12 January 2012, Manchester Academy 1.

Formed in 2008, the hard-rocking ’supergroup’ Chickenfoot features the talents of vocalist Sammy Hagar (Van Halen, Montrose), bass player Michael Anthony (Van Halen), drummer Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers), and guitar virtuoso Joe Satriani. Formed out of a series of impromptu jams at Hagar’s club, Cabo Wabo Cantina, in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, the band made its live debut at a 2008 Hagar solo show in Las Vegas before deciding to take its signature blend of high-energy rock ‘n’ roll, funk, blues, and roots rock into the studio. Chickenfoot released its eponymous debut album in 2009, followed by a worldwide tour. The live, Get Your Buzz On DVD arrived in 2010,
followed by the band’s second studio album, Chickenfoot III, in 2011.

Having already experienced a fabulous live show by the other ’supergroup’ Black Country Communion (which was formed around the same time as Chickenfoot) I knew that the concept of a group made up of highly talented indivuals could work - in a way that a studio recording could not really show or prove. That said Chickenfoot’s two albums have been wonderful with the latest Chickenfoot III achieving a top spot in our 2011 Albums Of The Year. I’ll admit that I was excited at the prospect of the band’s show in Manchester, along with 2,500 fans who crammed into Manchester University’s premier rock venue. I can always find a car-parking spot adjacent to the venue providing I arrive early enough but on this occasion it proved impossible as every parking space (legal and illegal) had been occupied - even the adjacent formal car park took over an hour to enter…

Parking delays meant that when I eventually arrived at the packed venue support band The Red, White & Blues were ending their set, but the last song provided evidence that this was one of the best support acts I have seen in the last twelve months. The band is quite new and was started by Myke Gray (Skin and Jagged Edge) and Matt Alfonzetti (Jagged Edge, Skintrade and Road To Ruin). They have previously toured with other important bands such as Whitesnake, Steel Panther and The Quireboys and last year played the Download and Hard Rock festivals. The band released its debut album called SHINE late last year but as yet it has not appeared in the UK market. As the band name implies, this is rock strongly laced with the blues and played well enough for the packed audience to be generous in their praise. Hell, they even sang along in the last song’s chorus encouraged by a hugely charismatic lead-man.

At around 9pm Joe Satriani walked wandered onto the stage from the left picking up his Chickenfoot-branded Ibanez JS from the guitar tech waiting in the wings. Satriani then played solo guitar while the other players slowly filled the stage. Right from the onset I sensed these guys were content, enthusiastic and inspired by the capacity crowd of mostly 20+ years audience. Satriani’s solo served as an introduction to the explosive opening song ‘Lighten Up’ - an ideal and highly rhythmic show opener. The killer punch (and there were loads of them) arrived next with dead cert crowd pleaser ‘Alright Alright’with Michael Anthony contributing powerful backing vocals (as indeed he did with Van Halen).

Was that Chad Smith on drums? No it wasn’t which was my only disappointment of the night. Smith is a rock drummer hero of mine and was working his day job with Red Hot Chili Peppers so the very capable (and surprisingly so…) Kenny Aronoff took up the sticks for the night. Up next was the super-bluesy ‘Big Foot’ with its thumping rhythm section dominating alongside Hagar’s expressive, angry vocal (and very effective backing vocals). Then Satriani piped up with a brief but stinging solo - this was building up to be on of the finest rock displays I have ever seen. Pretty soon a flag soared onto the stage which seemed to signal the final confirmation that band and auidence were as one.

Up to this point the latest album had provided the opening salvo of killer songs but in 90 minutes there was time to dip into the debut album with one of its highlight tracks, ‘Sexy Little Thing’. By this time Hagar was jumping around the stage like a fresh young rocker (he’s 65 I believe), chatting easily with his faithful fans and pretty well just enjoying himself - big time! I’ve seen Satriani play solo gigs but as part of this band he seemed somehow ‘happier’. Anthony was in his element and proved how good a bass player he is with his Chickenfoot trade-marked Yamaha.

Such is the strength of the band’s two albums that melodic song thunderbolts kept coming, including diverersly paced winners such as the very moving, pleading ‘Three And A Half Letters’ which met with respectful silence from the crowd, and mid-paced, radio-friendly beauty ‘Different Devil’ (played during the encore). This was 100% Chickenfoot save for one fabulous Jimi Hendrix cover which sent fans and me happy and inspired. This concert lacked for nothing and excelled in everything - great individual and group performances, great songs and the most powerful audience connection which drove the band onto even greater heights. One word: Superb!

SETLIST

Lighten Up, Alright Alright, Big Foot, Sexy Little Thing, Soap On A Rope, Up Next, My Kind Of Girl, Down The Drain. Three And A Half Letters, Something Going Wrong, Turnin’ Left, Future In The Past. Encore: Different Devil, Oh Yeah, Foxy Lady.