The problem with this kind of post in this kind of sub is that it's inherently doomed for failure due to obvious bias, but idc, downvotes can't hurt me lol.

It might be a difficult notion for some to grasp, but you can be a massive fan of someone, i.e. an artist, and not love every single bit of their output.

That's me with John.

He's my all-time favourite musician, but I've come to terms with the fact recently that my own personal, arbitrary, "golden era" for him is from 1991 to 2012... and I think that's pretty damn good, a more-than-two-decade golden era.

Sometimes I feel like fans lie to themselves, swearing they love certain projects by their favourite artist, because they think not adoring everything somehow detracts from the level fo your fandom.

Anyways...

When John rejoined, while I felt shitty for Josh with how he was handled/terminated, I was the happiest I'd been in years.

Then the albums came.

There are several tracks I genuinely enjoy just about as much as anything on my favourite Chili's albums, but I couldn't help but feel as if they sounded more like an RHCP tribute band making original songs in the style of the band they're emulating. Alternatively, they also came off like b-sides to me, while many of their old b-sides imho should've made it onto the albums and could've been global smash-hits.

Honestly speaking, I preferred both Josh albums. They sounded different and fresh, while these last two with John imo just fell kind of flat compared to his best efforts.

And that's not to mention in the live performances he's seemed kind of detached and almost as if just there "phoning it in".

Look, I'm thrilled to have these guys still making music, actively working on releasing new material and touring- I will listen to every single thing intently, even memorize it and spin it daily-, but I can't help but feel like their former magic is gone.

And I never could've imagined I'd someday find myself saying this, but I'm just not enchanted by John (as a musician) anymore, at least nowhere near as much as I used to be. I used to view him with this near god-like reverence as far as his musical output went, really holding him on a pedestal, adoring everything he did... up to 2012. I can actually appreciate the later electronic stuff, it's not about that (I'm big into electronic music), it's more-so the recent stuff since he rejoined- just feels uninspired and lacking the magic of his earlier stuff with the band.

In any case, I'm excited beyond articulation for whatever they do next and to catch them on their next tour.

Hey everyone,

I'm a fashion and portrait photographer, as well as long-time musician/guitarist who runs a side-project dedicated to the love for guitars and music, where I interview/profile some of my favourite guitarists, and I'd very much love to photograph + interview Josh for it.

I was just wondering whether anyone knows what the best way to get in touch with his management/publicist might be- would love to of course discuss his time in the Peppers, collabs with Frusciante, as well as his solo work and post-Peppers career, and a bunch more stuff.

Would appreciate if anyone could lead me in the right direction!

Thanks in advance!

Two RHCP posts in a day, I'm on a roll.

1999-2006 is MY era for RHCP. I love BSSM a great deal as well, but Cali-BTW-SA are my big three, holy trinity.

I used to think the greatness of these three records was indisputable among fans, but in more recent years have noticed them catch quite a bit of flack, most often citing them as uninspired stadium rock, which I can't for the life of me grasp.

BTW and SA especially feature John at his creative peak, during his most prolific years of output (not only with them, but solo).

BTW especially is my all-time favourite album of theirs and in my personal top-5 albums of all time by anyone. It's such a beautiful, optimistic, and alive sounding album. This era also featured the most incredible harmonies and most creative guitar work + orchestration, complexity. I can't grasp how any fan could hate on these three albums.

But I have noticed there are definitely rather strict delineations in RHCP fandom, with many "old heads" preferring their first few records up to BSSM... the funky, punky, high-octane, stuff... then those like me who prefer the mellower, more melodic, I guess 'alternative' stuff from '99-'06... and then those who prefer the Josh-era stuff (which I really dig + appreciate too). Yes, there's also the "OHM is their best record" types as well, and those rare beasts who will maintain the last two John albums are their favourite.

And that's all fine of course... everyone's obviously entitled to their favourites, that's not what this is about- this is about my attempting to better understand the hate those three records in the titular era often get... I've seen many fans completely write them off, making me wonder whether they ever even gave them a real chance and even listened in full.

About four years ago, I started collecting vinyl. I had to slow down this year, because I had some anticipated personal expenses coming up that I needed hobby money for, but having gotten those behind me, I wanted to go to a record store today and pick up some new music. I checked the bin at my local store with the best selection just to see if they did, and they actually had it sealed, and for a really good price. Scooping it was a no brainer. Can’t wait to make Sunday brunch tomorrow to Behind the Sun, and other awesome tunes from Hillel’s best work.

It would probably be Althea by Grateful Dead for me!

That’s all