This is What You're Craving: The True Story of Red Hot Chili Peppers' 'Californication'

Content Warning: This episode of Encore discusses struggles with
addiction and mental health issues.


Believe it or not, Red Hot Chili Peppers were formed all the way
back in 1982 as ‘Tony Flow and The Majestic Masters of Mayhem’ -
no idea why that name didn’t ever catch on.


But, with all due respect to original members - the late great
guitarist Hilel Slovak, and drummer Jack Irons; the current
lineup that we all know and love formed some six years later in
the final months of 1988.


Joining original members Tony Flow - aka Anthony Kiedis from here
on out, and Flea - aka… well… Flea… were guitar genius John
Frusciante, and the world’s most successful Will Ferrell Look
Alike - Chad Smith.


Go on and picture the Red Hot Chili Peppers in your head; chances
are it is this core four that you’re thinking of… although there
were at least another 8 transient members of RHCP throughout the
years, with Frusciante especially coming-and-going throughout the
band’s history.


With so much turmoil within a band - it’s crazy to think that the
Chili Peppers have never actually broken up, despite well
documented addictions, tragedy and loss, lack of focus, changes
in sound, and the aforementioned lineup changes over their 40+
years in Rock. 


So, for this episode of encore we’re going to zoom in on perhaps
their most successful pivot of all, becoming what felt like a
brand new band all over again some 15+ years into their career -
this is the story of Red Hot Chili Peppers’ 2000 Hit -
Californication with newly unearthed audio from
the band themselves.