Rockaxis.com interview
Well, what better form to start the year that talking with the “revived” John Frusciante, back in Red Hot Chili Peppers and an important piece instrumentally in one of the most successful returns of 2000. For some the band of the year, because of their new album, the singles of last year, Otherside and Californication (both great 2000 videos), the best live show -with the emotion and energy that can only come from a Peppers show- and that in two weeks will be back in our territory, with stops in both Brazil and Argentina, and if that was little with one of the best sleeves or graphics for such a complete album like Californication. To the recent news of their imminent plans to start recording a new album (after the very successful 1999) there is also the fact that Frusciante is ready to come back with a new solo album, the third in his career, this time from the clear side of life. Of this and more, the Peppers’ sensible guitarist talked with Rockaxis.com, this time represented by our good friend Carlos Costas (Hard Rock Café, www.futuro.cl)
Carlos Costas: First of all John, talk us about the recording sessions for this new album and about the musicians involved in it.
John Frusciante: The only musician in the album is me, the recordings were made during the Chili Peppers’ tour, last year. I was writing the songs in the moments I waited, in hotel rooms, while waiting for the show to start with the band. I love singing so I always find myself writing songs and I was able to record basic themes at home and then with the help of a friend go to a real recording studio and show that I can be the only musician.
Carlos Costas: Listening to your earlier albums a strong influence from Syd Barrett and the most experimental David Bowie can be seen. Is there something like that in this new album, something that brings you to the mid-nineties?
John Frusciante: It’s the natural development of my compositions. I started when I was a little child, but seriously writing -discovering myself to be a natural talent to write melodies- it was when I was 20, around 1991. There was always a style in which I was writing then, the one you mentioned, Syd Barret and David Bowie, but also inspired in Captain Beefheart and Lou Reed. The songs used to arrive then in pieces, and I think it’s still a little bit like that, I mean, it’s not complete songs, and trying to put them together is a little like a craftsman job. Do you think the new album sounds different from the others?
Carlos Costas: Yes, we think so.
John Frusciante: The essential difference is that before I imagined lots of things that were going through my head and I was trying to transform them into sound
and I didn’t know how. Converting those rhythms and frequencies in a part of my music… it was impossible to me. Back then I could only play acoustic guitar and sing, now I think that having listened to some electronic music, I’ve been able to make my music rich in texture and sound and sounding complete. I think everything I’ve been listening this last period, in which I reunited with the Peppers, have been different types of electronic music, specifically Depeche Mode. It’s the only music that makes me feel good.
Carlos Costas: John, is there a special meaning behind the title? What’s behind the name To Record Only Water For Ten Days?
John Frusciante: For me the title is, of course, what the people want it to mean and hopefully, it’ll be imaginative, but for me it has the connotation of purity. And even so what the name means to the people and how they interpret it is still the most important, even more than my personal idea of the title. The name for the albumgot to me before having written any of the songs, and even three years ago I knew that this title would be the one for my album.
Carlos Costas: In recent interviews you’ve said that all your drug addiction period opened new doors for you in terms of perception, and that it happened before and it happens now as well, the difference being that you couldn’t control things appropriately before. Talk us about that.
John Frusciante: I think all that period is something I had to pass and get over, I don’t see all people having this same experience with drugs… normally most people have their lives ruined. I honestly think life is better without them but I also think that they did something wonderful for me… but I don’t see them doing any good on other people, apart from screwing their lives. You asked me about something I said about drugs and I only remember a friend that is now going through a serious addiction problem, and it’s so sad. If you ask me nowadays I’ll hardly answer because I’m seeing something so bad, that I don’t even want to think in what drugs could do, or not, for me. I think drugs did something good for me because I, consciously, took the decision to become an addict… I didn’t fall into them without noticing, it wasn’t just a reaction.
Carlos Costas: How?
John Frusciante: It was a long and well-thought decision, something I did and got me to the limit, my only goal was getting to the point of “spiritual adventure” and having such a creed in the metaphysical world I went with it all. And with that I spent the period I wasn’t in the band, completely dedicating me to those things that can’t be seen, the invisible: life and energy, which is what moves all of us. I was led to concentrate good vibes and feelings, I didn’t do bad things during that period. To no one. The only horrible thing was that I scared a lot of people who were worried thinking I was going to die. Even dying didn’t worry me much, maybe because I knew I wasn’t going to. I knew I wasn’t doing all that to escape from something, though each moment passing it was harder to imagine the state of things when you’re clean and enjoy life when you’re not taking anything. It’s hard to reach that point, it took me more than one year, but when you achieve it you’re happier than you’ve been in your whole life. And that’s what’s happened to me in these recent years, I haven’t even thought about doing it again and that’s because I love music and how I feel when you’re not taking anything – except natural food, vitamins and grass – to dim that perception. It puts my body in a gorgeous state of “flying naturally” all the time. I must accept my drug experiences were rare and that they are not similar at all to what I see in other people. It’s not cool, if you only think that you can get all the things you feel with drugs, without it: music, painting, art, being creative, making love with the person you love. These are things a lot better than drugs.
Carlos Costas: Changing a bit this dense topic, what do you remember about your 1999 shows in Santiago?
John Frusciante: I remember the audience being fabulous, the people so nice. I don’t remember specifically anything about the show itself. Most of our concerts, even though every one is different in its own way, are the same. We are giving 100% in each note we play and we always try to make it sound fresh and new. My memories of Santiago are as vague and vivid as any of the shows of this last period or the past in Latin America.
Carlos Costas: Something about the official fan club in Chile (Cosmikmelloship FC)? They send you a lot of kisses and love…
John Frusciante: How sweet, tell them thanks… I take all the kisses and love and I’ll try to return them with music.
Carlos Costas: What do you think about Californication… for example, which would be your favourite song in the album?
John Frusciante: Ummh. Maybe This Velvet Glove, I love that… but I love all them really, you must understand that Californication has been the best thing to happen to me in these years. It’s my happiest period in life and the album will always represent that to me.
Carlos Costas: We believe you’ve been an important factor in the in the unquestionable fact of the “successful return” of the of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, like getting the spirit of the band once again. What do you think about it?
John Frusciante: I think you’re right.
Carlos Costas: What did you think when you saw the video for Californication?
John Frusciante: I really liked it, it’s a trip. That’s what I thought, it’s a good video, we all look good. I like video games, I always though it was a good idea and it became images in an incredible way. I’m happy the way it’s turned out. Have you seen the Road Tripping video? I liked that a lot.
Carlos Costas: These days some big shows are going to happen in Latin America, especially Rock in Rio 3. What type of expectation do you have regarding it?
John Frusciante: I hope there’ll be a lot of fans attending and that a massive and lovely sensation of energy in the air will be created. When I get on stage with these three guys and the energy starts flowing and with that capturing the public’s own energy it’s something like going inside them and be like a window of love to the world. And I remember especially the Latin American crowds by their intensity, I think we’ve really improved since the last time we played there in 1999. We will be able to return that energy better than we did the last time. Else I don’t even know which other band will be there.
Carlos Costas: OK John, thanks for your time.
John Frusciante: Thank you, it’s been a pleasure, have a good day.
