Anthym Music Videos

What Is This? was a rock band that originated in Fairfax High School in California and would play numerous shows along the coast of California. Originally named Chain Reaction when the band members were in junior high school, What Is This? were formed before and played around the same time as the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Anthony Kiedis of the Red Hot Chili Peppers was one of two original people...  MORE

What Is This? was a rock band that originated in Fairfax High School in California and would play numerous shows along the coast of California. Originally named Chain Reaction when the band members were in junior high school, What Is This? were formed before and played around the same time as the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Anthony Kiedis of the Red Hot Chili Peppers was one of two original people who acted as roadies for the band and would introduce the band before they went on stage. The band played many local Los Angeles California area gigs as Anthym, then changed their name to "What Is This?" shortly before they were asked to open for the band Oingo Boingo at The Country Club in Reseda for the debut of their first album Only A Lad. Original Red Hot Chili Peppers members Hillel Slovak and Jack Irons left that band just prior to it receiving its first record contract, preferring to focus on What Is This?. They saw What Is This as being more important and having more of a future than the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Flea tried to be in both bands before What Is This? gave the ultimatum one band or the other and he chose The Red Hot Chili Peppers even though he was happy to remain in both. Slovak rejoined the Chili Peppers for their second album and Irons for their third album because What Is This? was floundering and they knew where they would rather be. The name What Is This? refers to the reaction of people listening to their music. After the joining of Natasha Shneider the band was first renamed Walk the Moon and then Eleven. The band, in their early days, are referenced numerous times in Kiedis's autobiography, Scar Tissue. LESS