What Is This?
| What Is This | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Background information | |
| Also known as | Chain Reaction, Anthym, Anthem |
| Origin | Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Genres | Rock |
| Years active | 1980–1986 |
| Associated acts | Eleven, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Them Crooked Vultures, Pearl Jam |
| Past members |
Alain Johannes Hillel Slovak Jack Irons Todd Strassman Flea Chris Hutchinson Michael Bocreatis Anthony Kiedis |
What Is This (known prior to 1980 as Anthym) was a rock band that originated in Fairfax High School in California and would play numerous shows along the coast of California. It was formed by guitarist Hillel Slovak, drummer Jack Irons, vocalist Alain Johannes, and bassist Todd Strassman. Originally named Chain Reaction, the band would later change its name to Anthem, then later to Anthym (as there was already a band using the former moniker), and then finally to What Is This, which was a tongue-in-cheek reference to the reaction they usually received from first-time listeners.
During their tenure as Anthym, guitarist Hillel Slovak became acquainted with an audience member at one of their shows, Anthony Kiedis, who was then brought on as a roadie and "hype-man" for the band. After a while, the band began to find bassist Todd Strassman's musical abilities unsatisfactory, so they considered replacing him. Slovak decided to teach a friend of his at Fairfax, trumpet player Michael "Flea" Balzary, how to play bass, and soon after he replaced Strassman as What Is This?'s bassist. After graduating high school, the band began to play gigs in the Los Angeles area. Flea eventually left the band to play in the punk band Fear, and was replaced by Chris Hutchinson.
Around this time, Hillel Slovak and Jack Irons decided to play a show with Anthony Kiedis and Flea under the name Tony Flow and the Majestic Masters of Mayhem at the Rhythm Lounge. It consisted of the musicians improvising a punk funk jam (like Defunkt or James Chance & The Contortions) while Kiedis rapped a poem he wrote titled "Out in L.A." It was intended to be a one-time performance, but the show was received so well that they were asked to return again the following week. The group decided to change their name to the Red Hot Chili Peppers, played several more shows at various L.A. clubs and musical venues, and eventually recorded a demo tape, all while Slovak and Irons were still playing with What Is This?. A few months later, What Is This received a record deal with MCA Records and the Red Hot Chili Peppers received a joint deal with EMI America and Enigma Records. Hillel Slovak and Jack Irons decided to leave the Red Hot Chili Peppers and stay with What Is This? as the latter was their primary musical project while the former was seen as side endeavor.
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