Chad Smith Describes His ‘Musical Telepathy’ With John Frusciante

Red Hot Chili Peppers‘ new album Unlimited Love just came out a few days ago, and it was a significant release for the band as it was their first with John Frusciante since 2006. Drummer Chad Smith described his musical bond with the guitarist, adding that he’s the “best pure musician” he’s ever played with.

Smith and Frusciante both first joined RHCP in 1988, therefore their 1989 album Mother’s Milk was the first one to feature the two musicians. Frusciante was 18-years-old when he first became a part of the band, while Smith was 26, so the drummer explained to Loudwire Nights host Toni Gonzalez that he’s always felt like a big brother to the guitarist.

“He’s a special, really special person, and a really sensitive, kind, incredibly creative — probably the best pure musician I’ve ever played with in my life,” Smith praised of Frusciante. “When musicians connect onstage sometimes, it’s just a look and a smile and a nod or something. We don’t gush over each other very much, you just kinda look, and it’s that look of, ‘Yeah, we’re in it.'”

When the Chili Peppers were rehearsing for their April 1 show at the Fonda Theatre in Los Angeles — which again, was their first performance with Frusciante since 2007 — the guitarist admitted to Smith that he’d never played in a band where he felt so connected to another musician before.

“[Frusciante] was like, ‘My playing is so intertwined with how you play. You have helped me form the way that I play the guitar, because I’ve really only played to your drumming.’ And it hadn’t ever really dawned on me like that. I was like, ‘God, I guess so.’ It’s such a special thing, a musical telepathy that can only happen when you have those years and those times, and we’ve played a lot of notes together,” Smith recalled of their conversation.

Tune into Loudwire Nights tonight at 7PM ET to hear the full interview. Order your copy of Unlimited Love here, and check out RHCP’s upcoming tour dates to see if they’re playing in a city near you.

Loudwire Nights with Toni Gonzalez airs nightly starting at 7PM ET. You can tune in anytime, from anywhere right here or by downloading the Loudwire app.

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Author: showrunner