Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea has expressed regret over his band’s attitude towards other bands that were trying to find fame in the 80s.
He said that he and his colleagues developed a “certain arrogance” towards Hollywood bands that were vying for attention at the time, singling out Guns N’ Roses as a band not deserving of disrespect.
“We were definitely against the hair metal scene,” Flea recently told Classic Rock (via Music News). “We’re like, ‘Fuck them. We are underground, art rock, east side weird guys; these guys just paraphrased Aerosmith and Kiss.” He added: “Looking back, it was all petty nonsense. A lot of those bands were pretty damn good. Guns N” Roses were a great band.”
He further mused, “There was a certain arrogance. “To hell with the world, to hell with the system, to hell with power, to hell with those in power, we are us and we do our thing our way, we are children of the streets.” We walked with all our might and were wild.”
The attitude probably contributed to the Chilis’ success, as did their attitude towards their music. “It didn’t occur to us that there was more to it than selling clubs and making people happy and being original,” vocalist Anthony Kiedis said. “We were a party group, but you need to bring something to the party. Flea was instrumental in stating, “We have to be good; we have to write some new shit, we have to have something that will move these people.” We always came fully loaded.”
They will release their 12th album Unlimited Love featuring returning guitarist John Frusciante on April 1st.
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