Josh Klinghoffer Says RHCP Music Was Cooler When He Was Still A Member

Josh Klinghoffer (Instagram @eye0pener)

JAKARTA - Former Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist Josh Klinghoffer claims the rock band made the music cooler when he became a member.

Klinghoffer joined RHCP in 2009 after serving as a tour member following the departure of guitarist John Frusciante. He co-recorded two albums, namely I'm With You (2011) and The Getaway (2016).

In 2019, Klinghoffer was asked to leave the Red Hot Chili Peppers as Frusciante rejoined.

Since then, the band from Los Angeles has made two studio albums, Unlimited Love and Return Of The Dream Canteen, both of which were released last year.

During a recent appearance on the Brazilian 5 Notas podcast, Klinghoffer said that RHCP made the music cooler when he was still a member.

I don't think I've finished [Change] the second album [Return Of The Dream Canteen],' explained Klinghoffer.

"I tried to put the album (on my playlist) before leaving on the plane, and I probably got to the ninth song, and I don't think I'm listening to the rest," he continued. The musician continued by alluding to some of the never-released material he worked on with RHCP before his departure.

"It's hard [flowing their new music], just because I honestly think we're making cooler music," added Klinghoffer.

"I never wanted to sound negative about anyone making music, but I was surprised when I heard their new album."

Klinghoffer worked with Frusciante on a collaborative album, A Sphere In The Heart Of Silence, in 2004. However, he told podcasts that they had not spoken much lately.

"But I've always stated that I still love him (Frusciante) very much," said Klinghoffer. He's one of my favorite musicians; one of my favorite songwriters.

He also emphasized that he did not oppose the idea of playing several songs with Frusciante in the future:

"I feel like it would be nice to play some of those songs again, or play them live," he concluded.