Drummer Chad Smith joined the Red Hot Chili Peppers for the band’s fourth album Mother’s Milk, released in 1989, and has with them ever since. You can also hear him on albums like Blood Sugar Sex Magik and Californication, and hit songs including “Give It Away”, “Under the Bridge”, “Scar Tissue”, “Otherside”, “Dani California”, “The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie”, and much, much more. He also drums for the supergroup Chickenfoot, and recently showed his humorous side with a drum off on the Tonight Show against lookalike Will Ferrell.

He’s also the drummer for Chad Smith’s Bombastic Meatbats, for which he is joined by keyboardist Ed Roth, guitarist Jeff Kollman, and bassist Kevin Chown to give a funky brew with a jazz fusion edge. This interview was for a preview article for the Bombastic Meatbats concert on 4/15/16 at Velvet Jones in Santa Barbara. It was done by email, with answers received on 4/11/16.

Jeff Moehlis: What can people look forward to at the upcoming concert in Santa Barbara?

Chad Smith: They can look forward to weird instrumental music played like we’re driving off a cliff.

JM: The Bombastic Meatbats have a funky fusion sound. What are your favorite fusion artists/bands/albums?

CS: I love Jeff Beck’s Wired and Blow By Blow. Spectrum by Billy Cobham. Return To Forever, to name a few.

JM: How do the Bombastic Meatbats songs typically come together?

CS: Our songs mostly come from the four of us jamming and improvising together in the Tiki Room at my house.

JM: I loved the drum off that you did with Will Ferrell on the Tonight Show. Can you tell us about your plans to continue the “rivalry”?

CS: Will Ferrell is a amazing drummer… I get lessons from him now.

JM: This year marks the 25th anniversary of Blood Sugar Sex Magik. What are your reflections on that album?

CS: Blood Sugar is still my favorite Chili’s album.

JM: What advice would you give to an aspiring musician?

CS: Eat your Wheaties and stay in school.

JM: What are your plans, musical or otherwise, for the near future?

CS: My immediate plan is to finish typing. Then concentrate on finishing up the new RHCP album. Then do a cool charity event with Will Ferrell April 29 at the Shrine Auditorium in L.A. Then get ready to tour.