(Credits: Far Out / Stefan Brending)
Mon 12 May 2025 20:30, UK
When you’ve got a band with musicians as reputable and well-equipped as Flea and John Frusciante, it’s not all that surprising that other members might become somewhat overlooked. However, while this isn’t always uncommon with drummers in rock bands, the often overlooked nature of a certain Chad Smith feels particularly unwarranted, especially as his energy is just as crucial to the operation as the others’.
At the same time, however, it makes sense why anyone entering a space already occupied by Flea and Frusciante would feel overshadowed immediately. After all, these aren’t just thorough maestros in their respective realms; they’re also privy to the kind of chaos that the modern rock band needs, and understand when to let it all explode into the ether to create pure, unrestricted mayhem quintessential to the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ charm.
That said, while seemingly appearing figuratively and literally behind the other two in terms of impact and spotlight, Smith is anything but background. After all, he can not only maintain the fervour and rhythms of his bandmates and then some, but he can also deliver the same type of technical and intuitive proficiency that many of his preceding trailblazers could achieve, making him one of the most energetic and nimble players out there.
While there are countless examples of this excellence in action throughout their discography and live sets, one of the first and biggest instances of Smith’s unrelenting charge was his initial audition for the outfit. During an impromptu jamming session, he not only matched Flea and Frusciante’s energy but unintentionally led the way, raising the stakes with the kind of heated angst that the Chili Peppers later became known for.
When looking back at the fond memory during a previous interview, Frusciante remembers not only Smith’s strangely off-kilter presence but his passion behind the drum kit, too. It’s an oddly charming story filled with amusement and pure brilliance: “Chad walked in, and he had a Metallica shirt on,” Frusciante said, adding, “And his hair was all frizzy, and we were like, ‘Oh my god, let’s just get this guy out of here.’ He sat down at the drum set, and we started jamming.”
Discussing how he fit in seamlessly, he continued, “Up until now, Flea was leading the jams. Chad walked in, and all of a sudden, he was carrying us. He was speeding up, and speeding up, and going, ‘Fuck you! Fuck you!” Smith also appreciated his first encounter with his future bandmates, with a particular attachment to one moment when Frusciante broke a string mid-jam before switching it over in record time to re-join the magic.
For Frusciante, it wasn’t about technicality, although Smith had it in spades. For him, it was about what was going on “inside”, and Smith brought an atmosphere with him that they not only shared but needed, one steeped heavily in immense enjoyment and passion rather than desperation. While they seemingly took a risk at first, Smith’s recruitment immediately paid off, proving the beauty of instant connection when putting the pieces together for a successful rock act.
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