The Red Hot Chili Peppers performed their annual benefit for the Silverlake Conservatory of Music on Saturday night (10/29).

Held in the beautifully-decorated parking lot of the Hollywood Boulevard school for children, the band knocked out 11 songs to the delight of about 400 attendees which included students, their parents, donors and friends.

Interspersed between newer tunes, hits, and deep cuts, two of the songs were rarely performed covers. The first was a tender solo rendition of the Ramones' "I Remember You," delivered by guitarist John Frusciante, now in his third run with the band.

This was just the third time the band has covered the sweet Ramones love song. The RHCP first performed it in September in Florida. Perhaps it will stay in the set as their 2022-23 Global Stadium Tour gets back on the road next year.

Despite the intimate setting, Frusciante, dressed in a casual Izod-style striped shirt shredded throughout the set while Flea hopped around in his trademark style and drummer Chad Smith played with the same force as if they were in an arena. Not only did the nearby Hollywood neighbors not mind, a few of them wandered into the alley behind the event and enjoyed the free show.

Singer Anthony Kiedis, who turns 60 on November 1, kept his shirt on, mostly, despite the mild evening LA temperature... until the closing number, a cover of Nirvana's biggest hit, "Smells Like Teen Spirit."

The Chilis had never covered the grunge anthem as a full band before. The only time they'd touched it was in 2006 when Frusciante and Smith flirted with it in the middle of a set. But on Saturday, Kiedis pulled his green mesh shirt over his head like Beavis' Great Cornholio, and in true punk rock fashion, murmured to the assemblage, "load up on drugs, kill your friends..."

The crowd, many of whom were old enough to remember when the monster smash came out, ate it up.

Each year the benefit concert is held in the fall to support the non-profit conservatory. Co-founded by Flea in 2001, the school (which originated on Sunset Blvd in Silver Lake, but has since moved to a larger facility in Los Feliz), provides kids with a number of ways to develop their musical talents: private lessons, songwriting, even a summer music camp. Over 30% of the students are given full scholarships and free instruments based on their family's financial needs.

This year the event also honored Barbara Bestor, the school's architect and designer.

After the Peppers left the stage, bass virtuoso, Thundercat, performed for the crowd. The event was hosted by the beloved talk show host, Conan O'Brien.

Previous Silverlake Conservatory shows have included performances by Tracy Chapman, Randy Newman, Eddie Vedder, and Neil Young.