February 8th saw Chad Smith at a loose end during Red Hot Chili Peppers' Australian leg of their mammoth global tour, with time to fill between two sell-out shows at Melbourne's 53,000-capacity Docklands Stadium. So, what's a drummer of the people to do?
In Smith's case, the answer is to rock up and play at the city's Cherry Bar, a venue of unconfirmed maximum capacity, but on the night in question reportedly hosting 17 audience members. Lucky punters were attending the venue's Cherry Jam open mic night, and Smith's ensuing performance was documented by fellow participant and drummer Seth O'Donnell.
Seth posted on Instagram, "Words can't describe this. Got to play drums in front of my idol @chadsmithofficial from the @chilipeppers, then he played them with my sticks (and broke them), and then I got to hang with him."
O'Donnell also grabbed a snap of his now-treasured sticks, which Smith borrowed and broke in the process.
Smith joined local musicians AC Dan and Josh May on stage to perform two AC/DC songs - If You Want Blood and Up to My Neck in You - and the venue has since posted the performance footage you can watch at the top of the page.
For his labours, Smith earned one free drinks voucher, and the gratitude of the venue's management, who confirmed what we already knew, stating for the record "Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith is a legend."
