Fans of popular rock band the Red Hot Chili Peppers gathered at the Orpheum Theatre Thursday to listen to the band’s bassist Flea talk about his newly released memoir, “Acid for the Children.”
Flea, born Michael Balzary, is the second member of the band to release a memoir. Lead singer Anthony Kiedis released his autobiography “Scar Tissue” in 2004.
The book depicts the 52-year-old bassist’s life before the Red Hot Chili Peppers, which formed in 1983, allowing fans to see an entirely new perspective on his life.
“I didn’t even really think about the narrative,” Flea said. “I didn’t worry about the facts.”
When the bassist entered the stage with interviewer Ed Masley of the Arizona Republic, he was greeted with a roar of applause and cheers from the audience. But the room went to complete silence once the discussion began.
“When you’re in person, you can kind of draw more out of that person because they can see that you’re actively listening,” Masley said. “There’s a rapport in face-to-face conversation that you don’t necessarily have on the phone.”
Masley said he speaks to many celebrities about upcoming releases as a music reporter for the Arizona Republic. He said he spoke with Flea on the phone before doing the live interview. He was surprised with how genuine the bassist was.
“The thing that really struck me about him, when I first did a phone interview, was just how genuine he is and how close to the surface his emotions are and how he doesn’t mind sharing that or being vulnerable,” Masley said.
“We all have crazy thoughts,” Flea said. “We all have deep, deep feelings and if you’re willing to feel unconsciously, then you’re able to be more interested in the next thing.”
The show was put on by Changing Hands Bookstore, a small local chain. For employee Jalen NeSmith, events like these give him the chance to have a special experience.
“We’ve got such a great team culture,” NeSmith said.
The end of the interview left fans filled with excitement to see what the book’s pages hold.
Audience member Alex Hukow said he has been listening to the Red Hot Chili Peppers since he was three years old. He said seeing a second member of the band release a memoir provided a new perspective of the band.
“I think it’s a big thing for everybody to just kind of learn where their heroes come from,” Hukow said.
Contact the reporter at amontini@asu.edu.
