Keep It Simple, Flea

I forgot about the black and white Funky Monks documentary the Red Hot Chili Peppers released in the 90’s. 

YouTube didn’t forget, or at least it didn’t disappoint. 

The doc was an early exposure of what Rick Rubin was like in the studio. I remember catching it on TV a few times. Really being taken by the advice and interactions (and amazed by… like, how exactly does he know these things? How does he help excavate this from these already incredibly interesting people?!)

There’s a whole segment of Flea explaining his chaotic punky slap bass style. How people and crowds went wild for it. And how he was learning to tone it down. 

A few cuts later we see him sitting next to Rick Rubin working out what would be their massive hit, “Give It Away.” Rubin is telling Flea to keep doing less. 

Keep it simple. 

With examples, emphasizing the space and lack of playing. 

“Don’t go too notey.” 

Words to live by. 

Reduce. 

(here’s the clip, but by all means watch the whole thing, and - I’ll drop the song below for good measure) 

h/t Rob Harvilla, who mentioned the documentary in his 60 Songs That Explain The 90’s on “Under the Bridge” (come back tomorrow, more notes to follow)