Jane's Addiction is an American alternative rock band formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1985. The band is currently composed of core members Perry Farrell (vocals), Dave Navarro (guitar), and Stephen Perkins (drums). For the majority of the band's career, its bassist has been Eric Avery. After breaking up for the first time in 1991, Jane's Addiction briefly reunited in 1997 and again in 2001; both times, Avery declined to participate, and the band has used several bassists in his place. In 2009, the band's "classic" lineup, featuring Avery, reunited to tour with NIN for the Wave Goodbye Tour.
Contents
Biography
Formation and Jane's Addiction (1985–1987)
Jane's Addiction formed out of the ashes 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. The new band was dubbed "Jane's Addiction" in honor of Farrell's housemate, Jane Bainter, who was addicted to drugs. In its early incarnation, Jane's Addiction went through three guitarists and featured Matt Chaikin, formerly of Kommunity FK, on drums.
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.[5] 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.
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. 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. In January 1987, the band recorded its debut record Jane's Addiction during a live performance at the Roxy Theatre for a cost of $4,000. Before the album was released, Jane's Addiction supported British band Love and Rockets on a two-month tour in late 1987.
Nothing's Shocking (1988)
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.
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. Farrell then decided to release the music video commercially with added live footage to create the Soul Kiss home video. 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.
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. 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."
Part of the tour included headlining the first lapaloozaestival, 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 up into the crowd. The band however, continued the tour and played about 25 more Lollapalooza shows.
In late 1991, Avery told Navarro that he planned on leaving the band. Navarro quickly agreed to doing the same thing. The two told 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.
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.
Avery subsequently left the band in early 2010, as the group began work on new material. Following Avery's departure and the completion of the Soundwave Festival, vocalist Perry Farrell stated:
"Everyone is so excited to get home now and start working on a new record and a show. I wrote a song today, "The Great Escape Artist" and I am going to write at least three more on the way back to LA. All I keep thinking is; 'This is the beginning of …something that already feels great; I cannot wait."
Legacy
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." The band is ranked 35th on VH1's "100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock" list.
Current Lineup
- Perry Farrell: Vocals (1985–present)
- Duff McKagen: Bass (2010–present)
- Dave Navarro: Guitar (1985–present)
- Stephen Perkins: Drums (1985–present)
Former Members
- Eric Avery: Bass (1985–1991, 2008–2010)
- Flea: Bass (1997)
- Martyn LeNoble: Bass (2001–2002)
- Chris Chaney: Bass (2002–2004)
Body of Work
Studio Albums
- Nothing's Shocking (1988)
- Ritual de lo Habitual (1990)
- Strays (2003)
EPs
- NINJA 2009 Summer Tour EP (2009)
Live Albums
Jane's Addiction (1987)
Compilations
- Live and Rare (1991)
- Kettle Whistle (1997)
- Up From The Catacombs: The Best of Jane's Addiction (2006)
- A Cabinet Of Curiosities (2009)
Trivia
- The song "Had A Dad", from the band's 1988 album Nothing's Shocking, is sampled in "Ringfinger".