Red Hot Chili Peppers

Presentation by Darren Siaw, Sarah Roth, Veronica Ho, Kelley

Chen

Biography Formed 1983 in Los Angeles Current Line up:

Anthony Kiedis: Vocals and lyrics 1983-present Born Nov. 1962 in Grand Rapids, Michigan Moved at 12 to LA to live with father who introduced him to a sex, drugs and rock n’roll

lifestyle Attended Fairfax High School. While there, became close friends with Flea and original

guitarist Hillel Slovak Graduated with honors and briefly attended UCLA Life long problems with addiction, especially heroin

Michael “Flea” Balzary: Bass 1983-Present Born Oct. 1962 Burwood, Australia Originally very into Jazz. Was introduced to various forms of rock by Anthony and Hillel Has collaborated with a wide variety of artists including Johnny Depp’s Music project P Both Anthony and Flea have acted in numerous movies (IMDB.com) Currently attending USC studying Music Theory

Chad smith: Drums 1989-Present Born October 1961 Richfield, Minnesota Joined RHCP 3 weeks before beginning of recording of Mother’s Milk after an initially

reluctant band was blown away by his audition Has participated in a number of musical side projects

Josh Klinghoffer: Guitar 2010-Present Born October 1979 Multi instrumentalist who has worked as a session and touring musician with many acts Replaced friend John Frusciante as guitarist for RHCP

Biography (cont.)

Formed 1983. Founding members were Anthony Kiedis, Hillel Slovak, Flea and Jack Irons

Originally called Tony Flow & the Miraculously Majestic Masters of Mayhem

After the huge success of their 1st performance at the Rhythm Lounge which was originally intended to be a one off performance, changed name to Red Hot Chili Peppers

After playing shows for several months around LA where they developed their ‘high energy, wearing nothing but a sock performances’, they were signed to EMI

August 1984 Debut Album The Red Hot Chili Peppers to mild success on MTV and college radio, but the band felt the album was too polished

1986 released the George Clinton produced Freaky Styley which incorporated strong funk influences. Only mildly successful, but spawned a few movie cameos

Biography (cont.) 1986 heroin use of especially Anthony and Hillel had spiraled out

of control, Jack Irons joins the band full time and Anthony is briefly fired.

Named LA Weekly’s “Band of the Year” which inspired Anthony to go into rehab and resume work on the next album

1987 Wrote and recorded The Uplift Mofo Party Plan in 10 days. Anthony suffered relapse during recording. Album peaked at 148 on Billboard charts.

June 25, 1988 Hillel died of a heroin overdose. Anthony too upset, fled LA and didn’t attend his funeral. Death also caused Irons to leave the band for Pearl Jam.

1989 John Frusciante replaced Hillel’s spot as guitarist . The jam session audition ended up as “Pretty Little Ditty” on their next album Mother’s Milk

Chad Smith was added as drummer 3 weeks into the Mother’s Milk recording sessions after his audition blew the band away and convinced a previously reluctant Anthony to let him join.

Mother’s Milk recording was plagued by conflict with the producer who wanted to give the album a loud guitar heavy metal sound, but the album was the band’s first gold record and spawned several hits including a cover of “Higher Ground” and “Magic Johnson” which is still used at LA Lakers games.

Biography (cont.)

1990 switched to Warner Bros. Records and hired Rick Rubin to produce their next album (he has produced every studio album since). Recorded Blood Sugar Sex Magik in a mansion once owned by Houdini which the band was convinced was haunted. Session were filmed by Flea’s brother-in-law for the documentary Funky Monks.

Released Sept. 1991, Blood Sugar Sex Magik became their break into the mainstream and superstardom. “ Give it away” reached # 1 on Modern Rock chart and won a Grammy for Best hard Rock Performance. “Under the Bridge” reach #2 on the Billboard Chart. The album reached #3.

1992 John Frusciante, uncomfortable with the suddenness and scale of success quits.

Biography (cont.) Appear on the season 4 finale of The Simpsons Performed and won 3 of 7 MTV Video Music Awards they were

nominated for. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ll7FW1XoYzo 1992 settled on former Jane’s Addiction guitarist Dave Navarro 1994 Played Woodstock with Navarro on guitar

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwYvNW3eSXY On tour opening for the Rolling Stones differences began to arise

between Navarro and the other members and Anthony relapsed after a dental procedure.

Sept. 1995 One Hot Minute released after delays. A sadder feel and a more heavy metal sounding guitar characterized the album. “My Friends” became their 3rd #1 song. And the band appeared on several more soundtracks.

1998 Navarro left the band John Frusciante after leaving the band had become a severe

heroin addict. By 1998 broke and near death, he entered rehab. Meanwhile the band had decided they wouldn’t go on without Frusciante and he rejoined.

June 1999 Californication released and has become their most successful album spawning 3 #1 Modern Rock Hits (“Scar Tissue”, “Otherside”, and “Californication”). The album was more melodic than their previous work. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlUKcNNmywk

Biography (cont.) Perform for a second time at Woodstock. Things went south

during a cover of Hendrix’s “Fire” when a fire followed by vandalism, looting and sexual assault erupted. "It was clear that this situation had nothing to do with

Woodstock anymore. It wasn't symbolic of peace and love, but of greed and cashing in... We woke up to papers and radio stations vilifying us for playing 'Fire'.“ –Anthony Kiedis (autobiography)

2000 “Scar Tissue” won the Grammy for Best Rock Song and the band performed at the Billboard Awards with Snoop Dogg. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sp7PBrYXD6c

Biography (cont.)• 2001 began recording By The Way and artistic differences began to emerge between

Flea and Frusciante.• July 2002 By The Way released and spawned 5 hit singles and marks a move toward

and even more melodic sound under the influence of Frusciante. • The 18 month tour which followed resulted in their first live album Live at Hyde Park.

The concert ranked #1 on Billboard’s Top Concert Boxscores for 2004.• 2006 released double album Stadium Arcadium which was their first album to debut at

#1. Also debuted at #1 in 26 other countries becoming the highest selling album of the year.

• Single “Dani California” became their fastest selling single to date and debuted at #1 on the Modern Rock Chart. The album marked the first time the band had 3 consecutive #1 singles. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sb5aq5HcS1A

• 2007 Stadium Arcadium won 5 Grammys• Tour for album saw the addition of Frusciante’s friend Josh

Klinghoffer to the live line up and the tour concluded with a performance at Live Earth in Wembley Stadium

Biography (cont.) 2007-2009 band members work on solo and side projects. Flea

enrolls in USC to study Music Theory. Kiedis is awarded the Stevie Ray Vaughan Award for his charitable work with music and drug addiction programs

Sept. 2009 nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

December 2009 John Frusciante left RHCP to focus on solo work and is replaced by Josh Klinghoffer

2010 refused to allow the show Glee to use their songs Their next album I’m With You is set to be released August 2011

Musical Style

Funk + Punk rock = a new musical style they created!

Musical Style Instrumentation (at present)

- spoken verse and rapping mixed with more traditional approaches

http://www.listal.com/viewimage/1317038h

Vocal Anthony Kiedis

Musical Style Instrumentation (at present)

- “The groove-heavy, low-tuned melodies, played through either normal finger style or aggressive slapping” (LyricsFreak)

- more melodic bass lines in later albums

Bass Michael "Flea" Balzary

http://www.nj.com/entertainment/celebrities/index.ssf/2007/11/25-week/

Musical Style Instrumentation (at present)

- rapid bass drum - blends rock with

funk

Drum Chad Smith

http://weheartdrums.wordpress.com/2011/05/17/chad-smith/

Musical Style Instrumentation (at present)

Guitar Josh Klinghoffer

http://www.stadium-arcadium.com/josh-klinghoffer-news-red-hot-chili-peppers-rhcp/latest-news-josh-klinghoffer-rhcp-red-hot-chili-peppers.php

Musical Style – Lyrics Use of imagery to present their

statement on the subject matter

“Blood sugar sucker fishIn my dishHow many pieces do you wish?”

Representing the

government

Their Stage Gimmick Performing on-stage naked Eventually becomes their trademark

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9XGkdZquk4

Musical influences on the Red Hot Chili Peppers

Their music is largely influenced by funk, alternative rock, hard rock and punk rock

They have drawn their influences from a wide range of bands before them: Jimi Hendrix, Sly & the Family Stone, Bootsy Collins, The Stooges, Stevie Wonder, Iggy Pop, Led Zeppelin, Cream, Bad Brains, The Meters, The Beatles, Marvin Gaye and more

They have also drawn inspiration from their contemporaries: Radiohead, Nirvana, Jane’s Addiction, Pearl Jam and Foo Fighters

Musical influences on selected discography

Blood Sugar Sex Magik (1991) Cited influences by the band: Jimi

Hendrix, Robert Johnson, Led Zeppelin, The Smiths, Siouxie & The Banshees, Bow Wow Wow, New Order, Joy Division, The Police, Fugazi

Musical influences on selected discography

Californication (1999) Cited influences by the band: B-

52s, New Order, Joy Division, Jane’s Addiction, The Cure, Fugazi, Black Flag, The Germs, Echo & The Bunnymen, The Ramones

Musical influences on selected discography

By The Way (2002) Cited influences by the band:

Queen, XTC, Gary Numan, Kraftwerk, Human League, Depeche Mode, The Smiths, The Beatles, Erasure, The Beach Boys, The Rolling Stones

Influences by the Red Hot Chili Peppers

Flea’s “slap bass” technique, though not invented by him, was popularized by him and made him a world renowned bassist. Bands like Korn and Primus would be directly influenced by Flea’s bass technique

They have influenced the rap rock cross-genre which fused vocal and instrumental elements of hip hop with various forms of rock. Bands like 311 and Linkin Park are a direct lineage

They have influenced rap metal which was a big movement during the late 90’s through bands like Limp Bizkit, Deftones, Incubus and more

Bands influenced by the Red Hot Chili Peppers

Primus, 311, Rage Against The Machine, Insane Clown Posse, Bloodhound Gang, Living Colour, Sublime, Sugar Ray, No Doubt, Beck, Incubus, Linkin Park

Social & Political Issues: Drug Use

1985: 1/3 of Americans reported they had tried marijuana

mid-80s: introduction of crack cocaine became a huge issue among youth

1990s: increase in the use of heroin and “club drugs”

The Red Hot Chili Peppers (RHCP) song “Under The Bridge” addresses the singers’ dependence on narcotics

“Police Helicopter” is about the unforgiving LAPD’s crackdown on drug abuse in the lead singer’s neighborhood

Social & Political Issues: Plasticity

“Born and raised by those who praise control of population,everybody’s been there and I don’t mean on vacation.”

- RHCP, Californication

Californication addresses upper class America and its plastic nature.

Social & Political Issues: Environmental Activism

Lead Singer Anthony Kiedis is known for raising awareness about environmental concerns Has been a part of

environmental activist panels

“Can’t Stop” mentions Julia Butterfly Hill (an environmentalist who lived in a tree for 738 days) in its lyrics

Song analysis: Under The Bridge

Their first major cross-over hit Peaked at #2 on Billboard 100 Certified platinum by the RIAA Song is largely inspired by “Little Wing” by Jimi

Hendrix http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLvohMXgcBo

Song analysis: Under The BridgeElements of music

Tempo: Moderate, strong backbeat Meter: 4/4 with duple meter, duple subdivision Vocals Range: narrow Melody: Conjunct, heavily bass driven Timbre: Male vocals, electric guitar, bass, drums,

choir background vocals Dynamics: Fluctuation in volume to accentuate

chorus Lyrics: Tribute to L.A. with references to the

loneliness and troubled times during Kiedis' heroin use.

Song analysis: Under The BridgeMusical Structures

Guitar intro A Verse 1 (inner form: a a a b) A’ Verse 2 (inner form: a a a b) B Pre Chorus (inner form: a a a a’) A’’ Verse 3 (inner form: a a a b) B’ Pre Chorus (inner form: a a a a’ a”) C Chorus (inner form: a a a a a’) Guitar outro

Song analysis: Under The BridgeTexture Analysis

Guitar intro monophonic

Verse 1 “Sometimes I feel…” Homophonic, melody and accompaniment

Verse 2 “I drive on the streets…” Homophonic, melody and accompaniment

Pre Chorus “I don’t ever wanna feel…” Homophonic, melody and accompaniment

Verse 3 “It’s hard to believe…” Homophonic, melody and accompaniment

Pre Chorus “I don’t ever wanna feel…” Homophonic, melody and accompaniment

Chorus “Under the bridge downtown…” Homophonic, chordal

Guitar outro Homophonic, chordal

ReferencesApter, J. (November 23, 2004). Fornication: The Red Hot Chili Peppers Story. Omnibus Press.Brown, J. (June 1, 2008). Red Hot Chili Peppers: In The Studio. Colossus BooksConlon, K. (2006, September 12). Chevy Sequel Hot Enough for Red Hot Chili Peppers, Anthony Kiedis. Retrieved June 7, 2011, from hybridcar.com: http://www.hybridcar.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=200&Itemid=2Crossdale, A. (2011, April 13). Music Subcultures – Going Underground. Retrieved June 7, 2011, from Me-dia/You-dia: http://mediayoudia.wordpress.com/2011/04/13/music-subcultures- %E2%80%93-going-underground/Elford, C. (August 19, 2009). A Literary Analysis of Red Hot Chili Peppers Lyrics. Retrieved June 4, 2011, from rvanews: http://rvanews.com/features/a-literary-analysis-of-red-hot-chili-peppers-lyrics/20505.Julia Butterfly Hill. (2011, May 2). Retrieved June 7, 2011, from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julia_Butterfly_HillKiedis, A., & Sloman, L. (October 6, 2004). Scar Tissue. HyperionMullen, B. (October 19, 2010) Red Hot Chili Peppers: An Oral/Visual History. It BooksNPR Staff (January 15, 2011). Chili Peppers Boo: Part Scrapbook, Part Love Letter. http://www.npr.org/2011/01/15/132945309/the-red-hot-chili-peppers- blood-sugar-sex-and-magic?sc=fb&cc=fp

References (cont.)Pareles, J (February 12, 1996). POP REVIEW; A Man Who Can Rap And Also Has Muscles. The New York Times, p. 1. Prato, G. (1997). Red Hot Chili Peppers Biography. Retrieved June 4, 2011, from Artist Direct: http://www.artistdirect.com/artist/bio/red-hot-chili-peppers/483511.Red Hot Chili Peppers. (n.d.). Retrieved June 5, 2011, from http://www.redhotchilipeppers.com/Robison, J. (2002, July 9). Decades of Drug Use: The '80s and '90s. Retrieved June 7, 2011, from Gallup: http://www.gallup.com/poll/6352/decades-drug-use-80s-90s.aspx