Future In The Past

The Zoo Crew is spinning the infectious riffs of Chickenfoot's "Future In The Past" from their 2009 debut album, igniting the airwaves for all the Zoo Freaks out there. This track, a high-energy rock anthem, carries a reflective vibe with lyrics like "The future's in the past," penned by Sammy Hagar, Joe Satriani, Michael Anthony, and Chad Smith. In a 2012 interview with Goldmine Magazine, Hagar revealed that the song was one of the easiest and most fun to record for the album, flowing naturally in the studio with a spontaneous energy that captured the band's raw chemistry. The track's lyrical theme, blending nostalgia with forward-looking optimism, resonates with the band's ethos of saving "the best for last," as Hagar belts out, making it a fan favorite during live performances, especially during their 2012 Different Devil tour.

Diving into the song's guitar-driven soul, fans on the Fractal Audio Systems Forum have geeked out over Satriani's intro, describing it as a "ripped guitar" sound with an almost acoustic-like texture. This distinctive tone showcases Satriani's virtuosity, a hallmark of Chickenfoot's sound. On Chickenfoot’s official Facebook page, a throwback post from Satriani during the 2020 social distancing era reminisced about the band's camaraderie, hinting at the good times that fueled tracks like "Future In The Past." The song’s live rendition in Phoenix, available on platforms like Apple Music, captures the band’s explosive stage presence, with Hagar’s soaring vocals and Smith’s thunderous drums driving the Zoo Freaks wild.

Chickenfoot hatched in 2008 as a supergroup born from impromptu jam sessions at Hagar’s Cabo Wabo Cantina in Mexico. Hagar, a rock legend from his days with Montrose and Van Halen, was joined by bassist Michael Anthony, also a Van Halen alum known for his killer backing vocals. Drummer Chad Smith, the rhythmic backbone of Red Hot Chili Peppers, brought his classic rock passion, bonding with Hagar over their love for Montrose’s debut album. When the trio realized they needed a guitarist to take their jams to the next level, Hagar didn’t hesitate to call Satriani, whom he hailed as “the best guitarist in the world” in a 2009 Classic Rock interview. Satriani, already a guitar hero with a storied solo career, joined the fold, and their first gig together at a 2008 Hagar show in Las Vegas set the stage for their self-titled debut.

The band’s name, Chickenfoot, came from a playful jab during those early jams, as Anthony explained in a 2020 Wikipedia entry, noting the “three talons on a chicken’s foot” symbolizing the trio before Satriani’s arrival. Despite their supergroup status, Hagar emphasized on Lyrics.com that Chickenfoot was about fun and friendship, not just their pedigrees, saying, “We’re not a supergroup, we like hanging out together and the music is a bonus.” Their debut album, certified Gold, and the follow-up, Chickenfoot III (humorously titled as their second record), cemented their reputation for meaty, ‘70s-inspired rock, drawing from influences like Led Zeppelin and The Who. Though their future remains uncertain due to scheduling conflicts, as Smith noted in a 2016 Rolling Stone interview, the band’s legacy lives on through tracks like "Future In The Past."

For Zoo Freaks craving more, connect with Chickenfoot’s official website for updates, dive into their Facebook for throwback posts, or check their Instagram for album art and studio shots. While their X account keeps the vibe alive with fan interactions, join the Chickenfoot Fan Club on Facebook to swap stories with fellow rockers. The Sammy Hagar website also offers a deep dive into the band’s history, while Michael Anthony’s site shares tour photos and more. Keep rocking with the Zoo Crew, and let "Future In The Past" blast you into the stratosphere!