Sammy Hagar says of Chickenfoot's second album, which they're so pumped about they skipped right to calling it Chickenfoot III. The supergroup – featuring Hagar, guitar wizard Joe Satriani, ex-Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony and Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith – started as a tequila-soaked jam session in Mexico and went on to sell 500,000 copies of its 2009 debut LP.

The band recorded mostly live at Hagar's Northern California studio, although a bout of writer's block slowed down the recording process. "I was being negative, and I fought with myself," says Hagar, who writes most of the band's lyrics. "The music Joe was presenting was so good, I honestly beat myself up for the first time ever. I didn't want to walk in with something mediocre."

The band may tour in November, although it will have to find another drummer – Smith is busy with the Chili Peppers. "That's the biggest disappointment about the whole thing," says Hagar, adding the band has auditioned several drummers and have an audition with Kenny Aronoff (John Mellencamp, John Fogerty, Smashing Pumpkins). "He's going to spend a couple days with this and were just going to jam and if he fits. It's got to be the chemistry. Kenny can play that's for sure and we all like him. He's kind of like like Chad – he's kind of crazy and he hits so fucking hard that he beats his drum set to the ground that after every show he needs a new drum set."

The fall is also looking to be a busy time for Hagar's former band, Van Halen – they're playing five Australian dates in September and early October and have reportedly been recording an album with David Lee Roth. "It better be great, because they waited a long time," Hagar says. "And Chickenfoot raised the bar."
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