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The Red Hot Chili Peppers are a multiple Grammy Award-winning American rock band, formed in Los Angeles, California in 1983 by Anthony Kiedis (vocals) Hillel Slovak (guitar), and Michael "Flea" Balzary (bass).
Throughout their career, the band has fused various elements of punk, funk, heavy metal and rap, and in later years with more melodic and accessible sound. They hold the record for most number one singles on the Billboard Modern Rock Chart with 11, and has held a record of 81 weeks at number one.
Inconsistent and unstable lineups have influenced the band's music, style, and success throughout the nine studio recordings they have produced. The most notable of such was the addition of guitarist John Frusciante, following the death of Hillel Slovak. With the band, Frusciante assisted in propelling the foursome's once turbulent musical career into a successful and popular affair. Their second album together (fifth collectively), 1991's Blood Sugar Sex Magik, has since gone multi-platinum in numerous countries, and become an international sensation selling over 12 million copies, being labeled one of the most influential albums of all time. Though, during the process, Frusciante became uncomfortable with the new found success of the band, and quit in the late summer of 1992. The Chili Peppers, therefore, employed former Jane's Addiction guitarist, Dave Navarro for their subsequent album, One Hot Minute. Released in 1995, it failed to meet the recognition which Blood Sugar Sex Magik saw, and, as a result, sold roughly 5 million units, less than half of its predecessor; vast creative differences between him and the rest of the band caused Navarro to be fired from the Peppers not long after.
Frusciante, in his absence, became severely addicted to heroin and almost lost his life. Nevertheless, in 1998 he completed drug rehabilitation and rejoined the Chili Peppers at the request of Flea. The foursome returned to the studio to create 1999's Californication, which would go on to sell 15 million units worldwide, becoming the band's most successful album to date. It was followed up three years later by By the Way; an album which showed a far more subdued side to the Chili Peppers. Four years following, the group released Stadium Arcadium, making it the first time a Red Hot Chili Peppers' line-up had not changed in three consecutive studio recordings.
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Formation and First Album (1983 - 1984)
The Red Hot Chili Peppers (originally Tony Flow and the Miraculous Masters of Mayhem) were formed by Fairfax High School alumni Anthony Kiedis (vocals) Hillel Slovak (guitar), Michael "Flea" Balzary (bass), and Jack Irons (drummer), following what was supposed to be a one-off performance. It was never the intent of the foursome to become part of the ubiquitous Los Angeles punk scene, as Slovak and Irons were already committed to another group, What Is This?. The band's first performance was at the Rhythm Lounge, to a limited crowd of roughly 30 people. One song had been created for the occasion, which involved the band improvising music while Kiedis rapped a poem he had written called "Out in L.A.", regarding the wild, fanatical, and fervent scene that was L.A. Following a week of scrupulous practice, the band began to feel confident in their work.
The performance was so full of energy and vigor, that those in charge of promoting the show begged the band to return once again the next week. As a result, the band changed their name to the Red Hot Chili Peppers. There followed several shows at various LA clubs and musical venues. Six songs were derived from these initial shows, which were taped and recorded onto a demo tape, for reference and demonstration to, possibly, a record company.
Several months after their first performance, the band was signed to the record label EMI. However, two weeks prior, What Is This? had obtained a record deal with MCA; Slovak and Irons considered the Red Hot Chili Peppers a side project; so they quit to pursue their first project. Nonetheless, the two remaining Chili Peppers' minds were focused on enduring the hindrance. Cliff Martinez, an acquaintance of Flea's was asked to join the band shortly afterwards. Auditions for a new guitarist generated Jack Sherman, who was the exact opposite of what the Red Hot Chili Peppers were conceived of. Sherman failed to integrate into the compulsive lifestyles of the band members, consequently causing friction, and, often, arguments.
Gang of Four guitarist Andy Gill was hired to produce their first album. Despite their warnings, he pushed the band to play with a cleaner, crisper and more radio viable sound, defying Anthony and Flea. This caused tension, as the Chili Peppers felt pressured into conforming into something they were not, and tried their best to remain original and unique. The Red Hot Chili Peppers was released on August 10, 1984, to virtually no commercial success. It initially sold an approximate 25,000 units, and garnered little marketable recognition. The ensuing tour did not fare any better, as circulating tension between Kiedis and Sherman began to compromise the transition between concert and daily band-life. Consequently, soon after, Sherman was fired; Hillel Slovak returned after the liquefaction of What Is This?.
Freaky Styley and The Uplift Mofo Party Plan (1985 - 1988)
George Clinton was selected to produce the next Red Hot Chili Peppers album, Freaky Styley. Clinton successfully fused various elements of funk to the band's repertoire, allowing the Chili Peppers to be musically diverse and varied, meeting their fruition. Compared to Andy Gill, Clinton was not only undemanding to work with, but believed in the band from the moment production began. Released on August 16, 1985, Freaky Styley, as its predecessor, saw little to no commercial viability. It failed to mark any impression on any chart, whatsoever, and the resulting tour was unproductive and financially futile.
Cliff Martinez departed from the group in the summer of 1986, and the band temporarily hired Chuck Biscuits to finish the tour. Jack Irons, out of work and finally separated from another commitment, rejoined the group, shocking Anthony, Flea, and Hillel. The band chose Michael Beinhorn to produce their next album. Songs began to form quickly, and the album's shape came within sight; it would blend the same funk rhythm and feel as Freaky Styley had, but also take a harder more immediate approach to Punk rock and Funk Metal. Having all four original members allowed for creativity to flow, and flourish.
On September 29, 1987 The Uplift Mofo Party Plan was released. It was the first Red Hot Chili Peppers' album which managed to influence the charts; although it only peaked on the Billboard Hot 200 at #148, this was a significant success compared to their two preceding albums.
Meanwhile, Kiedis and Slovak had both developed serious drug addictions, often leaving the band, each other, and their significant others for days on end. Hillel's need for drugs led to his death on June 25, 1988, not long after the conclusion of the Uplift tour. It was virtually impossible for Kiedis to accept that his life-long friend had died, due to drugs he had deemed more precious than his own life. In such a state of denial, Kiedis fled the city and missed Slovak's funeral, believing the situation to be surreal and dreamlike. Jack Irons called a band-meeting, where he announced he was forever leaving the band: "This is not where I want to be. I do not want to be part of something where my fucking friends are dying".
Mother's Milk (1989-1990)
In an attempt to cope with the death of their life-long companion Slovak and the departure of Irons, Anthony and Flea momentarily employed Dead Kennedys drummer D. H. Peligro and former P-Funk guitarist DeWayne "Blackbyrd" McKnight. Neither sparked any notable chemistry for their remain; therefore they were each rapidly substituted with more appropriate members. John Frusciante surfaced, as an acquaintance of Peligro's. He was fascinated with the Red Hot Chili Peppers and particularly interested in trying out; he had been an avid enthusiast for years. Following a constructive jam, there was a unanimous decision that John would be accepted into the band.
Three weeks prior to the beginning of record production, the band was still in dire need of a drummer. Numerous disastrous auditions gave the three Chili Peppers doubts, but, eventually, they received a call from a close friend. She informed them of a someone she knew, Chad Smith, who was so proficient on the drums he "ate them for breakfast". Anthony had various qualms about allowing Smith to try out; however, it was agreed to give the drummer a chance. Chad overwhelmed the band, by not only matching Flea's intricate and complex rhythm, but began to lead him. The successful jam session allowed Anthony, John and Flea to admit Chad into the band, untroubled.
When it came time to record, though, the foursome began butting heads with Michael Beinhorn, the album's producer. His foremost agenda was to transform Frusciante's guitar playing into a loud, overpowering sound, similar to the abrasive tones utilized in heavy metal. It caused Frusciante great discomfort, as it contradicted his desired guitar playing. Beinhorn was assertive and manipulative, thus, changing the sound of what their next album may have been.
The consequent album, Mother's Milk was released in August of 1989, and gave the Chili Peppers their first top modern rock hits with their tribute ballad to Slovak, "Knock Me Down", and their cover of Stevie Wonder's "Higher Ground". The album reached #52 on the American album charts and became the bands first gold record.
Blood Sugar Sex Magik (1990 - 1992)
In 1990, the group switched labels to Warner Bros. Records. Rick Rubin was hired to produce their fifth album, which was, at the time, still untitled. The writing process was far more productive than what was written during Mother's Milk. Kiedis said that: "every day now, there was new music for me to lyricize".
Throughout the entire 6 month process, the long periods of rehearsal, songwriting, and the incubating of ideas led the band to record the album. Rubin, however, was discontented with an everyday recording studio, implying the Chili Peppers would bear fruit in a more unorthodox setting. He came across an "amazing, huge, empty historically landmarked Mediterranean haunted mansion a stone's throw from where we all lived." For the next approximate month, Frusciante, Kiedis and Flea remained in seclusion, never once leaving the house during the entire recording process. Smith, however, decided not to stay, as, according to many, the mansion was haunted; he had no intention of remaining, and would leave on his Harley Davidson each night.
The title of the album was still uncertain to the band, however, one particular song title stuck out: "Blood Sugar Sex Magik". Although it was not a featured song, Rick believed it to be "Clearly the best title we have now....."
Finally, on September 24, 1991, Blood Sugar Sex Magik was released. "Give It Away" was released as the first single; it would eventually go on to win a Grammy award in 1992 for "Best Hard Rock Performance With Vocal" and became the band's first number one single on the Modern Rock chart. The ballad "Under the Bridge" was released as the follow up single, it went on to reach #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, the highest the band has reached on that chart, and would become one of the band's most recognizable songs. Other singles such as "Breaking the Girl" and "Suck My Kiss" also fared well on the charts. The album itself was an international sensation, selling over 10 million copies and broadening the Chili Peppers audience. Blood Sugar Sex Magik was listed at number 310 on the Rolling Stone magazine list of The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, and in 1992 it climbed all the way to # 3 on the U.S. album charts almost a year after its release.
Success and drug addiction were taking their toll on Frusciante, who abruptly quit the band during the Blood Sugar Japanese tour in May of 1992. The band headlined the Lollapalooza festival in 1992 with replacement guitarist Arik Marshall (who appeared with them in The Simpsons episode "Krusty Gets Kancelled", and the videos for "Breaking the Girl" and "If You Have to Ask"), and briefly with Jesse Tobias of the California based band Mother Tongue. Neither lasted very long, for the rest of the band said "The chemistry wasn't right." In 1993, former Jane's Addiction guitarist Dave Navarro was brought in as a member.
One Hot Minute (1993 - 1998)
Dave Navarro first appeared with the group at Woodstock '94 in which they wore enormous light-bulb costumes attached precariously to chrome metallic suits, making it near-impossible to play their instruments. To outsiders all seemed to be settling with the band internally, however, an inelastic relationship began to form between the three established members and Navarro; he was having a difficult time creating bonds with his new band mates. His differing musical background made performing difficult as they began playing together, and further continued to be an issue over the next year as his first and only effort with the Red Hot Chili Peppers, One Hot Minute, was recorded and released on September 12, 1995. The band described One Hot Minute as a darker, sadder record compared to their previous material. Despite mixed reviews, the album was a commercial success. It sold five million copies internationally, spawned the band's third #1 single, the ballad "My Friends," and enjoyed chart success with the songs "Warped", "Aeroplane", and "Love Rollercoaster from the Beavis and Butthead Do America soundtrack."
Kiedis had, by this point, resumed his heroin dependence, and had, predictably, lost his focus on the band's success. In April 1998 it was announced that Navarro had left the band due to creative differences; Kiedis stated that the decision for Navarro to leave was "mutual." Reports at the time however indicated Navarro's firing came after he attended a band practice, blatantly under the influence of drugs, which at one point involved him falling backwards over his own amp. Kiedis himself has since said that although the event should have been comical, it was instead pitiful and was the impetus for Navarro's departure.
Californication (1998 - 2001)
In the years following his departure from the band, it became public that John Frusciante had developed an addiction to heroin, which left him in poverty and near death. He was talked into admitting himself to Los Encinos Drug Rehabilitation center in January of 1998. He concluded the process in February of that year and began renting a small apartment in Silver Lake. He acquired many injuries/problems in the years of his addiction, some requiring surgeries, including permanent scarring on his arms, a restructured nose, and new teeth to prevent fatal infection.
In April 1998, Flea visited his former band-mate and openly invited John to re-join the band, an invitation an emotional Frusciante readily accepted. Within the week and, for the first time in six years, the reunited foursome gathered to play, and jump-started the newly reunited Red Hot Chili Peppers. Anthony Kiedis said of the situation
“ For me, that was the defining moment of what would become the next six years of our lives together. That was when I knew that this was the real deal, that the magic was about to happen again. Suddenly we could all hear, we could all listen, and instead of being caught up in our finite little balls of bullshit, we could all become players in that great universal orchestra again. â€
Despite the band's elation by Frusciante's return, he was both mentally and physically torn. John had not played in several years, having previously sold every guitar he owned for drug money, and experienced a difficult time resuming life prior to his drug usage. His former talent did, however, resurface and new songs began to roll out. On June 8, 1999, after over a year of production and meticulous practice, Californication was released as the band's seventh studio album. An almost instant achievement, the album ultimately sold over 15 million copies worldwide and became the band's most successful recording to date.
Californication peaked at #3 in the US and produced three more number one modern rock hits: "Scar Tissue", "Otherside" and "Californication". "Scar Tissue" won the 2000 Grammy Award for Best Rock Song, the song was also performed at the ceremony and included a brief jam with rapper Snoop Dogg at its culmination. Other singles included "Around the World", "Road Trippin'" (UK only), and "Parallel Universe", which broke the Top 40 modern rock charts despite not having been commercially released as a single. Compared to their previous albums, Californication contained few rap-driven songs, instead integrating textured, consistent, and melodic guitar riffs, vocals and bass-lines. In July 1999 the Red Hot Chili Peppers played at Woodstock 1999. About two thirds of the way into the band's set, the closing set of the three day concert, a small fire eventually escalated into full-fledged vandalism and resulted in the intervention of riot control squads.
In 2001, they released their first concert DVD, Off the Map, which was directed by longtime friend Dick Rude, who also produced the music videos for "Catholic School Girls Rule" and "Universally Speaking". The footage was derived of numerous different concerts, amalgamated with transition and indistinguishable song conversions.
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By the Way (2002 - 2005)
The band returned to the studio in early 2001 and released By the Way over a year later, on July 9, 2002.
The album, at the time, was their most noteworthy chart debut (with over 700,000 copies sold in first week), emerging at #2, and producing hit singles such as: "By the Way", "The Zephyr Song" , "Can't Stop", "Dosed", and "Universally Speaking" which was only released in Europe as a single and video. It is the most subdued album they had generated to date, focusing primarily on melodic ballads as opposed to their classic style of rap-driven funk. The album was followed by an eighteen month-long world tour from the group.
At the time of By the Way, John's musical fixation was rather contrary to that of Flea's and, thus, influenced the recording process significantly. Nearly all of By the Way's harmonious melodies are credited to John's interest in a deep, textured and multifaceted guitar playing, which was not completely opposing that of his band mate, though, nevertheless, generated more than a few unpleasant moments, as any bass line Flea would construct would continually be unsatisfactory for John and his scrupulous musical approach. Thus, Flea was planning on leaving the band following the American leg of the By the Way tour, at the time a decision his band mates were unaware of. However, he was convinced to stay on following the 2004 European leg of the tour, which showed Flea it wasn't time to call it quits yet.
The Chili Peppers recorded two new songs, "Fortune Faded" and "Save the Population", for their Greatest Hits album released in November 2003, peaking at #18 on the Billboard Hot 200. Though, to the surprise of countless fans, only two songs from By the Way were included in the compilation: "Universally Speaking" and "By the Way". Much criticism was drawn from the absence of "Can't Stop", which is, on a general basis, measured as one of the band's most popular and identifiable songs. The entire debacle may have been caused by the musical disagreement which developed between John and Flea.
The European leg of the By the Way tour would produce the band's second full-length concert DVD, Live at Slane Castle; recorded during a show at Slane Castle in Ireland on August 23, 2003. The band also went on to release their first ever full-length live album, from the 2004 European Tour, Live in Hyde Park; recorded during their performances in Hyde Park, London, due to immensely high attendance rate. It featured two previously unheard songs, "Rolling Sly Stone" and "Leverage of Space", which are believed to have been unreleased tracks from the By the Way sessions. In the three evenings the band performed in Hyde Park, they accumulated an estimated 17 million dollars, making it the highest grossing concert at a single venue in history (moving the Beatles to number 2).
Stadium Arcadium (2006 - Present)
In 2006, the Red Hot Chili Peppers released the Grammy Award-winning Stadium Arcadium. Although 38 songs were created with the intention to be released as 3 mini-albums spaced six months apart it was released in May 2006 as a 28-track double album. It was their first album to debut at #1 on the US charts, where it stayed for two weeks, and debuted at number one in the UK Albums Chart and 25 other countries as well. In the album's first week, it sold 442,000 units in the United States alone, and over 1,100,000 worldwide, setting a personal record for one week sales. By year's end, Stadium Arcadium was named the number one selling album of the year with over 7 million units sold and also recorded the highest one week in total sales of the year. However, regardless of the massive success it was coupled with, the album was criticized for its monotonous and overindulgent nature; almost as though it were circuitous in terms of energy; rambling without any true purpose.
The record's first single "Dani California", was the band's fastest-selling single, debuting on top of the Modern Rock chart in the US, peaking at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100, and reaching #2 in the UK. "Tell Me Baby", released next, would also go on to top the charts in 2006. "Snow ((Hey Oh))" was released in late 2006, and by 2007 would be a multiple record breaking single. The song became their eleventh number one single making a cumulative total of 81 weeks at number one (all singles combined), and it was also the first time three consecutive singles by the band made it to number one. "Desecration Smile" was released internationally in February 2007 and has reached number twenty seven on the UK charts. "Hump de Bump" was planned to be the next single for the US, Canada, and Australia only, but thanks to positive feedback of the music video, the release was pushed back until April, and will be released as a worldwide single.
On March 6, 2007 the Chili Peppers announced a contest for someone to direct a video for the song "Charlie" through their Youtube service. Whether the song and video will be released as a single has yet to be determined.
In early 2007, the Chili Peppers won 5 Grammys: Best Rock Album (Stadium Arcadium), Best Rock Song ("Dani California"), Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal ("Dani California"), Best Boxed Or Special Limited Edition Package (Stadium Arcadium), and Best Producer (Rick Rubin). They were also nominated for Album of the Year (Stadium Arcadium) and Best Short Form Music Video ("Dani California"). The Grammy ceremony included a live performance of "Snow ((Hey Oh))", their most current single, complete with confetti snow that also can be seen in the official music video.
When asked whether or not he would like to cut another double album in a recent Rolling Stone interview, Anthony Kiedis replied that he would not like to, and that the next Chili Peppers release will "be one concise, straight-to-the-point, old-fashioned Beatles kind of record, eleven songs that you can enjoy during your lunch break."
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Techniques
Flea's bass style is an amalgamation of funk, psychedelic, punk, and hard rock. The groove-heavy, low-tuned melodies, composed through either normal finger style or slapping (popping and slapping), have contributed to the Red Hot Chili Peppers' signature style. While Flea's slap bass style was prominent in earlier albums, later albums (post "Blood Sugar Sex Magik") have more melodic, but always particular, bass lines. He has also used bass chords on "Don't Forget Me", "Blood Sugar Sex Magik" and "Snow ((Hey Oh))".
The employed techniques of guitarists whose works have been featured with the group share varied universally integrated traits, however, for the most part, seem to be different in their own respects. John Frusciante has brought a more melodic and textured sound to albums such as By the Way, and Californication. During his first effort with the band, 1989's Mother's Milk, Frusciante played with a more abrasive and overpowering approach, rather than his current and most noteworthy guitar style. It was followed up with nearly the exact opposite; dry, funky and far more docile arrangements, which contrasts his intricate and multifaceted guitar techniques. During the short time he spent with the band, Dave Navarro focused on a style rooted in heavy metal, and progressive. Replacement players appear to have attempted to remain as confined as possible to the style of original guitarist Hillel Slovak; with its heavy blues and funk elements.
Kiedis provides a range of vocal styles for Red Hot Chili Peppers songs. His approach of spoken verse and "rapping" (the latter being the primary characteristic of his vocals up to Blood Sugar Sex Magik) complemented with more traditional vocals have helped the band maintain a relatively consistent style. Nevertheless, as the group became more sophisticated and mature, the vocal sequences present in albums ensuing Californication have drastically reduced the number of rapidly sung verses. By the Way only contained one song which remained true to the rap-driven-verses and subsequent melodic choruses. Thus, derived from such information, Kiedis resents his once distinguishing style of rapping and facilitates a melodic singing approach. He has obtained this through various singing coaches throughout the nine Red Hot Chili Peppers' albums.
While Kiedis is the lead vocalist for the band, Frusciante often contributes backing vocals, as well as two part harmonies to various songs. His falsetto singing is used frequently, especially on By The Way and Stadium Arcadium. He shared lead vocal duties with Kiedis on "Knock Me Down" from Mother's Milk, five Blood Sugar Sex Magik song's chorus', "Dosed" from By the Way and an assortment of tracks from Stadium Arcadium. It has become a tradition that at some point during a Chili Peppers concert John performs an unaccompanied cover song, usually a hit from the 1960s or 1970s, or one of his own solo songs. Songs include (but are certainly not limited to) "Tiny Dancer" by Elton John, "How Deep Is Your Love" by The Beegees, "Maybe" by The Chantels,"I Feel Love" by Donna Summer and "Runaway" by Del Shannon
Improvisation
Improvisation has always been a major part of the signature style of the band. Early shows were composed almost entirely of improvisations. As well, many solos recorded on the current albums and played live by guitarist John Frusciante are improvised, as well as Flea's bass solos. The band has, for the better part of the last decade, opened the show with a short improvisation, always on the same key as the initial song. Sometimes the beginnings, middle sections and/or endings of the songs are extended by long improvisations, such as "Give It Away", "My Lovely Man", "If You Have to Ask", "Californication", "Parallel Universe", "Can't Stop", "Throw Away Your Television", and "Dani California".
Lyrical themes and topics
Through the years, Kiedis' lyrics have dealt with a variety of topics, which altered as the years progressed. Themes included within his expansive repertoire are love and the meaning of friendship, teenage angst and good-time aggression, sexual fantasies and the link between sex and music, political and social commentary (Native American issues in particular), romance, drugs, loneliness, California, poverty, alcohol, and dealing with death.
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