Nick Cave has apologized for a past remark he made about the Red Hot Chili Peppers, which he now regrets. The comment, made about 25 years ago, referred to the band’s music as “garbage,” something he said in frustration while reacting to hearing their songs on the stereo. Cave, known for his often provocative personality, admitted in a recent post on his The Red Hand Files newsletter that he was simply being “a troublemaker” at the time, seeking to stir things up without malice.
He acknowledged that the comment has followed him for years, and he deeply regrets any offense it may have caused. “There was no malice intended,” he explained, emphasizing that his remark was meant to be obnoxious, a typical part of his rebellious attitude at the time.
Interestingly, the remark led to an unexpected turn of events when Flea, bassist of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, responded to the comment in a heartfelt way. Flea shared his disappointment in hearing such words from an artist he admired but also expressed his respect and love for Cave’s music. Moved by Flea’s open-hearted response, Cave reflected on the bassist’s generosity and kindness, noting how it shifted his view of Flea, seeing him as someone with a deeper sense of character.
Though they didn’t become close friends right away, their interactions over the years at music festivals and during tours became increasingly cordial. Cave shared that Flea even became involved in one of his projects, assembling a children’s choir for a Bad Seeds performance at Coachella, which led to some shared musical moments between them.
Recently, Flea invited Cave to contribute vocals to a song he’s working on for his trumpet album. Cave described the song as one he cherished deeply, with lyrics so profound that he would never have sung them had Flea not requested his participation. After recording his vocals, Cave shared that the track had turned into a “beautiful conversation” between his voice and Flea’s trumpet, symbolizing both a creative and personal reconciliation.
This gesture of reconciliation, stemming from a long-past misunderstanding, highlights how music can foster healing and understanding between artists, turning past tension into a collaboration marked by mutual respect.
