Red Hot Chili Peppers were fun around 1988 when I was a college student and didn't know any better.
Several years later, I won tickets to a trip bill with RHCP, Smashing Pumpkins, and Pearl Jam. I arrived late, missing all but two Pearl Jam songs. Then SP were underwhelming, and RHCP were so boring I had to leave mid-set. I'm not a PJ fan, but I'd have to say they were the best of the three, based on the two songs I heard.
Seeing the RHCP in a college gym with a mosh pit was much better than seeing them in an arena.