For a while now, the Red Hot Chili Peppers have sounded like a band being pulled in two different directions. In response to the flurry of rumors about his departure, John Frusciante, longtime guitarist and principal songwriter for the band, confirmed that he really left RHCP “over a year ago” to pursue his own artistic endeavors.
MusicRadar was on top of things earlier this week when they reported the rumor, but they had only cited a vague source, so there was still some uncertainty. Frusciante left no room for ambiguity when he posted a blog this week on his MySpace page titled “Clarification” talking about his decision to leave the band:
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.
Of course, it’s not Frusciante’s first time leaving the Peppers. He left in 1992 to treat his drug addiction and returned in 1997 in time to record for Californication, which was released in 1999. However, the last exit seemed prompted by personal issues (drug addiction) that could eventually get resolved. This time, Frusciante cites personal growth and artistic differences being the reason for going his own way:
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. […] 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.
Frusciante has been active outside of RHCP for a long time, producing a vast catalog of solo albums, and there was that brief stint with experimental band Ataxia back in 2004. As a result of his close friendship with Mars Volta guitarist/band leader Omar Rodriguez-Lopez, he has also contributed to various Mars Volta albums and Rodriguez-Lopez’s solo releases. But creative people like Frusciante need all the room in the world to breathe, so even considering his more adventurous activities outside of RHCP, it makes sense for the guys of RHCP to let him roam.
The band is rumored to be considering guitarist Josh Klingoffer, Frusciante’s friend and frequent collaborative partner.
