Friday, August 5, 2011
Spin Interview with Flea, Anthony and John - August 02 Issue
Since the multiplatinum success of their comeback album, Californication, the Red Hot Chili Peppers have kicked Behind The Music memories to the curb. More sober than ever, though no less passionate, Los Angeles' bad-boy icons are back--and they may have made the year's best rock record |
By Kate Sullivan
Flea has electric blue hair today, which makes his blue eyes really pop. “This journalist asked me yesterday why I dye my hair,” he says. “It’s either that or Grecian Formula.”
At 39, the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ bassist has had one nervous breakdown, one stress-related illness (he “fell apart” for about a year following the band’s breakthrough album, 1991’s Blood Sugar Sex Magik), one divorce, and one child (Clara, 13). He is a full-time single father, a yoga practitioner, and ten years clean and sober. “Being a dad is a top-important thing to me,” he says. “I really want to be her friend.”
INTERVIEW WITH RED HOT CHILLI PEPPERS
In 1989, the 19-year-old Red Hot Chili Pepper fan John Frusciante was asked by the band to replace guitarist Hillel Slovak, who had tragically died of an overdose in 1988. Fusciante’s brilliant guitar work went on to help give the Peppers wide recognition with the album Mother's Milk. And still further success in 1991, with Blood Sugar Sex Magik, an album which ultimately defined the funk rock sound of the band and is still touted as a staple for any true rock lovers record collection. Unfortunately, following the release of Blood Sugar Sex Magik, it seemed Frusciante had flown too high too fast, picking up the habits of his predecessor, and soon dropped out of the band. Former Jane’s Addiction guitarist Dave Navarro stepped in, but the “magik” was never quite the same. 1999 finds Frusciante back in the saddle, with a clean bill of health to boot. The band’s recent release Californicationgives us the RHCP sound we know and love – perhaps with even a touch more polish and sensitivity (I guess it comes with age) – along with the hope that the Chilis are back – for good.
NYROCK:
In a way John made and broke the Red Hot Chili Peppers, his guitar work influenced your sound in a major way and was partial reason for the band's success. When he dropped out, the spirit of the Peppers seemed to fade...
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Biography
The Red Hot Chili Peppers are a funk rock band based in Hollywood, California and was formed in 1983, in Los Angeles, California. The band currently consists of founding members Anthony Kiedis(vocals) and Michael “Flea” Balzary (bass) along with longtime member Chad Smith (drums). Guitarist John Frusciante quietly left the band on good terms in early 2008. On January 2nd 2010 Josh Klinghoffer was announced as Frusciante’s replacement. was released to radio on July 15, 2011, three days earlier than expected due to the single leaking. The song was the first single by RHCP in four years following the 2007 release of “Hump De Bump.”This was RHCP’s first single with new guitarist, Josh Klinghoffer, following John Frusciante’s departure in 2009. Songfacts states that the first single released by RHCP with Klinghoffer was The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie. It was released to radio on July 15, 2011, three days earlier than expected due to the single leaking.
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