Flea Says Classic Rolling Stones Records Inspired New Red Hot Chili Peppers Album ‘I’m With You’

Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea says listening non-stop to the classic Rolling Stones albums 'Tattoo You' and 'Exile on Main Street' inspired him while his band was creating their upcoming album, 'I'm With You.'

According to an article in Rolling Stone, a late-'70s disco-era Stones influence is apparent in the first single, 'The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie.' Flea adds that on this album the band focused on feeling and "about everyone embracing the moment of the song, not always about the riff."

The album is the first with new guitarist Josh Klinghoffer -- replacing his friend, John Frusciante, in that role -- who seems less than intimidated by the whole thing: "There was no real adjustment. This is playing music with people I admire and who have been friends for years." Klinghoffer toured with the band as a multi-instrumentalist following their last album, 2006's 'Stadium Arcadium.'

'I'm With You' is scheduled to come out August 30, and the Peppers are already rehearsing for what Flea expects to be a very long tour. Somewhere in there, RHCP drummer Chad Smith will presumably find time to lay down his contributions to the new Chickenfoot album; but as previously announced, he will not be joining that band on their next tour due to his Chili Pepper commitments.

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