Todd's Reviews
Red Hot Chili Peppers
The Red Hot Chili Peppers were
phenomenal. Since 1983, the crew out of Los Angeles has been
crossing genres and reinventing punk with an explosive stage
show. Having sold more than 50 million records in their
impressive career, the fellas’ latest work, a double-CD Stadium
Arcadium, debuted at Number One on the Billboard Top 40 Albums
chart. During the summer, the album moved 1.7 million copies,
and become the third best-seller of the year. Confirming the
Chili Pepper’s mighty stature, Stadium Arcadium also won Best
Album, and second place behind the Stones for Best Tour in
Rolling Stone’s 2006 Readers Poll. On January 31, the Chili
Peppers blew away South Floridians for over two hours in the
Sunrise Bank Atlantic Center.
Following the opening act, Gnarls Barkley, the
Chili Peppers kicked off with “Can’t Stop,” the fast jingle off
of 2002’s By The Way. Front man Anthony Kiedis portrayed aerobic
dances at every corner of the stage in his black vest, white
wife-beater, and long black shorts. Meanwhile, the
world-renowned Flea gave his consistent seizure style to the
bass. The iconic bass-player in pink pants and no shirt
announced, “I’m not afraid of an alligator, while the entire
arena was still bouncing on its feet. They ripped into the new
record’s “Dani California,” and John Frusciante delivered a mean
solo in brown pants, a plaid button-down, and a scruffy beard.
The underrated guitarist stole the show, as he pushes the tubes
in his Marshall Stacks into clean harmonic glory, avoiding the
heavily distorted tones which define most of today’s modern
rock. Of course, Frusciante doesn’t steer clear of using
effects. He merely blends them tastefully, constructing
organized textures and atmospheres to create a spacey bed for
Flea and drummer Chad Smith to rest on.
“Scar Tissue” was performed, and a fifth musician
sporting an enormous afro began banging bongos during the new
cut, “Charlie.” “And now a little something by the Ramones,”
Anthony announced, and began singing “Little Havana.” The Chili
Peppers are known for their classic covers onstage, including
timeless numbers from Zeppelin, the Allman Brothers, Simon and
Garfunkel, and Nirvana. Later, John stepped to the mic for an
acoustic version of Pink Floyd’s “See Emily Play.” Hearing the
Syd Barrett single from 1967 was a personal highlight of the
evening. Flea even sang the Monkees’ theme-song, changing the
lyrics a tad; “Hey, Hey, We’re the Chili Peppers.”
During “21st Century,” Flea and John stood center
stage, facing one another, exchanging impressive licks during an
extended conclusion, and Anthony did a hand-stand in the middle
of “Californication’s” psychedelic rhythms. Just prior to the
familiar “By The Way,” Flea announced, “You are a beautiful
bunch of human beings. Such a warm and hospitable welcome, it’s
really fucking unbelievable.” Stadium Arcadium’s “Snow (Hey
Oh),” was well received, but greeted with less enthusiasm than
their roaring sing-alongs from previous years, such as the
adrenalin-pumping “Give It Away” and “Blood Sugar Sex Magik.”
After trekking through Europe
and North America with a volcanic force since April, the Red Hot
Chili Peppers will be busy performing until March, when they’ll
be winding down the intense tour at San Antonio’s AT&T Center.
Complimenting each other’s immeasurable talents while playing
for over two hours without losing any steam, the Red Hot Chili
Peppers are unquestionably one of the most vivacious and
satisfying acts on today’s touring circuit. –by Todd McFliker
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