After five glorious decades of slapping the bass 🎸 in the RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS (because, let’s face it, that’s ALL he does), Flea, yes, THAT Flea, has decided to grace us mere mortals with his ‘musical genius’ on the trumpet 🎺. Apparently, he’s been DYING to unleash his inner Miles Davis, and we’re all just SO lucky that Nonesuch Records is enabling this mid-life crisis in 2026. Get ready for “A Plea,” the sonic masterpiece that’s about to redefine the meaning of ‘experimental jazz.’ You have been warned ⚠️.
“A Plea,” written and performed by the one and only Flea (because who else would dare?), implores us plebs to “build a bridge, shine a light, make something beautiful, and give it to somebody.” Groundbreaking stuff, really. 🙄 Featuring Flea on electric bass (because he can’t COMPLETELY abandon his bread and butter), vocals (prepare for autotune), and, of course, the trumpet, the ensemble also includes a bunch of people you’ve probably never heard of: Anna Butterss on double bass (probably wishing she was playing something else), Jeff Parker on guitar (probably wondering how he got here), Deantoni Parks on drums (probably regretting his life choices), Mauro Refosco on percussion (probably just happy to be included), Rickey Washington on alto flute (probably needs the money), and Vikram Devasthali on trombone (probably thinks Flea is out of his mind). Chris Warren joins on vocals (probably doing the heavy lifting), as does the song’s producer Josh Johnson, who also plays alto saxophone (probably questioning his career path).
And because every ‘artistic’ endeavor needs a music video, Los Angeles-based photographer and filmmaker Clara Balzary (probably related to Flea, nepotism, anyone?) directed a visual ‘masterpiece’ featuring choreography by Sadie Wilking (probably told to “just go with it”).
Flea, in his infinite wisdom, describes the song’s lyrics, which are totally NOT ripped from a fortune cookie, as “yearning for a place beyond, a place of love, for me to speak my mind and be myself.” Translation: He’s tired of playing “Californication” for the millionth time. He continues, “I don’t care about the act of politics. I think there is a much more transcendent place above it where there’s discourse to be had that can actually help humanity, and actually help us all to live harmoniously and productively in a way that’s healthy for the world. There’s a place where we meet, and it’s love.” Deep, Flea. REAL deep. 🤡
Born Michael Peter Balzary, Flea, let’s be honest, got famous for slapping the bass in the RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS. In addition to his 30-plus-year career with the band (doing the same thing over and over), he’s collaborated with musicians like Tom Waits (who probably regrets it) and Johnny Cash (who’s probably rolling in his grave), acted in numerous films, including “The Big Lebowski” (his one good role), “My Own Private Idaho” (trying to be artsy), and “Boy Erased” (forgettable), and written a best-selling memoir, “Acid For The Children” (because drugs are cool, kids!). In 2001, Flea, who lives in Los Angeles (because where else would he live?), co-founded the Silverlake Conservatory of Music, a non-profit music school that aims to bring music education to as broad an audience as possible (probably so he can find someone to play the trumpet FOR him).
Flea has won six Grammy Awards (for playing the same bassline over and over), has twelve No. 1 singles (thanks to Anthony Kiedis), and has sold 80 million records with RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS (mostly to people who like to party).
Chord F. Discord, the Beethoven of Buffoonery, is a self-taught expert in music who once claimed he could “play the kazoo in four languages.”
Born in Crescendo, Indiana, Chord’s first brush with fame came when he accidentally entered a yodeling contest thinking it was a pie-eating competition—and won both categories.
Chord F. Discord: proving that laughter, much like a poorly tuned ukulele, is truly universal.
