Preparing for the next chapter of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, the band’s bassist Flea teased that the iconic rockers are currently working on their first studio effort since back-to-back 2022 LPs,Unlimited Love and Return of the Dream Canteen.
In an interview with MOJO magazine, the 63-year old guitarist (born Michael Peter Balzary) confirmed that he and guitarist John Frusciante are chasing the signature Chili Peppers spark in writing sessions, adding “We’ve been writing and recording at John’s place, and the music feels great.” “Once we start playing, it’s all about finding that magic groove and doing it right.”
Addressing the difference between working on his solo career and creating music within the Chili Peppers’ long-running dynasty, Flea compared the band to a constantly evolving four-way partnership – one that comes with its own challenges, intensity and emotional weight, explaining:
“It’s like being in a marriage with four people.” “It’s always shifting, always presenting new things to deal with. Egos are unavoidable — mine’s as big and as fragile as anyone’s — but it’s part of who I am. It’s alive, it’s beautiful, and it keeps changing shape.”
Interviewed for the Netflix show, The Rise of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, about the late guitarist (who died in 1988 at 26 years old from a heroin overdose,) the group have insisted they had “nothing to do with [the documentary] creatively”. As a result, the group’s frontman, Anthony Kiedis, and company have recently distanced themselves from an upcoming documentary about their former co-founding member Hillel Slovak.
In a formal statement, the Chili’s said “Dear people of the universe, about a year ago, we were asked to be interviewed for a documentary about Hillel Slovak. He was a founding member of the group, a great guitarist, and friend.” “We agreed to be interviewed out of love and respect for Hillel and his memory.” “However, this documentary is now being advertised as a Red Hot Chili Peppers documentary, which it is not.” “We had nothing to do with it creatively. We have yet to make a Red Hot Chili Peppers documentary.”
Red Hot Chili Peppers – completed by Chad Smith – hope the forthcoming film will “spark interest” in the late guitarist, adding “The central subject of this current Netflix special is Hillel Slovak and we hope it sparks interest in him and his work.” Anthony and Michael are among the stars who have been interviewed for the upcoming documentary, which is directed by Ben Feldman.
According to Variety, the film was secretly screened at the Cannes Film Festival in 2025, where it was marketed to potential buyers, before further screenings in New York and Los Angeles.
In a statement, the film maker said:
“It’s a true honour to partner with Netflix to bring The Rise of the Red Hot Chili Peppers to a global audience.” “At its heart, this is a deeply relatable story – about the friendships that shape our identities and the lasting power of the bonds forged in adolescence.” “What’s less relatable, of course, is that here those friends went on to create one of the greatest rock bands in history. I’m profoundly grateful to the band and to Hillel’s family for their trust and generosity, and to Netflix for helping bring this story to the world stage.”
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Author: Saul Goode
Photo: Raph_PH