Acid for the Children: A Memoir

by Flea

Alan Moschulski, the main singer and other guitar player in Anthym, was an interesting chap. He was from a Chilean showbiz family, a safe kid, a homebody, one who had spent a lot of time in his bedroom honing his guitar skills. I went over to his house for a day of instruction. He was adept with virtuoso-type abilities, and super into prog rock. I’d never even heard of prog rock. He played me Allan Holdsworth, Brand X, Pierre Moerlen’s Gong, Genesis, Weather Report, Yes, and Bill Bruford. It had the sophistication I admired in jazz, and helped me to see how I could hope to fit into rock, and what was possible on the electric bass. That day, Alan showed me a variety of technical exercises, scales and patterns, to help me gain bass proficiency. They enabled my hands to grow strong, and soon the bass started feeling natural under my fingers. He helped me develop the physical ability to play the rhythms in my heart. The exercises he taught me are still the ones I play before every show. Alan later changed his name to Alain Johannes, and still has a vibrant career in music. I’ll always be grateful to him, that day was magic. I was chomping at the motherfuckin’ bit with a bass in my hand, rarin’ to go.

Alan Moschulski, also known as Alain Johannes.