Chickenfoot - Chickenfoot (2009)

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Chickenfoot - Chickenfoot (2009)

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In true old-school "supergroup" fashion, Chickenfoot is a hard-rock dream team. Composed of vocalist Sammy Hagar (Montrose, Van
Halen), bassist Michael Anthony (Van Halen), drummer Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers), and guitar virtuoso Joe Satriani, the combo grew
out of a few impromptu jams, but the combination was judged strong enough to record an album and go on tour. The resulting disc is a full
-throttle, unapologetic rock record, brimming with the same party attitude and sense of fun that made Van Halen so legendary. From the
"Boris the Spider"-esque locomotive descending riff and manic screams that drive "Oh Yeah" to the screaming guitar solos and pounding
drums of "Get it Up," these songs showcase veteran musicians having the time of their lives, playing the type of music they know and love
best.

Formed in 2008, the hard-rocking "supergroup" Chickenfoot features the talents of vocalist Sammy Hagar (Van Halen, Montrose), bass
player Michael Anthony (Van Halen), drummer Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers), and guitar virtuoso Joe Satriani. Formed out of a series
of impromptu jams at Hagar's club, Cabo Wabo Cantina, in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, the band made its live debut at a 2008 Hagar solo show in
Las Vegas before deciding to take its signature blend of high-energy rock & roll, funk, blues, and roots rock into the studio. Chickenfoot
released its eponymous debut album in 2009, followed by a worldwide tour.

Review by Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Supergroups are often motley groups seemingly formed at the end of an after-concert party but few are quite as strange as Chickenfoot, an
endeavor featuring Van Halen's Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony, guitar legend Joe Satriani, and drummer Chad Smith from the Red Hot Chili
Peppers. These four musicians are tied together by their many years playing in the arena rock trenches, a circuit that doesn't necessarily
yield common musical ground although it does lend its veterans a certain knack for pleasing crowds. This eagerness is evident on the
band's eponymous 2009 debut, which should come as no surprise seeing that Sammy Hagar has never seen a party he couldn't rock, but this
mentality doesn't quite jibe with Satriani's immaculate, tightly controlled playing. Satch always seems to want to burst out but can't
help leaning on precision, a problem that's the polar opposite to Hagar's let-it-all-hang-out philosophy, and this dichotomy is mirrored
in the rhythm section, where Anthony's chugging bass doesn't quite fill the gaps Smith leaves. All this means is that Chickenfoot's big
picture is roughly in place but the pieces don't quite fit, but that doesn't stop the group from trying to force it, with Sammy sounding
as awkward singing about south-of-the-border drug runners as Satriani does spinning off complicated riffs on party rockers. There's too
much professionalism for this to be a trainwreck but the whole thing is rather laborious, with everybody working far too hard to have a
good time.

These guys don't need introductions, so I'll just say this: 1) At 61, Sammy sounds as good as he ever has; 2) Anyone who didn't
think Satriani could play in a band… wrong: he fits in perfectly; 3) Chad Smith ain't JUST a funk drummer; 4) Van Halen's gonna regret
firing Mike Anthony. These guys have hit on a cohesiveness that most bands take years to develop – and they sound like they've been
playing together for years. If you like guitar-driven rock, buy Chickenfoot. If you like the kind of driving music you can turn up to 11,
buy Chickenfoot. If you're not one of those Roth loyalists still stuck in 1984, buy Chickenfoot. This album is excellent from start to
finish.

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Chickenfoot - Chickenfoot (2009)

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