2008 Woodie Awards
Red Hot Chili Peppers play red hot show
Mars Volta opens briliant rock concert in Oakland
J. Harry Painter
Issue date: 8/29/06 Section: Detour
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night. These expectations included finally hearing my favorite Red Hot Chili Peppers (RHCP) songs live, an unsuspecting crowd being blown away by openers The Mars Volta (my current favorite band), and not having a good opportunity to urinate. Something I was not counting on was the RHCP treating me to one of the very best shows of my life.
Now, let's not sell short The Mars Volta. They put on an excellent performance, and proved themselves more than worthy of opening for a big-name band like the Chili Peppers. Going in, I fully expected them to outshine the funk rock legends. But the fact is that by the end of the night I no longer cared that I missed the first 10 minutes or so of my favorite band's set, or that they didn't play some of my favorite songs. That is just how good the RHCP were.
To reiterate, The Mars Volta were indeed amazing. Hearing their music live is nothing short of entrancing, and it is impossible not to appreciate their raw musical ability and onstage energy. Lead singer Cedric Bixler-Zavala, just by the enthusiasm he puts into his performing, could sing Barbra Streisand songs and win over the audience just as easily.
The Mars Volta may not be for everyone; many of their songs last well over eight minutes and their albums contain Pink Floyd-esque sound effects that would irritate anyone without a bit of patience, but for those that have the stomach, The Mars Volta may be a good investment.
On to the Chili Peppers.
RHCP came out to thunderous applause after taking about 40 minutes to set up, and immediately began jamming. The introduction soon progressed into the crowd-pleasing Can't Stop. By the time the second song, RHCP's latest single Dani California, came around, I knew that I was going to get more than the simply straightforward alternative rock concert I had anticipated. As with many of their songs that evening, "Dani California" was played using altered guitar solos and much more improvisation than we've all heard on the studio version.
Among the other songs on the set list were Snow ((Hey Oh)), Charlie, Californication, and Around the World. Scattered throughout the show were several solos by bassist Flea, along with some duets featuring both Flea and guitarist John Frusciante. Needless to say, an improvisation by these two incredible musicians is candy to the ear.