Stadium Arcadium
There is no denying that this band is one of gargantuan proportions. One whose success has even midly lukewarm. With an accolade of number their captivated entourage of fans worldwide the air, from the band’s metaphorical hook. Piquant serving of tracks prepared californian style, comes the Red Hot Chili Peppers highly ambitious ninth studio album, Stadium Arcadium.
It’s hard to believe that this L.A outfit made up of vocalist Anthony Kiedis, bass guitarist Michael Balzary (affectionately known as Flea), guitarist John Frusciante and drummer Chad Smith have been rocking the globe for a whopping 23 years. It’s even harder to believe that the original name for the band was Tony Flow & The Miraculously Majestic Masters Of Mayhem. Fortunately, they opted for a spicy vegetable instead, coupling that with an often bizarre, yet funky and totally addictive style.
Everything about the Chili Peppers is iconic. From their music to their video clips to their world wide tours, the image of the Chili Peppers is tattooed onto the minds of music and pop culture enthusists everywhere. Sure, Kiedis may have chopped those lustrous long locks of his, yet nothing seemed cooler (or possibly more induced by illegal substances) than Kiedis’ cut torso, dipped in metallic paint, jumping around, head-banging and arm twisting with such fervour in the Give It Away film clip.
And with their infamous penchant for exhibitionism, often playing on stage in nothing more than their jocks and their socks (and not necessarily worn on their feet), the Chili peppers are maniacally entertaining live performers.
As history denotes, the Chili Peppers seed was sown in 1983, by Kiedis and Flea, who went to high school together. Their bond was always tight with Flea remembering the first day he met Kiedis. “I came home from school that day and told my mum, ‘Finally I’ve found someone I can talk to’. Even though we’re very different people… straight off there was a very intimate chemistry between us.” It’s obvious that the two have a great affection for one another, with Flea continuing to state, “There have definitely been times when we’ve been polarised by circumstances [but] never have we lost our brotherly love. The bottom line is we love each other.” Emotional gushiness aside, this rock hard friendship must account for the two being the only consistently present Chili band members. Back in the 80s Kiedis and Flea were accompanied by Hillel Slovak and Jack Irons. As a result of well documented drug addiction problems, as well creative differences, the Chili Peppers went through a handful of guitarists and drummers (including Jane Addiction’s Dave Navarro) until finally resting on then unknown John Frusciante and Chad Smith, to produce the current line-up (stints in rehab aside).
The foursome came together to record the album Mother’s Milk, released in 1989. Although it only came in at #52 on the US charts it included such hits as Higher Ground & Pretty Little Ditty (later sampled by Crazy Town as Butterfly).
At this point in time the Chili Peppers were at the forefront of a new undergroundwave hiting the shores of the music scene. In September 1991, the downright awesome Blood Sugar Sex Magik was released, not only highlighting but projecting at high speed, the Chili Peppers into the stratophere of super-stardom. Hitting #3 on the US Charts with kick-ass, anthem-esq songs like Breaking The Girl, Suck My Kiss, Under The Bridge & Give It Away, 15 years on this album still manages to bring about the nostalgia of guessing the hidden meaning behind their addly phrased lyrics.
The Chili Peppers’ 1991 U.S tour was as eventful as ever, with the band supported by Peral Jam, Nirvana and The Smashing Pumpkins. Just imagine being at that gig! Yet, ironically enough Frusciante asmits to not knowing who the bands were. “All these bands were just starting to get popular. The first time I heard of them was when my manager aked what I thought of this band Pearl Jam or The Smashing Pumpkins opening for us. I had never heard of them.”
The Chili Peppers have found the key to maintaining the loyalty of the fans with the seductive powers to branch out and get others on board through their sound philosophy. A generous amount of punk, shredded funk, handful of rock, a splash of psychedelic and a hint of pop (an ingredient only added recently), and you have a lethal bowl of Chili soup. Despite evolving as a band, there is always a fidelity in terms of their familiar vibe and sound. Flea’s heavy bass style, Frusciante’s melody, depth and texture, Smith’s energy and chaos, and Kiedis’ diverse vocal range.
Stadium Arcadium was an enormous project, with the band finishing a sensational 38 songs. Unbelievable considering that normally only 21 songs are even contenders to get on an album.
However, the double album will consist of only 28 songs, and Frusciante explains that it is difficult to choose because, “we all felt so strongly about many songs. When you’re in love with the music you tend to be protective of it.”
As always, the Chili Peppers will wield their art of variety, mixing funk, heavy metal and punk, whilst throwing in some delicate numbers for good measure.
Frusciante explains that the album is broad in scope and each song is loaded with musical depth. “We had three 24-track machines going at once for these songs, so they are a real job to mix.” Plus, he really seized control of the production of the album, working closely with producer Rick Rubin, admitting his personal direction for the album. “I did step forward with my guitar playing in a lot of ways on this. I wanted to avoid playing solos, I wanted to avoid playing in a way that was flashy. I wanted to play things that you could sing along to. I wanted to write interesting chord progressions, start creating textures with the guitar, and I wanted to play keyboards.”
With new single Dani California thundering out of our radios, the new album Stadium Arcadium will undoubtably be a worldwide hit, following in the successful footsteps of previous album By The Way. With their knack for conjuring tunes that latch onto the lobes of our brains and the tips of our tongues, let the Chili Peppers’ sharp attitude sink into your blood stream and have you frenetically head-banging to your hearts desire.
Red Hot Chili Peppers, Stadium Arcadium (WMA) Out May, 9
—Lara Antonelli
