Chickenfoot
Background information
Genres	Hard rock
Years active	2008–present
Labels	Redline Entertainment
Associated acts	Van Halen, Red Hot Chili Peppers, HSAS, Montrose, The Waboritas
Website	www.chickenfoot.us
Members
Sammy Hagar Joe Satriani Michael Anthony Chad Smith

Chickenfoot is an American hard rock supergroup, comprising ex-Van Halen members Sammy Hagar (vocals) and Michael Anthony (bass), solo musician Joe Satriani (guitar) and Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith.^[1] The band released their self-titled debut album, Chickenfoot, on June 5, 2009. Regarding the band's status as a "supergroup", vocalist Sammy Hagar states: "We’re not a supergroup, we like hanging out together and the music is a bonus. We just happen to be in other groups."^[2]

While the band's name and logo reference a disparaging term used to describe the peace symbol, the "footprint of the American chicken", bassist Michael Anthony asserts that the name originated from initial jam sessions between Hagar, Smith and himself: "there are three talons on a chicken’s foot and there [were] three of us."^[3] Later Anthony stated: "it was just supposed to be a bullshit name that we’d used for a while, and then [when] the rumors spread about the band, everybody used that name so we thought, "fuck it, let’s call it Chickenfoot" - it all comes down to the music anyway."^[4]

[edit] History

Chickenfoot live at the Bospop festival, 2009

According to vocalist Sammy Hagar: "[Chickenfoot] started off with me, Michael Anthony and Chad Smith jamming at my club, Cabo Wabo, in Mexico. Then people started asking us when we were going to tour, make a record, etc. So I said if we’re going to do this properly then we’re going have to get a guitarist, so let’s talk to Joe Satriani. As far as I’m concerned he’s the best guitarist in the world."^[5]

The band's first performance together was in February 2008 at a Hagar concert in Las Vegas. The show included a three song set which included Led Zeppelin's "Rock And Roll" and Traffic's "Dear Mr. Fantasy". Regarding the show, bassist Michael Anthony states: "At that point, we knew the chemistry was there. It was so much fun, and the instant gratification from the audience was great. We decided to take the next step and see what we could do. It was just too much fun to pass up."^[6]

During breaks in Satriani's touring schedule, the four-piece gathered in Hagar's home to record demos, and ultimately recorded a full-length album at Skywalker Sound.

The band's eponymous debut album, Chickenfoot, was released on June 4, 2009.^[7] On its release date, Chickenfoot performed the single "Oh Yeah!" on The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien. Chickenfoot subsequently began touring in Europe and America.

In October 2009, Smith reconvened with the Red Hot Chili Peppers to begin work on their tenth studio album, ultimately causing Chickenfoot to enter a hiatus of indefinite length. Despite this, the band still appeared on television once more to perform "Sexy Little Thing" and "Oh Yeah" on the November 6th, 2009 broadcast of Jimmy Kimmel Live (taped November 5th). Smith stated:^[8]

There will definitely be a window to work with these guys [again]. I feel kind of bad - we're getting offers all over the place, but I've got to go back to my marriage this fall. Chickenfoot is like my mistress. We've got this momentum going, and it's very organic and natural. It will happen when it happens. We're in that position where nothing has to be forced - we're lucky to have something that's just fun to do.

This is also stated on the interview with Chad Smith on MusicRadar.com, posted on 24-ago-2009:

What about Chickenfoot? After you do the Chili Peppers, are you going to do another record? Absolutely! We’re having so much fun and it’s gone so well - there’s no reason not to continue with Chickenfoot. That’s something I want to make very clear: Chickenfoot isn’t a one-off thing for any of us. We’re a band. I would imagine during my time with the Peppers that Joe will probably do another solo record, and maybe Sammy and Mike will do something on their own. But as soon as I’m done with the Chili Peppers, I’m diving right back into Chickenfoot. We’re going to outdo this record, too. That’s the plan and I’m sticking to it.

[edit] Band members

• Sammy Hagar - vocals
• Joe Satriani - guitar, keyboards
• Michael Anthony - bass guitar, backing vocals
• Chad Smith - drums, percussion

[edit] Discography

[edit] Studio album

[edit] Live album

[edit] Single

[edit] References

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Chickenfoot

• http://www.chickenfoot.us/
• Facebook
• MySpace
• Chickenfoot - Mahalo.com
• http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=107484
• http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=97913