walking upstream…
Red Hot Chili Peppers
photo: kreepin deth · cc by-sa 4.0 ↗Red Hot Chili Peppers
The Red Hot Chili Peppers formed in Los Angeles in 1983 around vocalist Anthony Kiedis and bassist Flea, welding hyperactive funk basslines and punk energy into a sound that would define funk rock. After the arrival of guitarist John Frusciante and drummer Chad Smith, they broke through with 1991's 'Blood Sugar Sex Magik' and its ballad 'Under the Bridge,' then became one of the biggest rock bands of the 1990s and 2000s. Their catalog swings between slap-bass funk workouts and melodic, introspective radio staples.
the sound in question
1991
Under the BridgeRed Hot Chili Peppers
walk the tributaries ↓
Sly and the Family Stone1960s · Funk / Soul / Psychedelic rock
The band's debt to Sly Stone's psychedelic funk is explicit: they cut a cover of his 'If You Want Me to Stay' on 1985's 'Freaky Styley,' and Sly's springy, syncopated grooves are foundational to Flea's bass approach.
listen: upstream & here
1973
If You Want Me to StaySly and the Family Stone
1985
If You Want Me to StayRed Hot Chili Peppers
listen forPut the tight, rubbery bassline and warm lead vocal of Sly's original 'If You Want Me to Stay' next to the Chili Peppers' cover — hear how faithfully they chase that pocket while roughing up the edges.
Jimi Hendrix1960s · Rock / Blues rock / Psychedelic rock
Hendrix's blues-rooted, wah-soaked and improvisational guitar language is a touchstone the band's guitarists have long drawn on, feeding the loose, exploratory soloing that runs through their rock songs.
listen: upstream & here
1968
Voodoo Child (Slight Return)Jimi Hendrix
1999
Scar TissueRed Hot Chili Peppers
listen forListen to the elastic, wah-drenched guitar of 'Voodoo Child (Slight Return),' then the bluesy, melody-conscious solo that closes 'Scar Tissue' — the same idea of a guitar that sings and bends rather than shreds.
George Clinton1970s · Funk / Psychedelic soul / R&B
George Clinton produced the band's 1985 album 'Freaky Styley,' directly shaping its P-Funk-informed grooves, and his Parliament-Funkadelic vocabulary of deep, elastic funk runs through their rhythm section.
listen: upstream & heresource: Rolling Stone ↗
1982
Atomic DogGeorge Clinton
1985
Freaky StyleyRed Hot Chili Peppers
listen forCue the synth-funk bounce and talk-sung delivery of Clinton's 'Atomic Dog,' then the Clinton-produced title track 'Freaky Styley' — the same loose, greasy groove pulled toward a rock band.