THEY'RE not quite in the Rolling Stones' league when it comes to ageing rockers, but the Red Hot Chili Peppers aren't exactly new kids on the block, either.

Indeed, the fact that they are touching 40 makes their emergence as this season's hottest import from the States all the more remarkable.

Fans of the band are flocking to see them on their current UK tour, which includes dates at the MEN Arena on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Their live pulling power is nothing new, of course. Despite years of rock star excess, they are an awesome sight on stage, showing energy levels to put their younger rivals to shame.

More surprising is their emergence as inheritors of America's great Californian songwriting tradition.

Although they've always had the ability to pen a great tune or two (All Saints had a big hit with a cover of Under The Bridge), their liking for loud funk/punk usually held sway up to 1999's watershed album Californication.

Suddenly there was a shift of emphasis from bassist Flea's slap and pop to singer Anthony Kiedis's soulful harmonies, best demonstrated on that album's wonderful title track.

The rave reviews and high sales figures clearly pointed the way to an ever more melodic future, and last year's By The Way oozed with tunes worthy of the Beach Boys.

Fans were given a sneak preview of some of the songs they are likely to perform in Manchester when they appeared on a Top of the Pops 2 special last week.

There will certainly be plenty from the new album, but you can't really expect the boys to keep their shirts on and stand still for more than a few seconds. The Red Hot Chili Peppers are at the top of their game, and this is a gig you must not miss.

Catch our review in the Bolton Evening News on Wednesday.