After a while, we're reviving our "Best of Alt. Rock" series to complete our list of rankings. We still have a lot to go, so stick around and follow the blog for more!
So, this post is all about the Red Hot Chili Peppers, who I think are one of the top Alternative Rock bands of all time. Why do they deserve to be in our rankings? Let's see...
Okay, all of you guys out there who've heard the song, "Californication," you've totally gotten that song in stuck in your head before. It's so catchy. And their So-Cal sound makes you want to listen to their albums all day.
2.) The Band Without Shirts
It's like the Men without Hats (the band that did "You Can Dance If You Want To"), except the Chili Peppers are the dudes without shirts. These guys do a lot of their music videos and gigs without shirts on. It's sort of their signature thing. I feel like traits like this in a band that give the group more character than just some dramatic guys playing instruments all seriously really make a band stand out. Why is this? It shows that they don't take themselves too seriously and that they can commit to a consistent band image while they're at it.
I rest my case...
3.) They've come out with a lot of hits
I'll name a few for you here:
- "Californication"
- "Under the Bridge"
- "Dani California"
- "Otherside"
- "Can't Stop"
- "Scar Tissue"
- And many others!
4.) Their music is unique
In fact, it's so unique to the point that you can immediately tell if a song is by the Chili Peppers when it comes on your Spotify, Pandora, etc. I'd actually be impressed if someone couldn't tell a song was by the Chili Peppers after knowing a couple of the band's songs.
5.) It's so catchy, it has one of the widest audiences I've ever seen
Everyone from older individuals to kindergartners, yes kindergartners. I once met a kindergartner who loved the Chili Peppers, and he loved to dance as he played the songs on his little laptop. It was really hilarious and also super interesting because it happened so recently, which also tells me that the Chili Peppers' music has a long life span. I mean, the band's music just doesn't go out of style. And it has such a vast fan base that there really isn't a limit to their audience at all.
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| Even Homer likes them. ;) |
6.) Their drummer looks like Will Ferrell
Okay, this has nothing to do with their talent, or reasons why they make our list of top Alt. Rock bands of all time, but it's hilarious. You've probably seen the Jimmy Fallon bit on this, where Will Ferrell and Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer) have a drum-off. If you haven't seen it, watch it below!
7.) They critique Hollywood culture
In the song, "Californication" (2000), the Red Hot Chili Peppers critique so many of the things that are wrong with Hollywood, including the morally bankrupt culture it perpetuates. It's really refreshing to see bands say what they actually think about this subject. I feel like this is a trait that is mostly unique to Alt. rock though, as there's a lot of that punk culture left over that helped start the Alt. rock/grunge movement in the late 80s-early 90s.
I also wanted to add to this point that the Chili Peppers make meaningful music in general. An example of this is their song, "Dani California," which apparently talks about a woman Anthony Kiedis' (lead singer) knew who had a hard life and who died young. The woman in the song is also symbolic of women who the lead singer dated in the past. Songs like this become much more than just a good tune when you add this kind of context to the equation.
8.) They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012
You have to be a pretty legit band to do this. No big deal, you know... Just the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. ;)
9.) That's it!
I'm sure there are more things to love about this band, but these are just a few reasons we could think of. Overall, these guys have the right balance of hits on the music market, character, lyrical and musical talent, and longevity. Their songs from the 90s and early 2000s still play on the radio! I think it's impressive when a band reaches that level where their songs aren't forgotten after 10 or more years.
We hope you've enjoyed this article! If you have any comments, please feel free to leave those in the section below. Keep rockin', Pragmus fans!
Corey Cherrington
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