Flea
Flea at Slane Castle
Background information
Birth name	Michael Peter Balzary
Born	October 16, 1962 (1962-10-16) (age 45) Burwood, Melbourne, Australia
Origin	Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Genre(s)	Alternative rock, funk rock, punk rock
Instrument(s)	Bass, trumpet
Years active	1983 - present
Label(s)	Warner Bros., EMI
Associated acts	Red Hot Chili Peppers The Mars Volta Fear Jane's Addiction
Website	redhotchilipeppers.com

Michael Peter Balzary (born October 16, 1962 in Melbourne, Australia), better known by his stage name Flea, is the bassist for the alternative rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (2012x1724, 2582 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Flea (musician) Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital camera or scanner used to... is the 289th day of the year (290th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1962 (MCMLXII) was a common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1962 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Burwood is a suburb of Melbourne, Australia, in the state of Victoria. ... This article is about the Australian city; the name may also refer to City of Melbourne or Melbourne city centre. ... Los Angeles and L.A. redirect here. ... This article is about the U.S. state. ... For other uses of terms redirecting here, see US (disambiguation), USA (disambiguation), and United States (disambiguation) Motto In God We Trust(since 1956) (From Many, One; Latin, traditional) Anthem The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington, D.C. Largest city New York City National language English (de facto)1 Demonym American... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Alternative music redirects here. ... Funk-rock is a music genre that fuses funk and rock elements. ... Punk rock is an anti-establishment music movement beginning around 1976 (although precursors can be found several years earlier), exemplified and popularised by The Ramones, the Sex Pistols, The Clash and The Damned. ... A musical instrument is a device constructed or modified with the purpose of making music. ... A sunburst-colored Precision Bass The electric bass guitar (or electric bass; pronounced , as in base) is a bass stringed instrument played with the fingers (either by plucking, slapping, popping, or tapping) or using a pick. ... Trumpeter redirects here. ... See also: 1983 in music (UK) Musical groups established in 1983 Record labels established in 1983 // Michael Jacksons Thriller, the most successful album not only of 1983, but of all time, was released in 1982 and began its epic domination of the music charts the following year, 1983. ... In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. ... Warner Bros. ... For other uses, see EMI (disambiguation). ... Red Hot Chili Peppers are an American alternative rock band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1983. ... The Mars Volta is an American rock group founded by Cedric Bixler-Zavala, Omar Rodriguez-Lopez, Isaiah Ikey Owens and Jeremy Michael Ward in 2001. ... Fear is a punk band from Los Angeles, California that formed in 1977 and still performs. ... Janes Addiction was an American rock band featuring Perry Farrell (vocalist), Eric Avery (bassist), Dave Navarro (guitarist), and Stephen Perkins (percussionist). ... is the 289th day of the year (290th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1962 (MCMLXII) was a common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1962 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the Australian city; the name may also refer to City of Melbourne or Melbourne city centre. ... A stage name, also called a screen name, is a pseudonym used by performers and entertainers such as actors, comedians, musicians, djs, clowns, and professional wrestlers. ... Deon Rexroat of Anberlin. ... Alternative music redirects here. ... Red Hot Chili Peppers are an American alternative rock band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1983. ...

Biography

Early Years

Michael Balzary lived a relatively conventional childhood in Melbourne, Australia, until his father Mick, a customs officer, was posted to New York in March 1967. Mick Balzary relocated his entire family to New York, including wife Patricia, his daughter Karen, and 5-year-old Michael. New York, New York and NYC redirect here. ...

In 1971, only four years after arriving in the U.S., Balzary's mother, Patricia, fell in love with jazz musician Walter Urban, Jr. and filed for divorce from Mick Balzary. Michael Balzary, his mother, sister, and soon-to-be-stepfather moved to Los Angeles in 1972.^{[citation needed]} For other uses of terms redirecting here, see US (disambiguation), USA (disambiguation), and United States (disambiguation) Motto In God We Trust(since 1956) (From Many, One; Latin, traditional) Anthem The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington, D.C. Largest city New York City National language English (de facto)1 Demonym American... Los Angeles and L.A. redirect here. ...

Balzary developed a love for music at a very early age. He first played the drums, then he began the trumpet at age nine. Balzary displayed strong natural aptitude for the instrument and swiftly earned a place in the Los Angeles Junior Philharmonic Orchestra. For other uses, see Music (disambiguation). ... For other kinds of drums, see drum (disambiguation). ... Trumpeter redirects here. ... (Left to right) Richard M. Sherman, Dr. Ernst Katz, Debby Boone and Robert B. Sherman at the 65th anniversary of the Junior Philharmonic event sponsored by Smith Barney. ...

Watching his stepfather playing with his bebop jazz band profoundly affected the eleven-year-old Balzary. His stepfather's musicianship inspired a lifelong love of jazz and the leading exponents of the genre, such as Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, and Ornette Coleman. On VH1's Behind the Music, Balzary said that he had no original interest in rock, and that his initial ambition was to become a jazz musician like his stepfather. A jazz band (or jazz ensemble in western dialects of American English) is a musical ensemble that plays jazz music. ... Miles Dewey Davis III (May 26, 1926 – September 28, 1991) was an American jazz musician, widely considered to be one of the most influential of the 20th century. ... For the Australian cricketer nicknamed Dizzy, see Jason Gillespie. ... Ornette Coleman (born March 9, 1930) is an American saxophonist, violinist, trumpeter and composer. ... VH1 (VH-1: Video Hits One until 1994) is an American cable television channel that was created in January 1985 by Warner-Amex Satellite Entertainment, at the time a division of Warner Communications and owners of MTV. VH1 and sister channel MTV are currently part of the MTV Networks division... For the album by The Soundtrack of Our Lives, see Behind the Music (album). ... Rock is a form of popular music, usually featuring vocals (often with vocal harmony), electric guitars, and a strong back beat; other instruments, such as the saxophone, are common in some styles, however saxophones have been omitted from newer subgenres of rock music since the 90s. ...

Formation of Red Hot Chili Peppers

Balzary was an avid trumpeter and jazz fan when he began attending Fairfax High School in September 1976. On his first day at Fairfax, Balzary was "play-fighting" with fellow tenth-grade student Tony Shurr in the quadrangle, when Balzary's future bandmate, Anthony Kiedis, came to Shurr's defense. Despite the initial enmity between Balzary and Kiedis, the two swiftly became best friends. As their friendship grew, Balzary introduced Kiedis to the world of jazz. Fairfax High School Fairfax High School is a Los Angeles Unified School District high school located in Los Angeles, California, USA, near the border of West Hollywood in the Fairfax District of Los Angeles. ... Anthony Kiedis (born November 1, 1962) is an American singer and songwriter. ...

Balzary continued to improve his trumpet skills, taking the rank of first trumpet in the Fairfax school orchestra. Kiedis admired Balzary for his constantly swollen lip.

Through Kiedis, Balzary soon became friends with another Fairfax student and future bandmate, Hillel Slovak. Slovak played in a band called Anthym. Balzary's musical taste strayed from jazz when Slovak introduced him to rock music, and soon became attuned to artists including Led Zeppelin, Kiss, Queen, The New York Dolls, and Jimi Hendrix. Hillel Slovak (Hebrew: הלל סלובק) (April 13, 1962 – June 25, 1988) was an Israeli American guitarist. ... Anthym is a band that originated in Fairfax High School in California and would play numerous shows along the coast of California. ... For the bands 1969 eponymous debut album, see Led Zeppelin (album). ... Kiss is an American rock band formed in New York City in 1971. ... Queen are an English rock band formed in 1970 in London by guitarist Brian May, lead vocalist Freddie Mercury and drummer Roger Taylor, with bassist John Deacon joining the following year. ... The New York Dolls were a glam rock band in the 1970s that prefigured much of what was to come in the punk rock era. ... Jimi Hendrix (November 27, 1942 – September 18, 1970) was an American guitar virtuoso, singer and songwriter. ...

Spurred by his newfound interest in rock, Balzary allowed Slovak to tutor him on bass guitar in 1978. In 1980, Todd Strassman, bassist for Anthym, saw Balzary playing with his bass and his amp and quit the band. Balzary joined the band at this time.

During a ski trip with Anthony Kiedis and friend Keith Barry, Balzary earned his long-standing nickname "Flea," which has become the singular name associated with the musician.^[1]

While playing in Anthym, Flea's exceptional bass skills attracted attention from outside the band. In 1982, Flea received an offer to become the new bass player for Fear, an aggressive punk band from Los Angeles. He accepted the offer, playing for a short period with both bands. Fear is a punk band from Los Angeles, California that formed in 1977 and still performs. ...

In 1983, Flea, Kiedis, Slovak, and Irons formed the Red Hot Chili Peppers. They were signed with EMI within 6 months. Flea left Fear to concentrate on working with the Chili Peppers. Balzary also turned down an offer to play in the post-Sex Pistols band Public Image Ltd. with his longtime idol, John Lydon, as he preferred to stay with his friends. Public Image Ltd. ... John Joseph Lydon (born January 31, 1956), also known as Johnny Rotten, is an English rock musician. ...

Flea has aided the careers of several prominent musicians, most notably Jewel. In 1993, Flea met the unknown local artist, after he saw her perform at a local café. He went back to her van where she was currently living, where she sang a few of her songs. He described her singing voice as being "beautiful" and "breathtaking". Two years after this encounter Jewel was signed to Atlantic Records and released her diamond record, Pieces of You.^[2] Flea also helped establish the non-profit Silverlake Conservatory of Music in 2001 and mentors young musicians in that program. For R&B singer Jewell Caples, see Jewell (singer). ... Atlantic Records (Atlantic Recording Corporation) is an American record label, and operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of Warner Music Group. ... Pieces of You is the debut album by singer/songwriter Jewel, released in 1995 (see 1995 in music). ... Silverlake Conservatory of Music is a non-profit educational organization formed in California. ...

Recent Years

In recent years he has performed 3 shows with the Red Hot Chili Peppers in London's Hyde Park in 2004. These shows were recorded and mixed to create the live album "Live In Hyde Park" Since, he has created Stadium Arcadium, the Red Hot Chili Peppers 9th studio album. In 2006 the Chili Peppers headlined at Scotland's T in the Park. In 2007 the Chili Peppers also headlined Carling Weekend in Reading and Leeds. Recently, Flea's house has burnt down in California's fires. “Hyde Park” redirects here. ... Live In Hyde Park is the first live album released by the Red Hot Chili Peppers. ... Singles from Stadium Arcadium Released: April 4, 2006 Released: July 18, 2006 Released: November 20, 2006 Released: February 12, 2007 Released: April 7, 2007 Stadium Arcadium is the ninth studio album by alternative rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, released on May 5, 2006 on Warner Bros. ... This article is about the country. ... T in the Park is a major Scottish music festival, held annually since 1994. ... Leeds Festival redirects here. ... , Reading is a town, unitary authority (the Borough of Reading) and urban area in the English county of Berkshire. ... For other uses, see Leeds (disambiguation) and Leeds City (disambiguation). ... The October 2007 California wildfires were a series of wildfires that began burning across Southern California on October 20. ...

Instruments

Bass

Flea's main basses have almost always been ones with active electronics. Three magnetic pickups on an electric guitar. ...

Flea used in the early days various Musicman Cutlass basses to record the The Red Hot Chili Peppers and Freaky Styley albums. Cutlass basses mainly differ from Stingrays in their neck, which are Carbon Fiber necks made my Modulus, which shows Flea's preference for that type of neck going back to the mid-80's. He also used them on-stage for the following tours, until late 1986. His back-up basses at the time include a black Fender Precision Bass (Rockpalast 1985) and various black Musicman Stingrays. The Red Hot Chili Peppers is the Red Hot Chili Peppers self-titled debut album, released in 1984, and produced by Gang of Four guitarist Andy Gill. ... Freaky Styley is the second album by Red Hot Chili Peppers, released in 1985 through EMI America. ...

For the record and the tour of The Uplift Mofo Party Plan, Flea switched to a Spector bass, looking for a punchier and thicker tone. Different Spector models were used, combining Precision and / or Jazz pick-ups. Singles from The Uplift Mofo Party Plan Released: 1987 Released: 1987 Released: 1992 The Uplift Mofo Party Plan is the third studio album by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, released in 1987 through EMI America. ... This article refers to the Spector Company. ...

In the studios for Mother's Milk, Flea used again a Spector bass, but decided to return to Musicman basses for touring. The Musicman Stingray became his signature live bass up from 1990 to 1996, only changing once in a while for a Guild bass. Singles from Mothers Milk Released: 1989 Released: 1989 Released: 1989 Mothers Milk is the fourth studio album by Red Hot Chili Peppers. ...

Blood Sugar Sex Magik was recorded with a Wal Mach II, Stingray 5 string and One Hot Minute with an Alembic Epic. Singles from Blood Sugar Sex Magik Released: 1991 Released: 1991 Released: 1992 Released: 1992 Released: 1993 Blood Sugar Sex Magik is the fifth studio album by American alternative rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, released on September 24, 1991. ... Wal Mach II Fretless Bass Wal is a brand of electric bass manufactured by Electric Wood Ltd. ... Singles from One Hot Minute Released: 1995 Released: 1995 Released: 1996 Released: 1996 Released: 1996 One Hot Minute is the sixth album by American alternative rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, released on September 12, 1995 on Warner Bros. ... Alembic Dragons Breath Custom Bass Guitar Alembic was founded in 1969 and is a manufacturer of high-end electric basses, guitars and preamps. ...

From 1997 onwards, Modulus Guitars, after their collaboration with Dave Navarro for the Modulus "Dave" Strat guitar that he has been using on tour at that time, approached Flea with a new signature bass, the Modulus Flea Bass. It is largely based on the Musicman Stingray (body contour, pick-up position, controls) but features Seymour Duncan pick-up (back in 1997), a Bad Ass II bridge, a carbone neck and a 22 fret-fingerboard . That was his main bass for either any kind of studio or live duties between 1997 and 2004, often switching to an old Fender Precision Bass of Fender Jazz Bass. Modulus Guitars is an American manufacturer of musical instruments, most notably bass guitars built with carbon fiber necks. ...

For Stadium Arcadium, he used a '61 Fender Jazz bass. The Jazz Bass was initially used during the subsequent Stadium Arcadium tour, but after the short promotion tour, Flea decided that he wasn't cutting through enough, and went back to using his Modulus Signature. Singles from Stadium Arcadium Released: April 4, 2006 Released: July 18, 2006 Released: November 20, 2006 Released: February 12, 2007 Released: April 7, 2007 Stadium Arcadium is the ninth studio album by alternative rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, released on May 5, 2006 on Warner Bros. ... The Jazz Bass (or J-Bass) was the second model of electric bass guitar created by Leo Fender. ... Singles from Stadium Arcadium Released: April 4, 2006 Released: July 18, 2006 Released: November 20, 2006 Released: February 12, 2007 Released: April 7, 2007 Stadium Arcadium is the ninth studio album by alternative rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, released on May 5, 2006 on Warner Bros. ...

Flea can be heard using several different effects pedals throughout his career (Boss FT-2 Dynamic Filter, Proco RAT, DOD FX25 Envelop Filter, Mutron III with a dying battery on Sir Psycho Sexy from the Blood Sugar album, Electro-Harmonix Bass Balls, Dunlop Cry Baby Bass 105Q on a B-side called How Strong, etc); current equipment is listed below. Effects pedals are electronic devices used by musicians, primarily electric guitar players, to alter the sound quality or timbre of electric or electronic instruments, and less often vocals picked up through microphones. ...

Current Basses, Effects & Amplification

• Sunburst Modulus FleaBass: This was Flea’s main Bass for the Stadium Arcadium tour. It has a “sunburst” body with the pickguard removed and a Carbon Fiber neck with a black headstock. It has a Seymour-Duncan pickup and a BadAss II Bridge. Also, this bass has a number of stickers on the front of the body.

• "Circle Jerk Punk-Rock" Modulus FleaBass: This is Flea’s most famous bass. It has a custom "Red, White & Blue" paint job with a custom shaped White Pearl pickguard. It has a Carbon Fiber neck with a white headstock to match the white on the body. It also has a Lane Poor pickup and a BadAss II Bridge. This bass is covered in stickers on the front of the body, which makes this bass so recognizable. This particular bass was used to record By The Way and on the subsequent tour for the album, until 2005.

• Blue Sparkle Modulus FleaBass: This bass has a “Blue Sparkle” body with a White Pearl pickguard, a Carbon Fiber neck with a matching Blue Sparkle headstock. It also has a Lane Poor pickup and a BadAss II Bridge. Also, this bass has a black sticker under the bridge that reads "a flea still drinks the blood of those who wouldn't harm a flea". Main bass for the Californication US tourlegs in 2000.

• Silver Sparkle Modulus FleaBass: This bass has a “Silver Sparkle” body with a White Pearl pickguard, a Carbon Fiber neck with a white headstock. It also has a Lane Poor pickup and a BadAss II Bridge. Generally used on the By The Way Tour as the Drop-D tuned bass, when some songs such as If You Have To Ask or By The Way recquire a DADG-tuned bass.

• Clear 5-String Fender Jazz Bass: This is Flea's only 5-String bass on tour. This bass has a Clear body with no pickguard. It also has a Lane Poor pickup and a BadAss II Bridge.

• Gallien-Krueger Amplification: 3x 4x10 410RBH & 3x 1x15 115RBH Cabinets powered by 3 2001RB Heads. 2 spare 2001RB Heads as back-up.

Flea has also used Ampeg(SNL Videos), Trace-Elliot(Pinkpop '89 videos) and Mesa-Boogie Road Ready cabinets (2*15s combined with 4*10s) which he employed from 1989 to 2001. Modulus Guitars is an American manufacturer of musical instruments, most notably bass guitars built with carbon fiber necks. ... Modulus Guitars is an American manufacturer of musical instruments, most notably bass guitars built with carbon fiber necks. ... Modulus Guitars is an American manufacturer of musical instruments, most notably bass guitars built with carbon fiber necks. ... Modulus Guitars is an American manufacturer of musical instruments, most notably bass guitars built with carbon fiber necks. ... The Jazz Bass (or J-Bass) was the second model of electric bass guitar created by Leo Fender. ... A Gallien-Krueger is a large brand bass guitar amplifier, as used by Duff McKagan. ... Ampeg is an instrument amplifier manufacturer. ...

The effects he uses at the moment are:

• Boss ODB-3 Bass Overdrive (set for a highly distorted fuzz sound as heard on "Around the World", jam intros to "Don't Foget Me", etc)
• Boss ODB-3 Bass Overdrive (set for a light crunch sound as heard on the intro for "So Much I")
• MXR Micro Amp (for a clean volume boost during heavy slap parts)
• Electro Harmonix Q-Tron (for filter sounds on "Sir Psycho Sexy" & 21st Century)
• Electro Harmonix Big Muff Pi Effects Pedal. Since summer 2007, Flea decided to remove it in favor of another Boss ODB-3 Bass Overdrive.

Flea uses "GHS FLEA Signature Series Boomers Medium Bass Guitar Strings", and used to string his basses with regular GHS Bass Boomers 45-105. Roland Corporation ) TYO: 7944 is a Japanese manufacturer of electronic musical instruments, electronic equipment and software. ... Around the World is a single released off the Red Hot Chili Peppers 1999 album Californication. ... Roland Corporation ) TYO: 7944 is a Japanese manufacturer of electronic musical instruments, electronic equipment and software. ... The 10th song on the Mars Disc, contains a distorted bass line. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... The Electro-Harmonix logo Electro-Harmonix is a company that makes electronic sound processors based in New York. ... Sir Psycho Sexy is an epic song by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, from their 1991 album Blood Sugar Sex Magik. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Stadium Arcadium. ... The Electro-Harmonix logo Electro-Harmonix is a company that makes electronic sound processors based in New York. ...

Trumpet

Flea still plays trumpet occasionally, for example, as part of a horn section on the Jane's Addiction album Nothing's Shocking, on Mike Watt's Ball-Hog or Tugboat?, on The Mars Volta's second release Frances The Mute, and with Nirvana during a performance of "Smells Like Teen Spirit" at Hollywood Rock '93, a music festival in Brazil. In a symphony orchestra the horn section is the group of musicians who play the horn (sometimes referred to as the French horn). ... Janes Addiction was an American rock band featuring Perry Farrell (vocalist), Eric Avery (bassist), Dave Navarro (guitarist), and Stephen Perkins (percussionist). ... Nothings Shocking is Janes Addictions first studio album because the self-titled debut is a live recording. ... Michael David Watt (born December 20, 1957 in Portsmouth, Virginia) is a bass guitarist, singer and songwriter, best-known for co-founding the punk rock bands The Minutemen and fIREHOSE; as of 2003, he is also the bassist for the reunited Iggy Pop & The Stooges. ... Ball-Hog Or Tugboat? is the debut solo album by former Minutemen and fIREHOSE bassist, songwriter and vocalist Mike Watt. ... The Mars Volta is an American rock group founded by Cedric Bixler-Zavala, Omar Rodriguez-Lopez, Isaiah Ikey Owens and Jeremy Michael Ward in 2001. ... Frances the Mute is the second studio album by progressive rock band The Mars Volta released in the US on March 1, 2005. ... This article is about the American grunge band. ... Nevermind track listing Smells Like Teen Spirit is a song by the American rock band Nirvana, and the opening track and lead single from the bands 1991 breakthrough album Nevermind. ...

Most recently, he joined Incubus on "The Third Movement of the Odyssey" for the Halo 2 soundtrack. The songs "Subway To Venus", "Pretty Little Ditty", and "Taste the Pain" on the Chili Peppers album Mother's Milk, "Apache Rose Peacock" on Blood Sugar Sex Magik, and "Tear" and "On Mercury" on By the Way also feature Flea on trumpet. Flea also plays trumpet in a couple of the songs on Stadium Arcadium, namely "Torture Me" and "Hump De Bump", as well as a couple of b-sides from the same album, "Mercy Mercy", a b-side of "Tell Me Baby" and "Funny Face", a b-side of "Snow ((Hey Oh))". The bassist will, on occasion, play trumpet during the Peppers' live performances, as demonstrated on the Live at Slane Castle DVD and the Live in Hyde Park double CD. Incubus is a five-piece American alternative rock band based out of Calabasas, California. ... Halo 2 is a science fiction first-person shooter video game developed by Bungie Studios. ... Taste the Pain is a song by the Red Hot Chili Peppers from the album Mothers Milk, as well as the soundtrack for the film Say Anything. ... Singles from Mothers Milk Released: 1989 Released: 1989 Released: 1989 Mothers Milk is the fourth studio album by Red Hot Chili Peppers. ... Apache Rose Peacock is a song by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, from their 1991 album Blood Sugar Sex Magik. ... Singles from Blood Sugar Sex Magik Released: 1991 Released: 1991 Released: 1992 Released: 1992 Released: 1993 Blood Sugar Sex Magik is the fifth studio album by American alternative rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, released on September 24, 1991. ... Singles from By the Way Released: 2002 Released: December 3, 2002 Released: February 17, 2003 Released: 2003 Released: 2003 By the Way is the eighth studio album by American alternative rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, released on July 9, 2002 on Warner Bros. ... Singles from Stadium Arcadium Released: April 4, 2006 Released: July 18, 2006 Released: November 20, 2006 Released: February 12, 2007 Released: April 7, 2007 Stadium Arcadium is the ninth studio album by alternative rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, released on May 5, 2006 on Warner Bros. ... Tell Me Baby is a song from the Red Hot Chili Peppers 2006 double album, Stadium Arcadium. ... Snow ((Hey Oh)) is a single by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, originally released on the bands double album Stadium Arcadium on May 9, 2006. ... Slane Concert, or Slane as its more commonly known as, is a concert held every year in Slane Castle in Slane Ireland. ...

During his time in FEAR, Flea would sometimes use his trumpet live on stage when performing the song 'New Yorks Alright If You Like Saxophones' (in place of the saxophone played by previous bass-player Derf Scratch). Whilst Flea disappeared offstage to fetch his trumpet, frontman Lee Ving would tease the crowd with remarks such as "we got a deal on his saxophone" and, upon Fleas arrival with the trumpet, "now, for those of you who don't know shit about music; this is a saxophone"

Independent Work

Solo

After the release of the Red Hot Chili Peppers' One Hot Minute album, Flea briefly pursued a solo career. While he never released an album, a few demos of his songs survive, like "You Got Stuck With Me" and "Fiberoptics". Additionally, his song "I've Been Down" was released on the original movie soundtrack for The Basketball Diaries. The Basketball Diaries is a 1995 film based on the book of the same name by Jim Carroll. ...

Session

In 1982, Flea was the bassist for Fear before choosing to stick with the Red Hot Chili Peppers. He played bass on the hit 1989 single "Bust a Move" by Young MC. He played with Gibby & Andrew Weiss (Butthole Surfers) and Johnny Depp in 1995 in a band called P on the "Michael Stipe" 7". He played trumpet on Jane's Addiction's Nothing's Shocking, and filled in for Eric Avery on bass during their reunion tour in 1997. Flea also has played on Porno for Pyros 1996 album Good God's Urge and played a few shows with them in 1997. He also plays bass on a song called "Down and Out in New York City" by Gov't Mule on their album The Deep End Vol. 1. Fear is a punk band from Los Angeles, California that formed in 1977 and still performs. ... Red Hot Chili Peppers are an American alternative rock band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1983. ... For other things called Bust a Move, see Bust a Move. ... Young MC (born Marvin Young on 10 May 1967 in London, England) is a former rapper most known for his 1989 hit, Bust a Move, which won the first-ever Grammy Award for Best Rap Recording. ... The Butthole Surfers are an American rock band founded in 1981 by Gibby Haynes and Paul Leary in San Antonio, Texas. ... John Christopher Depp II[1] (born June 9, 1963) is an American actor, best known for his frequent portrayals of offbeat and eccentric characters such as Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy and the titular character of Tim Burtons Edward Scissorhands. ... P is a short-lived band formed in early 1993 by Butthole Surfers Gibby Haynes, actor Johnny Depp, Sal Jenco, and Bill Carter. ... A vinyl EP from Crop Circles. ... Nothings Shocking is Janes Addictions first studio album because the self-titled debut is a live recording. ... Eric Avery (born on April 25, 1965 in Los Angeles California - the son of actor Bryan Avery) is a bass player, most notably for the seminal alternative band Janes Addiction. ... Porno for Pyros was a US musical group and was Perry Farrells and Stephen Perkins next project after their former band Janes Addiction. ... Good Gods Urge is the second and final album by Porno for Pyros. ... Govt Mule is a southern rock/jam band formed in 1994 as an Allman Brothers Band side project, but has taken on a life of its own. ...

He played bass for The Mars Volta on 2003's De-Loused in the Comatorium and trumpet for 2005's Frances the Mute. He also played bass for Alanis Morissette on the acclaimed song "You Oughta Know", as well as guest appearances on countless albums by other artists. Flea has also played in support of the activist group Axis of Justice. He also played bass for Ziggy Marley on his 2003 album Dragonfly, on the songs "Rainbow in the Sky" and "Melancholy Mood." He is also featured on Joshua Redman's cover of Led Zeppelin's "The Crunge" in the 2005 album Momentum. The Mars Volta is an American rock group founded by Cedric Bixler-Zavala, Omar Rodriguez-Lopez, Isaiah Ikey Owens and Jeremy Michael Ward in 2001. ... = Singles from De-Loused in the Comatorium Released: March 23, 2004 Released: April 6, 2004 Alternate cover Alternate cover found on certain limited editions and on the reverse side of original cover De-Loused in the Comatorium is the first LP and concept album by the progressive rock band The... Frances the Mute is the second studio album by progressive rock band The Mars Volta released in the US on March 1, 2005. ... Alanis redirects here. ... You Oughta Know is a Grammy-winning song written by Alanis Morissette and Glen Ballard, and produced by Ballard for Morissettes third album Jagged Little Pill (1995). ... Axis of Justice is a non-profit organization co-founded by Serj Tankian (of System of a Down) and Tom Morello (from the band Rage Against the Machine and the now defunct Audioslave). ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Dragoonfly was an album released by Ziggy Marley on April 15, 2003. ... Joshua Redman (born February 1, 1969) is a prominent American Neo-bop jazz saxophonist who records for Nonesuch Records. ... For the bands 1969 eponymous debut album, see Led Zeppelin (album). ... Momentum is a 2005 album by jazz saxophonist Joshua Redman. ...

In 2005 he gave full access to his private recording studio (dubbed Little Kicker Sound) to former Black Flag bassist Chuck Dukowski and his new group, the Chuck Dukowski Sextet. Dukowski and his band recorded the whole of their first album, Eat My Life, there, and Flea participated in the proceedings by playing mellotron and tambourine on the Dukowski Sextet's cover of The Velvet Underground's "Venus In Furs". Dukowski thanked Flea and his family in the album's liner notes. Black Flag was a hardcore punk band formed in 1976 in southern California, largely as the brainchild of Greg Ginn: the guitarist, primary songwriter and sole continuous member through multiple personnel changes. ... Chuck Dukowski is the stage name of Gary McDaniel, born February 1, 1954. ... Chuck Dukowski (b. ... Eat My Life is the debut release by the Chuck Dukowski Sextet, led by founding and former bassist of Black Flag, Chuck Dukowski. ... The Mellotron is an electro-mechanical, polyphonic keyboard originally developed and built in Birmingham, England in the early 1960s. ... “Buben” redirects here. ... This article is about the rock band. ... Book cover for Venus in Furs Leopold Ritter von Sacher-Masoch (January 27, 1836 - March 9, 1895), writer and journalist, was born in Lemberg, Austria-Hungary (now Lviv, Ukraine). ...

Acting

Flea made his acting debut in the 1984 cult classic punk drama Suburbia where he was credited as "Mike B. The Flea." His filmography also includes My Own Private Idaho, Motorama, Dudes, Son in Law, The Chase, The Big Lebowski, The Blue Iguana, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Liar's Poker, Mr. 3000, and the 1998 remake of the Hitchcock classic Psycho. More notably, Flea played the character Douglas J. Needles in Back to the Future Part II and Back to the Future Part III (although he disliked the former, calling it a "multi-million dollar piece of trash")^[3] and provided the voice of the feral boy Donnie in the animated television series and film The Wild Thornberrys, as well as the superhero Grunge in the Gen 13 animated movie. Flea also appears in Mike Gordon's 2002 film Rising Low which is about 25 bassists who recorded an album with Gov't Mule following the death of their bassist Allen Woody. Suburbia is a movie written and directed by Penelope Spheeris (The Decline of Western Civilization) about suburban punks who run away from home. ... My Own Private Idaho is a 1991 gay-themed independent film written and directed by Gus Van Sant, loosely based on Shakespeares Henry IV, part 1. ... Motorama is an American road movie released in 1991. ... In law and in cultural anthropology, affinity, as distinguished from consanguinity, is kinship by marriage. ... The Chase is a 1994 movie starring Charlie Sheen and Kristy Swanson. ... The Big Lebowski, a 1998 comedy film written by Joel and Ethan Coen and directed by Joel Coen, chronicles a few days in the life of a burned-out, unemployed California slacker after he is mistaken for a millionaire with the same name. ... Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is a 1998 film adaptation of Hunter S. Thompsons 1971 novel Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas: A Savage Journey to the Heart of the American Dream. ... Mr. ... Psycho is a 1998 film remake of the Alfred Hitchcock 1960 version produced and directed by Gus Van Sant for Universal Pictures. ... Sir Alfred Joseph Hitchcock KBE (August 13, 1899 â€“ April 29, 1980) was an iconic and highly influential British-born film director and producer who pioneered many techniques in the suspense and thriller genres. ... Psycho is a 1960 suspense/horror film directed by auteur Alfred Hitchcock from the screenplay by Joseph Stefano about a psychotic killer. ... This page has character biographies on some of the minor recurring characters from the Back to the Future trilogy. ... Back to the Future Part II is a 1989 film and the first sequel to the 1985 film Back to the Future. ... For the video game based on this film, see Back to the Future Part III (video game). ... A feral child is a child who has lived isolated from human contact starting from a very young age. ... The Wild Thornberrys Movie is a 2002 animated feature film based on the animated series of the same name. ... The Wild Thornberrys was an American animated television series. ... Gen 13 #6 cover by Jim Lee Gen 13 is a comic book originally written by Jim Lee and Brandon Choi and illustrated by J. Scott Campbell. ... Mike Gordon (born June 3, 1965 in Sudbury, Massachusetts) is a bass player and vocalist most noted for his work with the rock band Phish. ... Rising Low Rising Low is Mike Gordons second feature film - a documentary based around the life and death of Govt Mule bassist Allen Woody and the making of a double-disc tribute album featruing a host of legendary bass players. ... Govt Mule is a southern rock/jam band formed in 1994 as an Allman Brothers Band side project, but has taken on a life of its own. ... Douglas Allen Woody (b. ...

Discography

Red Hot Chili Peppers

• The Red Hot Chili Peppers (1984)
• Freaky Styley (1985)
• The Uplift Mofo Party Plan (1987)
• The Abbey Road E.P. (1988)
• Mother's Milk (1989)
• Blood Sugar Sex Magik (1991)
• What Hits!? (1992)
• Out in L.A. (1994)
• One Hot Minute (1995)
• Californication (1999)
• By The Way (2002)
• Greatest Hits (2003)
• Stadium Arcadium (2006)

The Red Hot Chili Peppers is the Red Hot Chili Peppers self-titled debut album, released in 1984, and produced by Gang of Four guitarist Andy Gill. ... Freaky Styley is the second album by Red Hot Chili Peppers, released in 1985 through EMI America. ... Singles from The Uplift Mofo Party Plan Released: 1987 Released: 1987 Released: 1992 The Uplift Mofo Party Plan is the third studio album by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, released in 1987 through EMI America. ... The Abbey Road is an EP by Red Hot Chili Peppers, released in 1988 through EMI America. ... Singles from Mothers Milk Released: 1989 Released: 1989 Released: 1989 Mothers Milk is the fourth studio album by Red Hot Chili Peppers. ... Singles from Blood Sugar Sex Magik Released: 1991 Released: 1991 Released: 1992 Released: 1992 Released: 1993 Blood Sugar Sex Magik is the fifth studio album by American alternative rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, released on September 24, 1991. ... What Hits!?, by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, released September 29, 1992 on EMI, is a greatest-hits compilation of tracks from their first four albums, plus one from Blood Sugar Sex Magik and another from the soundtrack to the movie Pretty Woman. ... Out in L.A., is a compilation of rare tracks by the Red Hot Chili Peppers released November 1, 1994 on EMI. The tracks contained are varied with the inclusion of four remixes, live cover songs by Jimi Hendrix and Thelonious Monster, demos and joke songs. ... Singles from One Hot Minute Released: 1995 Released: 1995 Released: 1996 Released: 1996 Released: 1996 One Hot Minute is the sixth album by American alternative rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, released on September 12, 1995 on Warner Bros. ... Californication is the seventh studio album by American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, released on June 8, 1999 on Warner Bros. ... Singles from By the Way Released: 2002 Released: December 3, 2002 Released: February 17, 2003 Released: 2003 Released: 2003 By the Way is the eighth studio album by American alternative rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, released on July 9, 2002 on Warner Bros. ... Greatest Hits is the Red Hot Chili Peppers second compilation album released on November 18, 2003 by Warner Bros. ... For the song with the same name, see Stadium Arcadium (song). ...

References

Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 253rd day of the year (254th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Flea

• Red Hot Chili Peppers Official Website
• Michael Balzary at the Internet Movie Database