Red Hot Chili Peppers frontman Anthony Kiedis has paid tribute to the band’s recently departed guitarist John Frusciante, but also said the revamped line-up has led to something ‘fresh and exciting’.
Kiedis was speaking Spin.com about the change of dynamics being felt within the group since Frusciante’s departure towards the end of 2009.
“It is always going to change the chemistry and feeling of the music when such a creative force as John Frusciante leaves,” said Kiedis. “He was something unique that shaped our sound then, but now I think it’s also something fresh and exciting to have a new, incredible musical mind working with us now. We are still the Red Hot Chili Peppers, but we also have to adapt and welcome new opportunities. After all, that is how we’ve survived all these years.”
Later, Kiedis also expressed his belief that bringing Josh Klinghoffer in as their new guitarist, as well as the expanding musical talents of bassist Flea, has created a sense of evolution on their new record.
“This album has been one of evolution,” he explained. “Before, some of our jams were a bit hit-and-miss. On this record, a decent number of songs were actually thought out and planned in a way we had never done before. That is, with Flea’s new knowledge of music theory, we explored the writing process with a bit more precision.”
Red Hot Chili Peppers’ new album, their first since 2006’s ‘Stadium Arcadium‘ was said by Kiedis to have the working title ‘Dr. Johnny Skinz’s Disproportionately Rambunctious Polar Express Machine-head.’