Here’s a running table of contents I made as I listened: 00:01:22 - Chad’s son learns War Pigs 00:02:50 - Playing open vs cross-over hi-hat 00:06:45 - Levon Helm 00:07:30 - Recognizable drummers 00:09:10 - Bonham 00:11:52 - Bonham’s influences 00:13:05 - Different rock drummer styles 00:15:00 - Chad’s first drums 00:16:40 - Chicago, records 00:18:00 - Groovy Grubworm 00:19:45 - Chad’s early love of music 00:20:33 - Chad’s first band 00:22:10 - Songs in 3/4 time 00:23:10 - High school bands 00:25:30 - Rick’s advice in studio 00:26:45 - Cover bands 00:28:08 - Chad’s 10,000 hours 00:29:00 - Chad never had a job 00:30:03 - NY vs LA 00:31:00 - First hearing about RHCP 00:32:45 - RHCP audition 00:37:45 - Beinhorn’s endorsement 00:38:25.- Shave your head and you’re in 00:39:18 - RHCP style 00:40:58 - John at 18 00:43:28 - BSSM sessions, double albums 00:47:10 - Multiple takes, the Beatles 00:49:22 - Original BSSM tapes 00:52:35 - Recording to tape 00:53:46 - Evolution of Californication 00:55:46 - How the band has evolved 00:57:35 - John returns in 1998 01:00:15 - Memorable RHCP gigs 01:02:46 - How touring has evolved 01:05:55 - John leaving in 1992 01:07:45 - Rick’s favourite RHCP show 01:09:37 - Playing with James Brown 01:12:10 - Flea & Anthony’s relationship 01:16:41 - John’s return in 2019 01:22:00 - Rick seeing RHCP reunited 01:23:33 - Rick seeing John in 1997/98 01:25:30 - Nobody weird like John 01:27:52 - Nobody great like Rick
Gosh, I’ve been so low. These chili pepper podcasts are like medicine as much as the music!….I love all of the facts and tid-bits!! Music is the most powerful moving force I’ve ever encountered. It hasn’t let me down yet! Thank you for sharing these!!!! ❤️😎
So do we need to start a petition to make sure Rick finds those old pre-BSSM recordings? The idea of such a precious piece of musical history being forgotten in some closet somewhere collecting dust kills me. Those things are so meaningful to millions of people. It would be a shame to leave them unheard.
I would be shocked if they're not unearthed by the end of the year. The chilis are my favourite band of all time and to touch on what Chad and Rick said, it is unbelievable that they're back playing together again. Frusciante makes them and as much as he has a lot of status today, I can genuinely see him being looked back on as one of the greatest, if not greatest musician post 80s. Saw them in 06 at Reading's football stadium when I was 13 (their peak year for live performances in my opinion so far). Saw them again in 2016 at Reading festival and it was great but Josh didn't have anything on John. Have tickets to see them in Toronto and Nashville this summer but due to visa/work circumstances, I may have to go back to the UK or emigrate to Europe for work so I may miss out on seeing them... What I'd give to have all the money in the world to follow them around the globe on their tour. You know the jams are going to be off the fucking chain
A lot of musicians find demos like these to be "unfinished". They are reluctant to put them out because they were never meant to be more than sketches of ideas and they needed a lot of polish and work to make into finished songs. I love demos and out-takes, but I can also relate to a musician not wanting them to be public. All of these interview have been very enjoyable.
It'd be great to hear those recordings! I always love to hear the evolution of songs when artists make them available. And who knows, maybe there's a few unheard/abandoned ideas or songs amongst all the material?
I love all the chili peppers, but I’ve seen many people talk shit about John, Flea, and Anthony. Chad on the other hand, I’ve literally never seen anyone say anything bad about this man. What a Chad
I’ve had the privilege of being a buddy of Chad’s over the years. (My band’s road manager was his best friend growing up in Detroit, I’m a drummer too blah blah) One thing that finally comes across here is it’s CHAD. He is really the most humble and kind famous dude you’ll ever meet. And he is a music junkie. Pretty much all I’ve ever talked with him about is music. Maybe motorcycles once. But he is a true disciple of music and is a force behind a drum kit. If you ever get the chance to watch him up close, you can’t believe the power he has. This is the best Chad Smith interview ever made. Thanks Rick.
The voice of the Groovie Grub Worm is my dad Thomas Rivers. He had had the story of the writing of the song on the web years ago but I can't find it. Great fun hearing this.
Several of my friends and I got to hangout with Chad for a little while, and he was exactly the same as he is in this interview. He’s one of the coolest guys I’ve ever met.
Chads a great drummer because hes so rooted in the earth. When you have guys like Flea and John who play from outer space and tap into that subconscious creativity, it is essential that you have a drummer back down on earth keeping the band bolted to the ground. This is why guys like Bonham and charlie watts are so great and vital.
Somebody else said it best over on the Funky Monks video: I was 12 years old watching funky monks when I realized chad was the only normal one in the band.
@@smkxodnwbwkdns8369 Also what exactly was wrong with what i said? Drummers in the rock context are generally meant to focus on keeping a steady beat which requires a strong hypnotic focus to be able to play on tempo and create a sort of natural metronome for the guitar and bass. Flea and John being the type of players they are, usually focus more on improvisation and “jamming”. While that requires focus, it allows for a player to be a little more “out there” and work around the beat so they can explore creatively. It seems like you know very little about music now that i think about it.
@@smkxodnwbwkdns8369 be quiet. What a smug comment. Oh people just don’t understand music like you do huh. Jfc. I bet you wear non-traditional clothing like it’s a uniform and claim individuality. Stfo
I got home from work, parked, and stayed in my van for nearly the whole interview still wearing my seatbelt. Didn't even notice. That's how good your podcast is Rick. I love you man. I recently got into meditation after hearing your interview with Robby Krieger and John Densmore, and it's changed my life. When he said Ravi Shankar told them to channel their sexual energy into their instrument i was blown away! That was the first night i actually meditated. I had done it before but you know when you're doing it right. Thank you Rick. Peace be with you brother. -Madman Murray (ANDY)
@@kylebookout1789 Even compared to Howard Stern's great interview, there's a very noticeable difference in comfort and rapport between Rubin and the guys. To my shame, I knew little about Chad Smith, he has always been one of the most closed people in the group for me.
@@ЛарисаТ-й2ь oh interesting. I feel like maybe he's not the most open but at least the most "normal" and by that I mean most outwardly relatable and easy going. I haven't seen the Stern interview yet.
@@kylebookout1789 You are absolutely right. I really liked how John described his first impression of Chad as a professional musician confident in his abilities and skills. But the interview with Chad himself allowed me to see him from a completely different perspective. And it's a really interesting conversation between two old friends.
@@kylebookout1789 The interview with Howard Stern is good and interesting in its own way, but it doesn't have the same lightness and privacy as the interview with Rubin.
I'm almost as old the the Chili Peppers and I don't think I've enjoyed an album rollout more. All the stories the boys have been recalling are fantastic and so insightful. That with all the talk show appearances. It's really brightened up my life :) Great interview Chad!
Well said man. I think the world needed this right now, Unlimited Love. That's the energy I'm trying to give off these days. But the band, the album, the performances and the interviews have all been a big pick me up for me. I've been a fan since the 80s. I love seeing this band evolve
I’m 35….I first fell In love with them in 98 Californication when I was In middle school…then the BTW when I was in high school….Stadium Arcadium came out when I was in college….Now as a 35 year old, this album drops, it’s like every phase of my life there is a great rhcp album…I enjoyed “im with you” it was a solid effort…But I didn’t like “The Getaway” at all….But yeah I can’t remember enjoying an album as much as “Unlimited Love”….To have a major artist deliver on a epic album, in the “rock” genre, is so rare now…The last great rock album I fell in love with was “Fun. Some Nights” in 2012…..but it’s been years since I heard hard cutting edge guitar solos, etc…on a new release …i miss this .
Was not expecting the interview with chad to be my favorite of these- dude is just as beautiful a soul as Anthony, flea, or John. I don’t give this guy the credit he deserves. Get your roses chad!!!
Without a doubt this is my favorite music podcast I've heard. The best thing about the promotion for Unlimited Love has been hearing more of Chad. He's finally speaking at length and it's glorious. Chad F'n Smith. Chicago!
This was surprisingly my favorite of the four interviews. Chad was always the guy in the band that felt the most like a stranger, and it was awesome to hear his perspective
Chad, the fun dad that can do it all w/no stress. I've grown to love this dude so much. Over the yrs. I used to think man if the chili peppers had a more hip hop drummer like Brad guy from Rage, etc or Incubus but no. Chad may be the most important member. Which i would also say about the other 3, What a UNIQUE BAND.
Brad is also a guy I deeply love, besides his influence on me on a musical level just like Chad. To me, he is by far the most humble, down to Earth, likable guy, among the Rage guys... Chad and Brad do know each other well, by the way.
This was so good, I listened twice in a row! Love how Chad is just a regular ol dude who just loves his band! Love his stories so much! What a great series and special thanks to Rick for THE best interviews of the guys ever. You can really see the love between all of them, Unlimited Love! ❤️
I feel like Chad is the most "normal" of the 4, the guy just loves the band, beers, smoking cigarettes and most importantly music!! The others are all spiritual and hippie-ish (there's nothing wrong with that) but Chad is just a goofy/funny wholesome guy. jokes around allot, laughs allot, has a very likeable personality. I started playing the drums competently cause of him thanks to BSSM more than 10 years ago (I am now 22 years old). He's my favorite chili pepper. Let the universe bless us with Chad for many many more years. Thank you so much Chad for existing ❤️
Absolutely loved this podcast, Chad brought up a lot of old memories of Detroit and CKLW on a transistor radio under my pillow. These guys are a gift from the gods.
I took Chad to a schools band competition for a few minutes and I was able to see the kids and Chad bond and teach them how to play with the swing and groove of ringo and the greatest jamming, instructing, and treating them like peers awesome day and dude
I've loved music all my life. True connective escape. I've come to realize that this man, Rick Rubin, has had a hand in an unreal amount of my most favorite, beloved songs, albums and artists. I've found a strange connection to Rick Rubin. I think many share the same connection. He's so relatable. Thank you for all the music I spent days and weeks, lost in. And thank you for your influence on my favorite people in the industry. This new album and podcasts are a dreamlike feel. Like listening to blood sugar for the first time and headbanging and singing all over my bedroom. I love your mind of music. Thank you ;)
Rick you are such a GEM. An active member of R&R history. I soak up all of your interviews with delight. Thank you sir for all you do and all you have done. Blessings
13:27 Pearl Jam also definitely needs that swing or groove. I love Chad's groovy new collaboration with Eddy Vedder. I think Eddy's singing gets elevated the more it grooves. Fantastic interview. Thanks !!
Ian Paice, Bill Ward, and Bonzo were all swinging. They were influenced by the Jazzers and early rockers that came before them. The metal guys who were influenced by the seventies rockers didn't swing very much. Lars Ulrich says his favorite drummer is Ian Paice yet he doesn't sound anything like Paice. Deep Purple swings like crazy. Metallica doesn't. The grungers who came in the nineties started to bring the swing back. Weird huh?
Great interview Shows how invested Rick is in the band and that he’s basically a 5th member Also interesting that Chad joined the band when John was 18 in the band. Shows that Anthony, flea, chad, and John, are the classic lineup of the band. All my favorite albums from them have that lineup
54:39 that “bad reggae” version of Californication Chad is talking about is on RU-vid. I actually think it’s a cool song, totally different from the final song. Edit: here it is ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-WynV7RGzTjI.html
@@GreatWaster glad someone appreciated it! Very interesting listen indeed. Glad they went with the final version cause it’s such a classic, but I think Chad was being pretty hard on it here 🤣 and no I’m from the USA but from Italian lineage
Hey Rick. Please find those early BSSM demos and let us hear them. It would be so interesting to hear how much they have changed up to the studio recording. Thank you.
John Frusciante is from Queens. Also lived in Arizona and Florida. Didn't move to Santa Monica until his parents split up. Anthony was born in Grand Rapids and didn't move to California until he was 11. Flea was born in Melbourne and lived in NY before moving to LA. In reference to the comment at the start of Chad being the only one not from Cali. None of them are.
I met Rick once, at the Park Place Hotel. The club called "Power Tools". Anthony & Flea used to hang out there, also. This was right after LL Cool J's "Rock The Bells"...
I was 15 when "Mothers Milk" came out and I was listening to TSOL, The Dead Milkmen, and RHCP. My dad had these Bose 901 speakers and when the folks were gone my buddy would come over and we would play Mother's Milk as loud as possible..over and over and over.
It’s comments like these that made me stop wanting to be a drummer and focus on guitar. It broke up my band. Maybe my egos too big but not wanting to be “the drummer” apparently outweighs my love of making music with my brothers.
Smith's drums always stood out to me in the Red Hot Chili Peppers - great! Always loved Mitch Mitchell doing jazz like riffs while Hendrix is grooving.
Thanks again Chad! Super inspired by you and your drumming. You and your band are just awesome. A lifetime of great music for me. I like the new one so much!
CKLW! Used to tape all sorts of songs from CKLW. The Guess Who, She's Come Undone, Build Me Up Buttercup, Timothy, Walk Away Renee. Was 10, so tastes improved.
Chad is definitely the most ‘normal’ dude in the band. It’s funny that it seems like the best bands in history are always made up of really different personalities. Kindof like a fusion of really unique flavors. Sweet and Sour or whatever
Chad is so fucking cool. I’ve absolutely loved this entire series, the mutual respect, love, history and friendship between Rick and all the RHCPs is so much fun to listen to. Thankyou to everyone who worked on putting this together, it’s been amazing.
It is so not distracting to hear drum fills, as Neil Peart once said sometimes less is less. I would love to hear Chad play a larger kit on a studio album.
I've heard.. and possibly still have the pre mastered version around somewhere..definitely never heard the demos though. That would be very interesting to hear.
Real talk, if Bonham is the most recognizable drummer in rock music, Chad may be second. He's that distinct. I remember realizing it was him on the Lego Batman soundtrack of all things.
The key to groovy is space. That Green Bay story is SO Wisconsin---reserved, but ultimately great people who can go with the flow. Best interview of the series.
Chad is such a humble person and an unbelievable drummer. His playing on the latest Chilli Peppers and Eddie Vedder albums is amazing.He has such an undeniable feel and groove. I loved listening to all these interviews, Chad's is definitely my favourite 👍 Love your drumming and personality Chad 🥁😁👍 Amazing production too Rick on Unlimited Love.
Love what Chad was saying about BSSM. Don't know if it's my favorite album or not. Tough to choose for me but I do think it's their most original and unique album.
Chad Smith is right up there as a top drummer in modern music for last 40 yrs. As for the rest of the Band, John, Flea Anthony it's amazing how you can say they all are in them stats. Maybe it's me but, RHCP are a all-star band
Hearing their albums for the first time, or the thousandth time, gets my eyes watering too. I don't even have words to explain the feeling(s), or the why, it's beyond articulation. It didn't happen with the albums when Josh was playing, but definitely happens with the John albums.
Levon didn’t play on that Dylan uk tour. He didn’t like being booed in the states and left the band. Mickey Jones was the drummer--you know, one of the dudes with the ZZ Top beard from the tv show home improvement 😂😂😂
