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Chickenfoot takes the super out of supergroup

May 16, 2009

4:43 PM

Don't get me wrong: unlike most music critics, I've got nothing against Sammy Hagar. He used to seriously rock my teenaged world with Montrose in the '70s, then I thoroughly enjoyed his early solo albums (before he decided he couldn't drive 55), and I even liked a couple of tracks from his mid-'80s stint with Van Halen ("Finish What Ya Started", "Dreams".). I always thought he had a great rock 'n' roll voice.

But enough is enough. Judging by last night's concert at the Commodore with his new "supergroup", Chickenfoot, it's definitely time for Hagar to grab himself a bottle of that premium tequila he so proudly promotes and head off into the Cabo sunset.

The quartet—which includes guitar hero Joe Satriani, former Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony, and Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith—showcased all the songs from its upcoming self-titled CD, and there didn't seem to be a strong one in the bunch. They sounded forced, formulaic, and extremely safe; most of them came off as substandard rejects from Van Halen's OU812 sessions. Hagar tried hard to make it seem like he was having the time of his life trotting out these tedious odes to the endless party, but come on, pal. you're 61. Isn't it time you branched out from songs about your "Sexy Little Thing"? Your new tunes make Nickelback seem edgy.

And Satriani is just wasted in this group. The guy's a real artist on guitar, as he's proven via a dozen instrumental albums, so to see him up there grinding through vapid, contrived arrangements is just sad. I predict he's going to get fed up with this misstep of a "supergroup" very soon and go back to being an adventurous axeman of the highest order, the type who'd much rather trade licks with a virtuosic bassist like Stu Hamm than the lowly Michael Anthony.

I got much more of a buzz from the night's opening act, Vancouver's Rich Hope and His Evil Doers. Hope only has one evil doer, actually, ace drummer Adrian "Mad" Mack, but between the two of them they churn out the type of raw, honest, gutbucket rock 'n' roll that Sammy Hagar now seems truly incapable of.

Comment (45)

Comments

Russ
Sat, 2009-05-16 18:29	If You don't have anything nice to say....DON'T.I was there,am not a hard rocker,am 55 and loved it.....like they say........being a music crotic doesn't give you the right to call someone LOWLY......F*** OFF

Steve Newton
Sat, 2009-05-16 18:46	But being a music critic does give me the right to be honest, so I was.

Russ Resister
Sat, 2009-05-16 19:55	Idiot

elc

Sat, 2009-05-16 22:07

you sound jealous champ, wasnt the position of music critic created for those who couldnt get a gig as a bass player?
Ah, yes, the ramblings of a frustrated musician. Your comments about anthony demonstrates your clear lack of knowledge about music, what youd probably slam cliff williams too huh, if you know who he was.
People like you piss me and many others off, as you are in a position where you get to see many greta artists and gigs, that you never pay for, or have to line up for, and overtime you lose your sense of perspective and edge, and take for granted good music. as mentioned earlier your comments about hagar, anthony and joe show that you cant really grasp the 'band ' concept of this group and why they have formed, which as a music critic, which in itself is a load of shit title, is really really sad.
what your buddy plays in the opening act? nice mention anyway.

Steve Newton
Sat, 2009-05-16 23:00	Cliff Williams is the bassist in AC/DC. And no, I wouldn't slam him. That band was made for a bassist who plays mostly one note.

minimoog
Sun, 2009-05-17 00:52	Idiot indeed. You actually got a "buzz" from the buddy Holly wannabe? Good lord, you DO need help. If you didn't enjoy the show, fine - but I think you will find you are vastly out numbered. Certainly no accounting for taste.

irwin sirotta
Sun, 2009-05-17 06:00	They will be loved by boomers and their kids alike and will be HUGE, regardless of your tasteless digs.

93 springer
Sun, 2009-05-17 07:08	I thought the show was fantastic couldn't stop shaking my fist an rockin my head to almost every song.It was pure undaulterated fuckn horsepower from start o finish I had no voice at end of show.What show where you at certainly wasn't the one I saw you must of been on very lousy drugs shoud of hooked up with me I was the one with primo bud BC bud that is

MFT
Sun, 2009-05-17 10:38	Your review is spot on. I too was a Hagar fan and was looking forward to something new and fresh. Especially when Hagar made the bold statement that this band was going to rival the mighty Led Zeppelin. Not quite.

sleepswithangels
Sun, 2009-05-17 10:49	Meanwhile, back at the plantation, I'm eagerly awaiting the love/adulation saturated review that Mike Unsinger will invariably write about his idol...Scott Weiland. If it's anything like the puff piece that Mike wrote the last time Scott was slumming in Vancouver I think those two should get a room. SMBs

Steve Newton
Sun, 2009-05-17 10:52	Now that MFT guy knows what he's talkin' about.

tyler
Sun, 2009-05-17 11:17	Are you serious? Maybe it's just a matter of preference. If you didn't like it, fine. But those comments were not honest, just rude. Everyone there loved it! M. Anthony is my favorite bass player ever. He has extreme talent. Hagar is doing something different. OK, it doesn't sound like traditional Sammy, but it rocks! C'mon dude, give them their due credit!

WARF
Sun, 2009-05-17 12:26	Great Review Steve!! Chickenshit is very bland, and mediocre. I hope the mexicans revolt against Hagar, and piss in his tequila!

Satch Fan
Sun, 2009-05-17 16:45	The show was great. The band was into it and so was the audience. However, I agree on the assessment of the music; it was more like a seasoned musician jam session. Yes, Joe is overkill for the band.

http://www.blogcritics.org/writer/clarence-yu
Sun, 2009-05-17 17:35	Nice review. But Lowly Michael Anthony? :-) Guess he needs a job like anyone else.

Jonny
Sun, 2009-05-17 17:49	What a total Jackass. Sammy's voice sounds better than ever. This CD cranks. I get it if you do not like Sammy's voice or him but if not how can you not like this music if you are into hard rock? This is a bullshit hit job by a hack if I have ever seen one.

ML
Sun, 2009-05-17 21:23	wow...kinda early to critisize I think. I'll wait until they come back next year. Until then, I had an awesome at the Commodore and really enjoyed both acts.

Mike Patterson

Sun, 2009-05-17 21:57

Dude WTF? Those guys were having a blast. Everyone in the crowd was having a blast. Steve, you were the only sour face at that gig.

THESE GUYS ARE MIDDLE AGED, OLD SCHOOL DUDES FROM A FUN AND HEADONISTIC ERA OF MUSIC. DO YOU REALLY EXPECT THEM TO WRITE ANYTHING BUT CHEESEBALL, THAT'S THE FRIGGIN POINT!! Do you expect them to sound like Nickelback? Nickelback sucks!!!!

Could you please grace us with your superior music intellect and tell us who the hell has come out in the past 10 years who kicks as much ass as these guys. I will laugh at every band you mention, cause they probably suck really bad. These guys aren't in this to please the critics, they're in it to have fun and you should have joined them for the ride!

Sure, Sammy Haggar has a somewhat megalomaniac stage presence, but thats par for the course with any decent hard rock band and their frontman.

Joe Satriani stands to benefit the most from this because he's the greatest electric guitar who ever lived (if you disagree, you can't deny he's the most versatile), and he's become obscure in the music industry. Chickenfoot will revamp Joes career to it's former greatness, and give him the long overdue recognition he deserves. He might even get his first grammy for this one.

Joe knows that Sammy is an arrogant and competitive SOB, and that just motivates him to play harder.

If you expected something different you should have let someone else do this report for you.

chickenfan
Mon, 2009-05-18 07:09	If a bit over the top, Hagar is still full of life at 61. In this review, Steve Netwon just sounds like a grouchy old man, however old he is.

guitar one

Mon, 2009-05-18 08:21

If you took the time to read interviews such as the one in guitar world magazine, you wold know that satriani has been looking to be in a group like this where he can do less. He gets tired of having to hold it all together. Just because he is a guitar god, doesnt mean he has to play everything in his bag of tricks. Less is more. Do a little background work before making judgments. Obviously NOT a true journalist!

JamMaster Jamie
Mon, 2009-05-18 12:49	I am looking forward to seeing these guys on tour. I enjoy the songs that have been leaked so far, but the music could be better. I think a lot of the arrangements are similar; it would be better if there was more variety. Also, Joe needs to stretch a bit more; he has much more skill than is evident in the CF songs.

Corey

Mon, 2009-05-18 13:40

I won tickets from the Georgia Straight, and by no means is this my typical musical fare... but I have to say that I had as much fun at the show as everyone else appeared to be having. What a blast.

Sure it's not Radiohead, but I don't need to think every time I hear some tunes. Sometimes you just want to raise your fist and sign along to an album worth os songs whose vocals consists mainly of "Ohs" and "Yeahs" (which I believe is actually a song title, but I'm not sure).

Clearly the band was enjoying every minute of it too...

Steve does not appear to represent the views of a single other person I saw in the Commodore on Friday night.

Craig

Mon, 2009-05-18 17:37

As a critic, I would hope that you have the musical theory and harmony education to substantiate your assertions (however ambiguous and layman I found them to be) that these songs are formulaic (insert theoretical proof here), forced and safe. These 3 claims, mean to me, that Chickenfoot is using standard and widely used progressions with little differentiation in rhythmic styling to other genre-related artists or to their previous works. So tell me, who these other artists may be, the ones who don't have these apparent vapidly, contrived songs so that we may come to know songs of true artistic merit? It seems to me, that your total beef was with the subject matter contained in the lyrics, but you fail to understand the fundamentals of rock music. It's about liberal fun, having a good time and keeping things simple. If you want more, there are any number of emotionally compromised and in touch with their femininity singers that may suit you. I am anxious to see your proof that these songs resemble OU812 rejects.

Steve Newton

Mon, 2009-05-18 22:37

holy crap, who invited the brainiac to the party? Why would some high-falutin' professor with a masters in music theory and a doctorate in how to sound like a smarty-pants even bother commenting here? The answer to your question is obvious, Chucklebunch: the songs resemble OU812 rejects because they feature the same lead singer, the same bassist and background vocalist, and a similar style of intense, overdriven guitarwork, yet come coated in a much hollower and more fraudulent vibe than even Hagar-era Van Halen was known for. But more importantly, I just thought they sucked.

Braden
Tue, 2009-05-19 06:03	Critcs review great shows in this way to benefit themselves as critics. Controvesy=buzz=money. Controversy sells. I read a review from another career critic slamming a great Eagles show recently. Same formula.... and the more we read, write, and talk about it, the more exposure and $$$ for Steve and his employer...

Kwhopper
Tue, 2009-05-19 06:47	Just saw Chickenfoot at the Fillmore in San Francisco - had to be one of the most FUN rock shows I've seen in a LONG time! Four VERY talented guys having a GREAT time! Chad Smith on drums was the highlight for me!

mike blue

Tue, 2009-05-19 14:48

Why on earth is everyone taking what Steve wrote so personally? Is this the only band that all you cry babies listen to? It's a review, and that's what Steve did, he REVIEWED IT. Personally, I think there was a time for them decades ago, but really, they should go back to their semi retired lifestyle and call it a day. There are so many better new musicians out there who aren't getting any credit for their work, meanwhile washed up old rockers come out for one last bad show and everyone cries when one guy writes an honest review. Sorry people, I can only assume how pathetic your record collection is if Steve's review of Chickenfoot made you shed a tear.

Steve Newton
Tue, 2009-05-19 14:58	what he said

Michelle W
Tue, 2009-05-19 19:16	You guys are all just jealous because Sammy (61), Joe (52), Michael (54) and Chad (47) are all older than you and they still know how to rock n roll and the coolness and sexy just pours out of them!!! Love you Sammy!!!

Sandy

Tue, 2009-05-19 22:18

I was skeptical going into the Chickenfoot show but thought it rocked. Spoke to many jaded media types over the course of the night and everyone agreed that it was good fun -- not to be taken too seriously.
Sure, with the material they have, they probably won't sell many records, but who does these days? The live show was a kick. Sound and musicianship were great. Sammy sounded amazing. And all four band members seemed to be having an awesome time. Worked for me.

Steve Newton
Wed, 2009-05-20 13:07	Whoa: I just checked the price on my Chickenfoot ticket and realized that, with the service charges and all, it came to 51.50! Pretty cosmic.

Mike Blue
Thu, 2009-05-21 09:00	Everyone diverts to the age argument. Is that all you guys have? Yeah, they are in their 50's and early 60's. Stop bringing that up, it only makes them sound more desparate at that age. You are trying to make youreselves feel better for supporting a geriatric rock concert. In this day and age, that is not even old.

Mike JJ

Thu, 2009-05-21 19:09

To your credit Steve, if you hadn't badmouthed the show with your little rant, I wouldn't have even known this little basement hole of yours existed. If badmouthing other people's talent is the only thing that gets you noticed, then go ahead and grind away. Ultimately the people that want to see the show and buy the album, will, and for those people, you'll just look even more like an idiot. If Satriani doesn't think he's too good for the band, why should anyone care if a lowly writer who couldn't get a job writing for a real publication does? If your opinion of Hagar was dwindling way back in the Van Halen days, why bother going to this show at all? Its no secret that the guy's voice isn't what it was back in the day, but whose is? You could have listened to any of his Waboritas material to find out beforehand and saved yourself the cosmic 51.50. Let the fans enjoy the show as they will, and try not to be too bitter, huh?

Vapid Lee Roth

Thu, 2009-05-21 20:01

The opening dude(I didnt see a band,just 2 nerds)were OK,but theres a reason that duo never will go anywhere.Hello,ever hear of rounding out your sound,maybe make it more full sounding.Why not get a bass player(at least),and maybe a 2nd guitarist.Typical of this city,trying to be clever by only having 2 guys,too bad it doesnt work,its bland,and weak,and SUCKS!As for CF,never a Sammy fan at all,but he won me over that night.Pretty laid back as well as charismatic.How can you bash Mike Anthony?Guys an MVP bass player,awesome background vocalist,and hes only played behind 1 of the most legendary axeman of all time(with no rythm guitar backing up,just him).I saw no egos,just 4 dudes having fun,playing there brand of good time old school rock n roll.This show was better than what I expected,and I was glad I saw this one.Good times.

Drmrsdad

Fri, 2009-05-29 05:59

Just caught Chickenfoot last night in NYC and I must say this critic's Critique has nothing to do with what was being played on stage, Maybe the band has it more togehter after a few shows, Some of the shows I've seen over the past year were Todd Rundgren, Bruce Springsteen, Fleetwood Mac, Jeff Beck, King's X, Extreme, Alejandro Escovedo, Zappa Plays Zappa, and this show by far was the most Bombastic Rock N Roll show I've seen in years. Michael Anthony was incredible, his high harmony vocals with Sammy were off the charts, and his locked in groove with Chad was great to see and hear, yes I actually was able to hear a distinct Bass line, not your typical guitar following bass drone that is so prevelant in "Rock Music" these days. Satch was incredible and it was great to see him as a player in a band instead of being a frontman/instrumentalist, his solos were good, but what I enjoyed most was his rhythm playing which is so lost in his solo performances. Chad was freaking off the charts and as you can tell from my name, Drums are my love. Chad's playing was much more fluid with this band, than his 4/4 driving stuff he does with the RHCP. At times he and Satch would lock in together and Chad would mimic his drum patterns to Satch's Rhythm strums. Sammy, well at 61 you can't tell me there is a better vocalist out there at this time, His banshee screams were chilling and his banter was cool, instead of the abrasive attitude found with many new and younger bands these days. Sammy spoke how he was told they needed to play bigger venues and Sammy's attiude was, This is were we all started, we're gonna hang down here and live with these people, and then we will move up and bring in more people and then we will move up a little more, and then we will play arena's. So If that's the plan, I think this band might be around for a awhile.
If you get a chance to see them, take it.
Peace

Rachel Von Daacke

Fri, 2009-05-29 12:23

I agree, if you don't have anything nice to say, then don't say anything at all!

Sammy and the boys put this band together because they wanted to work together since they've all been long time friends. They also wanted to go out on the road just so they could jam together on stage and have a good time. Maybe if you read factual interviews and articles before doing your critique you wouldn've known this you jackass.
Did you think they were putting out this cd expecting it to go triple platinum? You are a complete idiot if you thought that.
I don't understand why rockers with their credentials can't just make a cd and play live without jerkoffs like you ripping them apart. I would probably bet you don't even play an instrument yourself (except the skin flute) to write a review like this.
Sure these boys can afford to drink Cabo Wabo tequila and walk off into the sunset with their huge bank accounts....they did their part in making a history for themselves and deserve to have fun with a Supergroup cd. They aren't trying to be one of those bands that do reunion tours or moneymaker tours to give their egos a boost or put some coin in their pockets. The boys in Chickenfoot certainly don't need the cash - they are doing this strictly for fun. And why can't they? Who are you to judge them?
Did you feel the need to bash these guys because you sit at home all day in your trailer writing blogs on the internet and are miserable in your life? Because nobody wants to read your trash.
So keep your thoughts to yourself -
And maybe go get a real job.

Cabo Girl

Steve Newton
Sat, 2009-05-30 16:45	call me all the names you like, Cabo Girl, I'm just glad I was able to warn readers about how awful the Chickenfoot songs are. I expected much better from Hagar. It sounds like he wasn't even trying. Having fun, maybe; but giving his all like famous rockers should? Hardly.

martin
Mon, 2009-06-01 13:45	well, got to listen to the album for a review, and i think, everything steve wrote nails it pretty well. I ´m so fed up with aging musicians doing the same for decades, but doing it much worse now, then they did in the past. it ´s an awful peace of music, created by people who love themselfs and their past in a narcistic way.

kimba
Tue, 2009-06-02 11:40	Just for the record.....musicians regardless of age keep rockin...no matter what age.....and knowing Chad since school days...he will be drumming till he physically can not anymore....this combo of talent in Chickenfoot proof of that.....Sammy just made MILLIONS on the sale of his Tequila BIZ and NONe of them needs to make more $$$$........

Wed, 2009-06-17 00:25

I can't believe how many people are saying they aren't doing it for the money. $50 dollar tickets people. that's a ridiculous price to pay. this is terribly manufactured horse shit, I don't care how much talent these guys have, they don't know how to write songs together. there is absolutely no substance in these songs. it must have taken a shit load of beer, not to be bored to tears. the only way you could get me to see this band, is if johnny demarco took over satriani's spot, at least I'd have something to laugh at, but this, this is beyond irony.

Steve Newton
Wed, 2009-06-17 08:41	Who the hell is Johnny Demarco?

Michelle W

Thu, 2009-06-18 19:45

Firstly...$10 goes to Ticketmaster (damn them!). $40 bucks a ticket...that's cheap!! Also, $40 x 1,000 (which I think was the largest venue) is only is only $40,000!!! Where they make a tonne of cash is selling the swag. Did you know that Sammy sold 80% of his Cabo Wabo tequila business to Gruppo Campari for $80 million? I don't think they are doing it for the money. They are just a bunch of guys having a good time and luckily for them, they can make some money while doing it.

UD
Tue, 2009-06-23 12:48	holy shit, if that's really one show, if they average a thirty show tour! and I bet they are under contract to do more, that's an average of 1.2 million for thirty shows, not counting merchandise, music downloads, and record sales, and what ever other bull shit they're pawning off on the masses.

Another Rocker
Fri, 2009-07-03 09:05	surely they ´re not the best rock band ever, but I think it ´s a great band and one of the best I ´ve heard recently. So please enjoy the music and stop the bullshit!

S.B

Tue, 2009-12-01 17:35

Obvisouly Sammy's voice isnt what it used to be, but maan can he still ROCK!! besides, what's the deal with calling him old and all?!! there're plenty of older people who do amazing things in life!!! and he;s one of'em! are you saying old people are useless and should all quit life?? C'mmoon man, and if you were a "real" fan back in the days you'd have a little more respect! do you have any idea how hard it is to do what they do? have you ever written a song? if yes I'd loooove to hear it!
Chad is a lotta fun to watch, Mike is great at his role..and Joe...well Joe is just a genious at whatever he does! these guys are trying to bring the good old rock spirit back, and I couldnt be happier about that..I mean...do you listen to the radio these days??it's allll craaaaap....these guys wrtoe what they wrote from their hearts...besides they have absolutely nothing to prove to anyone with their simply outstanding musician careers...
the show was fantastic in so many ways...no more reading of these lame/jealous/angry type of critics for me!!

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