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Flea Don't Sound Like Flea No More...

#41
IMO... Flea's sound has changed.

I've been a fan since their first album, and yes his sound has evolved over the years just as his playing style, but then again the Peppers have evolved their music as well. They're keeping up with the styles and times that has given them the popularity they now have.

There's nothing wrong with that because if they recorded their first album (as raw and edgy as it was) again today and put it out as a new release, it'd most likely only be appreciated by true fans and bassists, not the masses because there is absolutely nothing on there that is suitable for air play.

True Men Don't Kill Coyotes!
 
#42
I share the opinion of Trevor Dunn and Mike Patton when it comes to Flea and RHCP. After the tantrum Mr. (I'm a grown child) Kiedis threw that resulted in Mr. Bungle getting kicked off some huge European festivals; I went from ambivalence and sorta mild interest to outright scorn. I do not like RHCP.
 
#43
I went to see the chilly peppers last weekend and I was thinking the same thing. They were a bit dull to be honest. Not like I remember them in the early 90's. They are playing to a different audience these days. Its all a bit middle of the road for my taste. I'll stick with the old stuff.
 
#44
When you see the Rolling Stones, you want them to play their older material.

When you see the Chili Peppers, you want them to play their older material.

Same. Same.

Mr. Bungle is greatness! Mike Patton, though - he takes dumps on stage. He worked with the Dillinger Escape Plan on an EP - which was good stuff. But his attitude, bleh.

Flea is Flea is Flea. Yeah, his tone may be different, but you know it's him.

I have all the RCHP albums, and By The Way, was the weakest, IMO. As artists, they probably got bored doing the same shyte year after year. Who can blame them? If I buy a new album, I would certainly hope it wasn't MM or BSSM revisited. That's bordering on selling out. 'Let's make the same type of album for money, screw the artistic and maturing thing'. No thanks. Evolve please.
 
#47
Toolmybass said:
That doesnt mean that the studio where the new album was recorded didnt have Acoustic gear already there! Weather it was used or not in the recordings is not for anyone to say until proof surfaces

ALOT of pros have switched to gear that they were exposed while in the studio to record.

Flea could have been a fan of Acoustic for years, and could have personally owned Acoustic gear for years....but locked in with GK he obviously cant publicly use/advertise Acoustic, until now
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Nope - the Acoustic USA is new. Studios would not have it either. Yes - he might have used vintage Acoustic - or something else. I suspect that you are correct about being a fan for years - many of us are.

But in the studio - no idea what you are hearing with all the magic in the control room. Who knows - maybe he was going for the Acoustic 360 sound.

Regardless - he has it now! :-)
 
#48
Regarding the "Flea Sound". I guess I am not the best source for "Classic Flea" tone. I never really noticed RHCP until I heard "Otherside".

OK - I feel the hot glares and stabbing eyes from the InterWeb now. But I really liked how the bass sounded on that song. I was actually dissapointed when I heard all the funky stuff after that.

But if he was migrating tone from slap to finger growl and classic tones - I can see how the amp change would eventually result.

By the way - what bass did he use on "Otherside"?
 
#50
I'm one of those fans from the very beginning too. I really hate to admit it, because it's such an old guy's cliché, but I don't like most of the new stuff. Only I don't think it's the whole RHCP, my problem is with Anthony Kiedis. The band might have evolved and matured, he hasn't. He always sounds the same in every song: same tone, same melody lines, same off key intonation. I bet if you'd strip the band and would only hear the vocals all RHCP songs would sound exactly the same. Strip away the vocals from that video posted a few posts up and you'd have a perfectly good song imho.
 
#51
Flea doesn't sound like Flea? But don't forget: A lot of people want to sound like him, but he IS Flea - that's one huge difference. So for me the question is only: How does he sound today, what is he playing today. Even more important for me is how do the RHCP sound, what are they coming up with as a group. I loved the Stadium Arcadium tour and saw them 3 time in one year in Germany. The concert in Berlin 2006 was awesome - one in Hamburg wasn't very good and another one great. I don't blame them for that: They dare to play different stuff every night. The improvisation between Flea and John lasted about an hour in Berlin - not mass compatible at all, a lot of people left, but I loved it. I think it is sad that John left. One of the best guitarist together with one of the best bass players in one band - wow. Didn't dig their new song much but I am very curious to see them live. Maybe it's easier for Anthony now. So I hope that as a band it will be great again. Okay - but back to Flea: I think he always played great stuff and I wish I could say this about my playing
 
#52
I don't know how so many people dislike their newer material! Stadium Arcadium had some amazing jams and basslines! Have you heard CHARLIE?

That being said, I expect the new album to disappoint slightly only because Johnny won't be on it
 
#53
+1 to Kiedis recycling the same tired crap in each new song. He has never been a super strong singer, lyricist, or melody writer, but the new direction they have taken really puts the focus on what he is doing, and there isn't anything to it. I hate to say it, I had trouble even listening to the bass past that lazy bit of songwriting. If he had the BSSM magic tone on that, it wouldn't have mattered to me. At all.
 
#54
Simon Langley said:
Just got done checking out the new video and well, the Frusciante impersonator did a better job of blending in than FLea's new sound IMO. Nice big, fat, round, vintage style tone but did not sound like Flea. Where is the GK grind, the bite, the edge, that killer funk staccato? I don't know, maybe I am just biased but the switch to Acoustic just doesn't work for me but Flea must do what's best for Flea I guess.
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RHCP has been crap in my book for a long time, Blood Sugar Sex Magik was their last solid album. there were a few hints left on Californication, but not enough. Now their just pop whores. they lost their groove a long time ago.

The Brothers Cup is empty :(
 
#55
Just the chilli's reinventing themselves again. I liked the new tone I am not into slap for damn near every song.I think Flea is just pulling himself out of the rut. But I was looking for the funk staccato stuff and did not get much of that. But maybe when he kicks the new songs live they will be more creative, as it normally happens with most songs they morph into something better.
 
#57
Matthijs said:
my problem is with Anthony Kiedis. The band might have evolved and matured, he hasn't. He always sounds the same in every song: same tone, same melody lines, same off key intonation. I bet if you'd strip the band and would only hear the vocals all RHCP songs would sound exactly the same. Strip away the vocals from that video posted a few posts up and you'd have a perfectly good song imho.
Click to expand...

Completely agree.
 
#58
Take this thread where you want (you guys usually do) but keep in mind I was speaking specifically of the basses tone. Not Fleas playing or the band as a whole. I like the Chilis, always have and always will. I am OK with a band morphing, changing and progressing. There are just some identifying traits that all players have that let you know it's them. For me, it was Fleas GK tone. The growl, the punch let me know for sure it was him. And now that is gone from his new tone. That is all. They still a good band and he is still a great player. Just don't like the new tone.
 
#60
I liked it. Sheesh, it's one song out of what? 12? Seriously now...I'll bet most of you said the same thing when "Under The Bridge" came out, and that album turned out to be the biggest one they've had and full of the usual fare. Wait till the whole album comes out to decide if Flea has changed or taken a momentary diversion for a song.
 

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