Undoubtedly known as one of rock music’s greatest bassists ever, Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers has teamed up with Fender to create his own signature series. The guitar is to be an exact replica of his Shell Pink ’61 Jass Bass, originally a gift from a fan, with a 20-fret “C”-shaped maple neck with a 7.25-inch radius rosewood fingerboard and a 4-bolt neck plate. Flea has also put his individual touch onto the instrument with some little engravings and even including the worn-out details his own one has, such as black marks on the lacquer finish’s faded design.
Flea described the instrument as “magic” and truly the greatest bass [he has] ever played” in a press release.
“Fender embodies everything I love about music and individuality. It reflects the soul of rock, punk, R&B and funk. It’s this bass that pushes me to give more each time I play. The Flea Jazz Bass is a true resurrection and possesses that wave of energy a bass should give you when it’s in your hands,” he continued, obviously excited about the project.
The esteemed artist has used the bass for a variety of musical projects including the band’s latest album The Getaway and 2006’s Stadium Arcadium.
See him photographed with the bass in the images below. Check out Fender’s website for more details.
Featured Image: Rolling Stone
Images of Flea: Consequence of Sound
Future & DJ Esco – Project E.T.
Since dropping mixtape Purple Reign and his unexpected fourth album, EVOL, man of the moment Future has been relatively quiet. That all changed over the weekend, as Future Hendrix teamed with regular collaborator DJ Esco for new mixtape Project E.T. (Ecco Terrestrial).
Created by Esco and hosted by Future, this is more or a less a Future project with the addition of a few Future-less tracks. As is custom with any Future release, the subject matter is largely concerned with drugs, sex and money. Sex and relationships are particularly prevalent throughout Project E.T., with Future rapping about his need for a roll in the hay on Right Now – a track sampling 2Pac’s No More Pain – groupies on Super Dumb and relationship dramas on Deal With It. His tales of drug taking have always been a concern, with Future sounding like he’d fallen into addiction on his last few releases, but things appear to be on the up if this tape is anything to go by. Champagne Shower and Party Pack come across as more celebratory club tracks about his partying lifestyle than cries of help.
Project E.T. also contains a huge list of guest artists and producers and marks many firsts for Future. Rising star Lil Uzi Vert hooks up with Future for the first time on Too Much Sauce, with Future only contributing the hook and allowing Vert to flex his skill on the verses. 100it Racks finds Future and Drake teaming once again with the addition of 2 Chaniz (surprisingly the first official collaboration between the two) on a track focusing on the three’s wealthy lifestyles. Future and Young Thug put their troubles aside on the braggadocios Metro Boomin produced Who, Casey Veggies and Nef The Pharaoh showcase their flows over DJ Mustard’s Stupidly Crazy and Juicy J and Future trade bars on the sleazy My Blower.
Verdict: Another quality release from Future’s camp sure to keep fans satisfied.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCDergUJ0QM]
Red Hot Chili Peppers – The Getaway
It’s fair to say Red Hot Chili Peppers haven’t been all that relevant since their last great album, 1999’s Californication. The three albums that followed – Californication version 2.0 By The Way, over indulgent Stadium Arcadium and forgettable I’m With You – stuck to the blueprint of the funk-rock hybrid that made the band huge with disappointing results. While commercially successful, all three lacked creativity and personality. When news broke of a new album from the alternative stalwarts, I for one wasn’t overly excited, but having had their 11th album on high rotation over the weekend, I’m pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it.
The Getaway isn’t reinvening the musical wheel, but it’s the first time in over 15 years I can recall RHCP sounding passionate about the music they’re making. There’s no doubt that the introduction of Danger Mouse as producer – ending the band’s 25 year association with Rick Rubin – has given them a new release of life. The emergence of guitarist Josh Klinghoffer from the shadow of former member John Frusciante has also shaped the band’s re-energised sound. Songs such as the funk infused We Turn Red, disco dancing Go Robot and melodic title track all contain elements of what make the RHCP great without sounding old or rehashed.
Detroit and Dark Necessities could be Californication/By The Way lost cuts, while the slower Encore and The Longest Wave are relaxing changes of pace on an album teaming with life. Anthony Kiedis has never been a great lyricist or singer, but with the constant presence of Flea‘s intoxicating bass, Chad Smith‘s rhythmic drumming and Klinghoffer’s integral guitar work, his Californian drawl and knack for catchy choruses is infectious and goes a long way to making The Getaway a welcome return to form.
Verdict: Chilis back to their best.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0oIoR9mLwc]
Riff Raff – Peach Panther
Riff Raff has always been seen as somewhat of a joke in hip-hop circles. His comical appearance – colourful braided hair, pop culture tattoos and diamond studded grills – combined with his stop-start raps and lack of natural flow had many writing him off as a fad. When his debut album, NEON iCON, failed to live up to expectations, most thought he would disappear into the ether. How wrong were we.
2016 marks a huge year for both Raff’s rap career and status in the entertainment world. He’s been spending the past few years bulking up in hopes of achieving his dream of entering the WWE (his first wrestling appearance happened in March when he interfered in a match between legends Kurt Angle and Rey Mystery) and in April penned a $4 million partnership with Stampede Management and BMG. While all this has been going on the Texan’s also been putting the finishing touches on his sophomore album Peach Panther.
Released last week, Peach Panther is a massive step forward for Raff. The album highlights Raff’s growth as both a rapper and lyricist, and at just 12 tracks, is a concise collection of songs that gel well together. Raff’s diverse vocabulary is once again on display throughout the album, with the rapper name dropping his favourite brands and celebrities almost as much as The Game.
The first half of the Peach Panther features six solo cuts, with Raff celebrating Mexican culture on first single Carlos Slim, using basketballer Chris Paul as the basis for the snapping song of the same name and discussing his love of syrup on Syrup Sippin’ Assassin. The last six tracks of the album are all collaborations, with Raff acquiring some big names to flesh out the project. Riff cops a verse from Danny Brown and a hook from Gucci Mane on I Drive By, one of the albums better tracks, gets J-Doe and G-Eazy on the Metro Bommin produced Mercedez, while his collaboration with Lil Durk, Betcha’ Didn’t Know, is a great way to close the album that exceeds expectations.
Verdict: Well-rounded release that play to Riff Raff’s strengths.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vAqaUwLg7g]
Red Hot Chili Peppers began the Super Bowl festivities with a live performance of Aeroplane, the first in almost 20 years.
Last night’s Super Bowl pre-party concert in San Francisco was rocked by the band as they played the 1995 hit, which was last performed at the Fuji Rock Festival in 1997. See the fan shot footage below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpFk2RTxoE8
The RHCP’s nostalgic trip didn’t start there. Circle Of The Noose, a track that was originally workshopped 20 years ago with guitarist Dave Navarro for a follow up to One Hot Minute that never came, was leaked last week. It was described by Navarro as “one of the songs we’ve done is the greatest pop song I’ve ever been a part of.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFtyQfoDoxA
They also performed at presidential candidate Bernie Sanders’ Friday night fundraiser in LA. The headlining band covered the late David Bowie‘s Cracked Actor, complete with a drumhead bearing an image of Bowie and Sanders combined into one. This comes after another group of Sanders’ supporters Vampire Weekend performed at a rally in Iowa with the man himself- not to mention Killer Mike‘s wholehearted support.
Along with speaking out in support of Sanders, RHCP are currently making some new tunes with Danger Mouse. They have talked up their new album at the beginning of last year, saying that they have tried a new “challenging” method.
“We all have high hopes that it’s going to take off and we’re going to do something very different and unique for the Red Hot Chili Peppers,” drummer Chad Smith said in an interview with Rolling Stone.
Watch the music video of Red Hot Chili Peppers for Aeroplane below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vV8IAOojoAA
Image: Music Feeds
Today marks 25 rollercoaster years of everybody’s favourite yellow nuclear family, The Simpsons. We’ve had the terrifying lows of the present day, the dizzying highs of the 90s, the creamy middles of the early 00s but since first gracing the televisions of the world in 1990, the year of my birth, The Simpsons have been perhaps the one pop cultural constant throughout my entire life. Along the way they’ve had a litany of musical cameos, and to celebrate 25 years, we’re taking a look at the best of them. The one rule: The cameo must be the artist or band performing as themselves, so apologies to Space Coyote (Johnny Cash) and Leon Kompowsky (Michael Jackson). Here we go:
10: Spinal Tap – The Otto Show
The blending of the best parody band of all time along with the most gleefully cutting satire of the 90s was an explosion of hilarity and put me in hysterics. I still quote this shit today: The band wondering who had benefitted more from the fall of Communism than themselves. The lighting crew missing the cue to turn up the house lights so they could let the audience know they’re the sixth member of the freaking group. “My vision!”. Their tour bus crashing in a ball of flames after a lengthy discussion on the quality of last night’s show (‘Yes, quite good’). And of course, one of my favourite lines of all time:
9: Tom Jones – Marge Gets A Job
Usually I’d wrinkle my nose up at anything involving Tom Jones, that ancient crooner all the septuagenarians lose their underpants over; however, his cameo on The Simpsons as one of Mr. Burns’ lavish attempts at seducing Marge was simply amazing. From Smithers showing him what’s inside this briefcase
It was gas
To being held at gunpoint (and knocked out cold by a secret door) and forced to smile (“everybody’s happy…”) to his show-closing performance of It’s Not Unusual chained to the stage, Tom damn near stole the show here.
8: James Taylor – Deep Space Homer
This one is so underrated. ‘Unkempt youngster’ James Taylor (wow, former president, James Taylor) and his ‘unique brand of bittersweet folk rock’ provided the perfect soundtrack to Homer’s ill-fated voyage into outer space. He ran through You Got A Friend, telling Buzz Aldrin to ‘float there and like it’ and then Fire And Rain, changing ‘sweet dreams and flying machines in pieces on the ground’ to ‘flying safely through the air. Beautiful. Watch it here.
7: U2 – Trash Of The Titans
I’ve made no secret of my sheer hatred for Bono and U2 but their cameo was actually hilarious, if only because of the adjuvant antics of Homer, who manages to sneak backstage to their show under the guise of the ‘potato man’ (‘Where the bloody hell have you been?’). Bono assuring the crowd that the stage-crashing Homer will ‘get the help he needs’ (while his security team beats him up on the JumboTron) was side-splitting. Even their brief appearance in Homer’s Candy Man-inspired rendition of The Garbage Man wasn’t awful. Well played, Bono.
6: N’Sync – New Kids On The Blecch
One from a later Simpsons episode, the majority of which I am not fond of, New Kids On The Blecch was surprisingly outstanding. A brilliant send-up of the boy band craze that was sweeping the early 21st century, N’Sync were great sports in poking fun at themselves and their discourse. Joey’s insistence on ending sentences with ‘old school’ and JC being dragged off to the Navy at the behest of Lance Bass were the highlights.
‘Yvan Eht Nioj!’
5: The White Stripes – Jazzy And The Pussycats
Another 21st century Simpsons moment that didn’t suck, Jack and Meg come face to face with Bart in a Simpsonified version of the music video for The Hardest Button To Button that is nothing short of wonderful. So is Meg and Jack trying to kick Bart’s ass following him crashing into them.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzkRy5kW6Qg
4: Red Hot Chili Peppers – Krusty Gets Kancelled
Krusty Gets Kancelled was littered with guest stars like Bette Midler, Elizabeth Taylor and Hugh Hefner, but the Chilis were the highlight. Their best moment?
Changing Give It Away from ‘what I got you gotta get and put it in you’ to ‘what I’d like is I’d like to hug and kiss you’ seconds after declaring their lyrics ‘like our children, man’,
“Dancing in their underwear… how degrading”
Then turning up at Moe’s still in their underwear for the after party.
‘We want Chili Willy!’
3: The Hullabalooza Lineup – Homerpalooza
No episode captured the 90s slacker cultural landscape that The Simpsons was built upon quite like Homerpalooza. Iconic moments everywhere. From long-suffering oldie Peter Frampton and his talking guitar (and Otto’s talking shoes), Sonic Youth stealing from his cooler, Cypress Hill stealing his London Symphony Orchestra (‘yo did we order an orchestra?’) for an extra classy version of Insane In The Brain
Also, Homer’s introduction to
and appreciation of the Smashing Pumpkins and their ‘gloomy music’ stopping his children from ‘dreaming of a future I can’t possibly provide’. The whole thing was perfect satire of alternative music culture and Lollapalooza, all delivered with that impeccable timing that made The Simpsons in the 90s such a force.
Remember, ‘if it’s brown, drink it down. If it’s black, send it back’.
Also, this.
2: The Beatles – Various
We had Ringo Starr as Marge’s teenage crush finally responding to her fan mail/art after 20 years:
We had the late George, positively chuffed to meet ‘nice fellow’ Homer at the Grammy’s after party:
And we had Linda and Paul McCartney, giving Lisa advice on being a vegetarian. Complete with Apu’s outrageous bongo cover of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.
We were tragically a John Lennon away from the entire band in their yellow form, but these were perhaps the three biggest musical cameos The Simpsons ever had in terms of importance and sheer fame, that they were all an absolute stitch was even better.
1: Ramones – Rosebud
Oh man. Ohhhh man. This is the undisputed heavyweight champion of them all though. Fitting that the greatest musical cameo in Simpsons history came in an episode frequently regarded as one of the best. Everything about this was hysterically superb:
Johnny taking the time to tell the audience his feelings on this gig (it sucks), Joey’s unmistakeable snarling vocals over a gutter punk version of Happy Birthday (to ‘Burnsy’) and C.J. (I’d have preferred Dee Dee but it’s still amazing) saluting Mr. Burns in the most punk way imaginable (‘Go to hell you old bastard’) before the curtain is drawn and they noticeably mellow out of their onstage personas. The whole thing is utterly perfect. It captures everything that the Ramones were in under 30 seconds and does not EVER stop being funny.
And crotchety old Mr. Burns insisting that Smithers ‘have the Rolling Stones killed’ is the howl-inducing cherry on top of possibly one of the single greatest gags in the 25 year history of The Simpsons.
They just don’t make ’em like they used to.