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Perry Farrell

Biography

Perry Farrell is quite simply, one of the most important and original musical figures of the '90s. Born Perry Bernstein in New York City on March 29, 1959, Perry moved with his family to Miami, FL as a youngster, and eventually wound up in Los Angeles, CA, where he discovered the liberating punk rock movement. By the early-80's goth-rock was sweeping across L.A. - as a result, Perry changed his name to Perry Farrell ('peripheral') and formed the goth-alternative band, Psi Com. While the group was an important musical stepping stone for Perry (his trademark heavily effected vocal style, ethereal music, etc.), the band eventually fell apart before they could sign to a major label. Years later, in 1994, Triple X Records would issue a self-titled, 5-track Psi Com compilation. Undettered, Farrell put together what would become one of the greatest rock bands of all time, Jane's Addiction. He hooked up with a pair of young metalheads, drummer Stephen Perkins and guitarist Dave Navarro, plus alternative fan Eric Avery on bass. The quartet was harder rocking than Farrell's previous outfit, and injected their rock with unpredictability -unafraid to touch upon other non-rock musical styles and making great use of dynamics. The band was also different in that it was against the testosterone-heavy image of other rockers at the time, the bandmembers would often kiss each other on stage and Farrell would sometimes dress in drag. All of the hoopla paid off for the band as they became an instant favorite on the L.A. club scene, issuing their self-titled debut on Triple X in 1987. Like it's music, the band's audience was varied - metalheads, punkers, and goths all worshipped them. A huge bidding war ensued, with Warner Bros. eventually signing the up-and-coming band. Although Jane's Addiction would only be together for 2 more albums, 1988's Nothing's Shocking and 1990's Ritual De Lo Habitual (both platinum-certified), they were a major reason for alternative rock's eventual mainstream acceptance and success. Both albums are widely considered classics, proving to be incredibly influential on the 90's alt-rock scene. Eventually, drug-fueled bickering helped break up the group, but not before they would headline the inaugural Lollapalooza tour in 1991 (Farrell was the founder of the eventual annual tour). Perry also tried his hand at filmmaking around this time, with the hard-to-decipher Gift. Perry went straight into his next project, Porno For Pyros, which included ex-Jane's drummer Perkins, as well as guitarist Peter DiStefano and bassist Martyn LeNoble. While the new outfit contained some of the same musical trademarks as J.A., it proved to be not as musically adventurous or

abstract. A pair of underrated albums were issued, 1993's self-titled debut and 96's Good God's Urge, and while the band was a popular concert attraction, Farrell split the band up in 1997, shortly after an appearance on the Private Parts soundtrack and a performance at the movie's premier. Later in '97, Farrell did a brief reunion tour with Jane's Addiction (Eric Avery, who refused the invitation, was replaced by The Red Hot Chili Peppers' Flea on bass), releasing a spotty live/outtakes collection Kettle Whistle the same year. A year later, Farrell became a father and swore off drugs and drink for good - focusing on a new project, dubbed Gobalee. Before the new project could get off the ground, Farrell abruptly abandoned it, concentrating on recording his first solo album, which featured contributions by Rage Against The Machine guitarist Tom Morello and Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist John Frusciante. In November of 1999, the retrospective Rev was issued, containing hits and rarities from both Jane' s Addiciton and Porno for Pyros, as well as a pair of solo tracks. In 2001, Farrell's solo album Song Yet To Be Sung arrived, marking his first new material in five years as well as a more global, spiritual approach to his music. ~ Greg Prato, All Music Guide

Continued…

Selected Discography

Rev
1999

Satellite Party - Ultra Payloaded

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dlobai says:

10-22-2009

people should right on here more often, keep up the playing, thanx for all the great music dude...

johnny appleseed says:

07-09-2009

jane says ... stairway to heaven ....hey jude.....pic k one , or all three ...i never made it without biting ...

don1983 says:

06-04-2009

By the time the first Lollapalooza , I refused to go, thousands? of people, too much! I'm glad for the success they had, but at the same time, seeing them in a small venue, being able to approach them and tell them what their music meant to me still is very cool. That is just my opinion. Also, Dave Navarro is an extremely friendly and great guy (really short too) haha!

don1983 says:

06-04-2009

I agree McGarr, good points the younger (20 somethings) would not understand,
at that time there was no internet to spread the word about any new music
"underground " or otherwise. I also agree they broke up at the right time. To see them now would just be depressing. I had the chance to see them in Milwaukee in a crowd of maybe 200, and after that it just was not the same

Thomas McGarr says:

05-05-2009

And: I do think that without him/them, your radio would sound different. The reasons many think that Nirvana and Pearl Jam were more influential are: Both bands are easier to sound like(hence all the garbage that followed)and both bands had way more videos and sold way more records. NEITHER were as adventurous musically or as talented musically. These are just my opinions, but I think J.A. laid the ground work for the mainstream success of many bands.

Thomas McGarr says:

05-05-2009

I think it was perfect that Jane's Addiction had a short career. I don't necessarily think they would have bettered the "Ritual" album. It was so dense and diverse (and still rocked). Quite an achievement. If anything, I feel they would have experienced some sort of "cool culture" backlash. Let's face it, they wouldn't have gotten LESS popular mainstream-w i s e . At that time, people seemed to weigh those types of things and wanted to keep their favorite bands a secret from the rest of the world

nskyler16 says:

03-28-2009

Without this man, your radio would sound different. Period. The John Lennon of alternative rock.

I think that's an overstatemen t . Nirvana and Pearl Jam and the post-grunge that followed probably did that, but yes Jane's Addiction paved new inroads (and copycats also followed, unfortunatel y ) . They are awesome! one of my fave bands. just too bad they had a pretty short career

hsegstevo says:

02-17-2009

Without this man, your radio would sound different. Period. The John Lennon of alternative rock.

savage1278 says:

12-19-2008

this man is a creative made man

Dragon Gothica says:

10-24-2008

While I have no idea about Will Farell, Perry Farrel is definitely an influence for many a musician getting their start in the '90's who wanted to do something more than boring hormone songs singing the praises of some girl's booty... Jane's Addiction was dancey, weird, brash and Farell's vocals metallic and odd enough to stand out amongst a bunch of "alternative " bands that were all just trying to sound like Nirvana.

andy2305 says:

09-02-2008

As Will Farrell is to comedy....a central and groudbreakin g figure....so to is Perry Farrell of Jane's Addiction to alternative music...perh a p s even music in general.

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