Spicing up the local music scene less than a year ago, Project Chili’s start consisted of a rather modest hangout between childhood friends vibing to funk icons.
UF diving team member Sean Saley formed Project Chili with long-time friend and UF alumnus James Ghattas last November, after the disintegration of their local reggae band Half Track. The idea came about as a sudden realization of the friends’ shared love for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and a desire to fulfill their musical urge.
“We were listening to music one day, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers came on, and we were like ‘This is the last great American rock band,’” Ghattas said. “Sean wanted to work on forming a cover band, and I was all for it.”
The Red Hot Chili Peppers released its album “I’m With You” in August 2011, and Saley said it was perfect timing to start forming their band that fall.
“[Red Hot Chili Peppers] has been one of those consistent bands throughout my life that I’ve jammed out to on my iPod,” said Saley, a 22-year-old food and resource economics senior. “It was great to start covering the songs I’ve listened to for years and at the same time, exploring their new stuff.”
Ghattas stepped into the position of lead singer and Saley inclined toward being the bassist of the band.
Saley recruited former diving teammate Jon Speed to be the drummer.
Still in need of a guitarist, he put up fliers throughout campus, leading him to 21-year-old food and resource economics senior Bernie Green.
“Literally the same day I put up fliers, I got a call from Bernie,” he said. “We gave him one audition and that was all it took for us to want him.”
The band tried to start practices in different locations near campus but struggled to find a solid niche where they could jam.
“We tried practicing in friends’ houses or garages, but we would get the police called on us,” Saley said. “Finally, we were able to have our practices at my apartment, but we had to play somewhat quietly.”
Coordinating schedules also proved to be a struggle.
“With four people all doing different things, it’s hard to get everyone together,” he said.
With time management, Project Chili got in enough practice time before its first show in February at High Dive, the venue formerly known as Double Down Live.
Saley said the feeling he got from the first show was one of the best experiences of his life.
“It’s so much fun getting hooked up. We can crank the volume up all the way and have a great time,” he said. “There’s so much energy to shows. It’s a very unique feeling that most people don’t know about.”
Project Chili generated attention from fans of Red Hot Chili Peppers and the funk genre enough to land them a performance during UF’s Dance Marathon in the Spring semester.
“We don’t just play to play. We do it for the shows,” Saley said. “We love going on stage, jumping around and getting the audience to sing along with us.”
Project Chili looks to end its run as a band come the end of spring, with lead singer Ghattas attending medical school at Mercer University next year and the other members graduating and moving out of Gainesville.
Until the band parts ways, Saley said he can’t wait to keep booking shows for Project Chili, including a special Halloween show on Oct. 31 at High Dive.
“Forming an original band consumes your soul and your time,” Saley said. “I’d love to write my own music one day, but right now, I’m enjoying Project Chili.”
Red Hot Chili Peppers cover band Project Chili performs at Dance Marathon in the Stephen C. O’Connell Center last Spring semester. The band will play a Halloween show at High Dive on Oct. 31.
