Over more than 40 years as a band, the Red Hot Chili Peppers have amassed a huge catalogue of B-sides, outtakes and rarities — and frontman Anthony Kiedis has now promised to collect those B-sides in a compilation album.
Speaking with producer Andrew Watt earlier this month for the SiriusXM show Whatchu Thinkin' on the Whole Lotta Red Hot channel, Kiedis said that the band will "absolutely" release a B-sides comp.
"As time goes by, the B-sides and unreleased everything will make their way to the public," he promised. "I know that John [Frusciante] is a particularly thoughtful custodian of outtakes, B-sides and lesser-known wonders, and he will make sure that that is crafted and delivered in its fullest." He provided no timeline for when such a compilation might be released.
Throughout the show, Kiedis and Watt listened to various rarities: non-album single "Soul to Squeeze," By the Way deluxe cut "Bicycle Song," Californication outtakes "Gong Li" and "Quixoticelixir," Stadium Arcadium B-side "I'll Be Your Domino," Flea's solo cut "Blues for Meister" from the era of The Uplift Mofo Party Plan, and the live intro jam for "Californicaiton." They also discussed the covers "Havana Affair" (The Ramones), Castles Made of Sand ("Jimi Hendrix") and "Your Song" (an Elton John tune performed solo by Frusciante).
In particular, Kiedis seemed fond of "Gong Li," calling it "possibly the best of the bunch," and rather viscerally adding, "Ooh, you feel that all up in your bowels, I swear to god." Eww!
Hear the conversation below. RHCP haven't released an album since their twin 2022 releases Unlimited Love and Return of the Dream Canteen.