Formation and first album (1983–1984)

Red Hot Chili Peppers[3] were formed by Fairfax High School alumni Anthony Kiedis, Hillel Slovak, Jack Irons and Michael "Flea" Balzary in 1983.[4] [4]RHCP's first performance was at the Rhythm Lounge, to a crowd of roughly thirty people, opening for Tim Allen.[5] One song had been created for the occasion, which involved the band, then known as Tony Flow and the Mystical Masters of Mayhem, improvising music while Kiedis rapped a poem he had written called "Out in L.A.".[6] As Slovak and Irons were already committed to another group, What Is This?, it was intended to be a one time performance. However, the performance was so lively that the band was asked to return the following week.[5] Due to this unexpected success, the band changed its name to the Red Hot Chili Peppers, playing several more shows at various LA clubs and musical venues. Six songs from these initial shows were recorded onto the band's first demo tape.[7]

Several months after their first performance, the band was signed to the record label EMI. Two weeks earlier, What Is This? had obtained a record deal with MCA, and as Slovak and Irons considered the Red Hot Chili Peppers a side project, they quit to focus on What Is This?. Instead of dissolving the band, Kiedis and Flea decided to recruit new members.[8] Cliff Martinez, a friend of Flea's, was asked to join the Chili Peppers shortly thereafter. Auditions for a new guitarist produced Jack Sherman.

Gang of Four guitarist Andy Gill was hired to produce their first album. Despite Kiedis and Flea's misgivings, he pushed the band to play with a cleaner, crisper and more radio-friendly sound.[9] The Red Hot Chili Peppers was released on August 10, 1984, and was a commercial flop.[10] It initially sold approximately 25,000 units, and garnered little marketable recognition.[11] The ensuing tour fared little better, as continuing musical and lifestyle tension between Kiedis and Sherman complicated the transition between concert and daily band life.[12][13] Sherman was fired soon after, with Slovak returning to the Chili Peppers after growing tired of What is This?.