Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea has announced his debut solo album, ‘Honora’, as well as live tour dates in North America, the UK and Europe. Find all the details below.
The musician released the first single from the forthcoming record last month in the form of ‘A Plea’. Now, it’s been confirmed that the full 10-track project will arrive on March 27 via Nonesuch Records. Pre-order/pre-save here.
Flea played trumpet and bass across the LP, and was joined by an “elite band of modern jazz visionaries” on a collection of original compositions, and interpretations of songs by George Clinton, Jimmy Webb and Frank Ocean.
Guest contributors include Nick Cave and Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke on vocals. The latter previously worked alongside Flea in the side-project group Atoms For Peace.
The song ‘Traffic Lights’, co-written with Yorke and Josh Johnson, is out today (Wednesday January 14). Listen here:
‘Honora’ takes its name from a beloved family member, with Flea composing, arranging the music and providing vocals.
There are also appearances from album producer and saxophonist Josh Johnson, guitarist Jeff Parker, bassist Anna Butterss, and drummer Deantoni Parks, as part of the ‘Honora’ band.
Also performing in the group are Mauro Refosco (David Byrne, Atoms For Peace) and Nate Walcott (Bright Eyes), among others.
The album comprises six original songs – including ‘Traffic Lights’ – as well as new versions of tracks by George Clinton and Eddie Hazel, Jimmy Webb, Frank Ocean and Shea Taylor, and Ann Ronell.
Speaking about ‘Traffic Lights’, Flea explained: “Deantoni and I played what became ‘Traffic Lights’ the first day. Something about it reminded me of Atoms For Peace, so I sent it to Thom.
“Just knowing him, I thought it would be a rhythm and a sensibility that he would relate to. And I was right, he did.”
He continued: “With a gorgeous melody and the words, you know, about living in the ‘upside down’ and how do you make sense of things when we’re getting all this fake shit and real shit?
“Everyone has their ways of dealing with the world. But he’s just the warmest, free flowing, jamming motherfucker.”
For the album, Flea is returning to his early roots as a trumpet player, and leaning into his longtime love of jazz. On previous single ‘A Plea’, he takes on bass, vocal and trumpet duties, and uses his lyrics to shed light on the political unrest felt across the US.
The full tracklist for Flea’s ‘Honora’ is:
‘Golden Wingship’
‘A Plea’
‘Traffic Lights’
‘Frailed’
‘Morning Cry’
‘Maggot Brain’
‘Wichita Lineman’
‘Thinkin Bout You’
‘Willow Weep For Me’
‘Free As I Want To Be’
Flea is set to showcase the record live on an intimate tour later this year. The trek will kick off in Chicago on May 7, ahead of further North American dates in Toronto, Montreal, New York, Washington, DC, and Los Angeles.
From there, Flea will head to Europe for headline shows in Berlin, Amsterdam and Paris later that month. His only scheduled UK gig so far is due to take place at KOKO in Camden Town, London, on May 26.
Tickets go on general sale at 10am local time next Friday (January 23). You’ll be able to buy yours here (UK/Europe) and here (North America). Alternatively, fans in Europe can access a pre-sale at the same time on Tuesday (January 20). Sign up here.
Flea’s 2026 ‘Honora’ tour dates are:
MAY
07 – Chicago, IL – Thalia Hall
09 – Toronto, ON – Opera House
10 – Montreal, QC – Théâtre Beanfield
12 – New York, NY – Webster Hall
13 – Washington, DC – Black Cat
16 – Los Angeles, CA – Fonda Theater
21 – Berlin, DE – Heimathafen
22 – Amsterdam, NL – Paradiso
26 – London, UK – Koko
28 – Paris, FR – Alhambra
Red Hot Chili Peppers released their latest material in 2022, after they welcomed guitarist John Frusciante back into the line-up in 2019. They released two albums, ‘Unlimited Love’ and ‘Return Of The Dream Canteen’.
Speaking to NME at the time about what it was like to have the classic line-up back together, frontman Anthony Kiedis said the band were determined to bring something new to the table.
“I really didn’t want to tell the same old story that we’ve been hearing for the last 50 years in rock music,” he explained. “I liked reaching out in 10,000 directions and seeing what was out there. We weren’t limiting ourselves but trying to tap into something that is honest and emotional.”
He added: “The biggest event, honestly, was John returning to the band. That was the most monumental change in our lives. And God was I down for anything and everything.”