Rhythm readers will already be aware that Chad is a good talker, but in Flea’s company, even the Chadster takes a backseat, happy to allow his super energetic bass-playing compadreto wax lyrical about all of the above and more. In the event, very little prompting proved necessary. The idea was to prompt Chad and Flea to reminisce about their Halcyon days, working together on a string of classic albums, explain their developing musical relationship, talk about the new album and reveal a few of their own favourite rhythm sections. For, as part of their early press responsibilities in support of the new record, we collared the Chili’s drum and bass machine for a joint interview of the kind that, as implausible as it sounds, they’ve never really done before. And, even better, provides Rhythm with a unique opportunity to sit down with both Chad Smith and Flea for a rhythm section conversation. That’s because the record contains no less than 28 track, lasts about three hours and it features one of the world’s best rhythm sections on fiery form.īoth a reminder of their heady funky Blood Sugar Sex Magik days and a reflection of the band’s increasing ability with lilting melody, Stadium Arcadium neatly sums up everything that’s great about the Chilis. In the case of its follow-up, the recently released Stadium Arcadium, the news is bigger than usual. The crazy Californians have, after all, established themselves as one of the biggest bands in the world in the last few years, due in no small part to the monstrous success of 2002’s By The Way.
Within drum circles (and indeed the wider music-loving community), the arrival of a fresh new album from the Red Hot Chili Peppers is big news. So what better time to nail both drummer Chad Smith and bassist Flea for an exclusive Rhythm tete-a-tete? The Red Hot Chili Peppers are back with a vast, sprawling double album that shows off their every facet.