Chickenfoot soundcheck and interviews

September 30, 2009 79 Comments

Rockerrazzi.com gives us three new Chickenfoot videos!

First, an exclusive look behind the scenes at the band Chickenfoot as they soundcheck at the Gibson Amphitheater. Then, interviews with Sammy Hagar and Chad Smith:

Filed Under: Van Halen

http://www.droppingalmonds.com Brown Chicken

Rich,

Thx for the digs on the Dirt album. Saw AIC with Velvet Revolver (another dysFUNctional band) and they rocked. Jerry’s style is great and he was amazing to watch. I look forward to picking up the new album…thx for the tip.

People chatting about hearing Foot on the radio. VH3 didn’t even go gold! They didn’t spin any stuff off VH3 and the Best of stuff with Dave received very little airtime, if any.

Van Halen’s no show at the RRHOF was a diss on the legacy of the band and fans…as simple as that. Look at how much fun came from Metallica and Jeff Beck at recent inductions! What a shame…
RA 8 1 2

I believe that Ed is jealous of Sammy and the Cabo Wabo. If you remember Ed and Al and probably Mike were all investors in the Cabo Wabo Cantina. Then when it started losing money they sold to Sam. Same eventually turned shit into gold when he did the tequilla thing. Sammy built a brand that exploded. On the 2004 reunion VH tour with Sam, Ed would not let Mike promote Hot Sauce and Sam could not promote Cabo Wabo. NOW, that Ed has cleaned up and see what he has missed over the last 10+ years, he is building his own brand. EVH. With not only guitars which he had before, but all kinds of shit. I thini in the end, Sammys brand will always be stronger. It was built into a lifestyle and not really around a “person.” Ed is marketing himself really.
Dave Vincent

Yeah, but what was the first song they played (before “Spirit of the Radio”)?
http://www.droppingalmonds.com Brown Chicken

RA 8 1 2,

I have been a Halen fan for a couple decades. The problem with the EVH brand is that it’s a little diluted. As a player and owner of a Wolfgang, I happen to believe the best guitar EVH played was the Ernie Ball. Many of his guitars post Ernie Ball had the same style, look, and sound. I’ve played various versions of Eddie’s guitars and I’m most impressed with the Ernie Ball.

Now that Paul Reed Smith is making some killer rock/metal guitars, those sound just as good, if not better, than any EVH guitar…the tone knob on a PRS with maple tops gives such a wide range of tones…more than any I’ve ever heard in a guitar.

I don’t believe that Ed is jealous. I believe that Ed is an addict and he fights with demons daily. Even though life may be great with Ed financially, I believe that he probably struggles daily to understand his place in life. You can clean up the addict, but you can’t clean up the addiction. I just wish Eddie seemed to be more at peace in his life. When I saw him in Denver in ’04, I was disappointed and quite saddened. Here was one of my heroes with some goofy lookin’ hair and drunk to beat the band. He rolled around on the floor for several minutes fucking with his guitar (which sounded like shit) and then Wolfgang came out to play 316. What an f’ing circus! Since then, I haven’t been impressed. I really enjoyed Van Halen for years, but as Harvey Dent said in The Dark Knight…

“You either die the hero or watch yourself become the villain”
Bluesbro

Ludwig, I just read your post. Don’t be such a jealous hater … it is transparent and pathetic. VH doesn’t need you to defend them, they just need to actually do something productive so there can even BE comparisons of any sort.

And coming off like you have this ‘insider’ info and total understanding of everyones thoughts only makes you come off like a tool.

Stop hating Sammy because he actually works. Stop hating him because he’s actually found a guitarist that threatens your wet dream would be King Ed. Stop hating because he is actually having fun. That is what life is all about brother.
Cmon

Ludwig- Shut up! Wow! what’s it like to be clarvoyant? Sammy is haveing fun, plain and simple. If i were in his shoes I would much rather be in CF than VH. What the hell is VH doing!??? As usual NOTHING. CF are musicians who want to play because thats what musicians do. I for one was a huhe VH fan, from the Roth day and thru the Sammy days- no bias- I just loved that band. Now I could care less there is much more in life to be concerned about than a spoiled brat rich rock star who doesn’t care about his fans. I cant wait until the day when Joe and Ed go head to head ( of course it well never happen) Joe would destroy Ed. Ed knows how to do the same stuff he’s been dong for the last 30 yrs, his solos are lame. Ed please go away, you day in the spotlight is done
Skutch

Bluebro, you’re contradicting yourself. If like is all about having fun, then why are you bitching about Ed. He’s having fun. He just got married, he’s raising his kid and living life sober. YET, you say he’s not productive? Shame on you.

GOD FORBID that Ed takes time to clean up his life (from a broken marriage, a hip replacement, tongue cancer, years of alcoholism, bitter feuding with previous band members, and having “fans” rip on him at every chance they get) before recording something again. Geez, why don’t you pray for the guy instead of knocking him down.
Skutch

You got me started now. Instead of people simply being happy for CF, for some reason people have to use this as a platform to rip on Ed. Has Ed made mistakes? YES. Have we made mistakes? YES. Have Sammy and Mike made mistakes? Believe it or not, YES. Get over it.

If Ed never records again, that’s HIS choice. Evidently, he isn’t allowed to lead a happy and sober life with his wife and kid, without always being criticized for not doing the same things that Sammy is doing? Whatever.
http://vhnd exodus

point is Joe is the only reason to go see this band.
and you would have to take the name Van Halen away from Ed in order for him not to be in Van Halen. That’s his name……
Bluesbro

Skutch, I was responding to Lugwig’s flaming post. Hey, more power to Ed … I’m a 25 yr recovered alcoholic too. I know more than anyone what he’s gone through. But contemporary music wise Van Halen is a zero, that is all I was saying in response to Ludwig. I shouldn’t let an inane poster like him get under my skin, but his sanctimonous “Beware of the mighty Van Halen” BS is just lame. If you look at it purely from a fresh music standpoint, I know garage bands around my town that are producing more new stuff.

As far as people trashing this thread and not being happy for CF, talk to Mr. Beethoven. I’m as happy as I can be
Skutch

Bluesbro, it’s all good. I agree that if VH wants to be back on the map, they’ll have to revive themselves with some kind of freshness that is relevant to music today. 1984 is one of my favorite albums ever, but it also sounds like music from that era…to an extent. Good to hear you are recovered. That’s awesome.
http://none Ducky / Dirty Duck

So lets say that VH does release a new album by the beginning of 2010. How many of you around here would really be that happy? Cause all I can see by reading many comments around here is that you’d probley rip it apart! 20 something years ago when many of you were much younger…and probley a lot better looking…you guys couldnt get enough of VH. Now all I read is constant negativity. It’s so sad. It really is. Eddie is not a 20 something years old anymore. If many of you on this site are young…..rejoice in your youth and rock and roll. Cause life gets tougher and tougher as you get older. Its about change….accepting change…dealing with the real world other than mommy and daddy’s house.
I’m telling you this now and you can quote me. No matter what eddie does many of you here will never be happy. I’ve seen may around here post the same thing. Be happy with what you have in life. Be it VH or the foot and take it as it is. Nothing is owed to any of us. A new album or not life does go on….
Pete

SKUTCH BABY…you “get it”. If you like Sammy or don’t like Sammy, he’s the real deal. Whether you like his deal or not is up to you. You get it – that’s cool.

Hey, I tried all the Wolfgang’s too, but I settled on a tobacco-burst Ernie Ball, and man do I love it. I love it so much that within two years I sold 3 guitars (Strat, Tele, and a Kramer) because whenever I went to play electric I wanted my EBMM and nothing else. (I use a Fender Heartfield too as a backup.)

Ernie Ball makes a small number of guitars, and they do it really well. That’s why Ed chose EBMM. However, Peavey drove a truckload of $$$ to Eddie’s door and promised him the same quality, but with a big payoff. Even though the wolf is designed around the EBMM, to me it just never felt nearly as good.

That’s my two cents…but who cares…IT’S FRIDAY!!!!!!!

Have fun everyone,

Pete
Vanicionado

DaveV… Sounds so familiar… do you know??
SCAR

Ludwig, Van Halen did not make Sammy famous, he did that long before he joined VH!!! Why bash Sammy???? He has, and still continues to provide Rock fans with good party music!!!! You know a lot of us fans love VH w/DLR, Sammy, VH w/Sammy, VH w/Gary and the Foot!!!!! Sammy probably likes being in Chickenfoot better than VH, because the Foot seems to be drama free to him!!! At 61 or 62 I think it’s awesome he’s out their having a blast with the band and the fans!!!!! This Chickenfoot stooge is grateful for the music!!!! So quit sounding all self righteous and get your buzz on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Vanicionado

Hear, hear SCAR!!

Hear, hear!
http://www.droppingalmonds.com Brown Chicken

Pete,

Spot on…obviously you’ve played quite a few versions. I found that the pickup in the bridge position was made too hot and filled with treble compared to the EBMM (the feedback gets annoying gigging live and at high levels of gain).

I’m playing a Hwy 1 Tele as well and love the tone on the low strings for some tunes.

Keep rockin’ and TGIF!

I still play the Wolfie quite a bit, but enjoy the diversity of a good Mira X, Tele, and Jackson with Zakk GHS strings.
Dooley

Hi Duck…you pose the question

So lets say that VH does release a new album by the beginning of 2010. How many of you around here would really be that happy?

I would. If Ed, Alex, Dave & Wolf put a new album out in 2010, I’d be way up for it. And I sincerely mean that. Yeah, I’ve always appreciated Sammy, Mike, Satch, and the Chili’s, and I’m now a big CF fan. But I’ll never forget about or no longer be a Van Halen fan. I hope they jump back in next year. I’ll be there !! But, enough with the merchandise, Guitar Hero, nostalgia tours, etc. I’m sure others on this site feel the same way.
Sherman

RA812..

You are correct about Ed and the hotsauce, cabo and EVH.

Although it runs deeper, a friendship has been lost between them, for now.

Hot sauce and Cabo are added stress and animosity to the mix.

Hopefully Ed’s new path may rekindle at least respect for those guys. odds are not good however, but maybe Ed is for real this time.

Side note: To Janie:

Get all four members to play at Cleveland. Unfinished business.

I will email her.
kayser sozay

Duck – I have to agree with Dooley. I’ve been critical of Ed and his choices as much as anyone around here but I would be very happy to hear some new music from VH. The thing is, and someone alluded to it above, there just isn’t that much to choose from in the way of good music these days. My tastes run along the VH, CF, lines rather than the pop/hiphop/schlock we mostly hear about now. I will support any effort that keeps good rock and roll alive, be it Chickenfoot or VH.
Jack

Hagar’s a shit talker Betty Crocker!
Ryan

Sammy must be doing something right…he just made me realize I have to start to playing music again and get my band back together. No matter what you think about his music, Sammy has the right outlook on life. And Chickenfoot’s album kicks ass…I don’t give a shit what anyone says.
VH2

To Cmon

Eddie’s got nothing to prove, Eddie is more than Joe could ever aspire to be, for one Eddie is a proven great songwriter, but his songwriting was overshadowed by his revolutionary guitar work. People are still analysing or trying to figure out what he played 30+ years ago!! Joe is only starting to find out what it’s all about playing in a rock band. But he’s 30 or 40 years too late!!! There is nothing new or innovative he has ever done. He is just a good guitar player, but he won’t erupt the earth’s core like King Eddie, Hendrix and Page have!! I think Vai is more innovative than Joe could ever be and the funny thing is Vai got lessons of Joe, crazy world huh?!

I think people have got all jazzed up about Chickenfoot because there really isn’t anything else happening. People are kind of tired of the celebrity reality BS stars!! So Chickenfoot is really only a fill in or a fresh reminder of what it used to be. But listening carefully to their album, there is nothing there that is new or innovative that will worry Van Halen. In fact Van Halen will find it a compliment that their influence is noted in every review/opinion of Chichenfoot. It might piss of Sammy and co but it only proves how great Van Halen is!!!

Do yourself a favour, listen to the Chickenfoot album and then listen to Van Halen. As it’s traditional with Van Halen, I bet you’ll be reaching over to that volume nob and ever increasing the volume just before the speakers start to distort!!! Diamond Dave once said “Van Halen’s music is designed to melt and ruin all your other music collection when place among them”

VAN HALEN FOREVER!!!
Sherman

Ryan

You are correct on Sam.

A good spirit.

Let us not be fooled…he had his share in the breakup though.

A good man, but nobody bats 1000.

It wasn’t all the Brothers on this one.
Ryan

Hey Sherman,

Yeah, man. I know. It’s true about the breakup. I think Eddie and Sam don’t click because they are just two totally different people. But I just really respect Sam for living each day to the fullest and doing his thing no matter what anybody thinks about him.
http://none J5149.5

i love how people scream “don’t be self righteous,you think you read minds,you look like a unit” then go on to tell you how you feel,totally analyze your comments and that their thoughts are the way to go lol.c’mon dudes!if ya wanna rock to chickenfoot go ahead but ed will be just fine no matter how much shit you talk about him.i’ll bet ya 500 bucks he’ll make it. duck,skutch i’m with ya guys.scar i see now your a true blue fan.i thought you were just messin with people at first but i see you honestly defend the faith.
Rich

I’m going to take on a query here.

Y’know why everyone moans about EVH? Yeah, it is his personal choice to not put out an album.

But we’ve been promised one.

It didn’t stop him after Sammy left. VHIII was out 3 years after Balance.

Ed is always talking about how much music he has.

We’re told a new tour will come up next year.

Ed twitters about how he’s jamming with Wolf and Alex.

There are just a shitload of rumours about a new VH album. We’ve been anticipating it since Gary left. So I think we’ve waited long enough! Who wants this next album to be the next “Chinese Democracy” – a laughing stock with fans and the general media! Whatever qualms fans have with VH and their history, nobody wants them to be remembered as a band who talk large and don’t deliver.
Pete

BROWN CHICKEN…you’re playing some great axes brother, and I’m a firm believer that personal taste in guitars is just that, so despite my love for the EBMM, no disprespect to any of my guitar slinging brothers who rockin’ out on a wolf!

Incidentally, I don’t use the next position that much, but when I want to blow something cool, I’ve always liked what I’ve gotten from it. On my Fender Heartfield, incidentally, I actually removed the neck and middle pickups and filled in the gaps with plastic wood so that i had more room for a paint job. I’ve never missed them, and besides, my EBMM has a better neck pickup anyway.

Cool talkin’ shop with you man – peace!
http://none Ducky / Dirty Duck

Ryan:

You’re damn right! Sam is no angel. Dave is no angel.
At least as a fan of dave i’m the first one to admit he’s made some bad decisions in his career.
But a lot of the sam fans? Blind as the bats in their belfrey. It must be the tequila. If the hard stuff can make an ugly woman look good then I guess it’s the same with frontmen!

Thanks for not jumping on the bandwagon!