Terry Gross

Roberta Shorrock directs the show.

Our co-host is Tanya Mosley.

I'm Terry Gross.

This is Fresh Air.

I'm Terry Gross.

My guest Flea co-founded the multiple Grammy-winning band the Red Hot Chili Peppers in 1982.

He's a songwriter and the band's bass player, known for his fast percussive grooves.

They started as an L.A.

punk rock band when L.A.

and New York were the punk capitals.

Their lead singer initially rapped more than he sang.

Flea has just released his first solo album called Honora, and it's a big departure.

Various styles of jazz figure into it.

Flea's stepfather was a jazz musician, and listening to his music, starting when Flea was seven, changed Flea's life in ways he's still grateful for.

But Flea's stepfather was also addicted to heroin and alcohol, and that made home life unpredictable and sometimes dangerous, leaving Flea afraid to go home.

He spent as much time as he could on the streets and with friends, often doing things that could have had serious consequences.

On the new album, in addition to bass...

Flea plays trumpet, the first instrument he learned to play.

The album also reflects how Flea started studying music theory about 10 years ago.

Onora includes original compositions by Flea, as well as covers of songs by George Clinton and Frank Ocean.