In 1982, bassist Flea left an early band with Hillel Slovak and joined FEAR, a raw punk group, after its bassist departed. The brief change in direction gave him experience with punk’s urgency and physical intensity, but it ended as he realised his musical interests did not match the band’s plans.

Flea said FEAR’s drummer, Spit Stix, taught him to warm up and push himself on stage. He preferred the band’s funky feel, while his bandmates wanted to move towards metal, leaving him concerned that he lacked room to be creative. He was relieved when FEAR fired him before he had to quit, and went on to build his career with the Red Hot Chili Peppers.