burly - Thanks. I'd love to have a job writing about music but I don't think there's a way I can make a living doing it. Let's face it...the stuff I like enough to talk about in-depth just doesn't have a large enough audience. And I'd have trouble writing about most pop music...not because I'm close minded, but because I think a lot of it is contrived and it'd be hard to talk about it without tearing it apart. ;-) I'd love to do the Cameron Crowe thing, though...maybe I'll get that chance at some point (A Chickenfoot tour biography/documentary, perhaps? Ha!).

Anyway, back to your post... I didn't get into Van Halen until the mid-90s, but in my mind the change in the band's musical style was just as much Eddie's doing as it was a result of the vocalist changing. The keyboards were there before Sammy (1984, Jump, I'll Wait), and I think they would have remained even if DLR stayed in the band...I can't see Dave doing Right Now, but I think something like Feels So Good could come from him. But that's a separate argument.

This is a big transition for Joe, but we all know he is a very versatile guitarist. That said, I think he's been getting too comfortable with his playing lately (on his last few albums), so I think this is a great way to shake things up. And to be honest, I think Sammy misses being in a band with a guitar virtuoso (Vic Johnson from the Wabos is excellent, but he's a different type of player).

I knew Sammy and Joe would get along, and it's obvious Sammy and Mikey would get along, but after hearing two Chickenfoot tracks I think I'm most surprised by how good Mike and Chad sound together. Chad is a funky drummer, and they're still so tight...I love it.

And to answer your question, Andy Johns produced the Chickenfoot album. He produced Satch's The Extremist and Van Halen's For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge, and worked as an engineer on a bunch of Zep and Stones albums in the 1970s...

Austin-Yeah, I usually remember.Sometimes I accidentally choose the /2004 before the /interact address, and it just blasts out of my speakers, probably waking up my roomate in the process.Other times I just forget, or I think my speakers are off.

So how was everybody's Saturday nite?

We had a trivia night fund raiser for the school - we had 2 tables of 10, hilarious night. We tried double bonus points on the music category but still not enough to win it. We agonised over who sang "Run To Paradise" and there was a collective groan when the answers were read out - of course it was the Choirboys. Many varied opinions over the lines to "Take It Easy" and who made "Grapevine" famous (Marvin Gaye) - shame there weren't any Satch questions.

Good morning T2Jers..or good evening those across the water...

Skippy- good weekend here, Last evening I went out with the family for my weekend vice,..Italian food...The wild party days are overso this is about as adventurous as it gets until Chickenfoot comes to town,..

Austin-You probably don't remember but Eddie made the comment when they announced Sammy was out of the band that he didn't like Sammy's melodies. I don't really know where he was coming from with that but if I had to guess it was part out of an inflated ego and in fairness to Ed, he may have felt that it did little for his playing style. Which in that case he was mistaken.

He recruited Gary Cherone,(I call him "Gary My Sharona"). I kinda think he dug the stuff Nuno and Gary were doing with Extreme, even though I don't think he and Nuno hit it off all that well. I never bought that album. Van Halen 3...THHHHHPPPPP!!!...Exuse that outburst but what a joke ..really.!

And you know before recruiting Sammy, he entertained the idea or actually I think may have auditioned Patty Smythe from Scandal,..("The Warrior"). I never understood the attraction there,..or at least not from a musical standpoint...Not that I don't like females fronting a band,I thinjk there are a lot of good women in rock but it just did not fit here...Our band had a female vocalist,..nice view for the drummer..I'm only kidding Lisa,..you know I am a gentleman....

Off to the gym...wish I could put some Chickenfoot in my player...What to play....HMMM...I'll figure it out!!

burly - you got mail.

Yes I am still alive in the real world, and start at T2J with a clean slate (but still a dirty mind). So minus 500 T2J-posts. Working on new healthy lifestyle, new beginnings, new focus, new priorities, trying new ways of handling things.

Mr. McKenna when you sobered up after the Grand Slam celebrations I'd like to hear your new purple Ibanez. If you can find the time.

Do The Stu, you are an impressive writer and you have made a detailed Chickenfoot analysis. But when you are done analyzing I suggest you drop your pants and put your balls against the speakers and have a remote idea of what the rest of us feel when we hear exciting music. Give it a go! :-)

Burly thanx for your email.

When I listened to the Chickenfoot tracks on their Myspace sound quality was better than when I listened to the embedded popup on the Chickenfoot site. Dunno why, but it was clear. So I recorded from the Myspace and play (and mp3-ed) those.

I am trying to program Joe's Chickenfoot sound on my POD X3 Live. Both one-tone and dual tone, based on Down The Drain. May still be a while before I got it right. But I got loads of time on my hands...

Folks..a new supergroup is out..well kinda...Not Chichenfoot but I thought is was worth mentioning, since the groups drummer is one of my mentors,...Bun E. Carlos of Cheap Trick..The rest of the band is made up from former members of Smashing Pumpkins, Fountains of Wayne and ,...hold on to your hats...HANSON,s former front man...Not really my thing but I give 'em a thumbs up for recruiting BUN E....Live at Budokan...what an album for 1980...Bun E. has lost his trademark cigarette and dropped quite a few pounds for a healthier lifestyle.

Tinted Windows

Before I step on someone's toes with the comments about Gary Cherone and Patty Smyth, let me say that I did not mean to take anything away from their abilities,..They are both talents in their own right...It just didn't mix with VH.

Players-...Mode Master

Gary and Patty might be good for a one off gig with VH just for fun, but for a job as singer in VH - um...no.

burly, I dig NASCAR too. I get some of my best sleep listening to the race. LOL! I never miss anything because they replay everything, so if I hear excitement, I just open my eyes and catch it on the replay. There for a little while, if I didn't want to sleep during a race I literally had to leave the room or turn it off because the sound of it was like a lullaby calling me to the sofa for some sleep. lol! Since Rusty retired, my husband and I don't really care who wins so much. I like Kahne and Jr.

Speaking of Super groups and Gary Cherone - he does have a great voice.

Igneousiceman, scubadaz, thank you.