Josh Klinghoffer On The New “To Be One With You” Album & Life After The Red Hot Chili Peppers

As the lead guitarist of the Red Hot Chili Peppers — arguably the most popular band ever come out of Los Angeles — for more than a decade, Josh Klinghoffer played on many of the world’s most important stages. Klinghoffer was also the youngest-ever inductee into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame.

Prior to joining the Chili Peppers, Klinghoffer was a steadily-working musician. His touring and/or studio credits included Gnarls Barkley, Ataxia (alongside RHCP guitarist John Frusciante), Vincent Gallo, P.J. Harvey, and Beck. The multi-instrumentalist had also kept busy with his own band, Dot Hacker.

Since leaving the Chili Peppers late last year, Klinghoffer announced the release of a debut album for his new solo project PLURALONE as titled To Be One With You. It was also announced that Pluralone will support Pearl Jam on the North American dates of its upcoming Gigaton Tour. The tour marks the first ever live performances from Pluralone, as beginning in Toronto on March 18th.

I had the pleasure of doing Q&A with Josh Klinghoffer himself, as printed below for your reading pleasure. More on PLURALONE can be found at www.orgmusic.com/pluralone-website.

From your decade with the Chili Peppers, is there an accomplishment you are most proud of?

Josh Klinghoffer: Doing it for 10 years.

Did being the youngest ever inductee into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame change your life in any way?

Josh Klinghoffer: Not in the least bit.

Having played in one of the world’s biggest rock bands for a decade, do you plan on staying solo for the long-term? Or would you ever entertain a high-profile band gig again?

Josh Klinghoffer: Well, life has given me the opportunity to play with another band, and I said yes quicker than you can imagine. I’d never intended on being “solo.” I was always hoping to have some sort of band to play with.

To Be One With You is your new album. How long did you spend working on it?

Josh Klinghoffer: Some of the songs had been begun years before the recordings were made. I started recording in September of 2018 with an initial three week session. I think there was a little over a month of collected work done at various points in 2019. It started to get hard because I had gone back to work with the RHCP.

Do you have a favorite song on To Be One With You?

Josh Klinghoffer: “Rat Bastards At Every Turn,” probably. “Mourning” and “Segue” as well. “The Ride.” Hmmm…

Do you have other bands or projects in the works? Dot Hacker? Or is Pluralone your absolute focus?

Josh Klinghoffer: The Dot Hackers are still around. Pluralone exists. Eric Gardner, Eric Avery and I have been slowly cooking something up for a while. Couple other things.

What was the last concert you attended for fun?

Josh Klinghoffer: Big Thief.

What is it life like for you outside of music?

Josh Klinghoffer: I don’t have much of one. I play Settlers Of Catan with five other people in a very competitive weekly group.

Finally, Josh, any last words for the kids?

Josh Klinghoffer: Read.

SHARE ON FACEBOOK SHARE ON TWITTER

Tags: Dot Hacker, Josh Klinghoffer, Pearl Jam, Pluralone, Red Hot Chili Peppers, RHCP, Settlers Of Catan

About the Author

Darren Paltrowitz Darren Paltrowitz is a New York resident with over 20 years of entertainment industry experience. He began working around the music business as a teenager, interning for the manager of his then-favorite band Superdrag. Since then, he has worked with a wide array of artists including OK Go, They Might Be Giants, Mike Viola, Tracy Bonham, Loudness, Rachael Yamagata, and Amanda Palmer. Darren's writing has appeared in dozens of outlets including the New York Daily News, Inquisitr, The Daily Meal, The Hype Magazine, All Music Guide, Guitar World, TheStreet.com, Businessweek, Chicago Tribune, L.A. Times, and the Jewish Journal. Beyond being "Editor At Large" for The Hype Magazine, Darren is also the host of weekly "Paltrocast With Darren Paltrowitz" series, which airs on dozens on television and digital networks. He has also co-authored 2 published books, 2018's "Pocket Change: Your Happy Money" (Book Web Publishing) and 2019's "Good Advice From Professional Wrestling" (6623 Press), and co-hosts the world's only known podcast about David Lee Roth, "The DLR Cast."