Chad Smith's unabashed hard rock style could have easily clashed with the funk-punk roots of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, but instead he proved to be the catalyst that launched the band to international superstardom. His muscular, yet articulate drumming evokes a cross between P-Funk and Deep Purple and acts as the perfect anchor for the bestial rowdiness of his band mates.
Chad grew up in suburban Detroit, feeling like a square peg in a round hole. This unease led to misadventures in car theft, burglary, and even a stint in jail. Musically, he cut his teeth playing in countless Detroit clubs before moving to Los Angeles in 1988, during the Sunset Strip's heyday. He describes the immediate, explosive musical chemistry that has allowed the multi-decade success of the Chili Peppers. Chad also candidly discusses his evolution from living a “spiritually bankrupt” lifestyle to becoming a grounded, healthy family man.
173: John "J.R." Robinson (Rufus, Michael Jackson, Eric Clapton, Daft Punk, etc.)
172: Pete Moffett (Government Issue, Wool, Burning Airlines, Second Letter, etc.)
171: Dave Elitch (Antemasque, Justin Timberlake, M83, Killer Be Killed)
BNS: Ezra Miller
170: Brian Blade (Fellowship, Wayne Shorter, Joni Mitchell, etc.)
169: Brad Wilk (Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave, Prophets of Rage)
168: Michael Shrieve (Santana, Go, Solo Artist)
167: Live from KEXP, Seattle
166: Karriem Riggins (Ray Brown, Hank Jones, J Dilla, Common)
RIP: Remembering John "Jabo" Starks
165: Barrett Martin (Screaming Trees, Barrett Martin Group, Mad Season, REM)
164: Adrienne Davies (Earth)
163: Atom Willard (Against Me!, Rocket from the Crypt, Angels and Airwaves, The Offspring)
162: Ralph Johnson (Earth Wind & Fire)
161: Dan Bailey (Father John Misty)
160: Adam Carson (AFI)
BNS: Joey Castillo Answers Listener Questions
159: Joey Castillo (Wasted Youth, Sugartooth, QotSA, Eagles of Death Metal, Zakk Sabbath)
158: Stephanie Luke AKA Rusty Coathanger (The Coathangers)
157: Orpheo McCord (The Magnetic Zeros, Cass McCombs, The Fall)
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