RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS By The Way Selling 134,000 in its first week of sales, By The Way is the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ first UK chart-topper. Although their last album, 1999’s Californication, has shifted an impressive 771,000 copies to date, it only peaked at Number 5. Only two acts, Oasis and Eminem, have managed bigger opening-week sales this year, with the Red Hot Chili Peppers boosted by the success of the LP’s lead single and title track, which debuted at Number 2. The band recently played UK shows and their TV promotion has included playing Universally Speaking on CD:UK and being interviewed for MTV2.

If you want half-naked white funk commandos… go see

RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS

Ideal setting: California’s Venice Beach at sunset

What to expect: A fistful of hits delivered piping hot by four men stripped to the waist. Whether drawing on their lunkish back catalogue or more recent, newly-mellowed material, they’re a well-oiled unit in every sense. “I know that we can dig deeper and harder than anyone and people are always going to want that” says bassist Flea.

However, the old party piece of appearing naked but for their penises sheathed in socks is a thing of the past.. for now.

“It’s like putting the Kiss make-up back on;’ says drummer Chad Smith. “Give us $100 million for the reunion tour and we’ll do it in every town. You won’t be able to see the sock under our fat bellies, but it’ll be on:’

Look out for:The finger-popping bassline of Give It Away and the lilting smack melancholy of Under The Bridge.

Recommended viewing: Off The Map (DVD, Warner Vision, 2001).