[Chickenfoot/caption]
The new CD from Chickenfoot (official site), the new supergroup featuring Sammy Hagar, Michael Anthony, Joe Satriani & Chad Smith, should be out sometime between April and June, with a big tour to follow. We got a big update with news from their first photoshoot and first Guitar World feature. And this band could last more than just one CD & tour, as Chad Smith recently said that the Red Hot Chili Peppers are on an “hiatus of indefinite length.” Sounds exciting!
First Photoshoot
The band completed their first photo shoot a week ago. The photographer, Ross Halfin, wrote in his Feb. 10th journal:
“Got up at 5am and flew up to San Francisco. I’m doing a shoot with Chickenfoot, the new group with Sammy Hagar, Joe Satriani, Chad Smith, and Michael Anthony. It was so early after driving out to Mill Valley, an hour north, it was still only 10am – sunny and freezing. The band arrived eventually with Sammy last at 2pm and he only lives up the street. Shoot quite a lot with solos, group stuff, ads, you name it.
Heard three tracks which were quite rocking, including “Avenida Revolution”. It was nice seeing Sammy. I first shot him thirty years ago in the same area. Sammy has a Ferarri that is the fastest model made for the road. He took me for a terrifying drive at two hundred miles an hour around the local streets. Sammy can drive – I felt like I was on a mini scalectrix track in a remake of Death Race 2000. I do not like fast cars…
Finished up shooting Sam and his new toy. In his warehouse were several of them – a car pervert’s delight. Said goodbye to Sammy and flew back to Los Angeles early evening.”
10 new Chickenfoot photos
Click here for Ross Halfin’s Chickenfoot page.
Chili Peppers on on a hiatus of indefinite length
This story is from MusicRadar:
When MusicRadar spoke to Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith last fall, he said the band was taking a year off, during which time he would pursue Chickenfoot.
But when we spoke to John Frusciante only last month, the eccentric guitarist stated firmly there were “no plans” for the Chili Peppers to reconvene. “We’re on a hiatus of indefinite length,” he said. “There’s other things to life.”
MusicRadar spoke to Smith again today. The amiable drummer clarified what was going on – and what wasn’t – in the world of the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
“We’ve been on a break for a year and whatever,” Smith said. “I can’t speak for John – he’s doing his thing and hopefully he’s happy – but I think when we’re all ready to play again, when we feel like it’s time to be the Chili Peppers again, we’ll do it.”
Whether Frusciante is at the center of the band’s extended hiatus, Chad won’t say. “You can’t force anybody to play who doesn’t want to,” he explained. “I’m not naming names. I’m just saying we all have to feel that the time is right to get it together.”
Although Smith was at first under the impression that the Chili Peppers would be inactive for a year, he now says the added time has turned into a blessing. “A year off might have been optimistic,” he said. “Maybe it’ll be two years, maybe more, who knows? It’s been a very positive time in our lives, actually
“The thing is, we’ll only get back together for the right reason: to play music with one another. That’s the only agenda this band adheres to.”
New projects abound – like Chickenfoot
As for the present, Frusciante has just released a new solo album, The Empyrean; Anthony Keidis is busy turning his life story into an HBO show; Flea has gone back to school to study music; and Smith is one happy clam as a member of Chickenfoot.
“Chickenfoot has turned out to be everything I could’ve hoped for,” Smith enthused. “When people hear this album, they’re not going to believe it’s us; they’re going to think it’s four other guys. It’s far exceeded my expectations and goals.”
With the Chickenfoot debut album dropping in late spring and a major tour planned, Smith may find that “hiatus of indefinite length” growing ever longer.
“Hey, if I can be in two hit bands, like, wow, what a problem,” he said with a laugh, “A drummer should be so lucky.”
Guitar World feature
Guitar World magazine recently sat down with all four members. The feature will be out soon. (Date of issue unknown).
VHND’s “Chickenfoot” category
Scroll up to the top of this page and you’ll see that we’ve added a “Chickenfoot” category in our CATEGORIES section (in the black right column) for fast access to all our updates on Chickenfoot!