I’m not too big on the Red Hot Chili Peppers, but I’ve seen enough of their live footage and heard enough of John Frusciante’s solo stuff to know the guy can play. He has a very emotive style that I appreciate in a guitarist. In sad news for Chili Pepper fans, Frusciante confirmed yesterday on his MySpace blog that he has officially quit the band. In fact, Frusciante states he left over year ago to pursue a different musical direction.
Here’s his full statement:
When I quit the band, over a year ago, we were on an indefinite hiatus. There was no drama or anger involved, and the other guys were very understanding. They are supportive of my doing whatever makes me happy and that goes both ways.
To put it simply, my musical interests have led me in a different direction. Upon rejoining, and throughout my time in the band, I was very excited about exploring the musical possibilities inherent in a rock band, and doing so with those people in particular. A couple of years ago, I began to feel that same excitement again, but this time it was about making a different kind of music, alone, and being my own engineer.
I really love the band and what we did. I understand and value that my work with them means a lot to many people, but I have to follow my interests. For me, art has never been something done out of a sense of duty. It is something I do because it is really fun, exciting, and interesting. Over the last 12 years, I have changed, as a person and artist, to such a degree that to do further work along the lines I did with the band would be to go against my own nature. There was no choice involved in this decision. I simply have to be what I am, and have to do what I must do.
Sending love and gratitude to you all.
Frusciante first quit the band in 1992, four years after joining. He returned in 1998 for the albums Californication, By the Way, and Stadium Arcadium.
Josh Kinghoffer, who has collaborated and toured with the Chili Peppers in the past, is expected to replace Frusciante.
