1. Presentation by Darren Siaw, Sarah Roth, Veronica Ho, Kelley Chen
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Presentation by Darren Siaw, Sarah Roth, Veronica Ho, Kelley Chen

2. Biography Formed 1983 in Los Angeles Current Line up:
Anthony Kiedis: Vocals and lyrics 1983-present
Born Nov 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 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

3. Biography (cont.)
Formed 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

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.
1992 settled on former Jane’s Addiction guitarist Dave Navarro
1994 Played Woodstock with Navarro on guitar
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 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.
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

9. Biography (cont.)
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 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

10. Musical Style
Funk + Punk rock
= a new musical style they created!

11. Musical Style Instrumentation (at present) - spoken verse and
rapping mixed with
more traditional
approaches
Vocal Anthony Kiedis

12. 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

13. Musical Style Instrumentation (at present) - rapid bass drum
- blends rock with funk
Drum Chad Smith

14. Musical Style Instrumentation (at present) Guitar Josh Klinghoffer

15. Musical Style – Lyrics
Use of imagery to present their statement on the subject matter
“Blood sugar sucker fish In my dish How many pieces do you wish?”
Representing
the
government

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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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

24. 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.

25. 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

26. 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

27. Song analysis: Under The Bridge Elements 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.

28. Song analysis: Under The Bridge Musical 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

29. Song analysis: Under The Bridge Texture Analysis
Guitar intro
monophonic
Verse 1 “Sometimes I feel…”
Homophonic, melody and accompaniment
Verse 2 “I drive on the streets…”
Pre Chorus “I don’t ever wanna feel…”
Verse 3 “It’s hard to believe…”
Pre Chorus “I don’t ever wanna feel…”
Chorus “Under the bridge downtown…”
Homophonic, chordal
Guitar outro

30. References
Apter, 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 Books
Conlon, K. (2006, September 12). Chevy Sequel Hot Enough for Red Hot Chili Peppers, Anthony
Kiedis. Retrieved June 7, 2011, from hybridcar.com:
Crossdale, A. (2011, April 13). Music Subcultures – Going Underground. Retrieved June 7, 2011,
from Me-dia/You-dia:
%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:
Julia Butterfly Hill. (2011, May 2). Retrieved June 7, 2011, from Wikipedia:
Kiedis, A., & Sloman, L. (October 6, 2004). Scar Tissue. Hyperion
Mullen, B. (October 19, 2010) Red Hot Chili Peppers: An Oral/Visual History. It Books
NPR Staff (January 15, 2011). Chili Peppers Boo: Part Scrapbook, Part Love Letter.
blood-sugar-sex-and-magic?sc=fb&cc=fp

31. 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:
Red Hot Chili Peppers. (n.d.). Retrieved June 5, 2011, from
Robison, J. (2002, July 9). Decades of Drug Use: The '80s and '90s. Retrieved June 7, 2011, from
Gallup: