Fans of Nirvana and the Red Hot Chili Peppers won't want to miss a gig featuring the best hits of these bands at Totara Street.

Lounge Apes and Funkadelic Monks are two Auckland-based tribute bands, playing the songs of Nirvana and Red Hot Chili Peppers, respectively.

They'll be coming down to Mount Maunganui's Totara Street venue for one show on Saturday September 30.

Erik Liebenberg, who is a member of both bands, says they're a pretty recent addition to the music scene, having formed in the past year.

They've already done a couple shows in Auckland and Hamilton that have been well-received.

'We're all big fans of the music, so we try to play the best we can. The reception's been pretty good so far. I play guitar for both bands, but in the Lounge Apes I do the lead vocals, while in the Funkadelic Monks I do the backing vocals.”

He says he doesn't have a preference for either of the popular rock acts.

'I grew up listening to both bands, but Nirvana is a lot of fun to play – they're not as complex musically. Fortunately I'm in that Kurt Cobain vocal range, so it's a good match for me. It can be quite destressing belting out those Nirvana screams.”

Tauranga fans can expect to hear popular Red Hot Chili Peppers number such as ‘Californication', ‘Under the Bridge', and ‘Can't Stop', as well as Nirvana hits such as ‘Lithium', ‘Come As You Are', ‘Heart-Shaped Box' and the ever-popular ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit'. Many more from Nirvana's studio albums will be performed on the night.

Lounge Apes and Funkadelic Monks are playing at Totara Street, 8pm Saturday September 30. Tickets are $20 from cosmicticketing.co.nz or on the door.

WIN WITH SUNLIVE

SunLive has one double pass to the Saturday, September 30, show at Totara Street for one lucky reader who can tell us which band (Lounge Apes or Funkadelic Monks) Erik sings lead vocals for.

Enter online at www.sunlive.co.nz under the competition section.

Entries must be received by 12pm Wednesday, September 27.