I never really liked the Red Hot Chili Peppers. I've tried, believe me, I've tried. It's weird because I love funk rock fusion. I love Fishbone, Faith No More, Praxis, Primus, Urban Dance Squad, and even Mr. Bungle's demos; all those early 90s alternative crap bands. Give me some fat bass, schizophrenic guitar, and clever or explicit lyrics, and I'll be a happy man.
But for some reason Chili Peppers just don't mesh for me. I've tried. I was even listening to Blood Sugar Sex Magik when I started writing this, but after a song I got bored and put on Urban Dance Squad. By the way, if you haven't heard of them, they were pretty much the Dutch version of Rage Against the Machine, but with metal traded for a bit more hip hop and pop sensibility.
Anyway. Point is, I'm not some douche who has a thing against RHCP... the fact is, I want to like them. Their output over the past few years (californication and beyond) I feel especially neutral towards, but BSSM, Mother's Milk, Freaky Styley are all albums that I should love, as they contain my favorite, most indulgent, musical ingredients.
As this battle rages in my head every once in a while, I stumble across something that puts my mind at ease, and makes me comfortable with the thought: "I don't like the Red Hot Chili Peppers". Examples of this could be anything, whether it be a new single, (I couldn't stand By the Way, which at least in Ontario, still got regular airplay 5 years after the album's release.) or RHCP kicking Mr. Bungle off of festival lineups for a decade-old grudge that started with Kiedis bitching about Mike Patton "stealing his moves".
Once again, while browsing the vast media entity known as youtube.com, I came across the most recent addition to my list of "Why RHCP sucks" list:
Now, maybe you have to be a Zappa fan, or maybe you just have to be as neurotic as I am for this to bother you. For whatever reason, this bothered me. I'm not sure why, as obviously they're just goofing around. Butchering beautiful songs might bother the pretentious fan, but not me; hell when my next musical project hits the stage, I plan on ruining plenty of old classics, including a Zappa song or two. Maybe it's Kiedis' joking arrogance? I'm really not sure. It just doesn't feel right in my gut. Whatever it is, they're doing it rong.
Realistically though, in a month or so, I'll be at a party, or in a friend's car or house, and Red Hot Chili Peppers will be playing. And I'll like it. I might even move my hips or bob my head. Then I'll go home, all excited to hear Freaky Styley, only to turn it off after ten minutes to put on Fishbone's Reality of my Surroundings. Rinse and repeat.
Here's a real version of Inca Roads. If you aren't familiar with Zappa, this is in my opinion, one of his best "serious" rock pieces.
So what did you guys think of the RHCP clip? Did it entertain you? Annoy you? Am I crazy? Leave a comment; share your thoughts.
3 comments:
That particular clip I did not enjoy in the slightest. I thought about stopping it... even though it was only 43 seconds.
John,
I completely sympathize with you in a lot of ways. I do not own any RHCP albums and I feel I should. BUT here is why I personally have respect for the band as a musician.
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=rg2-3KTPvs8
Chad and flea are seriously one of the best rythmn sections around. If this video doesn't get you hyped I don't know what will. Also, if you are interested, John F's solo stuff is pretty cool too. As a whole, I don't like the band, maybe it's mostly the singer.
Hope this at least helps in your quest for RHCP glory.
P.S. Check out the movie The Chase with Charlie Sheen. They are in it lol.
Umm it says Colin, but it was MIKE K who left that last comment!
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