I know its not cool to dig popular bands that go platinum around here
but I have to thank these fellas for opening my ears to current rock in
the early 90's. I knew all the 60's and 70's shit my pops played but
current music I was all about rap. My neighbor, Anthony, used to always
play Blood Sugar Sex Magik when we were playing video games so I know
that album front to back like I know Tribe's Low End Theory LP. I pretty
much enjoy their entire discog. Listening to "Torture Me" from the
Stadium Arcadium double LP prompted me to make this post. Do you like or
hate the band? What's your favorite album by them? Do you feel they
played it too safe post Californication? Do you like the fact that they
worked with Rick Rubin on most of their albums or do you feel
he held them back? I've seen a few people here who think he's overrated
so I wanted to know what you felt about his involvement with the band.

******************************************
Falcons, Braves, Bulldogs and Hawks

Geto Boys, Poison Clan, UGK, Eightball & MJG, OutKast, Goodie Mob

They never quite hit a grand slam where it's clear they are a TRUE classic band.

They are a classic band but that achievement feels a little weak.

Like, music fans go on and on about Nirvana and even Dinosaur Jr. but....you don't really expect music fans to put RHCP in a "classic" status like that.

Some would say it's because RHCP were so popular but.....I'm not too sure about that.


I know "Blood sugar sex magic" has some good music on it but I never really heard the whole thing and it really isn't on my radar.

I heard "Californication" over and over because I worked at Tower Records (village NYC) when it was released and I like that CD a lot but....the quality of the songs of that CD aren't "enough" for me to really be "impressed" by it like "End hits" by Fugazi or "Wolf songs for lambs" by Jonathan fire*Eater really impresses me.

I was hoping "Stadium Arcadium" would do it for me ("by the way" didn't, from what I heard of it) but....nah, it didn't do it.


They know enough about good music (they love P-funk, Hendrix, Black Flag, Ohio Players, etc.) that they could have done stuff that should have been OVERWHELMING but.......when they kept coming up with songs like "Dani California" (even with supposed genius John Frusciante in the band)...something just wasn't right.

Now that supposed genius John Frusciante is not in the band anymore (supposedly because John couldn't, again, take the music he was making with them anymore) I can't see much hope of them really "going off" the way a band with their influences should have gone off by now.

Rick probably did mess them up because Rick talks a lot of the quality of individual songs whereas they should have been about making an "album experience" type of CD where the overall CD just hits the listener (like Fugazi "end hits" or Tony Williams Lifetime "turn it over").

>They never quite hit a grand slam where it's clear they are a
>TRUE classic band.
>
>They are a classic band but that achievement feels a little
>weak.
>
>Like, music fans go on and on about Nirvana and even Dinosaur
>Jr. but....you don't really expect music fans to put RHCP in a
>"classic" status like that.
>
>Some would say it's because RHCP were so popular but.....I'm
>not too sure about that.
>
>
>I know "Blood sugar sex magic" has some good music on it but I
>never really heard the whole thing and it really isn't on my
>radar.
>
>I heard "Californication" over and over because I worked at
>Tower Records (village NYC) when it was released and I like
>that CD a lot but....the quality of the songs of that CD
>aren't "enough" for me to really be "impressed" by it like
>"End hits" by Fugazi or "Wolf songs for lambs" by Jonathan
>fire*Eater really impresses me.
>
>I was hoping "Stadium Arcadium" would do it for me ("by the
>way" didn't, from what I heard of it) but....nah, it didn't do
>it.
>
>
>They know enough about good music (they love P-funk, Hendrix,
>Black Flag, Ohio Players, etc.) that they could have done
>stuff that should have been OVERWHELMING but.......when they
>kept coming up with songs like "Dani California" (even with
>supposed genius John Frusciante in the band)...something just
>wasn't right.
>
>Now that supposed genius John Frusciante is not in the band
>anymore (supposedly because John couldn't, again, take the
>music he was making with them anymore) I can't see much hope
>of them really "going off" the way a band with their
>influences should have gone off by now.
>
>Rick probably did mess them up because Rick talks a lot of the
>quality of individual songs whereas they should have been
>about making an "album experience" type of CD where the
>overall CD just hits the listener (like Fugazi "end hits" or
>Tony Williams Lifetime "turn it over").

it needed to go far beyond "Dani California" for me, and I can't recall any song (like "tell me baby" or "snow (hey ho)") going very far beyond "Dani California".

>it needed to go far beyond "Dani California" for me, and I
>can't recall any song (like "tell me baby" or "snow (hey ho)")
>going very far beyond "Dani California".

although i admit it's been some time since i have listened to either of them.

“So back we go to these questions — friendship, character… ethics.”

>Like, music fans go on and on about Nirvana and even Dinosaur
>Jr. but....you don't really expect music fans to put RHCP in a
>"classic" status like that.
>

There's not a whole lot of people that care about Dinosaur but those who do-HI!-*LOVE* that band even if it's only the SST records or whatever...

However, I suspect that if RHCP broke up for whatever reason-and without Frusciante, they will flop, they always do-noone will care in spite of their massive popularity as a radio-rock band and live-draw and everything; I think it would be a Eurythmics-scenario there.

I'm sure a lot of people were really passionate about RHCP in the beginning and up to-arguably including "BSSM"-but the irony is that while they became bigger, I suspect their audience after that is more of a general pop-rock crowd who dig the band as long as they continue to release radio-friendly singles rather than a cult-one who love the *band*.

Seriously, in terms of how popular they are, how big percentage of their crowd are die-hard RHCP-fans? Again. if they went away tomorrow, I doubt many would miss them and theyn have themselves to blame there.

Actually, it would be cool if they broke up for like ten years and then tried to comeback. I'm sure some fans would stick around but I'm also sure they would go from an arena-status to a club-one. An act like Dino has *always* been a club-one and they don't attract less people today than they did in their prime (not necessarily more either but that's besides the point); I *highly* doubt that would be the case with RHCP...

That is the blueprint of the Chili's.

>I know "Blood sugar sex magic" has some good music on it but I
>never really heard the whole thing and it really isn't on my
>radar.

Everything after that had been compromised under the scrutiny of making "hits".

They managed to squeak out a good to very good tune here and there after that...but the energy that they initially had was just GONE.

I'd seriously recommend watching the Funky Monks documentary THEN listening to BSSM. That is one of the best "making an album" music docs I've ever seen...that was a "band".

"Under The Bridge" did damage to them in the sense that that was their "Purple Rain" and Anthony kept wanting to tap into that side of his vocal bag...as well as he couldn't stay out from under the bridge.

s.blak
Poor Flea

keep: looking,searching,seeking,finding

dope album

haven't heard anything else by them, besides the popular singles of course

----------
https://93millionmilesabove.blogspot.com/
https://rateyourmusic.com/~Kosa12

i don't know why really. love frusciante, they are best with him imo.

“So back we go to these questions — friendship, character… ethics.”

Lots of great songs on that one!

-----
Check me out, say hi...
Visit our soul/jazz/funk internet radio station, Blue-in-Green:RADIO: http://www.blueingreenradio.com/
https://www.mixcloud.com/Blue_in_Green_Sessions/
http://soundcloud.com/user305437292

“So back we go to these questions — friendship, character… ethics.”

Under the Bridge will always be my favorite song. Some others include Throw Away Your Television, Hump De Bump, Californication, Knock Me Down, If You Want Me To Stay, This Is The Place, and Don't Forget Me. By The Way will always be my favorite album, followed by Californication, Blood Sugar Sex Magic, Stadium Arcadium, and Mothers Milk. Still haven't heard their first album, nor have i heard their last album.

************************************************************

It was probably 1987 when I found out about them - my brother had made friends with a few 'punks' via music and before you know it he had their early albums. I remember being impressed with their sense of humor and ability to combine several sounds. I was still a year or two away from admitting I could enjoy anything that was 'punk' though, and a friend went to see them at a college show where the audience tore out the seats, so while they stayed on my radar and I'd certainly heard most of their records to then, I didn't feel the need to explore them in significant depth.

By the time BSSM came out, though, I was embracing at least a bit more 'punk' and anyway I think that record was a tamer sound than most of the stuff that came before it. I went to see the tour (with Smashing Pumpkins and Pearl Jam) and watched from the safety of the balcony (a friend on the floor got kicked in the nuts so hard he puked). Very entertaining live show, mostly pretty great music.

Haven't paid much attention in the 20+ years since, but most of what I hear I'm kinda disappointed. I did watch their Hall of Fame induction though and it was pretty great, classic high energy stuff.

-------
so I'm in a band now:
album ---> http://greenwoodburns.bandcamp.com/releases
Soundcloud ---> http://soundcloud.com/greenwood-burns

my own stuff -->http://soundcloud.com/lonesomedstringband

avy by buckshot_defunct

when they were coming along they had alot of energy and a vibe.

they are the link between fishbone and no doubt. and truth be told they owe alot to fishbone.

there status though is somewhere between bon jovi and green day in that they peaked and hit at the right time as to being the best band in the siuation and it bought them a pass.

under the bridge was huge. they got mtv love, and other styles embraced them though they to me felt a bit cold.

they found a way to hang in there despite there demons and also dropping off demo semi polished cuts.

better live act than studio and that got them over. anthony kedis is like the long lost son that steven tyler never had.

flea always moved me on bass.

didn't care for there cover songs however they kept a hit and interest

mistermaxxx R.Kelly, Michael Jackson,Stevie wonder,Rick James,Marvin Gaye,El Debarge, Barry WHite Lionel RIchie,Isleys EWF,Lady T.,Kid creole and coconuts,the crusaders,kc sunshine band,bee gees,jW,sd,NE,JB

Miami Heat, New York Yankees,buffalo bills

Their early stuff is obnoxious and not in a good way. While I like some punk-funk and funky post-punk/No wave, RHCP to me sounded more like funk-*rock* or even funky hard-rock; I never really got the funk-punk groove from them, even on the debut. Considering how great Funkadelic were in the 70's as well as some of the late Hendrix-songs, one would think it works well but after the 70's, it practically never does; I don't really know why but I think it has to do with 80's vs. 70's musicianship-values and the sheer "busyness"/lack of space in the grooves when funk was mixed with 80's rock/metal/whatever aesthetics as opposed to 70's stuff.

Their later stuff mjeanwhile just strike me as bland radio-rock.

That leaves "Mother's Milk" and "BSSM" that I guess are their most tolerable records. I actually bought "Mothers Milk" back in the day because I was getting into Hendrix and was trying to broaden my horizons and I thought it was kind of cool but I have had absolutely no need to play that record in the past 20+ years, don't know why.

"BSSM" meanwhile I got as a christmas gift from the same (then) clueless italian buddy who had also given me Faith No More's "the real thing" some years earlier. I don't know what he was thinking about my tastes or anything but he was heavily into stuff like Jane's Addiction and Living Colour as well as those bands so I guess he wanted to share his enthusiasm with me.

Anyway, I remember liking several songs on "Blood sugar..." like "Breaking the girl" for example which is really cool. My issue is instead-again-with the self-consciously "funky" rockers like "Give it away" and "Suck my kiss" and others; I don't like the term "dated" but I can't imagine much rock that has aged worse than "Give it away". In hell, that song would be played on repeat...

EDIT:I'm listening to "Mother's milk" right now on spotify-*YIKES*. I guess that's why I haven't played it in years...

and I think that first paragraph is the best musical explanation of it I've heard, because I've never cared to break it down myself. For a bunch of guys who can obviously play and obviously understand how funk works, they were so often unfunky... drives me nuts when a band ruins a good groove.

Plus, I can't stand Kiedis.

I went through a period of trying to like this band because, somewhat like your friend, I was getting into all the heavier alternative bands at the time (though I was also starting to listen to real metal and industrial too). I still have affection for a lot of that stuff - Soundgarden in general, "Ritual de lo Habitual" and "Nothing's Shocking," and the 1st and 3rd FNM records (though I kinda hate "The Real Thing" now - what an airless, shitty-sounding record, and Patton was never more annoying). But I'm so over RHCP.

--

I could never get too into the back catalog before BSSM, but that album is front to back classic. One Hot Minute had some nice stuff going on, but it was clearly a different band with Dave Navarro.

I really dug Californiacation and By The Way, as I felt they really captured the calming and maturation that happens as you grow up. I definitely wasn't into Stadium Arcadium, but I maybe didn't give it a fair shake.

If you haven't seen the documentary of the making of Blood Sugar, it's definitely worth a watch. There are some torrents of it out there.

* * * * =========
* * * * =========
* * * * =========
==============
==============

And not in a good way. And the 2nd gen Frusciante stuff sounds like nothing, which is worse.

The pre- Mothers Milk stuff hasn't aged well at all, but MM is pretty good. The Frusciante addition definitely worked. I was a teenager when Blood Sugar came out, and I wore that tape out. That album is definitely their high point artistically, but there's some shit on there. I think they lucked into commercial success with Under the Bridge, in that, while I think they were looking for it, I don't think they thought they would do it with a ballad. Then the shit kinda hit the fan for the band.

I think I listened to that Dave Navarro record once. I hated whatever the radio single off that record was. Frusciante came back, but it wasn't the same. They sounded like some band who decided to try to make it big by being "RHCP if you smoothed out all the rough edges." If someone is going to make money being RHCP-lite, it may as well be the RHCP themselves, I guess. They made commercially ambitious middle of the road rock, and that's ok. They went from the edges of the dial to the middle. The world needs bands like Foo Fighters, Kings of Leon, and even Nickelback, and RHCP just became another one of those bands for me.

...I dig a lot of there stuff...cats do what they do well...

Integrity is the Cornerstone of Artistry...

missing Frusciante but it was still good.

Fav album is probably By The Way.

--sig--
n/a

I think I realize now that I was more of a John Frusciante fan than I was a Chili Peppers fan.

By the Way is a nice album.


``i know you are fake. . . 'cause man, i'm the same.``
"for mbs." http://bit.ly/1jH5FCa
"new life." http://bit.ly/1cImKJg
"unspecified psychosis." http://bit.ly/HgJRBl
"the real ernesto." http://bit.ly/1dNHCk5
"untitled 6." http://bit.ly/19QmVPu

i've been bumping Inside of Emptiness all week, love that album.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYbdVsWRqEQ

--sig--
n/a

n/m

_______________________________________

you have sexually transmitted crazy mouth...DEALBREAKER!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdIMxP70sAM&feature=related

Anthony Keidis CAN NOT sing,yo.

Yet...that m.f. been tryna croon like he Tony Bennett since Rick Rubin got in his ear.

They have completely run out of all creative juice w/ Frusciante gone for good.

Flea BEEN BORED...but about that paper.

You're in the RRHOF now.

props to Hilel & Jack Irons

s.blak
wrap that schitt up,B

keep: looking,searching,seeking,finding

not up on anything since Californication tho. outta touch.

great run though

-------------------------
�Floyd Mayweather should be taking fights up to 157 or 160 pounds...His frame can hold the weight..it's not even a lot of weight....Go to the gym and lift weights man..lol.�-- Warren Coolidge

while the rest of 10th grade was more about Ten and Nevermind..bssm was my go-to album (after a week without power during hurricane andrew in miami in aug 92, first cd i played? bssm) in retrospect, i was probably more a fan of that album than the band (i dropped out completely after californication)

went to a bbq this summer where i heard bssm cover to cover for first time in like 15 years? still remembered pretty much every lyric

for many its Radiohead, for me its the chili peppers. Probably know more about them than any other piece of culture i can think of. I've sort of outgrown them, and not to keen on there new material but you have to respect the amount of musicianship and originality they brought to the scene. The songwriting chemistry John & Flea had, and the styles they weaved, such a fun band. From there hard hitting punk-funk stuff, to their metal stuff, to their melodic stuff, I really feel like they have something to offer for everyone.

Now clearly i'm biased, but I really feel like their back catalog up to Californication still holds a lot of water now, and sounds fresh to me. Just how impressive Flea's lines alone are worth listening.

-------------------
village.fm/okayplayer | @delajoo
"Whether you're a rock star or a garbage man, if you think about yourself all the time, you won't be very good at what you do." - Frusciante

at their best they hit the nail on the head as far as what I look for in music.

including my own of course.
i've listened to every LP, even had Under The Bridge on CD single wen it came out, but i never went apeshit over em or considered myself a superfan or anything.

however, "Californication" was a stellar album from start to finish. what a great record to drop so late in their careers man. everything after that felt like a retread and, while good, got a bit boring.

i say again dho, personal opinion doesn't detract from their massive fanbase and huge longlasting success.

V.

---
http://confessionsofacurlymind.com
https://soundcloud.com/confessionsofacurlymindredux
https://soundcloud.com/generic80sbadguy
https://soundcloud.com/miles_matheson

DROkayplayer™

Kiedis is a truly terrible frontman. It always struck me as weird two incredibly talented musicians like Flea and Frusciante play(ed) with him.

i don't get the anthony keidis hate (to each their own tho). i think dude is a very good frontman. really love their catalog, esp by the way and californication, but everything from mothers milk to stadium arcadium is just dope shit to me. the rest i haven't heard.

************************************************************

it was a little too exhausting, I always felt like the Chili Peppers were trying too hard to prove how talented they were compared to say Jane's Addiction who just went out and made a racket.


~~~~~~~~~
"This is the streets, and I am the trap." � Jay Bilas
http://www.popmatters.com/pm/archive/contributor/517
Hip Hop Handbook: http://tinyurl.com/ll4kzz

than EVERYTHING the Chili's did after B.S.S.M.
(and I'm dead serious)

You know how fucked up that statement is?

s.blak
Turrible

keep: looking,searching,seeking,finding