The Bite Magazine Issue 17

helped to build. Several of the Red Hot Chili Peppers songs such as ‘Otherside’, ‘Knock Me Down’, ‘My Lovely Man’ and ‘Feasting on the Flowers’ were written as a tribute to him. Slovak’s replacement John Frusciante is said to be greatly influenced by his guitar playing style and so fitted into the band nicely. It is said that Flea grew up with an alco- holic stepfather who eventually became involved in shootouts with police. Kiedis on the other hand was introduced to drugs by his father, Blackie Dammett (real name John Michael Kiedis), an actor who starred in over 50 films and shows such as Lethal Weapon and Starsky and Hutch . He also aided his son’s loss of virginity to his own 18-year-old girl- friend which is probably why Kiedis is often seen in public with younger girls. In an article, Kiedis told Francais Express that the break-up of his relationship with 22-year-old supermodel Helena Vestergaard really affected him. “I was a mess for the last year of my life. To be so in love with somebody and then have it not work out even though you would have done anything to figure it out. I was definitely shaken and saddened… But I got through it and felt even more turned on by life and playing music and so I had something to write about.” Although Kiedis has written many of their songs based on his relationships and experiences with former girl- friends, some of their songs are actually influenced by other personalities. For example, ‘Tearjerker’ was inspired by the late Kurt Cobain and ‘Transcend- ing’ was about the late River Phoenix. Interestedly, Flea was friends with the young actor and musician, and was with him at The Viper Club on the night he died. The two were also meant to perform on stage together that night. The song ‘Emit Remus’ is rumoured to be about Mel C, former Spice Girl, with whom Kiedis had a brief relation- ship with, while ‘Venice Queen’ is about Gloria Scott, a drug councillor who died of cancer. Having won seven Grammy awards and sold 60 million albums worldwide with these amazing songs, you can appreciate why their anthems are considered timeless and classics. When looking at drummer Chad Smith, you can understand why people often compare him to comedy actor Will Ferrell. He even appeared on The Tonight Show with Conrad O’Brien in 2009 wearing a t-shirt that read ‘I am not Will Ferrell’. He was on the same show again in 2014, this time hosted by Jimmy Fallon, with the actor and both were wearing the exact same leather jacket, t-shirt, jeans and baseball cap. The resemblance was virtually uncanny and you had to look carefully to dis- tinguish the difference between the two men. Smith and Ferrell teamed up earlier this year on 29th April to host the Red Hot Benefit, Comedy + Music & Quinceañera at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. It followed the co-hosts’ drum-off on Jimmy Fallon’s Late Show two years ago in which Ferrell took the victory. What makes the Red Hot Chili Peppers so fresh and exciting is their amazing energy as seen in their music videos and also on stage. Kiedis has some very unusual dance moves while Flea seems to go berserk when playing the guitar. I especially like the video for ‘Hump de Bump’ for its diversity in which the band really lets loose and even finds time to get some relaxation in. It’s a fast-moving song with some booty moves that is not at all provocative, their signature funky sound and in my opinion is a fantastic song to bring a community together. Another great part in the video is Chris Rock trying to get into his apartment block only to be blocked by a bouncer as if he’s trying to get into a club. The 2002 track Can’t Stop’ is one I do not hear that often these days but I feel that the video really keeps you engaged espe- cially with Kiedis holding empty water bottles under his arms and between his legs, balancing a yellow bucket on his bite music celeb