Ongoing History of New Music Daily: Chad Smith’s children’s record

The Red Hot Chili Peppers once had a reputation for being deep into the whole sex, drugs, and rock’n’roll thing. But after a series of dangerous and near-death experiences, everyone in the band has cleaned up and while not exactly wholesome are much better off than they used to be.

Drummer Chad Smith even recorded a children’s album. Through a friend of a friend, he connected with actor Dick Van Dyke—yes, the guy from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang—to create an album entitled Rhythm Train. The whole project was inspired by Chad’s son Cole and Leslie Bixler, the music teacher at Chad’s school in Malibu. Bixler and his wife knew Van Dyke and he was keen to get involved. He even raps on a song called “DVD.”

It’s not great, but it’s certainly an interesting addition to any Chili Peppers collection.