Chickenfoot is the new project introduced by four great musicians: Sammy Hagar (ex-Van Halen), Joe Satriani, Michael Anthony (ex-Van Halen) and Chad Smith (Red Hot Chilli Peppers). On the occasion of the band releasing its debut that reflects its members’ good mood and hunger for rock ‘n roll, Solid Rock took the chance to discuss with talented guitarist Joe Satriani who talked about this ‘titan’ collaboration!

Solid Rock: Sammy Hagar, Joe Satriani, Michael Anthony and Chad Smith in the same band. It’s a ‘super group’ indeed! Would you like to tell us a few words about how this great lineup came together and how the idea for this band came up?

Joe Satriani: Sammy gave me a call back in February of ’08 and asked me to attend an encore jam at one of his concerts in Las Vegas. Chad and Mike came along too, and after that we were a band.

Solid Rock: People’s expectations are quite high from this band since day 1. What’s the reaction of the fans on Chickenfoot’s album so far?

Joe Satriani: We have been overwhelmed with the CD’s success on the charts and radio. The live shows have been great fun with some heavy rocking from both band and audience.

Solid Rock: What about the name? It’s surely a strange one, but funny so, how did you come up with it?

Joe Satriani: Sammy came up with the name years ago; it was the name of his first rock band.

Solid Rock: You had to cancel the Madrid concert due to Chad Smith's injury. How is he now and what did exactly happen to him?

Joe Satriani: Chad is doing better, but has a torn small bicep muscle that needs some serious therapy. We all hope that with proper care he will be able to finish the last two shows of the European tour. Having a few weeks off before the start of the US tour will be very important for his recovery. We all feel bad for having to cancel three shows of the tour, but promise to make them up as soon as possible.

Solid Rock: One could expect a couple of cover songs from the members' past bands (Van Halen, Satriani, Red Hot Chilly Peppers) in your setlist; have you thought about it or do you prefer to focus on Chickenfoot?

Joe Satriani: It’s just Chickenfoot and some outside covers for now. Maybe in the future we will start to include some songs from our other bands.

Solid Rock: You have a party feeling/mood when you are on-stage; was it the same when you were in the studio? Can you say that the Chickenfoot album is a product of some jamming sessions?

Joe Satriani: It’s always fun when we get together. The song writing usually started with me making home demos of songs in groups of 8 or 10 songs. Then Sammy would come up with melodies and lyrics. Next the band would get together and arrange the songs as a group, changing the style, as it seemed fit. We did improvise one composition together in the studio, the song “Down The Drain”.

Solid Rock: You are always on the move with your guitar solos; is there something new in them in the Chickenfoot album; any 'rare' scale for example?

Joe Satriani: Combining blues scales with “exotic” scales seemed to be where I was going when we were recording the CD. I was looking for a more raw, emotional approach with the band. It just seemed more natural to play that way.

Solid Rock: Is Chickenfoot just a project band? I mean can we expect new music from this line-up in the near future?

Joe Satriani: I think this band could last 10 years and put out at least 4 CD’s.

Solid Rock: Chickenfoot are currently touring Europe and during August and September you will be touring the US. Is there a chance that new European dates will be added later in the year and we get to see you live in Greece?

Joe Satriani: I hope so. Playing live is the best thing a musician can do, and will be the one in the band pushing for more touring.

Solid Rock: Now apart from Chickenfoot, what’s next for Joe Satriani?

Joe Satriani: I hope to release a live DVD later this year from the “Professor Satchafunkilus Tour”. We filmed a show at the Grand Rex Theatre in Paris that turned out to be a great night for the band and me.

Solid Rock: Do you have a message for the Greek fans of Chickenfoot?

Joe Satriani: We hope to see you soon in Greece!