Thom Yorke influenced Flea
Thom Yorke Red Hot Chili Peppers' Flea has paid tribute to Radiohead singer Thom Yorke who he insists was his biggest inspiration in music.
The bassist played with the British singer in supergroup Atoms for Peace - which also included punk singer Patti Smith and Gorillaz frontman Damon Albarn - and says the experience helped him to broaden his musicals tastes and horizons.
Flea said: “It influenced me being around Thom. He's an unbelievably great musician and a beautiful man.
“He's so pure as an artist. It's less that I would try to copy him and more that just being around someone who channels really powerful energy is beneficial.
“It's a relationship I will always hope to nurture."
While he enjoyed taking a two year break from the Red Hot Chili Peppers following their last album “Atadium Arcadium”, Flea is delighted to be back with his bandmates Chad Smith, Anthony Keidis and John Klinghoffer.
He added: "But the Chili Peppers are a different entity. It was inspirational to play with Thom, Damon and Patti but being in a band with Chad], Anthony and Josh is my home. It's a beautiful thing."
Flea and Josh also took tips from Damon, getting involved with his Africa Express project, which involved an emotional trip for the pair to Ethiopia.
Josh explained: "It was like a musical field trip. We had outings every day. It was like summer camp - and then Flea got lost and when he was lost, he went through a lot of emotions which is reflected on the album. It's the point where we were starting to really come together."
Part of Flea's experience is recounted in the track 'Ethiopia' on the band's new album 'I'm With You'
