Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers | Broken Record (Hosted by Rick Rubin)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 18 เม.ย. 2022
- Today we have the final interview in our month-long series with the Red Hot Chili Peppers in celebration of their new album, "Unlimited Love," produced by Rick Rubin. There’s only one Chili Pepper left, Mr. “I eat-drums-for-breakfast” himself, Chad Smith.
Chad has always been a bit of an outlier in the band, he’s the only member who isn’t from L.A. He’s from the suburbs of Detroit and he was reared more on classic rock than punk like the rest of the band. But Chad is an integral member of the Peppers. His hard hitting style is the band’s foundation. And as we’ll hear him tell Rick, Chad fell in love with the Chili Peppers the day he auditioned for them close to 35 years ago.
On today’s episode, Chad and Rick talk about the lost demo sessions the Chili Peppers recorded nearly a year before they made Blood Sugar Sex Magik. Chad also talks about how “Californication” started out as what he calls “a bad reggae song.” And he remembers the time he and Flea got chased-nearly naked-by cops in Green Bay.
Get your copy of "Unlimited Love," out now: rhcp.lnk.to/unlimitedlove
Hear a playlist of all of our favorite Red Hot Chili Peppers songs: open.spotify.com/playlist/1Dd...
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Hear Rick Rubin's interviews with John Frusciante, Anthony Kiedis, and Flea now: th-cam.com/video/QXjaP53eOco/w-d-xo.html
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!!!! ❤️😎
Agreed these fireside chats have been a welcome tonic
Good vibes your way.
Hang in there bud. The positivity these guys are bringing is our shared experience. We’re all moving up together!
Hang in there. I understand how you feel in my own way. I wish you peace and happiness. Like you music and music info just brightens my day.
I hear you on that. Great stuff to listen to.
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
Thanks man !
Thank you!
Blood Sugar demo tapes. Please make it happen! 😀
Awesome. Love time stamps, lol
You are a man of god.
Didn’t expect that Chads interview would be my favorite of the 4. Every minute was genuine and funny, and even got choked up a couple times.
He is just the real deal , i love the others dude to but chad is just chill about everything
He brings a brightness and fun to the band that I didn’t fully appreciate until I heard this.
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.
No shit right?!
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
I like this idea
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?
To think that my Grandfather(Tom Rivers Vocals Groovy Grubworm) had an influence on someone like Chad Smith is mind blowing! 🤯😊
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
Chad is the man
Because he is the coolest dude in the band .. he is the only dude that talk about the fans and music in a more relax way
I see why you did there.
Yeah, he's my favorite chili peppers
hes everyman thats why
The man everyone wants to have a beer with. Chadwick Smith.
The Ultimate Chad
He is sober now
Chad, not Chadwick
@@LinYouToo Chadwick
@@chadhindsley5431must be your name?
49:21 Would love to hear the rough demos of the Blood Sugar Sex Magik album!
@Esuard Leder Yeah same here. Chad joked about an Anthology. That would be so awesome if they released a set of all their demos!
At 16:55 When Chad talks about not touching his brothers records I immediately thought of Stepbrothers "DON'T TOUCH MY DRUMSET!" 😂😂
I absolutely love the naturalness, ease and almost family atmosphere in which all the band members communicated with Rick.
Me too! They've known each other for 30 years easy it makes sense. But it's nice to hear. Two awesome dudes reminiscing. Priceless.
@@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.
@@user-xj8kd5lw4c 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.
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!!!
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 .
@@jamesgallenti4783 great comment.
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.
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.
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.
I love everyone in the band, but Chad is definitely the one I’d most like to have a beer with. 🍺
He stopped drinking 12 years ago tho!
Heroin with John, an 8ball with Anthony and Acid with flea
one of the best drummers ever
Any time I hear ‘unused demos’ from these guys my mind runs wild… thanks for these wonderful interviews. 🙏
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.
What nonsense. I think if you don’t know anything about music you shouldn’t try to make comments on it.
@@smkxodnwbwkdns8369 Ive been playing music for 10+ years. Just thought id share my views on the band, didnt mean to upset you.
@@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)
These have all been really great, loving all of the stories. ❤️
The funniest one of the RHCP series.. Chad seems such a happy guy. Optimisic, just laugh! 🤗
Deeply thank for all the parta.
Blood sugar box set with all the demos please!! Great interview yet again, thanks!
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 ❤️
I love the Chad tryout story 😹 I've heard it before.... it never gets old lol
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
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!
Those early Blood Sugar recordings would be so cool to hear
Such great drumming by Chad on ‘Unlimited Love’ Also, his performance of ‘These Are The Ways’ on Kimmel earlier this month was incredible. Just Wow!
Yeah, it't like the best Chad album he has ever created. So many amazing drums on that album...
@@vinnigamer5895 yeah they did him dirty in the getaway
Definitely an incredible performance. One of the best live … ever.
@@funkymonk4586 Yeah, that was really sad to be honest. Chad was totally vanished by Danger Mouse.
🪘 🥁
Probably the best one out of all the chili peppers interviews!
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.
Remember Keener 13?
Just brought fleas book it's awesome. This brings back alot of memories of doing chilli's covers in bands at 13 years old
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.
'I used to think man if the chili peppers had a more hip hop drummer'....no man they needed a bit of and outsider to steady the ship.
Chad is such a beast. This was awesome
No member is actually from LA. John is from NY, Flea is from Australia, and Anthony from Michigan (like Chad).
Chad is the ground energy of the band. My child hood along with these sounds and smells. 🥁 🎺🎸🎤🌶
These are the ways reference?
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?
@lystime i agree man , all their best music was made with Dave
Been looking forward to this one.
this has made my morning, thank you BRP
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
Love that they speak about Levon so much and that this interview was released on the 10 year anniversary of Levon’s death.
this was a joy, thank you Chad and Rick
Fantastic series, thank you all for the time and insights!!
Great interview! Love you Chad! Sending out some Detroit Love❤️
I've been waiting for this one to drop, can't wait to listen!
I can imagine ;)
@@ArieGoossens lol
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 ;)
Thank you thank you thank you. What a great interview. I'm ready for a Red Hot chili peppers movie how about you?.... And the saga continues
Thank you so much, these are awesome wonderful to listen to ❤️❤️❤️
Unreal. That was fantastic. So happy the boys are back in town.
I had some good laughs with this conversation. I really needed that, thanks to all the staff for doing these talks!
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!
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
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
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.
I really want to hear an interview with all 4 members and rick rubin, just hearing the five of them discuss the last 30 years working together
This, by far, was the best interview of the four...
Fantastic interview
We need those BSSM demos!! imagine a box set with those and the extended cut of the Funky Monks movie…
Always love hearing Chad talk!
Instant classic! Just like the new album!
Definitely the best interview out of the 4.
these 5 souls are so inspiring when they connect, it's a great pleasure to hear this and inspirational, thank you all and God bless.....
That was the best one. Chad is the only one you could imagine having a pint with
A great interview. 👍
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.
I would buy that Blood Sugar box in a heartbeat. Vinyl 😀
Great interview.
of the pepper's broken record interviews, this one's very relatable, down to earth
Just a great band with a great story as well as the music
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.
Great stuff 🤘🏻
What a cool guy, great storyteller.
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.
This podcast with rick and rhcp are the best 😍
Also, WE NEED THAT OLDER BLOOD SUGAR SESSION
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.
as an open-handed right-hand drummer, it's reassuring to hear that i'm not doing something wrong
Right! I just got my first set at age 52 and this is what came natural.
Please find that early BSSM demo!!! Love it!
Growing up in Detroit, I vividly remember Toby Redd but never made the connection that Chad Smith was the drummer in that band. Mind blowing.
Wasn’t sure I’d really be interested in this one as much but actually enjoyed it the most out of all four interviews
same
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.
WE WANT IT ALL!!!
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.
these need video!!!
54:39 that “bad reggae” version of Californication Chad is talking about is on TH-cam. I actually think it’s a cool song, totally different from the final song.
Edit: here it is th-cam.com/video/WynV7RGzTjI/w-d-xo.html
Thank you so much bro!!! Such an interesting listening!
btw, are you from Italy?
@@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
Thank you man!
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
We gonna need those BSSM demos....
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.
Theres a pre-BSSM video of them on YT practicing with Give It Away, it's a lot slower
Need to hear recordings of them jamming the pre-MM EMI stuff!!!
What I would give to have footage of when Chad tried out for the band 😂 one of my favorite peppers stories
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.
Probably my favorite pepper alongside with John.
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.
this guy is a legend! the engine of the band
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.
living in cali by 11/12 counts as being from cali
I guess it should be more like, 'Chad's the only member who moved to LA as an adult'
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 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"...
Get Rick to leak all the unheard rhcp stuff he has!!!
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
What a dude 🙏
Awesome to hear him discuss classic drummers like Hal Blaine :)