MUSIC LYF: RICO BLANCO & RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS TALK PACMAN


Warner Music Philippines recently sent its recording and management artist Rico Blanco to Hong Kong to attend the concert and press conference of global rock phenomenon Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Blanco's encounter with RHCP mainly focused on the music and - on a not-so-serious note - their mutual admiration for our Pambansang Kamao Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao!

When Blanco had his turn to meet and greet the four members of RHCP – lead vocalist Anthony Kiedis, bassist Flea, drummer Chad Smith and new guitarist Josh Klinghoffer - the band asked Blanco if he's from the Philippines. The band went gaga when Blanco said yes because of two things: the news that a huge number of Filipinos that reportedly will fly to Hong Kong to attend the concert and Manny Pacquiao. The Red Hot Chili Peppers were reportedly real big fans of our beloved Pacman. The band even asked Blanco if he would know if Pacman would go to the concert.


With only a handlful of press in the room, questions centered on the band's erstwhile guitarist John Frusciante and their decadent rock & roll past, on the other hand Blanco went to the basics and asked a music-centered question - about the process of creating the album, I'm With You.

"They said that they went with the method that has always worked for them, to work with (legendary rock producer) Rick Rubin," Blanco relates. "Which hinges on the philosophy to not over-think the process. They just went to a room together and took things from there. They fed off each other's energy
and took things spontaneously.  During the concert, Blanco felt more blessed that he was sent there by Warner Music Philippines. "It was the awesome experience I've always imagined it to be. They surely didn't disappoint," Blanco says.

"It was a burst of energy, sapak agad," Blanco adds. "I really could not recall a single moment other than the time the band dedicated their performance of 'Can't Stop' to the Filipinos in the crowd because it was one long head rush. I was out in front listening, watching and taking photos. The rush was something I've never felt before because I was combining the rush that came from performing at that level since I'm a performer myself, the rush that comes with being a fan and the excitement that comes from being able to take official photos . Ang sarap. They also played some songs from their new album. From there I could tell that it was gonna be a great album. It's the Peppers as they've always been and at the same time, it feels like they've added something intangible to the new music that it still feels so fresh."

Needless to say, the experience was a true blessing for Blanco. "For me, it was so inspiring," Blanco says. "After all these years of playing music, recording and touring, it was very evident that there's still so much hunger and fun. They really, really love what they're doing."

Red Hot Chili Peppers album “I'm With You” featuring the single "The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie" is in stores now!