As the years go by, it’s natural to look back and reassess moments from our lives—whether they involve triumphs or missteps. This reflection is something even famous musicians experience, including Flea, the acclaimed bassist of the legendary Red Hot Chili Peppers. In a recent interview, Flea openly discussed his least favorite album by the band and even expressed a desire to re-record it.
During a conversation with the Los Angeles Times, Flea, whose real name is Michael Peter Balzary, took a trip down memory lane to revisit the highs and lows of his musical journey. One specific point of reflection was the Red Hot Chili Peppers album that he feels most conflicted about, offering candid thoughts on the regrets he holds and what he’d love to change.
When speaking with journalist Mikael Wood, Flea admitted that the band’s debut album, released back in 1984, is the one he feels the least satisfied with out of the 13 they’ve produced. He even confessed a desire to re-record it. “Our first album still leaves me with a feeling of regret,” Flea said. “The songs were great, and the band was full of energy. But with our original drummer, Jack Irons, and guitarist, Hillel Slovak, leaving the band, we ended up bringing in Jack Sherman and Cliff Martinez.”
Flea explained how the shift in band members influenced the album’s outcome. “Sherman and Martinez were definitely talented, but the chemistry we had with Irons and Slovak just wasn’t there. It changed the feel of the album. I’ve always wished we could re-record it, but I haven’t been able to get the rest of the band on board.”
Their self-titled debut album was released under the EMI America and Enigma labels, featuring tracks like “Out In L.A.,” “Get Up And Jump,” and “True Men Don’t Kill Coyotes.” Though it didn’t gain widespread attention, it marked the starting point of their long, successful career.
Despite their brief time with the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Sherman and Martinez went on to have noteworthy careers in music. Martinez, for instance, became known for his work on film scores, including Drive, Only God Forgives, and The Lincoln Lawyer. Meanwhile, Sherman collaborated with icons like Bob Dylan and George Clinton.
In another bit of band news, Flea also gave an interesting glimpse into the mind of lead vocalist Anthony Kiedis. According to Flea, Kiedis tends to downplay his musical abilities, sometimes even saying he doesn’t consider himself a musician. This modesty is something Flea has noticed in the way Kiedis compares himself to the other members of the group.
