Flea (musician)
| Flea | |
|---|---|
 Flea performing with Red Hot Chili Peppers at Slane Castle in Ireland on August 23, 2003. |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Michael Peter Balzary |
| Born | October 16, 1962 Burwood, Melbourne, Australia |
| Genres | Funk rock, experimental rock, punk rock, alternative rock, hardcore punk, jazz-funk |
| Occupations | Musician, actor |
| Instruments | Bass guitar, Guitar, trumpet, piano, vocals |
| Years active | 1982–present |
| Labels | Warner Bros. Records, EMI |
| Associated acts | Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rocketjuice and The Moon, Atoms for Peace, Fear, Jane's Addiction, John Frusciante, What Is This?, P, The Mars Volta, River Phoenix |
| Notable instruments | |
| Modulus Flea Bass Fender Jazz Bass Music Man StingRay Fleabass Fender Precision Bass |
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Flea (Michael Peter Balzary) is an American bassist. He was born on October 16, 1962, in a suburb of Melbourne, Australia. He plays in the rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers. He has been with the band since its beginning in 1983 along with vocalist Anthony Kiedis. He is also known onstage for wearing lots of different costumes that may seem ridiculous to some people
Flea is known for his unique bass style. He uses a wide range of bass guitar techniques, mainly popping and slapping and changing the speed of his tempo during songs and his quick improvisation. Flea is also a skilled trumpet player. Flea was the band member responsible for getting John Frusciante back into the band.
In September 2009, it was announced that Flea would be rehearsing and playing with Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke, to perform some of Yorke's material.
