Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea – real name Michael Balzary – was tasked with playing the American national anthem last weekend (April 3) at the Lakers’ home game against the Denver Nuggets.
Unsurprisingly, Flea, who is no stranger to technical, riff-heavy bass lines, provided his own bass-focused, eccentric take on the anthem – otherwise known as The Star-Spangled Banner – with refreshing results.
Kicking off with simple octave chords, the cover then explodes, with the aid of a meaty fuzz pedal, into a whirlwind of Jazz-infused riffs played around a very spasmodic version of the song. Whilst performing, Flea flounces around the stage, aggressively jerking his head and body in his trademark hyperactive Chili Pepper fashion, while sporting a Lakers embellished purple Fender Jazz bass guitar and matching pants, gold dashes in his hair and the words "Go Lakers" written on his forearm.
This isn't the first time the bassist has been recruited to honour the game with a performance of The Star-Spangled Banner – he is an avid Los Angeles Lakers fan, after all. His most famous rendition at the game came before Kobe Bryant’s final NBA Game in 2016, which saw his similarly colourful appearance marred by technical issues. It resultingly met a variety of mixed views.
Flea ignored the criticism however, and rebuffed, "I know that people who like music liked it. thought it was beautiful. I really don’t have any concern for little small minds that get frustrated when they get blown. I like the big minds.”
Watch it below:
I told Kareem I would do that Charlie Parker riff in the second stanza (after I step on the fuzz pedal) https://t.co/w5csph2dypApril 4, 2022
