Flea the "jerk"? (kinda long)

[Woodchuck]

We've all read the horror threads about what an ass flea is. I even know people, professional musos and fans, that have told these same tales. Well, last night, I got to meet the "jerk", because RHCP were on the Later with Jools Holland show with us, and they were set up next to us. Well they walk in, and this jerk immediately walks over to me hugs me, and introduces himself. I tell him my name, and he goes, "Oh yeah, you're a fellow GK guy. I recognize the name." We talk for about 30 minutes before we have to get into our places. In between takes, this "jerk" kept running over to me with his bass, asking, "You remember this one?", then he'd play a Stanley Clarke lick. He played one I didn't know, so this moron says, "Call me when we get back to the States, and I'll walk you through it." What an ass! I told him that my son is so mad because I'm here with his favorite band, and he says, "Well take my email address, and I'll send him a bunch of autographed stuff." I'm thinking, "What a jerk!" Afterwards, we chat each other up for about an hour, and then they leave. I emailed him my address, and he responds about 20 minutes later, with a very long response, even mentioning the fill in I'd done in the song. He said he copped on his acoustic bass later on. He's also a lick thief! Before he left the studio, he yells from across the room, "Hey Woodchuck, don't forget to email me, so I can mail that stuff out to Jalen (my son)!" This guy was a grade A moron! In all seriousness, people have their bad days, we all do. I believe that some of the people on TB that posted those stories, genuinely had a bad experience, and some others just piled on out of dislike. It happens. That guy I met last night was insanely friendly. Flea acted like we were brothers. The whole band did. They loved Anthony David. They spent alot of time in our section just hanging with us. During thier 3rd song, Flea even ran over into our section. You'll see it when it airs on Dec. 1st. Well I can only speak for me, and now that I've met him, the guy's a decent bloke. Before you say he treated me well, because he considers me one of "them", don't even try it. I know plenty of celebrities that treat other celebrities like crap.

[Asaf]

Hi Woodchuck !

i found myself couple of times thinking with emotions first and logic later. when meeting musicians as a kid i always had these built up expectations that the the person i admire for his music will be likable at least as his tones.
(IMO) in order to work in the music industry as a Bassplayer and survive, you must have flexibility and some good character.
i often heard stuff about jeff berlin which made me think he is A**, but when he came to Israel to give some lectures for the local music college (agreeing to come over here is an achievement) and gave a small show i saw that he's a real nice person that has self confidence which is often misinterpreted as Ego.

also i remember seeing a show on Jonas Hellborg in which he said he doesn't like to make plans for the future and he likes traveling without having a home.
at that time i wasn't seeing my family and my home much because i was in the army, and what he said made me so angry because what i saw was this egoistic person that cares only for himself.

my point is that we tend to expect too much from musicians, they are all regular people like us. they all have different views about life and some bad moments. sometimes we just need to listen to the music and if the person is nice that's just a bonus.

[Bruce Lindfield]

That's great - really nice story!

I often think when I'm watching "Later" that the musicians always seem to be friendly and interested in what each other are doing.

So - I recorded last Friday's show and was watching it the other day and there was a really nice shot where Yousuf Islam (Cat Stevens) seemed to be intently watching Razorlight's performance and is really into it and enjoying it - there was just a feeling of warmth between fellow musicians/songwriters coming out the TV screen!

[alexclaber]

Great stuff - and true to the vibe that comes from all his recent interviews.

Looking forward to seeing it in a fortnight!

Alex

[Doctor J]

Nice to hear a good story for once, thanks for sharing it. Later is such a fantastic show, I look forward to seeing you on it next week

[Bruce Lindfield]

I shall definitely be recording it!!

[VanillaO]

well i guess i caught him at a bad time.. it was a huge letdown as he and JPJ are the reasons I picked up bass, and for him to not even acknowledge my existence came close to ruining every ounce of respect I had for him.. and then he played a sweet set.

[musicman5string]

It took me until the middle of your post to recognize your sarcasm...the whole time I'm thinking "Flea sounds like a cool guy; what's up this guy's ass?"

Not a fan of Flea or RHCP, but a good story.

[uglycicles]

Cool story Woodchuck.

I'm off to google some of the Jools shows - they sound like a really cool forum for live music. Do they show them here in the States?

[stitchbass]

real nice story Woodchuck, enjoyed the read! That Anthony David can really sing too heard him on one of my fav radio shows over here and now looking forward to seeing that Jools Holland show. Flea is one of my heroes and if I ever had the chance to meet him and he wasn't as friendly as you described I would understand because as you say celebrities have their off days. I know because I am related to one People are all too eagre to tell of the horrible experience they had with celebrity X, it is nice to hear stories of a great experience with a super-famous dude like Flea

[Baryonyx]

Originally Posted by Asaf

also i remember seeing a show on Jonas Hellborg in which he said he doesn't like to make plans for the future and he likes traveling without having a home.
at that time i wasn't seeing my family and my home much because i was in the army, and what he said made me so angry because what i saw was this egoistic person that cares only for himself.

Ah, the beauty of Jonas' plan, perpetual motion and new experience to stoke the creative fires!

[Asaf]

Originally Posted by Chris2112

Ah, the beauty of Jonas' plan, perpetual motion and new experience to stoke the creative fires!

today after backpacking in the world i understand his point of view...i still love my home, but i don't see myself having a wife and kids soon (need to finish college first).

[Nino Valenti]

"....and then I handed Flea my Sadowsky bass and he said WOW!!!!"

[Dr. Feelgood]

Originally Posted by Bruce Lindfield

So - I recorded last Friday's show and was watching it the other day and there was a really nice shot where Yousuf Islam (Cat Stevens) seemed to be intently watching Razorlight's performance and is really into it and enjoying it - there was just a feeling of warmth between fellow musicians/songwriters coming out the TV screen!

I thought Yusuf Islam was really good. His performance convinced me to buy his album.

Also, did you see that bloke called Mika (I think that was his name)? He was insane !

As for the topic creator: interesting story! A bit heavy-handed with the sarcasm, but interesting nonetheless.

What is your band called? I look forward to watching "Later..."

[Stachio]

Funny enough, I had a similar experience with Woodchuck. That jerk even lent me his Eshenbaugh for a couple of months .

[MAJOR METAL]

Originally Posted by Nino Valenti

"....and then I handed Flea my Sadowsky bass and he said WOW!!!!"

Right On !

[HMZ]

Cool story Glad to hear he's down to earth he always seemed to be a real person in interviews and stuff.

[JimmyM]

Hey Woodchuck, I took your post tonight as an opportunity to check out El Pus, and you guys are really good! I liked that clip of that song about thuggin' in the suburbs. Not exactly the music that an old white fart like me would generally buy, but I might have to make an exception. You guys sound like a lot of fun.

[FenderHotRod]

lol@Woodchuck...I thought it was going to be another bashing thread. That must of been cool as Sh@T to me Flea.

Did you get any Pics?

[Matt Till]

That's not fair though... you're somebody, "A fellow GK guy" and soforth. I'm sure he's a nice guy, but I've heard far too many "he's a jerk stories" to dismiss. It's cool that you're buds with him though.