CHICKENFOOT – Get Your Buzz On Live

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last year or so you can’t fail to have taken notice of the strangely monikered Chickenfoot, a modern-day “Supergroup” featuring Michael Anthony (Van Halen), Sammy Hagar (Montrose/Van Halen), Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers) and guitar genius Joe Satriani, who’s self-titled debut album was one of the most anticipated releases of last year.

Unlike many such projects which promise much yet deliver little beyond the initial hype, Chickenfoot delivered big time producing an album choc full of killer riffs, huge hooks and stadium busting performances which resulted in the album cracking the Billboard Top 10 and achieving Gold status within months of its release which is no mean feat in today’s free download crazy market.

With a series of incendiary sold out shows throughout America and Europe further backing up Hagar’s OTT claims it was a logical step to release a full blown live DVD to capture forever the might of Chickenfoot on stage.

Filmed at the Dodger Theater in Phoenix with 16 state of the art hi-definition cameras by award winning director Daniel E. Catullo III (Rush, Smashing Pumpkins) with the aim of giving fans the chance to see the explosive, high energy, music-fest from the comfort of their own armchairs, it certainly lives up to high expectations.

With a set list heavily built on their excellent album, indeed all but “Runnin’ Out” are featured, together with a couple of covers thrown in for good measure, the action is non-stop throughout the hour and a half performance.

Chickenfoot quite rightly eschewed the temptation to play a “greatest hits” type set featuring songs from each of their illustrious histories allowing the band to stand or fall on its own merit. Indeed the only nod to their past is a thumping take on the Montrose classic “Bad Motor Scooter.”

The picture quality is superb throughout capturing all of the action in crisp and clear detail. The director really has got this bang on with a perfect blend of close ups and panorama shots giving the viewer the feeling of being right in the middle of the action. Fortunately there is none of the rapid fire scene shots that seem to dominate so many live recordings these days that does nothing other than induce a rather nasty migraine. The sound quality is incredible, clear and punchy giving a huge dose of energy to the studio versions.

As for the band itself, they are literally on fire. The onstage chemistry is clear to see. This isn’t just a corporate money making project, these are four guys having a blast and loving what they do and this pervades across the whole show. Hagar is in fine voice and really connects with the crowd; Satriani is the quiet cool one who lets his awesome playing do the talking; Anthony is Hagar’s partner in crime and never stops smiling. His backing vocals throughout show just how important he was to the classic Van Halen sound, and don’t they just miss him now. Chad Smith is the lunatic drummer throughout and his finale following “My Generation” is pure Keith Moon.

The performance footage is worth the price of purchase alone but the extras add a nice little extra touch. Of course there’s the obligatory photo gallery but the interviews are well worth taking a look at. Whether it’s Chad Smith desperately trying to find someone that’s heard of Chickenfoot, Joe Satriani’s interview with Spinal Tap legend Nigel Tufnel or Michael Anthony responding to Adam Corolla’s assertion that he is the fourth most important member of Chickenfoot, there is plenty to keep you interested over the hour long section which also features additional live action, backstage footage and Chad dressed as Will Ferrell in Elf !!!! If that’s not enough it comes complete with a rather impressive photo book containing live and group shots.

In an overcrowded Live DVD market Chickenfoot have succeeded in releasing one of the most impressive and compelling performances available and it is certainly well worth investing your hard earned cash in Get Your Buzz on Live to see what all the Chickenfoot fuss is all about.