Jane's Addiction

Jane’s Addiction Overview:

Jane’s Addiction combined stoner mysticism, bohemian attitudes and heavy metal to successful commercial effect in the early 1990s. Led by their shaman-esque frontman Perry Farrell, this Los Angeles-based quartet reflected the liberal-minded worldview of their milieu, embracing love and utopianism while simultaneously acknowledging the darkness of a hedonistic lifestyle. Only together for two albums (before a reunion record in 2003), Jane’s Addiction arguably left its greatest cultural impact with Lollapalooza, a music festival Farrell created in 1991 that has endured far longer than his band did.

Jane’s Addiction’s Formation:

Jane’s Addiction formed in the mid-‘80s. With Farrell taking lead vocals, the rest of the band consisted of guitarist Dave Navarro, bassist Eric Avery and drummer Stephen Perkins. Jane’s Addiction signed to Warner Bros. for the band’s 1988 studio debut, but a quickie live album, called Jane’s Addiction, was released on the independent label Triple X the year before. Jane’s Addiction contained covers of songs by the Rolling Stones and the Velvet Underground, but it also featured a few tracks that would reappear on the band’s next record.

A 'Shocking' First Album:

Nothing’s Shocking featured a very shocking photo of two nude women on its cover, setting the tone for the album’s provocative spirit. Nothing’s Shocking revealed a trippy, experimental side, despite the fact that it contained undeniably guitar-driven assaults like “Mountain Song” and “Had a Dad.” Its slightly mystical introspection and sun-splashed hard rock predicted the later success of Pearl Jam and Red Hot Chili Peppers, and the acoustic ballad “Jane Says” established Jane’s Addiction’s popularity with modern rock fans. Though not a huge seller, the album proved to be an influential alt-rock landmark.

A Successful Sophomore Record ... That Signaled the End:

If Nothing’s Shocking hinted at the possibility of Jane’s Addiction’s mainstream success, 1990’s Ritual de lo Habitual cemented their crossover. “Been Caught Stealing” was a breezy hit about kleptomania, while “Stop!” boasted an exuberant Dave Navarro riff that was equal parts metal and alternative rock. Jane’s Addiction seemed poised for superstar status, but band tensions effectively stalled their momentum, prompting the group to break up shortly thereafter. But before they closed the door on Jane’s, Farrell wanted them to do one last tour.

Lollapalooza:

That tour would become Lollapalooza, a music festival organized by Farrell in 1991 to celebrate an eclectic range of rock and rap groups. The first year’s bill included Living Colour, Ice-T and Nine Inch Nails. Lollapalooza served as Jane’s Addiction’s sendoff, but the music festival has remained active since then, changing in size and focus over the years but still a highlight for alternative-music fans of different genres.

Life After Jane’s Addiction:

Jane’s Addiction stayed somewhat visible after their breakup. Farrell and Perkins worked in a side project called Porno for Pyros, which had a minor hit with “Pets.” Navarro briefly joined Red Hot Chili Peppers. In addition, Jane’s Addiction released Kettle Whistle in 1997, a collection of outtakes, live songs and demos. The band reunited for several shows without bassist Eric Avery and recorded Strays in 2003, the group’s first studio album since Ritual de lo Habitual. Jane’s Addiction played an L.A. show in October 2008 with Avery, prompting hopes that the original lineup would finally reunite for good.

Jane’s Addiction Reunion:

In 2009, Jane’s Addiction returned to the studio to work on their first album with Avery since Ritual de lo Habitual. Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor assisted with the album and invited the band to join him on stage for a co-headlining tour that began in May of that year.

Jane’s Addiction Lineup:

Eric Avery - bass
Perry Farrell - vocals
Dave Navarro - guitar
Stephen Perkins - drums

Key Jane’s Addiction Songs:

“Mountain Song” (Purchase/Download)
“Jane Says” (Purchase/Download)
“Been Caught Stealing” (Purchase/Download)
“Stop!” (Purchase/Download)

Jane’s Addiction Discography:

Jane’s Addiction (live album) (1987)
Nothing’s Shocking (1988)
Ritual de lo Habitual (1990)
Kettle Whistle (outtakes collection) (1997)
Strays (2003)
Up From the Catacombs – The Best of Jane’s Addiction (2006)
A Cabinet of Curiosities (outtakes collection)

Jane’s Addiction Quotes:

Perry Farrell, on why the band initially broke up.
“It boiled down to me not getting along with them, I’m not saying whose fault it was. Even though I knew whose fault it was.”

Eric Avery, on his reasons for deciding to play with Jane’s Addiction in 2008 after years of refusing to participate in any reunions.
“I’ve chosen to reject the prospects of reuniting in the past for personal and philosophical reasons. I have always considered reunions to be a way to make a quick buck, and it sells short my own experience of it the first time around. The reason I started to even consider this is because it’s honoring the past instead of trying to recreate it.”

Stephen Perkins, describing the band’s music.
“Jane is like a Porsche – fast and mean.”

Perry Farrell, on how he sees Jane’s Addiction’s legacy.
“I wish for Jane’s Addiction to be remembered as one of the seminal bands of her era. She laid a foundation for unbridled underground music to rise up on. The newly coined ‘alternative music’ came on to replace a stale music scene. We encouraged people to make scary choices.”

Jane’s Addiction Trivia:

• When Jane’s Addiction had to censor the cover of Ritual de lo Habitual because of nudity, Farrell chose to repackage the album with simply the text of the First Amendment included on a white background.
• Guitarist Dave Navarro married model Carmen Electra in 2003. They divorced three years later.
• Stephen Perkins and Dave Navarro have known each other since high school.