It’s well documented that John Frusciante was in a bad way when he left Red Hot Chili Peppers in 1992. Drug abuse, depression and a growing disillusionment with the music industry had all but crippled the talented guitarist. But between 1990 and 1992, Frusciante had been making a series of 4-track recordings and encouraged by friends released Niandra LaDes and Usually Just a T-Shirt in 1994.
Superior Viaduct is now releasing the album for the first time on vinyl.
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Originally released on Rick Rubin’s American Recordings, Niandra LaDes and Usually Just a T-Shirt confused many Chilli Peppers fans with its experimentation and sales were poor.
But the album also contains a dark beauty and Frusciante’s layered vocals, piano, and tape effects added to the very personal and at times confessional music. Some reviews at the time likened the music to Syd Barrett. On a deconstruction of Bad Brains classic hardcore song “Big Takeover” Frusciante mellowed the fury of the original with an acoustic twelve-strong guitar.
The reissue will be available in a deluxe, double red vinyl release that includes 13 untitled compositions that were previously released as Usually Just a T-Shirt. The release will also include a black and white photo of Frusciante and a bonus 7-inch featuring two tracks that were previously only available on cassette.
‘Niandra LaDes and Usually Just a T-Shirt’ is available Nov 3 on Superior Viaduct.
