01 2009 Kerrang! (1294)

Despite the front page billing RHCP, the corresponding piece is only a really short article about the launch of Fleabass guitars. There’s a photo of Flea and a couple of brief quotes from him explaining why he started the Fleabass range:
kerrang-january-2009-1294Transcript:

Bass! How Low Can you Go?

Chili Peppers’ Flea Launches “Affordable” Bass Range.

Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea has launched his own series of wallet-friendly basses.

Speaking to Kerrang! at an in-store demonstration at London Department store Selfridges last month, the bassist says that his idea to launch his own range of bass guitars came about after seeing how students at his Los Angelse non-profit music school, the Silverlake Conservatory of Music, wart struggling to learn on sub-standard instruments.
“I found that a lot of the kids I was teaching were coming in with inexpensive basses, which were pieces of shit,” he explains. “The necks were warped and were falling apart, they were like toys. I wanted to make something that kids could afford but were quality, play well and last a long time. “
Flea-whose real name is Michael Balzary- reveals that, although starting a business has a steep learning curve, he’s happy at how his new venture has taken off.

“It’s hard to get it perfect first time, but I’m really happy with what we’ve made,” he admits. “When I was a kid, skateboarders would form their own skateboard companies. It was fucking cool to have a DIY company. I had been adding my name to established bass models for many years, but I thought, ‘Fuck it, I’ll make my own bass!  I’ll make it bitching and it’ll be cool!’. I just want the kids to rock!”

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