CHICKENFOOT: 'Three And A Half Letters' Video Released

"Three And A Half Letters (I Need A Job)", the new video from CHICKENFOOT, can be seen below. The song comes off the group's sophomore album, "III", sold 42,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 9 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band's self-titled debut opened with 49,000 units back in June 2009 to debut at No. 6.

In a recent interview with Music Radar, CHICKENFOOT guitarist Joe Satriani stated about "Three And A Half Letters (I Need A Job)", "Carter [the band's manager, John Carter, who died of cancer halfway through the recording the new disc] had been asking Sam [CHICKENFOOT singer Sammy Hagar] to write a topical song about the economic situation. 'I need a job' was the line that was being used. At the same time, Sam started going through letters that he had received from fans, and a lot of them were pretty desperate. He got the idea to put it all together.

"He called me and said that in the verses he was going to read some of the letters, and in the choruses he was going to scream 'I need a job!' The plan was that at the end of each chorus I would just go nuts on guitar. Sam didnt want me to sketch out or demo what I would do. Total, gut-reaction spontaneity was what he had in mind.

"I did write out the main framework for the song, though. The band got together on the last day of recording, and we went for it live in one take raw, unchecked emotions. For the solo sections, I stepped on the Proctavia and went crazy. We added a second guitar for the chorus chords and moved the live solo guitar to the center and added delays hard left and right.

"Sam's vocal performance is so heartfelt and real. The last verse is quite dramatic. I have to admit to getting choked up when I hear this song."

"III" was produced by Mike Fraser (AC/DC, METALLICA) and is the much-anticipated follow-up album to the successful eponymous debut of a rock band packed with successful veterans.

Featuring guitar hero Joe Satriani and former VAN HALEN members Michael Anthony (bass) and Sammy Hagar (vocals),CHICKENFOOT's touring lineup includes legendary drummer/musician Kenny Aronoff, who is filling in for Chad Smith while Smith hits the road with his main band, RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS.

Commented Joe Satriani, "Kenny brings that same combination of super chops and wild energy to the band that we're used to; and, offstage, he's just as crazy as Chad."

"Chickenfoot III" features 10 tracks with so many moments of epiphany that one can barely take them all in on first listen. Colossal, stadium-shaking riffs abound on earth-movers such as "Alright, Alright", "Last Temptation", "Bigfoot" and "Lighten Up".

Photo credit: Neil Zlozower