Red Hot Chili Peppers Play PPG; Stage AE Hosts The 1975 (Thurs., 5/11/17)

1) Formed in 1983, Red Hot Chili Peppers were never just another L.A. punk band. Flea slapped as much as he plucked his bass. Anthony Kiedis rapped more than he sang. All members had a predilection for performing naked save a strategically placed tube sock. When founding guitarist Hillel Slovak died of a heroin overdose in 1988, founding drummer Jack Irons quit, unable to carry on without his friend. Kiedis and Flea persevered, hiring John Frusciante on guitar and Chad Smith on drums. On September 24, 1991, Blood Sugar Sex Magik was released, the same day as Nirvana’s Nevermind, both albums heralding alternative rock. Frusciante quit in 1992, spiraled into drug use, later got sober, and rejoined in 1998. 1999’s Californication marked their comeback, and more hits followed. Frusciante left again in 2009. Former touring guitarist Josh Klinghoffer joined, and the new lineup released 2011’s I’m with You and 2016’s The Getaway. They bring the funk to PPG Paints Arena. Irontom opens. 7:30 p.m. 1001 5th Ave., Uptown. (CM)

2) The love between The 1975 and Pittsburgh grows deeper. Last year, the English rock ‘n’ roll quartet played two sold-out concerts at Stage AE over Halloween and All Saints’ Day. The band returns to Stage AE this year, hot off winning the Brit Award for Best British Group, for an outdoor show. The 1975’s breakout single was “Chocolate,” and the members are currently touring their sophomore album, I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful yet So Unaware of It. The album hit No. 1 on the UK chart and the US Billboard 200 and has spawned five singles, including “The Sound.” Throughout the music video, criticisms of their “sound” flash on the screen. The song reached 15 on the UK chart, their highest charting single yet in their homeland. Looks like The 1975 got the last laugh. Pale Waves and Colouring opens. Doors open at 7 p.m. 400 North Shore Dr., North Shore. SOLD OUT. (CM)

3) Internships have taken criticism sometimes as unpaid labor leading nowhere. But the one Mitch Fatel had seemed to work out. Fatel, now a comedian, was once an intern for the Howard Stern Show. (Yes, in a lawsuit waiting to happen, Stern has interns). This is probably where Fatel learned to talk about boobs, which he does at length in a slow, simply squirrelly style. A comedic sampling: “I don’t even know why I like breasts. They don’t do anything. They just bounce up and down, and it makes me happy.” If that kind of observational humor gets a giggle out of you, he’ll be appearing at The Improv. 166 E. Bridge St., The Waterfront, Homestead. (EC, RH)

4) Chamber Music Pittsburgh continues their Pittsburgh Performs series. Tonight’s program features Pittsburgh Cello Quartet. The group is composed of the newest members of the Pittsburgh Symphony’s cello section: Bronwyn Banerdt, Michael DeBruyn, Charlie Powers, and Alexandra Thompson. Classical cello pieces will be played in addition to some music by The Beatles, Billy Joel, U2, and Guns ‘N Roses. This is the group’s concert premier and will be held at Dormont’s Hollywood Theater.  This is a pay-what-you-want event with a suggested donation of $10. Space is limited and a ticket is required. You can BYOB your own wine or beer for a small fee. The theater’s concession stand will be selling snacks.  7 p.m. 1449 Potomac Ave., Dormont.

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