Jane's Addiction
Biography
Jane's Addiction were one of the most hotly pursued rock bands when they gained notice in Los Angeles in the mid-'80s, with record companies at their feet. Flamboyant frontman Perry Farrell, formerly of the band Psi Com, had an undeniable charisma and an interest in provocative art (he designed the band's album covers), and Jane's Addiction played a hybrid of rock music: metal with strains of punk, folk, and jazz. The quartet, comprising Farrell, bassist Eric Avery, drummer Stephen Perkins, and guitarist Dave Navarro, had already released its debut album as well, in the form of a live recording from the Roxy in Hollywood. Finally, Warner Bros. won the bidding war and released Nothing's Shocking in 1988. The band's abrasive sound and aggressive attitude (typified by the nude sculpture on the cover) led to some resistance, but Jane's Addiction began to break through to an audience -- the album spent 35 weeks on the charts.
Ritual de lo Habitual followed in 1990 and was the band's commercial breakthrough, reaching the Top 20 and going gold. Farrell designed the traveling rock festival Lollapalooza as a farewell tour for Jane's Addiction. After the tour was completed at the end of the summer of 1991, the group split. Farrell would continue to be involved with the organization of the annual Lollapalooza festival for the next several years; he also formed Porno for Pyros with Perkins in 1992, releasing their debut record the following year. After a couple of quiet years -- which included forming Deconstruction, a band that didn't release any records until 1994, with Avery -- Navarro joined Red Hot Chili Peppers at the end of 1993.
By 1997, Perkins and Farrell had dissolved Porno for Pyros, while Navarro was about to resign from Red Hot Chili Peppers. After Navarro began playing with his two former bandmates again during Porno for Pyros' final tour, a Jane's Addiction reunion tour was announced for the fall of the same year. The only catch was that Chili Peppers bassist Flea replaced Avery (Avery refused to participate, as he concentrated on his new band, Polar Bear). To coincide with the short tour, the newly reunited Jane's Addiction issued the album Kettle Whistle, which compiled classic live performances and demos alongside a few newly recorded tracks. The album didn't fare well on the charts, but the reunion tour was a rousing success. It didn't lead to a permanent re-formation, however, as members went their separate ways once more after its completion. A planned film documentary of the reunion tour failed to materialize, as a best-of compilation that chronicled Farrell's work (with Jane's, Porno, and a few new solo tracks) was issued in 1999, titled Rev. His first solo full-length, Song Yet to Be Sung, saw the light of day in 2001. Navarro's debut solo effort, Trust No One, was issued a month earlier than Farrell's, as another Jane's Addiction reunion was announced the same year. Avery again refused to participate, with his spot being filled by former Porno for Pyros bassist Martyn Lenoble.
Several years later, Jane's Addiction readied themselves to do it again. In mid-2002, Farrell, Navarro, and Perkins headed back into the studio for their first album of new material in over a decade. Bass player Chris Chaney (Tommy Lee, Alanis Morissette) was added to the group and Bob Ezrin (Pink Floyd, Kiss, Aerosmith) signed on to produce the new record. Capitol prepped for the release of Strays in July 2003 while Farrell resurrected Lollapalooza after a six-year break. ~ William Ruhlmann & Greg Prato, All Music Guide
Selected Discography

Up From The Catacombs (Explicit)
2006

Strays
2003

Ritual De Lo Habitual
1990

Nothing's Shocking
1988
Ya sorry about that guys... I guess they didn't die... ( I'm glad they didn't though) My mom told me she saw it on the news a long time ago, so I posted a bunch of RIP s**t. But now I know they didn't (actually I found this out a while ago)... but, yeah, they didn't die.
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a perfect song as the three ive mentioned.. why ?THE SONGS CANNOT BE COVERED ...never better than the original bands...and theyve all been attempted..
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i can still remember the first time i heard it winter 1992 u of ill. spencers house ... i know probably no one cares.. lol.. just sharing :)it f**kin changed me..i listened to it at least twenty times on the real! true believers know what im talkin about ..love all serve all..
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Jane says leaves me always dazed for minutes after it's done. I love that tune
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jane says...stair w a y to heaven...hey jude...shuff l e ..pick one...or three..i never make it without byting!! true believers know whats up!
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Songs about whores. Mmmmm, good!
Mellow out, Porks. Always maintain decorum when faced with provocation. |
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I say...why are they using the cover of Neil Young's Live Rust album to represent the Nothing's Shocking cover?
And where's XXX? |
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Jane's - tomorrow night - Frank Irwin Center in Austin, TX!!! I'm so ready...the kid I bought my ticket from wasn't even born yet when Nothing's Shocking was released...
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It's kind of sad that they are touring again, I liked that they left us wanting more back in 1991. But whatever, for their creative peak 88-90 they were the best. Rock on guys.
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Phrang: "and will continued to be treasured beyond..."
You got that right! |
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tix go on sale sunday for the mountain view show. buahhhhhhhhh h
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While there has been more successful bands in terms of commercial success, Jane's Addiction is, in my estimation, one of the most unique and explosive bands in the history of rock. The proof is in the longevity of their relevance. This music has transcended the 80s, 90s, 00s and will continued to be treasured beyond.
As great as their studio work is - and keep in mind, they only released three albums before their breakup - Jane's is a band made for the stage. Check out their live recordings. |
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"Jumpin out my flesh and I said, YOU BETTER CASH IN"! "Cash in now honey, cash in baby, oh oh oh"
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just heard that these guys are gonna tour with NIN. that should be pretty f**kin sweet! i hope they come to nor cal. really would like to see them live.
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They started off rockin but after "Nothing's Shocking" they started to suck and play mellow radio crap. They were great to see live
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I saw them in ST. LOUIS back in 89-90... awesome. i have all there cd's and a few of the side project cd's..
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There are a few songs that I can remember the FIRST time I heard them, and one of them is Mountain Song by Janes. Nothing's Shocking is truly one of the best albums of ALL time. I have never seen them live, and that certainly one thing I wish I could go back in time and do.
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my brother ran into perry, at a bar in Austin TX., during the south by southwest concert! he snaped a pic of them and sent it to my phone. i love that man!!!!!!!!!
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Nothing's shocking is an incredible album. I have seen them live 4x - (3x - early 90s), and the last show I saw them was at spreckle's theater in San Diego in 2003 (i think) and it was the best. They dominate.
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I cant believe they died... Its so sad. This band freaking rocks and god bless them!
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Why doesn't everybody love this band. They are pioneers! some of their shows were the best i've ever seen, however some the worst. still my alltime favorite band.
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A blessing? Really. Come on. Seeing this band was "a blessing"? Beating cancer or surviving a natural disaster is "a blessing". Seeing an overrated band is more like a chore.
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Top notch band. Epic songs. Navarro has a tone and sound that is just badarse. Killer band!
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To me, these guys cleared the way (commerciall y ) for bands like Nirvana, P-Jam, etc. BUT, many of those bands (I know, blanket statement) lacked the depth and especially musicianship that J.A. had. This band gets overlooked now because they broke up right when they started to get very popular outside of LA. J.A. is worth checking out just for the drumming and bass playing. very original all around. for me in the late 80's they were the best thing going.
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buy Kettle Whistle it is a great album and you get to hear Janes live, I love them so much I named my dog Jane!
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