Red Hot Chili Peppers: A Much Needed Break

Last week, news circulated that the end may be near for the Red Hot Chili Peppers after comments from frontman Anthony Kiedis revealed the band would be taking an extended hiatus. In an interview with Rolling Stone, Kiedis noted “We're disbanded for the moment…. Cooler heads prevailed and the discussion at the end of our last tour was, ‘Let's not do anything Red Hot Chili Peppers-related for a minimum of one year, and just live and breathe and eat and learn new things.’” Of course, hiatus or even a status of “disbanded for the moment,” isn’t the same thing as a breakup, as a certain media outlet led the music world to believed, but it does once again raise questions regarding the future of what many consider one of the few last great American rock bands.

Perhaps the most confusing part of the whole hiatus is the whole timing of things. After all, just as late as a month ago, it appeared the Chili Peppers were close to making a return. In an interview in March, drummer Chad Smith was quoted as saying the band would likely “get together sometime this year and make some more music,” while rumors also circulated that the band could perform live at World Peace One in September.

Then again, the Red Hot Chili Peppers have never been the easiest band to understand. From the drug problems that have plagued all four current members and even resulted in the death of original guitarist Hilel Slovak, to the rumors that, at times, Kiedis hasn’t been on speaking terms with the rest of the band, there has always been a sense, that despite the success and the acclaim, a breakup might always be right around the corner.

But it wasn't until the I saw the band in 2006 at Lollapalooza, that I noticed a change. I got the feeling that the band, at least of late, often just went with the flow. There was no sense of enjoyment, excitement, or even energy expressed by any of the four Chili Peppers that early August day. It was just an ordinary performance, the type you would expect from a Britney, Janet or any other watered down pop star, not a band lauded for their musical talents. Coming in, I expected a set comparable to the one depicted on that now legendary Live at Slane Castle DVD, the one we’ve all seen, capturing four rock superstars delivering a jaw dropping performance to a crowd of more than fifty thousand in the summer of 2002. Leaving, I felt cheated and underwhelmed. 

Since then, I have seen and heard about similar disappointing experiences; all mentioning the same thing I had saw – a band lacking the spunk and appeal that had once allowed them to be considered, appropriately, the kings of rock and roll. Whether the effects of drugs, the rigors of touring, the deterioration of relationships, or a combination of all these things, the Chili Peppers have lost something over the years, something that perhaps can only return over time. In other words, maybe, just maybe, this hiatus will turn out to be a good thing.

Thankfully, the Chili Peppers seem to realize this fact as well. “We were all emotionally and mentally zapped at the end of that run… I was about to have a brand new son. Flea is very inspired to re-up his musical direction and ability and skill and he wants to learn new stuff. John [Frusciante] has been firing away on his own, making different solo projects. And Chad [Smith] joined a jazz band and went to Japan,” Kiedis went on to explain in that very same interview with Rolling Stone.

The Red Hot Chili Peppers know better than anyone about success. They also know better than anyone about the destruction it can bring. You’ll see them soon enough, but give them time. This break is both much needed and much deserved.

Comments

[Steve]

That's a shame about the Peppers. I took a great deal of generational pride that two-thirds of that great New Year's Eve 1991 triple bill of Pearl Jam, Nirvana, and RHCP were still in tact.

By the way, congratulations guys. I haven't listened to rock radio in years, and you've got me listening again. I'm glad the spirit of quality radio still lives somewhere. Keep it up.

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[Dan]

As someone who dates back to Freaky Styley and Uplift Mofo Party Plan the end started when Anthony started taking "singing" too seriously. Too often he had to show how deep and earnest he was . . . Listen to The Brothers Cup or Fight Like A Brave and then jump to Under The Bridge to see where it all went wrong.