GUITARIST JOE SATRIANI SAYS HE IS “HEARTBROKEN” ABOUT CHICKENFOOT AND AIMS TO FORM ANOTHER BAND
Guitarist Joe Satriani has given up trying to bring Chickenfoot together for another album – and he’s planning to form another band instead.
Satriani says he’s tried to persuade singer Sammy Hagar, bassist Michael Anthony and drummer Chad Smith to make a follow-up to their second title Chickenfoot III, released in 2011 – but he’s had no luck.He’s decided it’s over despite a brief reunion with Hagar and Smith at a charity concert last month.
Satch tells Ultimate Classic Rock, ”So there was the three of us – three Footers were there, gentlemen of the Foot hanging out. But I get the distinct feeling it’s just not going to happen. For reasons that are too boring to go into, I’ve kind of giving up trying to be the instigator, of trying to get another record done.
At the end of the benefit, although it was one of those fun things with being up there with Sammy and Chad again, I just got the feeling that they’re not thinking it’s on the cards.”
He reveals that much of the material on solo his new solo album Shockwave Supernova, out in July, was originally designed to be Chickenfoot music.
“I recorded all of the demos for a new record,” he says. “I really just couldn’t get people motivated to get going with it. So, that music has moved on. I’m actually looking forward to maybe finding another band to collaborate with.”
But he adds, “If the guys want to do something, I’m always ready for it. I love Chickenfoot, and I think it’s one of the coolest things that’s ever happened to all of us. I’m a bit heartbroken that we weren’t able to work on a couple more albums and tour. But you’ve got to move on – that’s reality. Those guys have other things to do that are important to them, so, I respect it.”
Smith is working on the next Red Hot Chili Peppers album while Hagar’s supergroup The Circle, also featuring Anthony, issued live album At Your Service in May.
To read more about Satch’s latest release, Shockwave Supernova, please click here.
additional source: classicrock.teamrock.com
I feel like Joe is late on recognizing this reality long ago. Could of sworn Sammy said about a year ago that Chicken Foot was done because they couldn’t get together. Primarily cause Chad was busy with his day job and Joe was on the Unstoppable Tour. That being said, I think there’s still a chance they’ll all jam together again.
I think they’d be ok with another drummer. They didn’t tour with Smith anyways. I think the biggest issue is record sales and the state of rock music in America. It’s hard to get those new songs out there, especially for aging rockers. People show up to Sammy’s gigs and want to have a good time and here some old tunes, new songs that nobody has heard before? Not so much.
Sammy said he didn’t see the point in doing a new record with Chickenfoot because overall sales and the cost of recording.
One of the worst bands ever…of course that’s understandable considering Hagar is involved!
Sorry Jason,
To each their own, and I apologize if this sounds plucky, but this coming from the person who lauds Steel Panther every chance he gets, yet slams Chickenfoot? Umm, yeah…whatever.
Dana 🙂
Dana,
Thank you, your post most likely kept me from being banned on this site because my post would have not been as PC 🙂
Jason go back to the VHND and continue the Sammy bashing, that is all they know how to do over there!!
LOL Mark,
To each their own, but on principle, I cannot agree with someone bashing a real band yet singing the praises of a parody band who, in my opinion, were far better when they were a Van Halen tribute band. No offense, but to me that is like comparing Chickenfoot to Spinal Tap.
D 🙂
Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Some people don’t understand the brilliance of Steel Panther, including this websites namesake. Some people also worship the ground that Sammy Hagar walks on. I for one think the man is one of the most overrated and egotistical musicians ever. If you like him, that’s ok. You guys are allowed to rip the Panther…I’m allowed to rip on Hagar. That’s one reason why this country is so great.
Hey Jason, what is your problem with the Red Rocker? You sh-t on everything he does, look you’re entitled to YOUR opinion, but why don’t you take your hatred for Hagar elsewhere?
Considering this is a hard rock and metal message board, I’ll leave my opinion on anything that’s discussed here. Just like everyone here is allowed to leave their opinions on bands they like and I don’t. Not everyone likes the same things. I personally believe he co-wrote a handful of really good songs with Montrose, had a mostly forgetable solo career with a few hits and then helped turn the once mighty VH into forgettable pop drivel. However, the man acts like he’s God’s gift to rock and roll.
We’re all going to disagree on what constitutes the “worst bands” list, but for me Chickenfoot is far from it. I don’t think I’d put them on a “greatest bands” list either, but of all the supergroups (yeah, I’m getting sick of that term too) that come and go, these guys and Black Country Communion just sounded right together. People seem to be pretty divided on how they feel about Sammy Hagar, I don’t know if it’s just because of the VH stuff, or him in general. Granted, he’s got a big mouth but really the guy is a good rock singer – better than most even well into his 60’s. As a straight up rock n’ roll band in this era I was fairly satisfied with Chickenfoot. Joe Satriani doesn’t do bad stuff, it just doesn’t happen. It’s unfortunate that after taking so long for him to find this kind of a band situation to play in that it didn’t last longer.
Anyway, I’ve been a fan of Joe’s solo material since 1987 so I wish him continued success there and I’ll pick up his new album when it comes out like I always do. As for Sammy, to be honest I’m not as interested in him solo or with The Circle as much as Chickenfoot but if I hear some of it and like it I could pick that up too. I’d rather hear new original music though instead of covers.
Metal Mania,
Thank you, I think that is why I felt compelled to answer, even though I am supposed to be neutral. To say that Chickenfoot is “one of the worst bands ever,” even if you don’t like them, is simply ludicrous. Again, I agree with you, not the best, but far from the worst.
Cheers,
D 🙂
There’s Only One Way To Rock, and nobody does it any better than Hagar! 67 and still kicking ass! Mas Tequila! 🙂
Metal Mania, good mention on Black Country Communion. I LOVED the first two albums and the third was good, just not as good as the first two. The live album was great to. One big problem with Black Country Communion, and I think I remember Eddie pointed this out, is Joe Bonamassa had and has a bigger solo going than BCC’s career had. He seemed destined to not stick with BCC. Shame though. They were a great, 70’s British sounding band. Major musical chops in that band.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Some people don’t understand the brilliance of Steel Panther, including this websites namesake. Some people also worship the ground that Sammy Hagar walks on. I for one think the man is one of the most overrated and egotistical musicians ever. If you like him, that’s ok. You guys are allowed to rip the Panther…I’m allowed to rip on Hagar. That’s one reason why this country is so great.
PS…since Steel Panther keeps getting brought up, I’ll post a small article that VH1.com published a few weeks ago:
‘In many ways, Steel Panther deserves most of the credit for bringing anything resembling glam metal back into the limelight. Sure, it’s tongue-in-cheek, and they are just as much a comedy troop as they are a metal band, but that is where the genius truly lies. Not acknowledging the overt silliness in the glam tradition, shows blind spotted daftness to the obvious. They aren’t making fun of the music, they are just fully embracing it because they love it so much. Their list of accomplishments just keep piling up: they recently headlined Wembley Arena in London, and served as the direct support for Judas Priest on a recent US tour. Steel Panther might be hilarious, but the waves they are making in the music industry are no joke.’
At least some people partially get it.
Oh brother (eye roll),
Since you already stated that information in an earlier post to me, there is no need for the repetition, so I will delete that one. No offense to the band, I get the Steel Panther joke, and I think it is super lame. They may think they are “embracing” the music, but to me, it’s a mockery of a genre and the “comedic humor” is anything but intelligent or funny.
All hail the mighty Priest!
D 🙂
Almost like the Vh1 show were they get comedians to mock songs like the show featured the worst heavy metal songs u like it fine
Admittedly off topic, but I would like to see a Rainbow reunion tour, even if Blackmore chooses not to participate. Deep Purple has managed to put together a great band, and I’m sure Rainbow could do the same for one tour. They really did have some great songs.
That’s already happened.
Are you aware of Purple Rainbow? The promoter who backed it said that it could be financed only if Blackmore was on the bill, so they got Juergen Blackmore on guitar.
They did a few shows in Russia and eastern Europe, but JLT was unwilling to share the costs of equipment transportation, so they called it quits.
As I understand it, that was “Over The Rainbow”. “Purple Rainbow”, which hasn’t happened was a mooted tour with the real Blackmore (Ritchie) that would celebrate his years in both Deep Purple and Rainbow. First Coverdale was interested in getting involved, but after discussions with Ritchie (which likely included his management, which has steadfastly refused any “rock” endeavors by the Man in Black) Coverdale walked and is now releasing an album of Deep Purple covers under the Whitesnake banner called “The Purple Album”. Then JLT went on record saying he would be there, name the time, name the place, for a Rainbow reunion, and even at one point (recently) claimed that it was in the works, but it seemed as if he hadn’t actually spoken to Ritchie himself, only the management team (see above, re: rock endeavors).
Blackmore is my favorite musician of all time, bar none, and while I would love to see it, I have almost zero faith that at 70-ish he is going to undertake a world tour to play “Long Live Rock ‘n’ Roll”.
I wonder if Richie isn’t thrilled about Steve Morse shredding Purple tunes, and doesn’t want someone to now shred Rainbow tunes in his place as well. I guess they are his songs, so it is his choice, but you make a good point about launching into a tour in his 70’s. I had also heard that JLT was recently talking abut a reunion, but maybe that was just wishful thinking. I wonder if Richie’s management team wears tights and makes decisions in a castle, by consulting a wizard 😉
Yes, thanks, I checked JLT’s Wikipedia page and you’re right: his band with Blackmore Jr. was “Over the Rainbow”. The rest of the Wikipedia info appears to be outdated, as Turner has said in interviews that his days with the band are over.
Great that you mention the new Whitesnake album. It’s unbelievably good, and made me appreciate Mk III and IV from a whole new perspective.
So you take 4 of the most talented musicians,who’ve been involved in some of the most successful bands in history,put them together,and you get “one of the worst bands of all time”? Someone needs to eat a Snickers I think….
You’d think with metal and hard rock music not being the most popular in the states right now people would come together. You go on web pages I’ve never seen so much bashing and division in the metal and rock community. It doesn’t help the cause.