When John Frusciante left Red Hot Chili Peppers in 2009, his official statement said that "my musical interests have led me in a different direction," and some speculated that he had left in order to join then-girlfriend Nicole Turley's band Swahili Blonde. Now, a new twist has been added to the story, as it turns out his departure was partly precipitated by his interest in the occult.
In an interview with Classic Rock, Frusciante said that he became burnt out while touring behind 2006's Stadium Arcadium. According to the guitarist, "As the tour went on, I got deep into the occult, which became a way of escaping the mindset of tour life. The occult tends to magnify whatever you are, and I was an imbalanced mess."
According to Frusciante, he "became quite off-balance mentally" during the tour.
He also admitted, "My ego became too big a part of what I expressed as a guitar player." This led to him switching to electronic in subsequent years. Stadium Arcadium has by far the most flashy guitar solos of any RHCP album.
Now that Frusciante is back, the band will release Unlimited Love on April 1 through Warner. Listen to the singles "Black Summer" and "Poster Child."
In an interview with Classic Rock, Frusciante said that he became burnt out while touring behind 2006's Stadium Arcadium. According to the guitarist, "As the tour went on, I got deep into the occult, which became a way of escaping the mindset of tour life. The occult tends to magnify whatever you are, and I was an imbalanced mess."
According to Frusciante, he "became quite off-balance mentally" during the tour.
He also admitted, "My ego became too big a part of what I expressed as a guitar player." This led to him switching to electronic in subsequent years. Stadium Arcadium has by far the most flashy guitar solos of any RHCP album.
Now that Frusciante is back, the band will release Unlimited Love on April 1 through Warner. Listen to the singles "Black Summer" and "Poster Child."
