Jane's Addiction

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Biography

'''Jane's Addiction''' is an American Rock music|rock band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1985. The band's original line-up featured Perry Farrell (vocals), Dave Navarro (guitar), Eric Avery (bass) and Stephen Perkins (drums). After breaking up in 1991, Jane's Addiction briefly reunited in 1997 and again in 2001, both times with Avery declining to participate. In 2008, the band's "classic" line-up, featuring Avery, reunited and embarked on a world tour. Avery subsequently left the band in early 2010 as the group began work on new material.

Jane's Addiction was one of the first bands to emerge from the early 1990s alternative rock movement to gain mainstream media attention and commercial success in the United States. Their initial farewell tour launched the first Lollapalooza festival, an alternative rock showcase. As a result, Jane's Addiction became icons of what Farrell dubbed the "Alternative Nation."di Perna, Alan. "Brave Noise–The History of Alternative Rock Guitar". Guitar World . December 1995. The band was ranked 35th on VH1's "100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock" list.

History

Formation and ''Jane's Addiction (1985–1987)

Jane's Addiction formed out of the remains of frontman Perry Farrell 's previous band, Psi Com . In mid-1985, Farrell was searching for a new bass player for the faltering Psi-com when he was introduced to Eric Avery . Farrell and Avery bonded over a mutual appreciation for Joy Division and The Velvet Underground and began to practice together, even though Avery never did become a full-fledged member of Farrell's disintegrating group.Mullen, Brendan. ''Whores: An Oral Biography of Perry Farrell and Jane's Addiction''. Cambridge: Da Capo, 2005. ISBN 0-306-81347-5, p. 48 The new band was dubbed "Jane's Addiction" in honor of Farrell's housemate, Jane Bainter, who was addicted to drugs. At the beginning, little known guitarist Matt Fanuka was rhythm guitar for four days, but was cut from the band because of intense methamphetamine usage. In its early incarnation, Jane's Addiction went through three guitarists and featured Matt Chaikin, formerly of Kommunity FK , on drums.Mullen, p. 54

After Chaikin failed to show up for several rehearsals, Farrell began seeking a new drummer. Avery's younger sister Rebecca suggested her boyfriend Stephen Perkins . Avery was uncertain because of their differing tastes in music, but eventually relented.Mullen, p. 75–76 After Perkins was hired, the drummer and Rebecca Avery promised to get their friend Dave Navarro into the group. Based on Perkins' recommendation, the band auditioned Navarro and subsequently hired him.Mullen, p. 77–78

Jane's Addiction became a sensation on the Los Angeles club scene, primarily headlining at Scream. The band soon gained interest from a variety of record labels. While the group had decided to sign with Warner Bros. Records , Jane's Addiction insisted on releasing its debut on independent record label Triple X Records first.Mullen, p. 113–15 The band's manager negotiated the largest advance up to that point, with Warner Bros. signing the band for between $250,000 to $300,000.Mullen, p. 118 In January 1987, the band recorded its debut record '' Jane's Addiction (album)|Jane's Addiction '' during a live performance at the Roxy Theatre (West Hollywood)|Roxy Theatre at a cost of $4,000.Mullen, p. 119–21 Before the album was released, Jane's Addiction supported British band Love and Rockets (band)|Love and Rockets on a two-month tour in late 1987.Mullen, p. 158

''Nothing's Shocking (1987–1989)

In January 1988, Jane's Addiction went into the studio to record its first studio album, '' Nothing's Shocking ''. Warner Bros. gave Jane's Addiction a list of producers to choose from, but the group chose Dave Jerden .Mullen, p. 165

''Nothing's Shocking'' was released in 1988. "Mountain Song" was released as a single; MTV refused to air the song's music video due to a scene containing full frontal nudity.Mullen, p. 179 Farrell then decided to release the music video commercially with added live footage to create the Soul Kiss home video.Mullen, p. 180 Due to lack of airplay on MTV and modern rock radio, the album only sold 200,000 to 250,000 copies in its first year of release.Mullen, p. 190

After the album's release, the band went on tour, opening for Iggy Pop and The Ramones . By the end of the tour, Jane's Addiction was headlining clubs and theaters.

Ritual de lo Habitual and first breakup (1989–1991)

Jane's Addiction was scheduled to begin recording its next album in mid-1989. Navarro later stated he had almost no recollection of working on the album due to his addiction to heroin.Mullen, p. 201–02 Ritual de lo Habitual was released in 1990. To support the album, the band embarked on a 13-month tour. Farrell recalled, "That thirteen-month tour behind Ritual was half the reason we wound up unable to stand one another. The other half is that I am an intolerable narcissist who can't get along with anyone."Mullen, p. 218

Part of the tour included headlining the first Lollapalooza festival, which travelled across North America in mid-1991. The festival, created by Perry Farrell and Marc Geiger, was to become a farewell tour for Jane's Addiction, but at the same time it was a music festival with bands such as Nine Inch Nails , Siouxsie and the Banshees , The Butthole Surfers , Fishbone , The Rollins Band , The Violent Femmes , Body Count , and Ice-T . During this time Jane's Addiction began to get more exposure than they had ever before. "Been Caught Stealing" and "Stop!" became smash hit singles and received solid amounts of air time on MTV. During the very first Lollapalooza show, Perry Farrell and Dave Navarro got into a fight onstage after the two had begun violently bumping each other mid-song. The band walked off stage, but came back to play an encore. But the fight continued and Navarro eventually threw his guitar into the crowd. The band continued the tour, however, and played about 25 more Lollapalooza shows.

In late 1991, Avery told Navarro that he planned on leaving the band. Navarro quickly agreed to do the same thing. The two told their management, who in turn tried to convince them to play in Japan, but Avery and Navarro only wanted to play as much was contractually obligated. Jane's Addiction played its last shows in Australia and Hawaii before disbanding.Mullen, p. 239–40 According to Spin Magazine (1991 Vol. 7 Num. 3), for most of the "Ritual" tour, Avery and Navarro, aside from the concerts, tended to do their own thing and abstain from the regular partying that Farrell and Perkins were involved in. To not be tempted, after most shows, Avery and Navarro (and his wife at the time, Tanya) would immediately retire to the hotel. Even on the tour bus, if Avery and Navarro ever needed "to retreat", they were given the back of the tour bus at any time, no questions asked. Quoted from the article: "...they have simply learned that they cannot use drugs of any kind anymore without becoming slaves to them, and that slavery is death". This dichotomy was listed as one of the major determining factors involving the break-up of the band; regardless of the success, Avery and Navarro's need to abstain and their wanting to live their lives free from addiction and the slavery that comes with it had to be their top priority in life and they couldn't do that while being a part of J.A..

Solo projects and 1997 reunion (1992–2001)

The band members pursued other projects in the 1990s. Farrell and Perkins formed another band, Porno for Pyros , and had some success with their two albums, Porno For Pyros (album)|Porno For Pyros (1993) and '' Good God's Urge (1996); meanwhile, Avery and Navarro formed Deconstruction (band)|Deconstruction and put out a self-titled one-off album in 1994. Dave Navarro joined the Red Hot Chili Peppers in 1993 and in the same year Stephen Perkins started a band named Banyan (band)|Banyan , with core members Nels Cline , Mike Watt , and Willie Waldman (with revolving studio guests). Banyan have released three albums as of 2008, their self titled-debut, Any Time at All and Live At Perkins Place .

Dave Navarro and the Red Hot Chili Peppers 's Flea (musician)|Flea joined Porno for Pyros to record "Hard Charger" in 1997 for Howard Stern's movie, Private Parts soundtrack which led to a brief Jane's Addiction Relapse tour with Flea (musician)|Flea replacing Avery as bassist, after he declined an invitation to rejoin the band. They produced a compilation album, entitled Kettle Whistle . This album featured two new songs with Flea contributing the bass parts. In 2010, Perkins stated that "Flea, to me, was a great match in '97. As a drummer, he was very exciting for me to work with." Despite the successful tour, from the photos taken of the band at this point and their appearance on Saturday Night Live (Ep. 431, Nov. 8, 1997), Farrell's addiction to drugs had been taken to a whole new level. Appearing on stage without a shirt, Farrell looked frighteningly emaciated with his arms the thickness of no more than a broomstick with the overall look of someone in the advanced stages of starvation. Years later, he would conquer his addictions and recreate a much healthier life, but, at that point, it appeared his addiction had gotten the better of him and his health.

Strays (2001–2004)

The 2001 Jubilee 2000|Jubilee Tour featured all the old Jane's Addiction songs, while showcasing the recent solo release from Navarro, Trust No One . Fans were told to expect a "Sexual Psycho Circus, I am not sure if you will want to quote me on that, but fans will see half-naked, penny rafters, guitar solos, and tribal drums..." This was exactly what the fans got. During renditions of Classic Girl , illuminated, scantily clad stage dancers filled the arenas. For the tour, again Avery declined any involvement. With Flea busy with the Chili Peppers, Porno for Pyros bassist Martyn LeNoble was brought in to fill the gap. Following the success of this tour, the band decided to record a follow-up album to 1990's Ritual De Lo Habitual and tapped Chris Chaney to replace LeNoble on bass. They entered the studio with legendary producer Bob Ezrin in 2001, recording as a band for the first time in over 10 years. The result was the group's third album, '' Strays (Jane's Addiction album)|Strays .'' Some of the songs (or parts of songs) dated far back in the band's history, while others were brand new. Criticism was generally favorable,
with Rolling Stone reporting that "The band sounds familiar" and "beefier" though without the "glint of madness" of the original line-up.
The first single, " Just Because (Jane's Addiction song)|Just Because ", was the biggest single for the band to date, landing at number 72 on the Billboard 100 charts, though the sixth song on the record, "Superhero", garnered much more exposure as the featured theme song of HBO's hit series Entourage (TV series)|Entourage .

The band spent 2003 on an extensive worldwide tour in support of Strays , including, in a homecoming of sorts, a summer headliner slot in a reincarnated Lollapalooza U.S. tour. Jane's Addiction once again broke up towards the end of their 2003 touring and canceled several dates. Although exact details surrounding the band's demise are sparse, Navarro claimed on his website, in June 2004, that the reasons for the breakup were essentially the same as they were in 1991. Perkins would later state, "We always break-up if it’s not real. We really can’t fake it. I mean we can make a million dollars for three months touring but we would fucking hate each other, which isn’t good. Even with the nostalgia, it's not worth it if it doesn’t sound good, or look good. One of the things with Jane's is that we have never been good at faking it."

Second breakup (2004–2008)

During their second major split, the band were involved in a number of other projects. Navarro, Perkins, and Chaney formed a new band, The Panic Channel , with singer Steve Isaacs , who together released one album, titled (ONe) , in 2006. Perry Farrell, together with his wife Etty Lau Farrell and former Extreme (band)|Extreme guitarist Nuno Bettencourt , formed The Satellite Party . The band signed with Columbia Records and released their debut album, Ultra Payloaded in 2007. Eric Avery signed with Dangerbird Records for the release of his solo album Help Wanted (album)|Help Wanted in 2008.

A Greatest Hits album titled '' Up from the Catacombs – The Best of Jane's Addiction was released on September 19, 2006.

Reunion with Eric Avery and NIN/JA Tour (2008–2010)

Jane's Addiction performed at the first-ever NME Awards USA on April 23, 2008, with the reunited core line-up of Perry Farrell, Dave Navarro, Eric Avery, and Stephen Perkins. This was the first performance with bassist Eric Avery since 1991, taking place after their acceptance speech for the "Godlike Genius Award". To follow this up, the original line up performed their first full set in 17 years in Los Angeles on October 23, 2008 at La Cita Bar, and played two further club gigs at the El Cid in Los Angeles on November 20. and the Echoplex on February 16, 2009. On April 11, 2009 they had a birthday bash for Perry that included members of Jane's Addiction and Porno for Pyros on the same stage; the bash was nicknamed Perrypalooza. – YouTube

Around this time, photos of Perry Farrell, Dave Navarro, Eric Avery, and Stephen Perkins, taken by Trent Reznor , appeared on Nine Inch Nails' official web site, leading to speculation that Reznor could be helping Jane's Addiction record new material. Reznor subsequently posted a blog entry announcing that Jane's Addiction would accompany Nine Inch Nails on their summer 2009 tour, which kicked off on May 8 in West Palm Beach, Florida.

To accompany the tour, newly recorded versions of "Chip Away" and "Whores" have been released for free via the official tour website. Regarding the tracks, Perry Farrell states that: "just to get some creative juice flowing, we went into the studio for about two weeks. We had the idea to re-record two tunes, just because they'd never been done officially in the studio. And we had some fun writing some new things. A handful that are close to finished, but not quite done. But there's no rush to put anything out at this point." Discussing the tracks on his blog, guitarist Dave Navarro stated, "The thinking being that we wanted to give our longtime listeners something to celebrate the tour and "Whores" has always been one of the tracks that defined Jane's early on."

A box-set, entitled A Cabinet of Curiosities , was also released to accompany the NIN/JA tour in April 2009.

While Jane's Addiction were booked to play the Splendour in the Grass festival in Australia, medical problems have prevented the band making the trip down under. Music Feeds reports that an arm infection, probably that of drummer Stephen Perkins, is the cause of the cancellation. The entire Australian tour has been cancelled, though Jane's Addiction state that they will return to Australia as soon as possible.

Jane's Addiction performed at the 2009 Voodoo Experience|Voodoo Fest held at City Park in New Orleans, Louisiana over Halloween weekend. The concert was filmed and a year later released as Live Voodoo DVD, which received mixed reviews. "...It all falls rather flat, a two-dimensional sound robbing the likes of 'Ocean Size' and 'Ted, Just Admit It' of any sense of dynamics," Phil Mongredien of the Q magazine wrote. Mongredien, Phil . Q magazine. 2010. October issue. Review Music DVDs. The Doors. When You're Strange. p.134.

Jane's Addiction returned to Australia in February 2010 for the Soundwave Festival. Eric Avery subsequently left the band following the completion of the festival, stating: "That's it. With equal parts regret and relief, the Jane's Addiction experiment is at an end."

The Great Escape Artist (2010–2012)

Following Avery's departure and the completion of the Soundwave Festival , vocalist Perry Farrell stated:

The band began working with Velvet Revolver bassist Duff McKagan on new material. with a picture of the group working together posted on Navarro's twitter page. It was later confirmed by Dave Navarro on his Dark Matter radio programme that McKagan had indeed joined Jane's Addiction on a permanent basis.

On joining Jane's Addiction, McKagan stated:
The new lineup of Jane's Addiction made their debut, performing at singer Perry Farrell 's 51st birthday celebration, at Les Deux in Los Angeles, California on March 30.

In April 2010, the group announced two European dates, scheduled for June, taking place at the GelreDome , in Arnhem , Netherlands, and an appearance at the Rock in Rio in Madrid, Spain. Preceding these shows in Europe was a one-off Cinco de Mayo concert that took place at the Bardot in Hollywood, California on Wednesday, May 5, 2010. During the show, they debuted a new song titled "Soulmate".

In October 2010, Eric Avery released a 16-part video interview on Xiola.org discussing his time spent within the reunited band. After viewing, Navarro stated that there were some inaccuracies within the interview.

On January 5, 2011, the band announced that they had recruited TV on the Radio guitarist and producer David Andrew Sitek|Dave Sitek as a replacement for Duff McKagan . Sitek was set to record the bass for the band's fourth studio album, entitled The Great Escape Artist . On January 14, 2011, while talking about the recording of the new album, drummer Stephen Perkins mentioned that although Sitek was a "stabilizing force" for Jane's Addiction, and was to appear on the upcoming album, he was not the band's full-time bassist as was previously reported. It was then confirmed that Sitek would not be touring with the band, which was set to promote the album on a summer tour, including headlining Reading and Leeds Festivals . These sets would later be cancelled due to Farell's illness. – Ultimate-Guitar.Com 2011 It was then announced that Chris Chaney would be the band's live bassist for some shows in 2011. On March 30, 2011, a song from The Great Escape Artist , titled " End to the Lies " was premiered on the Chilean radio station Radio Futuro, and was also performed at Lollapalooza Chile on April 3, 2011. On April 8, "End to the Lies" was released via their website as free to download. On July 23, 2011 the band headlined the Gathering of the Vibes Music and Arts festival in Bridgeport, Connecticut . On August 3, 2011 the band released the second single entitled "Irresistible Force". The initial release date for new album was scheduled for September 27, 2011, but was postponed until October. The Great Escape Artist was released on October 18, 2011.

Future (2012-present)

In February 2012, Perry Farrell discussed the possibility of releasing a follow-up to The Great Escape Artist whilst touring in support of the album, stating, "What I have not seen before is a group that's done a record, had somewhat of a theme – escapism – and then done a second record almost as if it was a follow-up movie . I want to do that. We have material left from The Great Escape Artist we didn't record. I'm very inspired to keep with the theme. Something's feeling right about it." http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/perry-farrell-janes-addiction-tour-inspired-by-boardwalk-empire-era-20120131

Band members

Current members

Perry Farrell – lead vocals (1985–1991, 1997, 2001–2004, 2008–present)

Dave Navarro – lead & rhythm guitars, acoustic guitar, piano (1986–1991, 1997, 2001–2004, 2008–present)

Stephen Perkins – drums, percussion, steel pan (1986–1991, 1997, 2001–2004, 2008–present)

Chris Chaney – bass guitar (2002–2004, one-off appearances in 2009 & 2010, 2011–present)

Former members

Dave Sitek – bass guitar (2010–2011) (in studio)

Duff McKagan – bass (March–September 2010)

Eric Avery – bass, acoustic guitar (1985–1991, 2008–2010)

Martyn LeNoble – bass (2001–2002)

Flea (musician)|Flea – bass (1997)

Timeline

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bar:Brinkman text:"Chris Brinkman"
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bar:Pritchard text:"Mark Pritchard"
bar:Ed text:"Ed Dobrydnio"
bar:Perkins text:"Stephen Perkins"
bar:Navarro text:"Dave Navarro"
bar:Flea text:"Flea"
bar:LeNoble text:"Martyn LeNoble"
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bar:Farrell from:01/01/2001 till:06/01/2004 color:Vocals
bar:Farrell from:04/23/2008 till:end color:Vocals
bar:Chaikin from:10/24/1985 till:02/01/1986 color:Drums
bar:Perkins from:03/01/1986 till:09/26/1991 color:Drums
bar:Perkins from:08/01/1997 till:12/08/1997 color:Drums
bar:Perkins from:08/01/1997 till:12/08/1997 color:Drums
bar:Perkins from:01/01/2001 till:06/01/2004 color:Drums
bar:Perkins from:04/23/2008 till:end color:Drums
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bar:Brinkman from:10/24/1985 till:01/01/1986 color:Guitar
bar:Pritchard from:01/01/1986 till:01/10/1986 color:Guitar
bar:Ed from:01/10/1986 till:02/01/1986 color:Guitar
bar:Navarro from:03/01/1986 till:09/26/1991 color:Guitar
bar:Navarro from:08/01/1997 till:12/08/1997 color:Guitar
bar:Navarro from:08/01/1997 till:12/08/1997 color:Guitar
bar:Navarro from:01/01/2001 till:06/01/2004 color:Guitar
bar:Navarro from:04/23/2008 till:end color:Guitar
bar:Avery from:08/01/1985 till:09/26/1991 color:Bass
bar:Avery from:04/23/2008 till:03/01/2010 color:Bass
bar:Flea from:08/01/1997 till:12/08/1997 color:Bass
bar:LeNoble from:01/01/2001 till:07/28/2002 color:Bass
bar:Chaney from:08/19/2002 till:06/01/2004 color:Bass
bar:Chaney from:12/31/2009 till:01/01/2010 color:Bass
bar:Chaney from:10/16/2010 till:10/16/2010 color:Bass
bar:Chaney from:03/17/2011 till:end color:Bass
bar:Duff from:03/02/2010 till:09/07/2010 color:Bass
bar:Sitek from:09/01/2010 till:08/03/2011 color:Bass

Discography

Studio albums

'' Nothing's Shocking (1988)

Ritual de lo Habitual (1990)

'' Strays (Jane's Addiction album)|Strays (2003)

The Great Escape Artist (2011)

Notes

Copyright Citations

This article is licensed under the GNU License
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Jane's Addiction Photo by: images.chron.com


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