Go Metric

Chickenfoot, Day Ten: Cue "Eruption"

By Mike Faloon

Act I:

iTunes

Search "Chickenfoot"

Command-a

Edit

Delete

"Are you sure you want to delete the selected items from your iTunes library?"

Delete items

"Do you want to move the selected items (including those downloaded from the iTunes Store) to the Trash, or keep them in the iTunes Media folder?"

Move to trash

Empty

"Are you sure you want to remove the items in the Trash permanently?"

OK

Act II:

Search "Van Halen (1978)"

Play

Chickenfoot, Day Nine: It All Circles Back to the Minutemen

By Mike Faloon

Many people would argue that the Minutemen's Double Nickels on the Dime is the greatest record ever. I'm one of them. Ironically, Double Nickels has two Chickenfoot connections. The sixth song on side four, also known as “side chaff,” is a cover of Van Halen's “Ain't Talkin' ‘bout Love.” Also, the album's title was inspired by Sammy Hagar's “I Can't Drive 55.” Wildman Sammy declared that he would not, could not drive the speed limit. (For the record, neither does my mom.) The Minutemen figured that the rule breaking should come across in your art—your band, your writing, etc.—not your motor vehicle skills.

Chickenfoot, Day Eight: In Defense of Michael Anthony

By Mike Faloon

When I was in junior high my friends and I loved Van Halen. They were big and brash and over the top. Completely unlike us. Van Halen had Eddie, the flashy guitar player, and David Lee Roth, the loudmouth frontman. They also had Alex Van Halen who drum sound was inescapable, especially the cymbals which were way too high in the mix. And then there was Michael Anthony. Solid, no mistakes that we could pinpoint but none of the shock and guffaws that Eddie and David served up. Michael Anthony was an order of regular in an otherwise supersize setting. We made fun of him. Later, talking to other Van Halen fans, active or recovering, I found that mocking him was common.

Chickenfoot, Day Seven: (Van Morrison) x 52 = Chickenfoot's Outtakes

By Mike Faloon

As of March 11, 2011 Chickenfoot III was slated to include a song called “Astral Years.” Akin to Van Morrison? Sure, yes, as intended… but it's 52 times better! Take that Belfast Cowboy!

Chickenfoot, Day Six: Chex Mix with Honey Nut Cheerios

By Mike Faloon

TO: Sammy <[email protected]>, Chadster <[email protected]>, Joe <[email protected]>

FROM: [email protected]

SUBJECT: Fall Tour Dates?

Chickenfoot, Day Five: The Beauty of Sammy Hagar

By Mike Faloon

Haven't listened to or thought much about the ‘Foot in three days. Grades are due tomorrow. It's been a long week. A lot of Tom Waits, They Might Be Giants, and Mission of Burma driving to and from work. Great as those records are, they've faded in and out of my awareness as I race home each night. I've been staying late working on report cards but also trying to get home before my kids are in bed. I'm wiped. Last night I was asleep before my son. Second time this week.

And still Sammy Hagar has made his presence known. He's become the challenge of this 10-day journal. I know I'm not going to like the Chickenfoot disc. But maybe I'll reconsider Sammy.

Chickenfoot, Day Four: The Tale of Sammy Hagar's Solar Powered Ark

By Mike Faloon

I decided to skip ahead to the last song, “Something Going Wrong.” Judging from my pace over the first three days I am not likely to finish the record.

I'm gonna buy myself an ark – Noah built one. Sammy's going to buy one. Craigslist, I'd imagine. Just have to drive out to the valley to pick it up.

That goes seven, seven, seven – Sammy's on the side of the righteous as the album closes. One can only assume that he sent the young lady from “Last Temptation” back to her room. Chastised her, politely but firmly, demanded that she gain control of her hair, requested that she cease stop trying to “show it” to Sammy, and insisted that she take her leave.

Chickenfoot, Day Three: Harness Your Inner Porche Panamera GTS

By Mike Faloon

Should I listen to Tom Waits or Chickenfoot? I feel ridiculous posing the question, but there it was as I shot up the southbound 84 on-ramp. I opted for Tom Waits. I'm trying to stretch my boundaries by listening to Chickenfoot III, look for something of value in a record that repulses me in many ways. But I haven't lost my mind. I've been going back to Orphans a lot lately, especially the Brawlers disc. And yet Chickenfoot's “Last Temptation” and “Alright Alright” popped into my head repeatedly during work.

Chickenfoot, Day Two: Chickenfoot and Fugazi -- Two Venn Diagrams With Little Overlap

By Mike Faloon

It was my band's first show in New York. A club named Street Level on Houston Street. Now defuct. Or at least relocated. I think they call it Nice Guy Eddie's now. Nice Guy Eddie sounds like a guy who spends an inordinate amount of time placing gun muzzles to skulls. Nonetheless, there we were. Three underwhelming dudes wearing matching bowling shirts and about to bring our brand of mild punk rock to the Big Apple for the first time.

Chickenfoot, Day One

By Mike Faloon

Election Day 2011. Ohio voters defeated Issue 2. Overwhelming support for collective bargaining rights.   I should have celebrated. I'm a public school teacher. I did celebrate but my joy was tempered because I didn't vote in my local elections here in New York. I didn't do my part. I intended to but at 6:30, as I was driving home from work, I realized I hadn't changed my registration to our new town.   Not voting locally left me on the sidelines, outside looking in, at least in the political sense.