Music notes: Red Hot Chili Peppers energize the Allstate

<b>Elder statesmen?</b>

Two decades ago, The Red Hot Chili Peppers were known as an edgy (and often raunchy) band that mixed punk, funk and psychedelic rock into a very danceable sound. Starting in the mid-1990s, though, the band became one of the standard-bearers for alternative rock, and in the process won an international following, Grammy Awards and a spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Though singer Anthony Kiedis, bassist Flea and the other members are now well into middle age, the band still tries to live up to the anarchic, bass-slapping energy of the early days onstage.

<b>7:30 p.m. Monday, May 28, at the Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. $39.50 to $59.50. Go to ticketmaster.com.</b>

<b>Go see them</b>

Every rock fan owes it to himself or herself to see The Waco Brothers live at least once. The Chicago-based band is ferocious onstage - loud, thrilling, hilarious and just plain fun. The Wacos play a unique hybrid of country, rock and punk, and they've just released their latest record - a collaboration with Nashville mainstay Paul Burch titled "Great Chicago Fire" - on local indie Bloodshot Records.

<b>8:30 p.m. Friday, May 25, at Beat Kitchen, 2100 W. Belmont, Chicago. $12. Go to beatkitchen.com. </b>

<b>On the rise</b>

Yelawolf, a hip-hop artist from Alabama, has become the latest rapper-to-watch on the scene. Late last year, he released his debut full-length record, "Radioactive," on Shady Records, the label started by Eminem. His single "Let's Roll" features vocals by Kid Rock. He recently made an appearance on "The Late Show With David Letterman." He'll be making a stop in the suburbs next week.

<b>6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 31, at Durty Nellie's, 180 N. Smith St., Palatine. $18. Go to durtynellies.com. </b>