Scar Tissue
In 1983, four self-described "knuckleheads" burst out of the mosh-pitted mosaic of the neo-punk rock scene in L.A. with their own unique brand of cosmic hardcore mayhem funk. Over twenty years later, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, against all odds, have become one of the most successful bands in the world. Though the band has gone through many incarnations, Anthony Kiedis, the group's lyricist and dynamic lead singer, has been there for the whole roller-coaster ride. In Scar Tissue, Kiedis delivers a compelling life story from a man "in love with everything"--the darkness, the death, the disease. Even his descent into drug addiction was a part of that journey, another element transformed into art.
Whether he's honoring the influence of the beautiful, strong women who have been his muses or remembering the roaring crowds of Woodstock and the Dalai Lama's humble compound, Kiedis shares a compelling story about the price of success and excess. Scar Tissue is a story of dedication and debauchery, of intrigue and integrity, of recklessness and redemption--a story that could only have come out of the world of rock.
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Community Reviews
He is narcissistic and always looking for that high. He will do anything and sell anyone, including himself and his best friends for his addiction. He is part of the grunge rock group, Red Hot Chili Peppers. He was so high on so many occasions, it interred with their sound and music reputation. He was kicked out of the band. He was devastated. Odd part was there was another member (Hillel Slovak) who was in the band and Slovak had OD so badly, it was so bad that Anthony Kiedis broke down and cried and begged that guy to please get off the heroin. Later, Slovak passed away and on the day of the funeral, Anthony Kiedis did not attend and instead, shot up.
Kiedis talked about the sad tale of bandmate guitarist John Frusciante who became like a skeleton covered with thin skin. His mind was fried from years of addiction and nearly died from a blood infection because of a dirty needle. He had already quit the RHCP to do his own music but he went through a downward spiral. Kiedis loved Frusciante like a brother and was shocked to see Frusciante in a documentary about addiction and caught a horrible look at what had happened to Frusciante. Rather than ignoring his obviously troubled friend, Kiedis and Flea (the RHCPâs bassist) went to check up on Frusciante and tried to help him get Frusciante to admit himself to Las Encinas Drug Rehabilitation Center in January 1998.
Kiedis was also a lover of women. Too many and often hooked up and then left them but they imprinted with him in the sense where he wrote songs about them. He would often say throughout the book their sexual encounters were âthe most amazing and the most prolific.â
What I enjoyed about this book was his âno apologiesâ and âno holds barâ attitude. He told you like it was and yet you saw the light at the end of the tunnel. He tells us how he started to try and failed many times to get clean and sober and the wonderful journey he has as he becomes more self aware. Yes, he was even rehired to join the Red Hot Chili Peppers again. Plus the fact that they needed each other. There are some bands that just have that chemistry that nobody else can fill. Kiedis is a poetic and profound lyricist.
âSometimes I feel like I don't have a partner
Sometimes I feel like my only friend
Is the city I live in, the city of angels
Lonely as I am, together we cryâ
~Under The Bridge
Anthony Kiedis wrote the lyrics to express feelings of loneliness and despondency, and to reflect on narcotics and their impact on his life.
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