These music supergroups have a way of sneaking up on a guy.
First it was Tinted Windows. This sugary power-pop band employs Adam Schlessinger of Fountains of Wayne (one of my all-time favorite bands) on bass; guitarist James Iha of the Smashing Pumpkins on lead guitar; drummer Bun E. Carlos from underrated Cheap Trick; and former Hanson lead singer -- yes, that's Hanson -- Taylor Hanson.
Tinted Windows put out some fine ear candy in April and are currently touring the United States. Sadly, they won't be in Cleveland anytime soon. (Neither will Fountains of Wayne -- grrrrrrrrrrrrrr!)
Now there comes word of Chickenfoot. It's not the newest gimmick food from KFC. Instead it's another supergroup with some names familiar to anyone who has ever listened to a rock-and-roll record: Sammy Hagar as lead singer, Michael Anthony (from Van Halen) on bass, Joe Satriani on lead guitar, and Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers on drums.
This band IS coming to Cleveland. I'm not sure how happy I am about that. On the one hand, they'll be playing a free show at the Rock Hall on Saturday, Aug. 15. Can't beat that. On the other hand, Sammy Hagar is the lead singer. He'll spend most of the time on stage screeching into the mike while signing autographs on whatever people might throw on stage for him.
Don't get caught up thinking no one wants to hear Chickenfoot. The band's debut album, out this week, debuted at No. 7 on the iTunes top 10. Their first show in Seattle was nearly shut down by the fire department last month. They even made the first week of Conan O'Brien's stint on The Tonight Show last Friday night.
But ... Sammy Hagar is 61. They have songs called "Oh Yeah," "Runnin' Out," and "Get It Up." (Obviously no one will be listening for the lyrics.) The debut's getting lukewarm reviews. And they're named Chickenfoot.
It's doubtful that Chickenfoot will have a lasting legacy like supergroups such as the Traveling Wilburys (George Harrison, Tom Petty, Roy Orbison, Bob Dylan), Asia (John Wetton of King Crimson, Yes's Steve Howe, Carl Palmer from ELP, Buggles guitarist Geoff Downes), The Firm (Paul Rodgers from Bad Company and others teaming up with Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page), or Mike + The Mechanics (Genesis guitarist Mike Rutherford and former Squeeze/Ace frontman Paul Carrack). Or maybe even Tinted Windows.
They're determined to have a heck of a good time trying, though. Who knows, maybe I will, too.