Rhythm Readers Poll 2005: Best Funk Drummer
Chad Smith
How does it feel to have retained your title of Best Funk Drummer In this year’s poll?
“It’s always an honour to be recognised by your peers… Obviously the readers of Rhythm are very astute and have excellent taste… thanks Again!
The Chili Peppers have been back in the studio this year working on not one, but two new records. What have we got to look forward to?
“Well, we are putting out a double album in April, chock full of a smorgasbord of music for the young people to enjoy. There are 24 songs, a real tour de force. We are all very excited about it and can’t wait to play it live.”
You’ve teamed up with Rick Rubin again and worked at ‘The House’ where Blood Sugar Sex Magik was recorded. Did it feel good to go back there alter all these years?
“Going back to the house was great and very different compared to 14 years ago. We were the first band to record there and since then lots of other groups have made records there, so it kinda felt like hooking up with your old girlfriend after she’s been with a bunch of other guys. It is still a great place to record, very relaxed, and we had lots of fun.”
In the past you’ve talked a lot about how your group’s songs come together through jams. Is that also the case for all of the new material?
“Always jamming, that the starting point with a lot of our music. Then everyone has stuff they bring in too. This time we wrote for nine months -we could have had a triple album! There are lots of bullets left in the old rifle.”
You made a quick trip to the UK in November this year to perform at the MUSIC live show in Birmingham, and to visit some of the music schools. How did that all go?
“I had a great time and I would like to say how much I enjoyed meeting and playing with the music students around the country. It’s really inspiring to feel their energy and enthusiasm, and I’m sure we will all be reading and hearing about the next great drummers who are coming right from your own backyard in Rhythm. My favourite drummers all hail from England, so they’ve got a lot to live up too! Don’t let me down! See you all in June…”