The Story of the Flea.
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"A great musician can play one simple note and it's the simplest punk rock thing or the most complex jazz thing or the deepest, dirtiest greasiest funk thing" -Flea |
Michael Balzary, or Flea - as he is most commonly known, is hands down one of the greatest and most influential bassists of all time. With his eccentric attitude and kooky nature, Flea has taken his band -- the Red Hot Chili Peppers and used it as a tool to express himself through bass lines, whether they are long and winding or sharp and funky. Hailing from Australia, Flea has quite a history with regards to the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Flea moved from Australia to New York City at the early age of 5 because his mother had divorced his father in Australia and had re-married a New York jazz musician named Frank Urban Jr. Flea and his new family stayed in New York for six years before they finally settled down in Los Angeles. However it was in New York where Flea discovered his love for music, especially jazz and soul. When his father would have jazz band practices in their house, Flea was so moved by the sound of the trumpet that he would come in to the practice room, and react by dancing and spinning around the floor in a wild and unnatural manner.
It was in Los Angeles where Flea met Anthony Keidis (now singer for the Red Hot Chili Peppers), and two befriended quickly when Flea, who was always tortured and teased by the other children for his strange Australian accent and different taste in music, was in the middle of a playground fight and Anthony Keidis came to his defense. The two both shared an unrequited love for music, and would jam out from time to time. It was during this time that Flea picked up the bass for the first time. He had always played the trumpet throughout school, and was considered one of the best trumpeters for his age, but he picked up the bass because he was always into punk rock -- a genre of music in which the trumpet has no place.
In 1979, Flea and Anthony became friends with two young fellows named Jack Irons and Hillel Slovak. The four friends eventually started a punk band called anthym . Later they changed the name to What Is This? and got to work making music. Probably the most important gigs in their musical career came when all the band had was a few of Flea's funky bass lines and Anthony s poems. Even with just this they decided to get onstage and do their best. To their luck, word about this new act spread like wildfire. Word even reached as far as EMI, a major record label, and within 6 months they had an 8 album contract. Flea quit all his side-project bands and set sail with the Red Hot Chili peppers -- the new name of the band.
The Bands history has been quite a rollercoaster, and Flea has been along for the whole entire ride, as one of the bands original members. In 1985 Flea married Loecha Zeivar and with her made Flea's daughter Clara. However Flea and Loesha divorced in 1990 and currently share friendly custody of Clara. Aside from his huge role as a Red Hot Chili Peppers, Flea also has had quite an impressive acting career. Making appearances in over 20 movies to date, Flea acts as he puts it, just for fun.
Today the Red Hot Chili Peppers are one of the most influential bands in rock in roll history, and without Flea to keep up the low end with his funky, spastic riffs, the band would be nowhere. Flea was even given the award of "Bassist of the Year" in 1996 by Guitar Magazine, and rightfully so.
Flea's Filmography
- Rugrats Go Wild! (2003) (voice) .... Donnie
- The Wild Thornberrys Movie (2002) (voice) .... Donnie Thornberry
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The Wild Thornberrys: The Origin of Donnie (2001) (TV) (voice) .... Donald 'Donnie' Michael Thornberry
... aka The Origin of Donnie (USA: short title) - Red Hot Chili Peppers: Off the Map (2001) (V)
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Goodbye, Casanova (2000) .... Silent
- Liar's Poker (1999) .... Freddie
- Gen 13 (1998) (voice) .... Grunge/Edward Chang
- Psycho (1998) .... Bob Summerfield
- "The Wild Thornberrys" (1998) TV Series (voice) .... Donald Michael (Donnie) Thornberry/Additional Voices
- Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998) .... Musician
- The Big Lebowski (1998) .... Nihilist #2
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Just Your Luck (1996) (V) .... Johnny
... aka Whiskey Down (Australia) (USA: working title) - The Chase (1994) .... Dale
- Son in Law (1993) (uncredited) .... Tattoo Artist
- Roadside Prophets (1992) .... Too Free Stooges
- My Own Private Idaho (1991) .... Budd
- Motorama (1991) .... Busboy
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Back to the Future Part III (1990) .... Douglas J. Needles
- Back to the Future Part II (1989) .... Douglas J Needles
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The Blue Iguana (1988) .... Floyd
... aka Iguana azul, La (Mexico) - Less Than Zero (1987) .... Musician #1
- Stranded (1987) .... Jester The Alien
- Dudes (1987) .... Milo
- Tough Guys (1986) (as The Red Hot Chili Peppers) .... Red Hot Chili Peppers
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Suburbia (1984) (as Mike B. The Flea) .... Razzle
... aka Rebel Streets (USA)
... aka The Wild Side