any real muscian knows that satch is way more technical than evh

[sunburstshredde]

Chickenfoot is okay IMO. Their music is proof that putting four great players won't produce great music.

[Spartan101400]

How long can one man stay butthurt?

[AxlVanhalen]

Chickenfoot is the epitome of mediocre. They are a bunch of artist from other bands that decided to make a band to pass the time. Sammy is still pissed because he isnt in Van halen anymore. DLR is and always will be the real lead singer of VH. I cant believe that some people believe Van Hagar could touch anything that the real van halen did. Even jump is better than all of those sappy love songs that van hagar wrote. Sammy shut up and drink your tequila bitch

[AxlVanhalen]

Oh and sammy saying joe is better than EVH is another way for sammy to lash out at Van Halen. Sammy knows with out a shadow of a doubt that EVH is lightyears better than joe.

[PuddleJumper11]

Even IF a band is comprised of superior individuals, if they can't mesh and create good music, it's all for naught.

[kill it]

rhs5110 wrote:

And this is ultimate guitar any real muscian knows that satch is way more technical than evh

and any real musician that actually gigs knows technique doesn't necessarily equal superior musicianship.

[Spud Spudly]

This is like the dreaded "T" word in sports (the NFL in particular) -- Talented. There are lots of "talented" teams out there losing to teams that play better as a team. Chickenfoot is talented.

[ermonski]

as a fan of both bands, I think both do produce really good music, though Chickenfoot sounds a bit fresher for me.

hey, let's be glad we have both bands to enjoy!

[arnolddrummer]

Chad Smith> Alex
Joe Satriani=Eddie
Hagar?Lee Roth
Wolfgang> Anthony

[taytay8b]

Sounds like Sammy's gettin a little nervous about this new Van Halen stuff.

[ThrashMetal014]

Sounds to me like Sammy's a little upset that the 2012 VH tour is gonna sell more tickets than the Chickenfoot tour :P

[Gen.Braddock]

We know Sammy, we know.

[BradTheBluefish]

Sammy's right. Chickenfoot today surpasses Van Halen of today. If we were comparing Chickenfoot's songs to "Panama", "Dance The Night Away" "Can't Stop Lovin' You", "Jump", and especially "Eruption". No freaking chance!!!

[iTz WiNTeRs]

rockfreak611 wrote:

I chickenshit is so much better, then why is a huge chunk of your solo set still filled with van halen tunes? might wanna think before you say something next time, Sammy.

Because those are the Van Halen songs he wrote?

[VanHalenPanama]

i think its unfair to compare Michael Anthony and Wolfgang Van Halen because Anthony's been alive longer and has been playing longer...

[priestfan76]

Sounds like a whole lot of butthurt Van Halen fans. Van Halen stopped being good after Roth left, and that has nothing to do with Sammy coming in, it was all the Van Halen brothers, always has been. Chickenfoot is Van Halen but better musicians, can still write good songs, better live show, and I'll take Sammy's arrogance over people that shit talked him for years any day if it means I don't have to hear Eddie be the biggest prick on the entire face of the planet. Yeah woo hoo Eruption is brilliant, put on Surfing With The Alien and get back to me.

[MoFly41]

This is probably true. To have a song de force like Joe Satriani, who writes not only his incredible music but also all of Coldplay's - Chickenfoot is an innovative, completely original group trailblazing Rock N' Roll in the 21st Century.

[DekeRivers]

Spammy Hagar is a delusional piece of "Chickencrap". Hagar is the EX-PSYCHO GIRLFRIEND of Van Halen. Chickencrap is average stuff material at best. You know there are issues when the lead singer of a band spends more time talking about his former band than his current! The other members of Chickencrap should be pissed that he can't quit talking about his FORMER band. The Ex-Psycho Girlfriend "Spammy" would go running back to Van Halen in a second if they asked, which Thank God will NEVER happen! What a low class excuse of a human being!

[PerpetualBurn]

I wonder how uncomfortable Satch feels about this quote :/

[standard41]

PatVanHalen5150 wrote:
, while not a technical wizard like Mike Portn
Joe wouldn't have a pot to shit in if it wasn't for Eddie, I guarantee you Wolf can outplay Mike with one arm tied behind his back & Aloy or someone else of that nature, is one of the most solid drummers ever to sit behind a kit.

Not just this band, but why does it seem like every single band who has a 'mediocre' drummer, the fans of that band justify them by calling them a "solid" drummer.

ie. Ringo Starr, Nick Mason, Lars Ulrich..

[CinderellaFan14]

Hagar is still very sore about being kicked out of Van Halen. He's upset because Van Halen has become instantly popular and Chickenfoot hasn't. The new Van Halen went #1 on the Billboard Hard Rock Chart, which is amazing. Chickenfoot didn't. "Tattoo" is the lighter rock song off the album, and every Van Halen album has the lighter rock song that was the single. The more samples and previews and entire songs that I hear from the new Van Halen album, the more and more it sounds just like classic Van Halen, which I'm sure Sammy is upset about. Van Halen cannot fail, but Chickenfoot can and sort of is, which I'm sure angers Hagar. His ego is way too big to say Van Halen can survive without him. Let his mind rot in his own negativity. I'm not getting caught up with any more of his Axl Rose or Gene Simmons-like attitude.

[Ironpriest]

Neither band are THAT good. Give me Arctic Monkeys any day...

[zaz5]

So Sammy... if you gotten this far reading these fan comments.... You should show respect for your current band by not talking about your x-band anymore!
Channel your energy to writing better lyrics to match the quality of musicianship by the rest of Chickenfoot.
... and oh yeh... Satch is the best!

[Kajinaga]

I've heard of Van Halen. Just sayin'.

[GMPX]

Oh, he forgot one important comparison, who is going to sell out every show when they tour?

[myleaux]

Wasn't Sammy the one who agreed to tour with Dave when Sam's Van Halen gravy train dried up? That wasn't beneath him then, to go out and sing all old Van Halen songs without the VH brothers! And this garbage about comparing better musicians - musicians in VH and Chickenfoot could care less about who's a better guitarist, bassist or drummer - even Eddie has said in interviews he doesn't compete or compare himself to other guitarists, Satch seems humble enough to not get caught up in this nonsense. Looks like Sammy is the only one with an issue here (maybe Mike, but does anyone really care about him?) - sounds like sour grapes to me. You're out, Sammy; deal with it.

[guitar7masta]

as arrogant as he sounds, i can't help but completely agree with him. the new van halen just sounds... lame. kind of washed up, bland. there's really only a couple of decent songs worth listening to.

when i listened to chickenfoot 3, my first reaction was that i thought it sounded like a GOOD van halen. i hope they all continue with chickenfoot because imo they blow van halen out of the water, no question.

[guitar7masta]

some of the people in here sound just as arrogant as sammy.

[Parkl]

Kind of pretentious, but so is Eddie...

[captaindammit]

They might not sound as good as they used to but van halen is van halen.

[ironBLSmaiden]

scawti wrote:

Mike Anthony is the most under-rated bass player on the planet - and Wolfie is quickly becoming the most over-rated. As far as writing, DLR+EVH have written songs way better than anything that Chickenfoot has put out. Most songs written by SH+EVH are way better than anything that Chickenfoot has put out. However,the new VH material isn't nearly as good as Chickenfoot. It seems 'trendy' to think any Van Halen song sung by DLR is better than anything sung by Sammy, so the band puts out mediocre songs knowing it will sell just for DLR singing them.

probably one of the smartest comments i've even seen on this site lol. i don't really love chickenfoot's music, but it is better than the new VH album, and i mean he is being kind of a dick about it, but he's right honestly. as musicians, they are much better. the older songs that VH wrote (with both roth and hagar) are way better than chickenfoot's songs, but he really didn't say that chickenfoot's music was better than older VH, just that it's better than newer VH (which is true) and that they're better musicians (which is also true)

[CaptJMH]

SAMMY HAGAR SUCKS,I CAN'T BELIEVE HE DOESN'T REALIZE IF IT WASN'T FOR DAVID LEE ROTH AND THE VAN HALENS,HE'D STILL BE DRIVING AROUND IN A HONDA CIVIC(DEFFINANTLY UNDER 55)

[CaptJMH]

Sammy Hagar SUCKS,if it was not for Diamond Dave and the Van Halens he'd would have been the one hit blunder he is.Now he gets to criticize the BEST band ever?? I guess Mikey Anthony and Hagar will be walking the isle soon.Chickenfoot,id rather go fishin!!

[CaptJMH]

Last comment,doesn't Sammy look alot like Phyllis Diller??

[MacEricG]

When Dave first left Van Halen and Van Halen got Sam, I said no problem — now we get twice the music. I'm feeling the same way today.

That being said, everybody seems to act like a prick at one-time-or-another depending whether they are in or out of the band.

After his words at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, I thought Sam was above this kind of talk. Guess not, but I'll probably continue listening to both Chickenfoot and Van Halen anyway.

[bitchfist]

Chickenfoot is just nothing but a group of ''Never-Was'' put together for a last gasp of nothing

yeah chad smith, satriani, and micheal anthony never did anything worth mentioning.... you dolt!

[rgt42dx]

Wow, as great a singer he is, what a smug mother****er. The new VH samples sound more inspired than Chickenfoot even though I like Chickenfoot and their members are way superior at their instruments. Respect flew out the window for this guy. Jeez.

[hihi7]

Sammy sounds like hes really butthurt.

[guitarguy918]

NOPE! Van Halen is still better.

[mikejl64]

Joe made a living teaching kids how to play Van Halen while Eddie was on top of the world...and Satriani was still trying to find someone to sign him to a record deal....of re-hashed Van Halen riffs. Who is kidding who? Hagar is a jealous old hag who should thank his lucky stars he was ever in Van Halen. Chickenfoot sounds great...but its just rock. Dave sounds like Dave always did...the lyrics never made sense. Sure...I'm pissed that Mikey isn't in the band, but I hate to say it.....Wolfie can play....and sing....check him out playing with Alterbridge....on DRUMS! He is better than the 2 dudes Sam have playing drums for his so he should just shut his pie hole and enjoy the royalties the interest in VH will generate him...lol...prolly more than his current band, or past solo career will make him combined.

[DiverDown316]

Damn Sammy be hatin!!! I never thought of SM+EVH to be VAN HALEN, Id rather to think of that band know as "Sammy Hagar and Friends" LMAO

[guitar7masta]

mikejl64 wrote:

Joe made a living teaching kids how to play Van Halen while Eddie was on top of the world...and Satriani was still trying to find someone to sign him to a record deal....of re-hashed Van Halen riffs. Who is kidding who? Hagar is a jealous old hag who should thank his lucky stars he was ever in Van Halen. Chickenfoot sounds great...but its just rock. Dave sounds like Dave always did...the lyrics never made sense. Sure...I'm pissed that Mikey isn't in the band, but I hate to say it.....Wolfie can play....and sing....check him out playing with Alterbridge....on DRUMS! He is better than the 2 dudes Sam have playing drums for his so he should just shut his pie hole and enjoy the royalties the interest in VH will generate him...lol...prolly more than his current band, or past solo career will make him combined.

whoa whoa whoa buddy, did you just say JOE SATRIANI plays re hashed VAN HALEN riffs? ARE YOU CRAZY?!

no, you're not. you just haven't ever listened to joe. i can see getting a little irradiated by sammy's attitude in this article, but to dis one the the greatest guitarists of all time, because you're mad at someone else, is just plain ignorant.

satriani can do rock. he can do metal. he can also make very beautiful, harmonious songs.

say what you want about sammy, but leave joe alone. what, suddenly he's a loser because he taught kids?(and mother ****ing STEVE VAI)

[guitar7masta]

*irritated. not irradiated. :/

[coolchip_25]

I think that there's only one way to settle this...Epic. Rock. Battle.

But let's be honest Van Halen always has and always will kick ass...Sorry Sammy. =\

[spennyboy7]

I do prefer Diamond Dave with VH though ( if you like Van Hagar thats your thing and listen to what works for you), but don't diss on Sammy he has some pipes. Look up Montrose self titled album, that is some good SH (if your into good 70's hooks). Both bands create great music and i think this is all a show to promote record sales , think about it, a lot of people are going to look up both bands and compare albums and such then badda bing badda boom they might buy an album or two. Both bands have great musicians, and no one sucks or they wouldn't have been talked about in this article. What ever happened to the thought of sex, drugs, and rock n roll? Isn't it all about a good time ?

[Chanceypants13]

Lets ask Van Halen about Chickenfoot.
oh wait.. theyre busy selling out huge arenas like they should be because they deserve it. go back to the mothership dude..

[Remokays]

They are only selling out the arenas bacause of old hat songs man, cresit to sammy for trying something new, and not being afraid to speak his mind. The world is full of followers and you have to break out on your own.

[rainmaker646]

Sammy has totall right !Chickenfoot is absolutely incredible band and Joe Satriani is far beyond other guitar players.

[Creepingdeth89]

I can see VH and Chickenfoot being the newest debating trend on this site. It's already getting annoying, as somebody else said earlier Chickenfoot may be the better musicians but they arn't particularly great together. I wish Sammy Hagar will stop being an arrogant and jealous twat too by constantly making these comparisons.

[tys gretsch]

chickenfoot is terrible..he is just jelous that we get to see the original lead singer recording with the band (which is amazing) i think eddie alone beats chickenfoot i mean come on.

[Way Cool JR.]

Not a fan of Sam or Joe(together or separate),never have been never will be. Van-Halen with Dave is always win I love his voice and style and EVH is a legend & innovator. I will definitely be picking up V-H's new album.

[Vans2314]

coming from the guy that completely ruined VH's credibility, for me & countless others...

[iscreamicecream]

chickenpoop rocks

[OUhockey10]

New Van Halen blows compared to Chickenfoot

[AxlVanhalen]

Even jump is better than all of those sappy love songs that van hagar wrote. Sammy shut up and drink your tequila bitch

[motorizer]

Chanceypants13 wrote:

Lets ask Van Halen about Chickenfoot.
oh wait.. theyre busy selling out huge arenas like they should be because they deserve it. go back to the mothership dude..

Oh my god!, Even I felt that one ... Nice dude lol

[brown m&m]

As entertaining as this whole debate is and this is a debate that sammy just started knowingly! Its completely ****ed, honestly. I can't believe anybody would fall in this trap. Sammy is a has been! He would never in his life time be who Roth was and is, there is no comparison. I love satch great guitar player but he can never ever write music that Ed did 30 years ago and can't now or play the guitar like ed did in the day.Ed the innovator satch is offspring and took it to another level. I love Mike wish he was in the band but i will take a different kind of truth any ****ing day hell ya cant wait for the release and there will be a huge release fuk yah!!

[FXchicago]

I think you nailed it on the head BROWN M&M. The funny thing is, everyone involved is great at what they do. With Sammy, i think it's sour grapes. He has said repeatedly that he doesnt understand why Eddie didnt contimue with him in the band. Fair enough. Sammy has Chickenfoot now. Move on. Life's too short. Hey, Van Halen store just mailed my new Van Halen album. Cant wait!!

[FXchicago]

If you notice, nobody in Van Halen has said a word. Preping for the sold out mega tour...i guess ... whatever! Haaa

[Riddy-G]

You smell that?
That very obvious smell...
it's the smell of..
Butthurt

[jhs5150]

This is the same kind of verbal diarrhea that got Sammy kicked out of VH in the first place. He never knows when to shut up. Get over it Sammy.
BTW, I have both Chickenfoot albums and as much as I like Joe/Mike the albums are nothing special. The new VH album absolutely rocks!

[jbankens986]

I'm not even comparing musicians. Perception whether it be visual, auditory is all subjective. There is never one absolute truth to anything. It's all about what hits you emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. As for me? Edward hit me in the chest when I was 8, still does, no matter who he was playing with. To each his own, though. I also find it silly that everyone attacked A Different Kind of Truth from samples, though once it was released everyone praised it. Anyway just love the music you love, man.

[tens]

I don't think Chickenfoot are so superior as musicians. Eddie and Alex and Wolfie are all playing really well, especially Eddie, surprisingly. He must have really quit drinking because he is just flowing. Joe Satriani is a great guitarist, but also kind of boring and generic sounding. EVH sounds a lot more interesting imo... at least with the way he is playing now. His chops are not bad. Sammy may be a better singer than Roth, but that is not really saying much as Roth has never been much of a singer. Roth brings personality and wackiness and a sense of danger to the proceedings. I think this band could kick ChickenFoot's ass actually with the way they are playing.

[mikejl64]

guitar7masta wrote:

mikejl64 wrote:

Joe made a living teaching kids how to play Van Halen while Eddie was on top of the world...and Satriani was still trying to find someone to sign him to a record deal....of re-hashed Van Halen riffs. Who is kidding who? Hagar is a jealous old hag who should thank his lucky stars he was ever in Van Halen. Chickenfoot sounds great...but its just rock. Dave sounds like Dave always did...the lyrics never made sense. Sure...I'm pissed that Mikey isn't in the band, but I hate to say it.....Wolfie can play....and sing....check him out playing with Alterbridge....on DRUMS! He is better than the 2 dudes Sam have playing drums for his so he should just shut his pie hole and enjoy the royalties the interest in VH will generate him...lol...prolly more than his current band, or past solo career will make him combined.
whoa whoa whoa buddy, did you just say JOE SATRIANI plays re hashed VAN HALEN riffs? ARE YOU CRAZY?!

no, you're not. you just haven't ever listened to joe. i can see getting a little irradiated by sammy's attitude in this article, but to dis one the the greatest guitarists of all time, because you're mad at someone else, is just plain ignorant.

satriani can do rock. he can do metal. he can also make very beautiful, harmonious songs.

say what you want about sammy, but leave joe alone. what, suddenly he's a loser because he taught kids?(and mother ****ing STEVE VAI)

Listen to Joe's first recording....nothing special....and he was teaching kids how to play VH...The new product speaks for itself. Sold out arena tour....lol..I just read an interview where Sammy said he had a window of opportunity to get III out....yeah...that window was the fact that VH was coming out with product in 2012, and all the while Sam insisted that VH wouldnt do a thing. I feel bad for Mike Anthony...he played on all of those Simmons and WB demos, and the bass lines a pretty much intact as they were in 76-77. Maybe if Sammy woulda just shut his trap over the years, there wouldn't be such hard feelings. That and Ed's addictions. He looks good and sounds great...let's hope he keeps it up.

[Davead]

Firtst of all: I love old Van Halen. Their first 4 albums are very dear to me. It was a time when Eddie and Alex were on top of their game, writing and playing some incredible stuff. However, fast forward 30 years: it is painfully obvious neither Eddie or Alex practice much and it makes me sad. I want them to still be the musicians they once were, but they're not. On the other hand, the members of Chickenfoot are still very serious about they're craft and it shows. Joe Satriani's abilities have only grown better with time whereas Eddie's have diminished dramatically. I wish Eddie could regain sum of that sting and clarity he onced possessed. I want him to be great again. Eddie's playing on A Different Kind of Truth is nowhere near the brilliance he showed on Fair Warning. As for Dave, Alex, and Wolfgang... Dave is a showman and not a serious vocalist. I've seen him live many times and I can honestly say he was fun to watch, but horrible to listen to. Alex was one of my favorite drummers growing up, but now??? As for Wolfgang... He's there because he's Eddie's son. Don't make the mistake of thinking he had to try out... Only time will tell if he can really play. If you're impressed by his playing, I suggest you take a trip to the NAMM Show on any given year. You'll find a hundred bass players there who are more talented. As for Michael Anthony, he's never been a monster player, but his backing vocals and solid play are a huge asset to any band he's in. I summation, for me it comes down to who would I pay to see play TODAY. Chickenfoot wins it hands down...

[benjamin1977]

OK first off Sammy is nuts but gotta love the guy. and EVH vs Joe please I will take Joe every time
and Mikey vs the kid aka Wolfgang again I gotta go with Mikey.
and Dave vs Sammy SAMMY SAMMY SAMMY look at the solo records sold. and the drummers either Kenny or Chad vs Al its Chad or Kenny

[benjamin1977]

thank you Daved your right brother

[SamHomeWrecker]

I have lost all or any respect for Sammy. He sounds as catty as teenaged girl. He has always been insecure with his comparisons to DLR, even in earliest interviews where he went from noting he was nervous fulfilling the big shoes of DLR fronting his favourite band of all time. The guy is a dirty shoe. not a team player. he has no respect for what has given him newfound fame and wealth when is star rating was fizzing away in LA. Who cares who can sing a nasally higher note or not .. he took the grind and dirt sound out of VH music and made it prettier sounding. Christ VH could have hired Steve Perry or the guy from Warrant to do the same job. VH lost their cool factor, garage sound when he joined. I could care less if their songs went number one or not, it all depends who you are up against on the charts at the time of release. In 1984 no one could contend MJ Thriller sales (albeit, EVH played on that album while they held number 2 spot). SH owes his fortune and fame to VH, including the intitial endorsement of VH's Bar opening in a sleepy MX town. The guy pisses on all those who gave him fame and enabled new fortune. He wore promo T's, sporting cabo at VH shows, advertised banners at concerts, created promo videos with VH members, as well had songs entitled on VH albums after the bar's name. The guy uses people and pisses on them later..and ultimate never has anything good to say about anyone whether DLR, EVH, ALEX or Wolfgang....Misery likes company let's manipulate MA on my side create a wrench in VH original membership, sign obligatory touring and recording contracts away from VH. Slander VH in and sell books on the back of VH. Follow VH around on and booking Chickcrap in a week or so of VH tour dates. Try a mirror a band (JS - top guitarist, MA - -actual guitarist / vocalist). Right Now, SH sucks, Right Now, SH is bitchin about something, Right Now Chickcrap is playing lesser venues and hotel theatres and cruise ships, Right Now VH army is extactic about VH being back..just need MA to cut the cord with SH. Right Now as usually SH cant write a number one if he tried. Right Now SH is throwing somebody under the bus.