Chili Peppers stay hot

It's not outlandish to imagine that in 20 years the Red Hot Chili Peppers could be the Rolling Stones of their generation, propelled by their multi-decade catalog of hits, still jumping around naked in tube socks.

Well, not any more outlandish than the tube socks were to begin with.

The band rocks Wells Fargo Arena on Friday night as part of a three-month U.S. tour. Gnarls Barkley, authors of 2006's most ubiquitous, undeniable song, "Crazy," will open.

Since rushing the modern rock scene in the late '80s with their Californified funked-out rock, the Chili Peppers have weathered heroin addiction and artistic lows, and emerged a relevant rock band.

Their latest album, "Stadium Arcadium," has as much craft and creative vitality as work done far earlier in their careers.

It debuted on top of the charts and launched two hit singles, "Dani California" and "Tell Me Baby."



The New Album

"Stadium Arcadium," released in 2006.

Producer: Rick Rubin

What reviewers said:

"Think of it as a 122-minute, 28-track encapsulation of the varied musical phases of the quartet's bumpy 22-year career. There's the early, sophomoric punky funk, the career-making alterna-ballads, and the unlikely late-'90s revival as mature, tuneful, middle-aged rock stars."
- Entertainment Weekly

"The Red Hot Chili Peppers sound euphoric and enormously alive. ... 'Stadium Arcadium' is one wild melodic rush, and Rick Rubin's airy production squeezes the essence out of a monster - without taming it." - Billboard

"It's a late-career triumph that could pass for another, lesser group's greatest-hits collection." - Rolling Stone



Is rock more mature?

Jeff Girard, of Cedar Falls band Prospero's Daughter, says it is. Unlike some musical genres, say opera and country, rock music has stayed a forum for young adults to rage and rock out. The Chili Peppers still rock, Girard said, but with 20-some years of experience, they're gaining more respect.

"It's not just about sex and drugs," he said. "It's about art. (They've) been around for a long time and they've been doing art and now they're being recognized for it."

Prospero's Daughter sometimes performs Chili Peppers songs "Under the Bridge" and "Other Side."

"I love the bass on their songs. It's fantastic," Girard said. "And their lyrics run the gamut of dark to frivolous ... they make you think and they make you enjoy life."



What fans say

"My husband and I love going to concerts. Red Hot Chili Peppers has been around since we were in middle school and we think they're one of the bands of our generation that, over time, haven't tanked. (Their) new music is still strong, just like their earlier songs. It's nice to see bands last so long."

- Cassie Sampson, 27, Des Moines

"I have been listening to the Red Hot Chili Peppers since I was in about eighth grade and have all their albums. The Red Hot Chili Peppers (have a) fun, energetic stage presence (that) combined with their skill and precision, make them one of the best bands to see live. ... I think the upcoming concert will be the best to hit Des Moines this year."

- Sam Miller, 15, Des Moines



Inside a Peppers video

Out in Los Angeles pursuing music, Johnston native Casey Hooper, 20, auditioned for a Peppers video. The result, "Tell Me Baby," was on MTV and VH1.

Hooper had no idea what he was getting into.

"I was going to music school at the time and they put up a flier," he said of the audition last summer. "Someone was looking for people to be in it and it seemed kind of weird. They wanted you to send in a picture. So me and my friends all sent in weird pictures. I think I had a mandolin down my pants."

The mandolin charmed someone. Hooper and his friends were asked to audition. Hooper and 20 others made the cut.

"One by one, they threw us in the room and said, 'When we turn (the song) on, go crazy,' and then the Chili Peppers ran in and surprised us," he said.

After shooting his scene, Hooper met the band.

"They were really nice guys," he said. "They all had their girlfriends around. The nicest one was (drummer) Chad Smith. Anthony Kiedis was skateboarding. They all smelled really bad. They're super hippies, so they're against deodorant or something."