The Red Hot Chili Peppers are an American alternative rock band formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1983. For most of its career, the band has consisted of vocalist Anthony Kiedis, guitarist John Frusciante, bassist Michael "Flea" Balzary, and drummer Chad Smith. The band's varied musical style has fused traditional rock and heavy metal with various elements of funk, punk rock, and psychedelic rock.In addition to Kiedis and Flea, the group originally featured guitarist Hillel Slovak and drumme