Flea

[DMFJ03]

Does anyone else think he is wasting his talent on the Chilli Peppers?

[bassist_25]

Does anyone else think he is wasting his talent on the Chilli Peppers?

No. Why do you ask?

[DMFJ03]

I never was a big fan of the Chili Peppers, but I have always loved the way Flea plays. It just seems a shame to me, that's all. I know some of you may not agree with me, but that is why I asked the question.

[esa]

I think it's all in the ever so popular p.o.v. (point of view for tom who can't stand acronyms).

To you it might seem like he's wasting his talent, but to himself, he isn't. If he's happy with the Peppers (and who wouldn't be. i'm a pepper, you're a pepper, he's a pep....) then to him, he's not wasting his talent. He's happy there, he's where he thinks he belongs.

There are several people on rock page that are "wasting their talent" in the bands that they're with...or the bands are "wasting their talent" because they choose to remain weekend warriors in backtown places in Pennsylvania when they should be trying to rock it out in New York and Chicago.

I think as long as you love what you're doing and where you are, it's not a waste of talent. A waste of talent is settling for second best.
Flea might be awesome, but if you were to put him in with Metallica and he hated it....then what is the greater sin? Where is he truely wasting his talent then?

[Punkinhead]

I've found that when I find a musician who I think is "wasting" their time with a band that I look to their side projects and other things they have going on musically. You can really hear them let loose on something where they aren't worried about being popular or confining to a given standard that alot of bands inevitably come to.

A good example is John5's solo disc. Man, he's a really good guitar player but, you'd never guess it listening to Marylin Manson's stuff. I went out and got his solo disc and it gave me a chance to really listen to him rip it up.

I don't know if Flea has any side stuff but, I'd be willing to bet he does.

[bassist_25]

I don't know if Flea has any side stuff but, I'd be willing to bet he does.

I remember that Flea was in Jane's Addiction for a short period of time. He played on a few tracks from the Kettle Whistle album and on a tune appearing on the Private Parts soundtrack (or was that a Porno for Pyros tune; I forget). Also keep in mind that in addition to being a great bass player, Flea is also an accomplished trumpet player (his teachers believed that he was going to be the next Herb Albert).

And of course, the kickin' bassline on Alanis Morrisette's You Outha Know was played by Flea. And I believe that he also did a track on a Gov't Mule album after Allen Woody's death.

[Possessed]

I am a metalhead through and through and I still love the Chilli's
It's all about the groove man. Flea can rip but, what good is a rippin bass player without the groove. I think a really great musician like Flea writes for the song not to show off and rip it up. If you take the time to listen to the Chilli's closely you will realize that he really is rippin all the time, just with a killer groove. Blood Sugar Sex Magic and Mother's Milk are just smokin. I don't dance but everytime I hear those albums I feel like gettin down.

[songsmith]

Y'know, people are always asking me why I'm wasting my talent in a band like SideStep. I tell them it's because of the high-quality pooty-tang that follows the band around.
Of course, every part of that statement was patently false... first, my bandmates have to suffer through my obvious lack of instrumental ability every night, God love 'em, and secondly, we average about one or two really hot chicks at any one gig, and those are bar-maids who get paid to attend.
As for Flea, he's an innovator, but I've never heard him play for anyone else, so it would be weird for me if he played for, say, Ozzy or somebody.---->JMS

[bassist_25]

I don't know if I would call Flea an innovator..........A lot of his playing style was based on Larry Graham, George Porter Jr., Billy Nelson, and Bootsy Collins. Victor Wooten, Jaco Pastorious, James Jamerson, and Michael Manring would be innovators. Still, I think Flea's popular because he represents good bass playing in mainstream music. Let's face it - if you turn on the radio you're going to hear a lot of root notes with the occasional passing tone between chords. Is Flea one of the technically best? No, Stanely Clarke, Adam Nitti, Bill Dickens, and Jeff Berlin would smoke him right off the fretboard. Still, I'd rather hear Flea lay down a tasty groove than listen to a bunch of technical wank. I remember hearing a clip of Ray Riendeau doing some crazy double-thump thing. I thought, "Wow, that's technically amazing........but musically boring!"

One Hot Minute's my favorite album, which seems to be hated by a lot of the hardcore RHCP fans (it seems that they don't like what Dave Navarro brought to the table). I think it's some of Flea's best work. One word: Aeroplane!

[Punkinhead]

One Hot Minute's my favorite album, which seems to be hated by a lot of the hardcore RHCP fans (it seems that they don't like what Dave Navarro brought to the table). I think it's some of Flea's best work. One word: Aeroplane!

I dig that album as well. I like Navarro's playing on alot of things. Some of his Jane's Addiction work is really good.

[ZappasXWife]

I would like Dave Navarro to bring something to my table...man he is HOT. His guitar playing is good too...too bad his wife is so ugly

[the herald]

Flea and anthony were friends growing up and you know how that goes how would flea feel if he left the peppers and and said you guys suck! actually i think the peppers are one of the only bands that have been around for like25 years and have not conformed to the trends of music today there style still sounds very much the same as when they began which is alot these days! anthony might not be the best singer in the world but i think thats what i like about them is they still have that raw garage punk/funk sound that kicks ass!