Chickenfoot

Joe Satriani, Chad Smith, Michael Anthony, Sammy Hagar Join Forces For New Group "Chickenfoot"



Four of rock music’s most successful and influential musicians are combining their talents to create the much anticipated rock group Chickenfoot. Guitar hero Joe Satriani, Red Hot Chili Peppers’ drummer Chad Smith, former Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony, and frontman Sammy Hagar’s new project has found the four working side-by-side for the last few months recording their self-titled debut album, Chickenfoot, which will be released in June, 2009.

Long before these four rock icons came together to form Chickenfoot, they already had filled the pages of rock history with enough individual mind-blowing chapters to boggle the mind of any fan or musician alike. Satriani had his own blazing solo career as a much respected guitar virtuoso; Chad Smith is the drummer of world renowned rock band The Red Hot Chili Peppers; and Michael Anthony and Sammy Hagar have been working together since their days as lead bassist and singer, respectively, in Van Halen. These talented individuals were aching to work together in a band that produced rock like they never have before.

The self-titled debut is an 11-track hard rock album that sets a "new standard" for rock music in the new millennium. Produced by Andy Johns (Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones) and mixed by Mike Fraser (AC/DC, Metallica), the band is not lacking energy or enthusiasm in this project.

For more information about Chickenfoot and the upcoming self-titled debut album Chickenfoot, please visit www.chickenfoot.us.

courtesy: moderndrummer

Zildjian Pitch Black Cymbals

Zildjian Cymbals has announced that it will produce the first ever run of all-black cymbals in its 385 year history.

“Pitch Black™” cymbals are available in a full range of sizes and models and are designed specifically for Rock and Metal applications. The series features eight models including a 22-inch Ride, 20-inch Crash Ride, 18 and 16-inch Crashes, 13-inch Splash, 15-inch Mastersound HiHats, 14-inch HiHats and an 18-inch China.”

“Utilizing a proprietary coating process, all Pitch Black™ cymbals are made from Zildjian’s high performance Bronze 12 Alloy which features enhanced tin content for a richer sound. The coating process allows the cymbals to be durable and visually striking while still opening up as a cymbal should. Heavier weights and large sizes combined with new profiles, cups, lathing and hammering techniques help to deliver the brightness and presence required for Rock and Metal applications.”

I don’t know much about the sound of these yet, but they look very cool. I am pretty sure purists will still want traditional cymbals, esp considering how expensive they are, although this is a great choice of a cymbal for the player who wants a different visual aesthetic for their drum kit while still having great sound.

courtesy: harmony-central.com

Ryan Yerdon, Getting Animalistic

It turns out that Ryan Yerdon was once quite in touch with his sensitive side. Surprised? Well, before joining Puddle Of Mudd, which is famous for its ballsy, riff-laden rock epics, Yerdon played with the more indie-minded vocalist Carina Round, whose style demanded far more laid-back drumming. “It was really subdued and spaced out,” Ryan recalls. “I’d play fat snares that were somewhat detuned, and I’d use different kinds of heads. I would experiment and put different things on my snare, like pieces of paper or my wallet.”

Shift to Yerdon’s current gig with Puddle Of Mudd, and you’ll find that the two approaches couldn’t contrast more. “The Puddle gig calls for an animalistic, bashy headspace,” Ryan says. “I give up a bit of sensitivity, but when we have breaks in touring and I do a session, I’ll notice that I always sound better because I’ve been playing to a click five nights a week.”

In addition to gigs with Puddle Of Mudd, Yerdon has worked with Weezer, Gavin Rossdale, and Dweezil Zappa, among others. “Being versatile is important,” he says. “It helps the library inside your head grow bigger and allows you to incorporate ideas from other types of players.”

courtesy: moderndrumer.com