By: Rob Cavuoto
“This band is on fire tonight!” yelled Sammy Hagar to the packed crowd and he wasn’t kidding! The band tore into a blistering 90+ minute set with nothing but killer songs and wise cracking jokes at the legendary Beacon Theater in New York City on May 21st.
I’ve never been a fan of the term “Super Group,” it always conjures up images of a bunch of musicians from defunct ‘60s and ‘70s bands getting together for a one-off benefit concert. Instead, call Chickenfoot a band of “Super Musicians,” rocking out and partying down for the long haul.
If anyone has any doubts, they should pick up their latest CD; Chickenfoot III and try to prove me wrong. This CD is pure adrenaline driven hard rock with a nice mix of blues riffs. The songs have an infectious groove that once in your brain are hard to shake out. There’s no doubt that these guys are here to stay!
Seeing them live, there’s no shortage of energy or on-stage camaraderie. Nowadays, when your favorite cash cow band hits the stage to go through the motions, Chickenfoot looks like they are having a blast playing and interacting together. It brings you back to the days when you wanted to learn how to play guitar so you could be in a band like that.
When I asked Joe about it, he told me, “Camaraderie is extremely important. I don’t think at this stage in our careers that anyone would come back for a second day of Chickenfoot if we weren’t having fun. It’s very much like a bunch of friends in a club house doing whatever we want.”
Sammy Hagar is the ultimate frontman, ring leader, and party host. Michael Anthony is a powerhouse on bass as well as laying down the amazing background harmonies. Joe Satriani is a legendary guitarist and true “King of all Feedback.” The feedback he was pulling out of his Ibanez guitar was awe-inspiring. To watch him control it with his tremolo bar was simply mesmerizing.
At certain points, even Sammy looked like he was impressed. New to the group is Kenny Aronoff, an unstoppable force of energy on drums, replacing Chad Smith while he is out on tour with the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
As Sammy taunted and teased the other band members, Michael poured down multiple shots and handed out half drank beers to the fans in the front row. All songs were performed flawlessly and with ease.
They played a mix from the latest CD as well as a few off their self titled debut CD including, “Sexy Little Thing,” “Alright, Alright,” “Last Temptation,” “Bigfoot,” “Down the Drain” and “Different Devil,” which Sammy happened to forget the lyrics to the first verse and the audience carried him through it. They ended the night with “Rock Candy” by Montrose, a nice tribute to Ronnie Montrose who passed a few months back.
Do yourself a favor and pick up their latest CD and be sure to see them live. Its probably one of the best performance I have seen from a band this year!
