Wow, this game-changer came out 40 years ago. People tend to forget the Red Hot Chili Peppers started as a fast-moving funk punk band before settling into the pop rock juggernaut they are today. I remember vividly when I would stay the night at my dad’s in the early days of cable television and MTV, I would be up all night watching horror and action movies and music videos.

There was this foursome of day glo painted lunatics shaking, shimmying, dancing like absolute spazzes. Some goofball bassist named Flea thrashing his head twice the velocity as Angus Young at a mid-tempo song of savage weirdness. I’m talking about “True Men Don’t Kill Coyotes” from the band’s self-titled debut album from August 10, 1984.

Those insane images imprinted themselves upon me for more than a week after first contact. I came across RHCP again later being their coked-out, writhing, manic, costumed selves in 1986’s comedy Tough Guys. Who can forget Kirk Douglas bashing that mosher in the chops coaxing him to, “Slam me!” with the Chili Peppers doing their thing?

The Chilis became one of my all-time favorite bands and I prefer the first four albums and from their later catalog, The Getaway and Unlimited Love. Facing the facts, the Red Hot Chili Peppers are at their finest (in my opinion) when laying down the funk, preferably fast. “Get Up and Jump” from this first album being that huffing go-getter. My favorite Chili Pepper track ever? “Show Me Your Soul.” Psychedelic funk blasted to perfection, John Frusciante’s blistering guitar solo being RNR HoF worthy in itself.

Mother’s Milk is their finest hour, sorry. Many will disagree. I saw them on that tour and whatever they may have been laced out with, it was the most incredible display of raw power not even The Stooges had. Greatest live performance I ever bore witness to.

K, Chili Pepper rambling over and out.

–Ray Van Horn, Jr.