Red Hot Chili Peppers’ John Frusciante reveals his 80s British music influences

Virgin Radio

20 Oct 2022, 07:20

On our brand new station, Virgin Radio 80s Plus, we play the biggest artists from the 1980s plus the best music from the late 1970s and early 1990s. And we reckon Red Hot Chili Peppers’ John Frusciante would love it, as the guitarist has spoken about his love of British acts from that era.

The lauded musician has played in RHCP in three stints since 1988, most recently rejoining in 2019, and working on this year’s album, Unlimited Love, the band’s twelfth, and their first with Frusciante in sixteen years. He is also on their brand new album, Return of the Dream Canteen.

In an interview with MixMag, the guitar star recalled his memories of listening to 80s acts such as Depeche Mode and The Human League, when working on previous Chili’s albums.

“I'm a huge fan of Depeche Mode, when the Red Hot Chili Peppers started writing Californication back in 98, I was 28 and had just restarted my life,” he explained. “When I came back into the world, I was a different person and Depeche Mode became my favourite band. I bought every 12 inch of theirs.”

Speaking about his memories of recording 2002 RHCP record, By The Way, he spoke of listening to The Human League. “I would blast Reproduction to-and-from rehearsal every day. I especially love the first two albums and their early singles," he said.

The Human League’s first two LPs are Reproduction (which actually came out in 1979), and Travelogue from 1980.

Frusciante also called The Human League’s instrumental Dignity Of Labour EP, “The basis for a lot of ambient music,” adding: “Those guys were just going into the unknown!”

The guitarist also spoke about his love of Genesis, who formed in 1967 and played their final gig this year. Talking to Guitar World about founding member and keyboardist Tony Banks, he said: “I put him up there with the Beatles as far as really coming up with imaginative chord progressions all over the place. He's really one of the most masterful chordsmiths that I think we've ever had.”

You can listen to Virgin Radio 80 Plus HERE. You can also listen on DAB+ in London and Central Scotland and on smart speakers across the UK, as well as via the Virgin Radio UK app.