ACID FOR THE CHILDREN A MEMOIR Flea

It’s hard not to fall in love with Flea, the bass player and founding member of The Red Hot Chili Peppers. For years, we’ve seen his silly, wild, and playful side as he bounces and bops around the stage with the same gusto as a kangaroo in a boxing match. So it was thoroughly delightful to read his exquisitely written poetic memoirs. To my surprise, Flea is a fantastic writer. His pages are vibrant and cinematic. When many music biographies are dictated to a ghostwriter, Flea pours his soul out all over the page, all on his own.

For fans of the RHCP, this is not just a backstage pass to all the details that inspired the music of the band and grooved out their placement in the alternative funk/ punk scene that fueled so many bands of the early 90s, Acid For The People is an in-depth look into the soul of Michael Balzary, AKAFlea. From his youth in Australia through his teenage years, all the way to rock-stardom.

The book begins with a trip to Ethiopia where his passion for music, how it lifts the spirit and brings people together, is reaffirmed. He then admits that the search for his highest self was often distracted by the competitive world and his foolish ego. Immediately, you see a humble, contemplative man who truly loves his family just as much as he loves music. Flea’s tone smiles and invites you in so that he may bare his soul to each of his readers. From there, Flea leads you along the path from his childhood, through the underground belly of Los Angeles, emerging from the hair bands that surrounded LA at the time, to produce a new sound that combined the sound of 70s funk and the early punk movement topped with the vocals of the rap style that had just begun to emerge in the early 80s.

But Acid For The Children is more than just a history of new music that was developing in LA. Flea taps into the love for his friendships with bandmates that often brings tears to your eye. He speaks of Anthony Kiedis, Hillel Slovak, and drummer Jack Irons with a sense of reverence and love that can best be described as a brotherhood. His devotion to

Anthony, through all the creative, wild, yet often stupid and dark times, exposes a loyalty that we rarely hear about in the music industry.

Many of the dark times in Flea’s and the band's life surrounded around the use of hard drugs. Flea is self-aware and candid about his use and the struggles he had with not only his substance abuse but his best friend Anthony’s. Especially after founding member and dear friend, guitar player Hillel Slovak died of a heroin overdose. The bright light for Flea, throughout the book, always comes back to the music.

What makes Acid For The Children so compelling is Flea's unique and eloquent voice. He writes with a sense of joy and wonder that is absolutely infectious. His descriptions of the people and places that have shaped him are vivid and alive. And there is no denying Flea's love for music, which is apparent on every page of this book, and, much like his bass playing, his enthusiasm for storytelling is contagious.

Acid For The Children is a funky, fresh, freaky-styley ride through the bright lights and dark alleys of Flea’s remarkable life, but also an inspirational tale of passion, struggle, and determination. A heartwarming story that’s hard to put down. You don’t have to be a RHCP fan to enjoy this book, but if you are, I highly suggest you spark up and kick back with a copy of your own. This book is definitely worth Reading Lit!

You can pick up a copy of Acid For The Children by Flea at Avantpop Bookstore in Las Vegas or at avantpopbooks.com.

Lady Led Collabs continued their 2023 series of events with a Neon Nights themed Spring Fling Bash! Held at an exclusive private venue in a historic mid-century Vegas home, their event featured everything from black-light-activated beverages and neon-inspired activations, to live musical and creative performances! Check out their 'Taco Tuesdaze' event in May by going to https://Linktr.ee/LadyLedCollabs! Photographer: Miss Megan Evans Photo Videography: Bobby Duque Photobooth: Storybook Events