Terry Gross

Tom Yorick of Radiohead sings on one track.

Nick Cave sings Wichita Linemen.

The arrangements feature strings, brass, and woodwinds.

When I recorded this interview with Flea last week, we talked about his childhood, his relationship with his stepfather, the chili peppers, being wild, and how Flea and his music have changed.

He wrote a memoir in 2019 titled Acid for the Children.

Flea, welcome to Fresh Air.

Congratulations on the new album.

So let's get to your music.

I want to compare where you started from in terms of your recordings and where you are now.

So let's start by listening to a brief part of the Red Hot Chili Peppers' first demo record.

And this is Nevermind.

You're, of course, featured on bass.

Okay, well, let's compare that to Frailed from your new album, Honora, with you featured on trumpet and bass.

So what do you think the 20-year-old you would have thought of the music from your new album?

Does the change in music represent a change in you?

You're older.

You're not in your 20s.

You're in your 60s.

Yeah, I know what you mean.

Oh, right, in a different stage of your life because their years are far apart.