Five of the best: Red Hot Chili Peppers

Image: Red Hot Chili Peppers 

Red Hot Chili Peppers are the undisputed kings of slinging a funky fist into an almighty slab of rock n' roll.  They're often found extending their hyper-force of hits far beyond their intended capacity, playing improvised sets laced in epic guitar solos.

Those hits span across 10 albums, gathering the rock n' roll hall of famers seven grammys since their inception in 1983.  As with most global heavy-hitters, there comes a remarkable backstory. 

The band were originally formed out of Anthony Keidis (vocals), , Flea (bass), Hillel Slovak (guitar) and Jack Irons (drummer). These artists helped establish their signature sound through merging punk rock with funky licks and rap vocals.

Following the band's early three albums, Slovak tragically died of a heroin overdose, prompting Irons to leave. Chad Smith (drums) and John Frusciante (guitar) subsequently stepped up to continue the band's soaring path to the mainstream.  

In anticipation of their headline slot at Reading Festival and Leeds Festival on August Bank Holiday Weekend, we aim to recount that route by ear-marking five of the Chili's best hits from different periods of their career. 

Higher Ground Mother's Milk (1989) 

Following the tragedy of Hillel Slovak and the band's reformation, the resultant album - Mother's Milk - was when people beyond the underground scene really started to take note. Incepted by an infectious funky bassline, this Stevie Wonder cover tunnels through a three minute stretch with thunderous riffs and frenetic authority.

Though mired in relatively introspective and deep cutting lyrics in relation to Anthony Kiedis' personal troubles, this is widely regarded as one of the greatest covers of all time.

Under The Bridge Blood Sugar Sex Magik (1991)

Arriving on a formidable record, Under The Bridge was mightily impressionable and helped form the apex of the early alt-rock scene. Produced by Def Jam's Rick Rubin, this album was allegedly recorded in a haunted house and uncovers more troubled lyricism.

Veering away from the band's atypical style, the song benefits from a trademark Frusciante guitar solo and an outro that could raise a nation. The lyrics were adapted from a poem that Kiedis penned about alienation from the band and his fight with drug addiction. 

Scar Tissue Californication (1999)

Marking an upturn in style and lyrical exploration, Californication harboured a lorry-load of stadium-sized hits that were played at unique locations like Moskow's Red Square and the Woodstock anniversary.

It also marked the return of guitarist Frusciante in place of David Navarro, which attributes to the band's new founded melodic style. Built upon the formidable vibrato guitar riff, the song scopes similar themes from the past - although the next album would signify a change. 

By The Way By The Way (2002)

Largely shunning their early punky-funk motif for a deeper exploration of melody, this album contained some of the Chilli's most commercial sounding and melodic guitar work.

The title track harked a mediation between snappy rapped verses of old and a gravity defying melody which glints like a time-lapse of a vegas strip. The contrast between the clarity of the love evoking chorus against the mystery of the discordant chanting of lyrics like "Steak Knife/Card shark/Con job/Boot Cut" is what makes this song the pick of the album.       

Snow (Hey Oh) Stadium Arcadium (2006) 

Looping back to 'Higher Ground' and Mother's Milk this song speaks of starting life with a clean slate. The blanketing of the band's personal hardships and drug addiction with snow is one of the most gratifying in terms of imagery when listening to the track.

Alternate theories describe how snow is used as a substitute for cocaine, although the mesmerising intro riff from Frusciante, softly spoken verses and intermittent brass section suggest otherwise. This is proven more so by the band still stomping their mark on festival season as they approach album number eleven. 

Use our Reading Festival guide or Leeds Festival guide for tickets and essential information - both take place over August Bank Holiday weekend from Thursday 25th - Sunday 28th August.