Here are parts of the interview with Chad Smith where he talks about the new album he’s working on with other members of Red Hot Chili Peppers. The interview was done by Joe Bosso and you can read the whole Chad Smith talks new Chickenfoot, Red Hot Chili Peppers albums interview.
So even though Chickenfoot have been writing and demoing, the plan is to record in the fall, once you’re done with the Chili Peppers album?
“That’s right. The next Chickenfoot record is gonna kick ass, but at the moment, as you can imagine, my main focus is on the Chili Peppers. I’m definitely in Chili Peppers mode.”
You’re getting set to make the record soon, right?
“Real soon. Since last October we’ve been working on things, and probably in a few weeks we’ll be going into the studio with Rick Rubin. Pre-production will take a few months, but I’d say by July we’ll be laying down real tracks. We have a lot of material, probably about 20 songs.”
Has everything calmed down in the band? There was so much attention to John Frusciante leaving again – understandably so.
“Yeah, things have calmed down. Things were…as you know…they were a little pressurized last year. We were sad to see John leave the band, but he has to do what he wants and follow his path.”
How has Josh Klinghoffer been working out?
“We’re all thrilled to have Josh be part of the group now. He’s been a friend of ours for a long time. He’s played with us, he’s played with John – he’s a real natural fit.
“Josh is a real creative force. He’s going to play guitar, he’s going to write music, he’s going to sing and play keyboards. The guy is amazing. And the great thing is, we didn’t have to go through that whole dating phase that happens sometimes and winds up weird. It’s not like we held these open auditions and got in somebody who we had to figure out. We know what Josh can do and we’re excited.”
But still, it’s going to be a different sound with Josh.
“Oh, sure. I mean, he’s his own man, he’s a different guy. There’s little nuances and things about his playing that are going to be different, but like I said, he knows the band and we know him. We were already starting from a good point. I think people are going to really like what we do.
“And aside from what Josh is bringing to the band, Flea is doing different things. He’s contributing a lot of piano-type songs. You know, he recently went to school, to USC, and he really learned a lot about theory and playing. If you grow, everybody grows – if they’re open to it, which we are.”
What have the other members of the Chili Peppers said to you about Chickenfoot? Do they like the band?
“You know what’s funny? They haven’t said anything. No, wait, I take that back…Flea did ask me once what it was like playing with Michael Anthony. That’s about it.”
That’s so surprising. You’d think they’d be curious.
“We don’t really talk about our extra-curricular activities. I mean, I went to see Flea play in his Thom Yorke project. I enjoyed it, but I don’t sit around asking him about it.”
So let’s hope for a new exciting sound and the old, unique, Red Hot Chili Peppers energy… I’d say it’s time to get excited!
I am very happy to announce that a new book, called The Red Hot Chili Peppers An Oral/Visual History, is coming out in October! It is the first (and only) official Red Hot Chili Peppers story, an oral history with hundreds of photos, written with the band’s full involvement.
