Red Hot Chili Peppers Sizzle at Charity Concert

To altruistic fans, Friday’s rock-star-studded benefit concert at the Hollywood Palladium offered excellent value for the charity dollar. Unlike many such events, the show starring the Red Hot Chili Peppers was long on energetic performances and refreshingly short on proselytizing.

Proceeds went to the rehab-oriented Musicians’ Assistance Program (MAP) and to fight the hereditary nervous disorder Huntington’s disease, yet the MAP was emphasized by some song selections, not to mention the presence of so many artists affected by addiction, either personally or through bandmates’ or loved ones’ ordeals.

Following a lively DJ turn by Perry Farrell, the Chili Peppers expertly churned out an hour of hits and new songs.

Singing with his new band the Bicycle Thief, event organizer and former Thelonious Monster front-man Bob Forrest blended rock, blues, funk and folk in a compelling preview of the group’s forthcoming debut album. The set closed on an exuberantly dissonant note as Mike Watt, guitarist Nels Cline, and members of Fishbone joined in on Forrest’s jazzy “Union Street.”

Then Watt, Cline and drummer Bob Lee tore through 35 crowd-pleasing minutes that included imaginative takes on tunes by bands ranging from Bikini Kill to Humble Pie, plus guest appearances by Eddie Vedder and Geraldine Fibbers front-woman Carla Bozulich.

Though lasting only 25 minutes, Vedder’s set proved an eclectic treat. It opened with a solo-electric performance of the accidental Pearl Jam hit single “Last Kiss,” then rocked out as part of a trio with such quirky choices as the Police’s “Driven to Tears” and two songs by the veteran, if obscure, Pacific Northwest band Dead Moon.