He plays in one of the biggest and loudest rock bands in the world, but when John Frusciante talks about what he strives for most as a guitarist, the key word is ‘vulnerability’.
“I think a lot of the time people want to sound confident on their instrument,” he says. “But to me, vulnerability is one of the most endearing things to hear in a piece of music. And I realized it felt like I was giving more of myself if I was vulnerable on the instrument. That ties into using clean tones, doing things that are understated, all these things. And I think that’s universal. As much as we admire confidence in people, we all know deep down that vulnerability is one of the hardest things to achieve. And any little degree that you can allow yourself to be more vulnerable, with your friends or with your partner or with your playing, it’s one of the strongest things you can do.”
2022 has been a landmark year for the Red Hot Chili Peppers. With Frusciante alongside singer Anthony Kiedis, bassist Flea and drummer Chad Smith in the classic line-up that made defining albums such as (1991) and (1999), the band delivered not one but two new albums this year – and double albums at that. andwere recorded with producer Rick Rubin at his Shangri-La Studios in Malibu, California. And across the two albums and 34 tracks, Frusciante, now aged 52, demonstrates the same beautifully idiosyncratic playing style that made him an alt-rock guitar hero at the tender age of 21: the elastic, slinky rhythm work; the alternately fluid and furious chording; the feedback-drenched, acid-fuzz solo freak-outs; the inspired improvisations; and the almost telepathic instrumental interactions with Flea and Smith.
