The Red Hot Chili Beans, suported by Gekko

Naked torsos and tight, explosive funk? Socks in odd places and more tattoos than a night in a Texas jail cell? It has to be the ultimate Chili Peppers tribute band, The Red Hot Chili Beans, californicating in the heart of the world's first Garden City.

Reviewed by Andrew Watson for Plinston Live, photography by Alan Howard and Ian Osborne. Copyright Oct 2003.

The Red Hot Chili Beans (Gig Headliners)

And now, the moment we've been waiting for - it's time for a serving of blistering Chilis! The stage lighting dims and the Beans rush the stage. 'Flea' kickstarts his bass and the lights flare up to reveal the band, dressed in cropped trousers and standard issue 'U.S. of A.' dropout-wear. 'Anthony Kiedis' leers into the audience, dodgy wig perched on his head. "Alright people, let's get this party started," he screams as they explode into 'Give it away'.

This guy does a great Kiedis impersonation, tearing off his shirt mid-song and leaping around like a mystical monkey as he spits out the lyrics. The rest of the band mimic his mania, all except for 'John Frusciante', the savant guitarist, who leans into a cigarette, peppering the aggressive bass slaps and drum fills with his funky riffs. There's no doubt, the Red Hot Chili Beans have hit the mark.

Between numbers, frontman 'Kiedis', in his Californian drawl, congratulates support act, Gekko, on their breath-taking set and jokes that he sabotaged Justin's bass to stop them overshadowing the Beans.

The fiery foursome continue to work the Chili Peppers' funk-rock blueprint as the crowd jump around, clapping and singing in unison. 'By the way' and 'Universally speaking' fly past and we're on to the excellent 'Scar tissue', which the band performs perfectly, keeping the melodies tight and the vocals flawless.

But alas, the sound levels are all over the place once more and 'Frusciante', in a suspiciously London-tinged voice, asks for his monitors to be adjusted yet again. 'Kiedis' spins around and gesticulates at the guitarist charlatan. "We're from the U.S. man, why're you messin with that crazy accent?"

The crowd go wild to 'Suck my kiss' and 'Aeroplane', with frontman 'Kiedis' getting ever-increasing levels of attention from a female member of the audience.

But then, disaster! A guitar outage and 'Frusciante' is left axe-less and angry. 'Flea' steps in and tries for a singalong with the crowd - a lone bassman on a mission to keep it together.

Enter Mark, stage left. Although the Chilis claimed to have interfered with Gekko's setup, the support band's guitarist leaps to the rescue, dragging his Marshall stack on stage, despite broken ribs, bringing it all back from the brink. Back on track, the Chilis head for home with 'Zephyr song' and the rapid-fire lyrical delivery of 'Can't stop'.

Too soon, it's all over and the band begins to head off stage. At the last moment, 'Kiedis' spins around and hollers, "If you want some more you all gotta make some noise!"

Predictably, the crowd shout, scream and whistle, and the boys return to perform 'Under the bridge', with the entire crowd joining in. Liquid ecstasy pours into the audience as the Beans end the night with the Chili Peppers' version of the Hendrix standard 'Fire', a blistering firestorm of funked-up insanity. 'Frusciante' steps into the Jimi zone, throwing his guitar behind his head and playing a furious solo to bucketloads of applause from the crowd. On the final note, 'Kiedis' kicks his mike stand to the floor, tears off his wig, and the band swagger off stage.

Set list: Give it away, By the way, Universally speaking, Scar tissue, Suck my kiss, Californication, Easily, If you have to ask, Aeroplane, Zephyr song, Can't stop

Encore: Under the bridge, Fire

Gekko

First up, we're in for a treat from Gekko. The North Herts three-piece take to the stage to peddle their own particular brand of funk rock. Plunging into 'That world don't know', they reveal some of their musical influences - shades of Jimi Hendrix, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and perhaps a little Rage Against The Machine in the mix. It's obvious they have a strong local following - some of the crowd are singing along. As for me, it's the first time I've heard them, and the jury's still out. Problem is, there also seems to be trouble with the sound - the mixing desk has been set up in the balcony area, rather than on the floor, and the hired-in technician's having problems with the levels.

The second number 'Our umbrella' is stronger than the first and definitely one of the highlights of the gig. Funky licks explode from Mark's guitar as Justin leans into his bass and sings, "We need to do this so we can tell it; we need to walk in ways that we created." No one can deny that Gekko have certainly crafted a tasty musical nugget - I reckon I'm going to enjoy this gig.

Then the sound problems kick in again - guitar feedback through the monitors. The sound team arranged by Real Time Music are making a real time mess of things, but like professionals, Gekko take control, issue orders, then dig in and ride it out. But Mark's looking a bit uncomfortable, hunched over his guitar he tells us he fell over the other day and is carrying a busted rib. It doesn't seem to affect his playing though, everything's cooking along nicely.

The band flies through 'This day', the excellent 'Fat camp jam' and 'Mickey', as Mark's dive bomb guitar sweeps through some fantastic melodic solos. On drums, Trav is unshakable, keeping it tight, but still managing to drop in the odd daisy chain here and there. After a particularly violent assault on the kit, he ends one song by leaping in the air and shaking his hands around in agony. Truly a slave to his art.

'The ride' is up next, laid back, brooding and introspective - these guys have enough hooks to start a fishing tackle factory! Justin's lyric is a nice balance between melancholy and nostalgia, "Put your shoes on and walk the life; see the mountains from a different side… can't you see it's as good as over now."

Justin and Mark go toe-to-toe centre stage, the axes are drawn and the duel begins. Playing off one another, they fire riffs back and forth, the bass supporting the guitar, then a switch, and Mark's guitar providing backbone for a wandering bassline. A fine performance and the band is certainly growing on me.

But then tragedy strikes. Not content with monkeying about with the mixing desk, the sound demon takes a wander into Justin's bass, killing the sound. Thankfully it's only temporary and they're back up and running again for 'Dirty games', with its melodic sliding bass and bluesy string bends. Compelling lyrics seem to be the order of the day with Gekko, "I know I'm alive when I'm in your soul again. Keep breathing". 'Pink ground', 'Funk dove' and 'Find my feet' follow, but the bass cuts out and Justin's in trouble again.

All of a sudden, the set's over and the band are packing away, but they're persuaded into an encore by the appreciative audience. They fire out 'Catch my head' and leave everyone wanting more.

What can I say - a great band with a solid repertoire. I was so impressed I bought a copy of their current 5-track album on the spot: 'Catch My Head' - a real steal at £3.

Set list: That world don't know, Our umbrella, This day, Fat camp jam, Mickey, The ride, Dirty games, Pink ground, Funk dove, Find my feet

Encore: Catch my head

Afterwards, the evening is talked about with mixed feelings. Gekko were excellent, but the sound crew let them down. Both bands struggled against the backdrop of Real Time Music's mediocre sound set-up and gave us a show which entertained, but didn't quite bring the house down. The Red Hot Chili Beans managed to produce the depth of sound and funk-rock groove of their idols, layering the night with true Chili Pepper dynamics and colour. For me, despite the sound technicians' insistence on driving the desk from the balcony, it was still a night of unforgettable funk... and we certainly won't see that sound setup in Plinston again.