The Shadow Boxer
February 2004, Visions magazine (Germany),
translated by dv8 at gmx dot net
scans of this would be appreciated
During his day-job with the Red Hot Chili Peppers he's responsible for riffs reduced to the absolutely necessary and he also back in full possession of his sound mind - John Frusciante amazes us on his fourth solo album with a catchiness never thought possible as well as with hifi-appeal. One could almost say that he kept the richer, more consequent part of his "By The Way" input for "Shadows Collide With People". Respect!
Of course, they may exist. Those people considering the particularly unnerving "To Record Only Water For Ten Day" to be a milestone in music (not to mention both unequally even more erratic predecessors "Niandra LaDes And Usually Just A T-Shirt" as well as "Smile From The Streets You Hold", the latter being taken off the market shortly after its release). One could just as well speak of a scatter-brained psychogram serving only one aim: pitiless self-therapy. No doubt that this album has its place as an honest and painfully fought for testimonial of someone trying to get back up on his feet after a complete heroin blackout. And even more it's a testimonial to its author himself who was able to shake off his own demons and to close a dark chapter of his past through it. For time being at least.
Sitting opposite to you on the balcony of the luxurious hotel Chateau Marmont on this mild California January day, this very John Frusciante has come a long way, that's plain to see. This is not only valid for Frusciante himself but also for his music as the surprisingly strong and no longer home recording-like "Shadows Collide With People" impressively shows. This is since the balance works out right: solid, interesting arrangements let most of his new compositions come closer to the idea of Pop than ever before. With "This Cold" and "Second Walk", even two proper punks are among the 18 songs and there are also electronic miniatures. As he sits there in his hotel room, wrapped in a hotel blanket, sneering, the Pepper's guitarist nearly seems to be mischievous. But see for yourself.
You look good.
That's because I feel great! To be honest: I've never felt better. Year by year I keep feeling more free and healthier. I'm really glad that this records finally gets released. It's been ready for over a year now.
What led to such a long delay?
Oh well, the usual record label stuff. If that were the only thing I'm happy about these days, I still wouldn't call me a happy person. At the moment there are also a lot of other interesting things going on which enrich my life and make it exciting. I simply feel free to do what I want to do especially since the Chili Peppers are taking a creative break. I'm really enjoying this. I want to create as much music as possible. And that makes me glad. I'm just really excited to be alive.
Can you name some concrete examples? What are you working on?
Josh and me are preparing some experimental live shows which I'm looking forward to. There will be, for example, one with Joe Lalli, Fugazi's bassist. Josh takes over the drums. We haven't really rehearsed yet, but I've got the feeling that this could become a more long-term thing in which you allow for more than having a few musicians playing Josh's and my songs. On principle we are open for a lot of things, even for completely freestyle improvisations. Apart from that, my synthesizer is all over the forthcoming solo-album by Omar Rodriguez (The Mart Volta guitarist ed.). And I dare to say: This stuff is really sick! Compared to it "De-Loused in the Comatorium" sounds like pure pop!
Is it rather electronic?
No. Just fucked up! (laughs) I would even dare to say that it belongs to the best I've ever been involved in.
Why didn't Josh Klinghoffer, but band colleague Chad Smith drums on "Shadows"?
Josh wrote all the grooves and rhythms, it's only that the didn't play them himself. I'm afraid Josh was simply afraid, he seemed to be like frozen. The enormous responsibility resting on his shoulders must have been a bit too much for him. That happens to a lot of young musicians when they have to perform in a large studio for the first time. It's like having your entire self under a giant microscope. But we plan to put the complete demos on which Josh can be heard up on the internet as free downloads. You will hear that Chad merely copied what normally would have been played by Josh.
