It looks like 2020 is going to be the year of ultimate comebacks. Motley Crue, Faith No More and now the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Yes, it’s true. John Frusciante is coming back to the Chili Peppers after a decade long absence.
This is Frusciante’s third stint in the band. He originally joined in 1989, replacing original guitarist Hillel Slovak. Who tragically passed away from a heroin overdose at the height of the band’s drug use. Frusciante left in ‘94 due to his own substance issues and lack of wanting to be a public figure. He returned roughly five years later. After the excellent Dave Navarro helmed ‘One Hot Minute.’ The band then entered what’s arguably their most successful era releasing ‘Californication,’ ‘By The Way,’ and ‘Stadium Archadium.’ All three of which produced the bands most successful tours. Playing in venues such as Slane Castle, Central Park and Hyde Park.
Then, during what seemed to be the solid, final, classic line up of the band, John Frusciante left once again. Being replaced by Josh Klinghoffer. And things just weren’t the same, despite the line-up producing two chart topping albums. It’s just not as Red Hot. The evolution into a soft-indie band came into fruition when Klinghoffer joined. And the band proceeded to become the Luke Warm Chili Peppers. Hopefully with Fruciante’s return, the band will become Red Hot once again.
What would be ideal would be a tour that focuses on their mega funky, hard rock induced hip hop. It would great to see tracks like ‘Good Time Boys,’ ‘Power of Equality,’ ‘Purple Stain’ and ‘Subway to Venus’ make their way back into the set. Of course, I expect the more melodic tracks the band began to write once they got sober such as: ‘Otherside,’ ‘Scar Tissue’ and Snow (Hey, Oh). But the point is that the magic is back. And it looks like 2020 is going to be a huge year for the Red Hot Chili Peppers. As well as many other veteran acts.
