As the lead guitarist of the Red Hot Chili Peppers — arguably the most popular band ever come out of Los Angeles — Josh Klinghoffer has played on many of the world’s most important stages. Klinghoffer is also reportedly the youngest-ever living inductee into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame.
Prior to joining the Chili Peppers, Klinghoffer was a steadily-working musician. His touring and/or studio credits included Gnarls Barkley, Ataxia (alongside RHCP guitarist John Frusciante), Vincent Gallo, P.J. Harvey, and Beck. The multi-instrumentalist has also kept busy over the years with his own band, Dot Hacker.
The latest release from Klinghoffer is the Record Store Day release “Jeepster” b/w “Monolith,” a pair of T. Rex covers recorded by Klinghoffer alongside Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith. The two-piece’s tracks will be out on April 13th – Record Store Day – via ORG Music, as limited to 3,000 copies on 7” vinyl.
I had the pleasure of doing Q&A with Josh Klinghoffer on behalf of the Jewish Journal and highlights from such are below.
Jewish Journal: Where did the idea for a “Record Store Day 7” come from? Was it something you had already recorded?
Josh Klinghoffer: I believe it started with Zak Starkey asking Chad to be a part of a T. Rex tribute record he was putting together. We did the songs in a couple of days and sent them along. I think about a year went by and we never heard about that tribute coming together, so we figured we’d throw them out ourselves, with the gracious help of ORG!
JJ: How long did it take from recording it, to mixing and mastering, to having the artwork done?
JK: They were recorded over a two-day period. “Jeepster” was the initial focus but “Monolith” has always been my favorite T. Rex song, so my idea was to end “Jeepster” by doing the “Monolith” count-off. Chad had Laker tickets the day we tracked, but I got him to lay down a take or two of drums and did the rest the next day. It was a lot of fun.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfPmZvze3xI
JJ: Will there be other releases from you and Chad?
JK: Perhaps. We’ve talked about doing an annual covers series. Record Store Day is a wonderful thing!
JJ: Record Store Day release aside, what is coming up for you career-wise? More from Dot Hacker?
JK: No Dots at the moment, though I suppose we did finish off an old relic from the first album called “Neon Arrow.” It was meant to be a part of Cassette Store Day, but roadblocks arose. So I suppose that will slide out sometime soon. I’ve been making a record mostly on my own, which I suppose with see the light of day sometime soon. Perhaps.
JJ: If I’ve done my research correctly, you’ve always lived in Los Angeles. What is it that keeps you so loyal to L.A.?
JK: Trust me, I wasn’t always loyal to it. I wanted to leave my whole childhood, and very nearly did in my early 20’s. My whole family is from New York and New Jersey, so I spent a lot of time there visiting as a kid. I suppose music always seemed to be here for me. That last time that I was inches away from leaving L.A., rather than doing that, I went on tour with Sparks in early ’06 and that’s sort of been one continuous ride that made stops in Gnarls Barkley and eventually the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
JJ: Do you have a favorite venue to play live at in L.A.?
JK: Venue in L.A.? I haven’t played them all so it’d be hard to answer. I have love of The Palladium and even more for the old Palace, which is now something entirely different. Name and purpose.
JJ: Finally, Josh, any last words for the kids?
JK: Yikes, I’m at a loss. Go back in! Runaway! I don’t know… Read… A lot. Don’t have kids.
More on Josh Klinghoffer and Chad Smith’s Jeepster” b/w “Monolith” and other ORG Music releases can be found online at www.orgmusic.com.
