Jane's Addiction wrong person? more matches HERE Send to Friend Photo by Chris Cuffaro/Visages Picture Browser < Previous Next > Formed 1984 in Los Angeles, CA Disbanded 1991 Years Active 1910 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 2000 Genre Styles Rock Alternative Pop/ Rock Alternative Metal College Rock Moods Rebellious Druggy Cynical/ Sarcastic Theatrical Acerbic Trippy Brash Raucous Energetic Fiery Confident Manic Snide Tense/Anxious Rambunctious Visceral Dramatic Freewheeling Intense Rousing Cathartic Other Entries Movie Entry Corrections to this Entry? Biography by William Ruhlmann & Greg Prato 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. Jane's Addiction Jane's Addiction Send to Friend buy listen Album Browser < Previous Next > Artist Jane's Addiction Album Jane's Addiction Rating Release Date 1987 Label Triple X Time 39:08 Type Live Genre Styles Rock College Rock Alternative Metal Heavy Metal Alternative Pop/ Rock Moods Themes Rousing Snide Cynical/ Sarcastic Playful Ominous Tense/Anxious Theatrical Visceral Rambunctious Rollicking Freewheeling Intense Reckless Angry Raucous Brash Aggressive TGIF Road Trip Cool & Cocky Guys Night Out Drinking Motivation Corrections to this Entry? Review by Alex Henderson When this live date was recorded at Hollywood's famous Sunset Strip club the Roxy in 1987, Jane's Addiction hadn't yet become the darlings of alternative rock culture. The L.A. band's unorthodox fusion of Led Zeppelin-influenced hard rock, dark Velvet Underground-ish imagery, and stream-of-consciousness art rock wasn't as focused or confident as it would be on the commanding Ritual de lo Habitual. But even so, the band showed considerable potential. As erratic and self-indulgent as this set gets, many of the songs are quite memorable. Lead singer/composer Perry Farrell was always fascinated with the dark side of the human psyche, and that fascination serves him well on "Pigs in Zen," the twisted "Whores," and the alternative rock favorite "Jane Says." And things get enjoyably trashy on covers of the Velvet Underground's "Rock & Roll" and the Rolling Stones' "Sympathy for the Devil." But while this CD will interest completists, more casual listeners should stick to Ritual de lo Habitual. Tracks Title Composer Time 1 Trip Away [live] Jane's Addiction 2 Whores [live] Jane's Addiction 3 Pigs in Zen [live] Jane's Addiction 4 1% [live] Jane's Addiction 5 I Would for You [live] Jane's Addiction 6 My Time [live] Jane's Addiction 7 Jane Says [live] Jane's Addiction 8 Rock & Roll [live] Jane's Addiction 9 Sympathy [live] Jane's Addiction 10 Chip Away [live] Jane's Addiction indicates Track Pick Nothing's Shocking Jane's Addiction Send to Friend buy listen Album Browser < Previous Next > Artist Jane's Addiction Album Nothing's Shocking Rating Release Date 1988 Label Warner Brothers Time 45:13 Type Explicit Lyrics Genre Styles Rock College Rock Hard Rock Alternative Pop/ Rock Heavy Metal Alternative Metal Moods Themes Irreverent Manic Tense/Anxious Snide Intense Fun Freewheeling Confrontational Rousing Theatrical Dramatic Brash Aggressive Raucous Drinking Cool & Cocky Motivation The Creative Side Corrections to this Entry? Review by Greg Prato Although Jane's Addiction's 1987 self-titled debut was an intriguing release (few alternative bands at the time had the courage to mix modern rock, prog rock, and heavy metal together), it paled in comparison to their now classic major-label release one year later, Nothing's Shocking. Produced by Dave Jerden and Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell, the album was more focused and packed more of a sonic wallop than its predecessor; the fiery performances often create an amazing sense that it could all fall apart at any second, creating a fantastic musical tension. Such tracks as "Up the Beach," "Ocean Size," and one of alt-rock's greatest anthems, "Mountain Song," contain the spaciousness created by the band's two biggest influences, Led Zeppelin and the Cure. Elsewhere, "Ted, Just Admit It..." (about serial killer Ted Bundy) and the haunting yet gorgeous "Summertime Rolls" stretched to epic proportions, making great use of changing moods and dynamics (something most alt-rock bands of the time were oblivious to). An incredibly consistent and challenging album, other highlights included the rockers "Had a Dad" and "Pigs in Zen," the horn-driven "Idiots Rule," the jazz instrumental "Thank You Boys," and the up-tempo "Standing in the Shower...Thinking." Like most great bands, it was not a single member whose contribution was greater: Perry Farrell's unique voice and lyrics, Dave Navarro's guitar riffs and wailing leads, Eric Avery's sturdy bass lines, and one of rock's greatest and most powerful drummers, Stephen Perkins. Nothing's Shocking is a must-have for lovers of cutting-edge, influential, and timeless hard rock. Tracks Title Composer Time 1 Up the Beach Farrell, Jane's Addiction 3:00 2 Ocean Size Avery, Farrell, Navarro ... 4:20 Composed by: Avery, Farrell, Navarro, Perkins 3 Had a Dad Farrell, Jane's Addiction 3:44 4 Ted, Just Admit It... Farrell, Jane's Addiction 7:23 5 Standing in the Shower...Thinking Farrell, Jane's Addiction 3:03 6 Summertime Rolls Avery, Farrell, Navarro ... 6:18 Composed by: Avery, Farrell, Navarro, Perkins 7 Mountain Song Farrell, Jane's Addiction 4:03 8 Idiots Rule Farrell, Jane's Addiction 3:00 9 Jane Says Farrell, Jane's Addiction 4:52 10 Thank You Boys Farrell, Jane's Addiction 1:00 11 Pigs in Zen Farrell, Jane's Addiction 4:30 indicates Track Pick Ritual de lo Habitual Jane's Addiction Send to Friend buy listen Album Browser < Previous Next > Artist Jane's Addiction Album Ritual de lo Habitual Rating Release Date Aug 21, 1990 Label Warner Brothers Time 51:30 Type Explicit Lyrics Genre Styles Rock College Rock Alternative Metal Alternative Pop/ Rock Heavy Metal Moods Themes Theatrical Dramatic Snide Rousing Rambunctious Intense Freewheeling Confident Brash Visceral Quirky Aggressive Road Trip Motivation Empowering The Creative Side Corrections to this Entry? Review by Greg Prato Ritual de lo Habitual served as Jane's Addiction's breakthrough to the mainstream in 1990 (going gold and reaching the Top 20), and remains one of rock's all-time sprawling masterpieces. While its predecessor, 1988's Nothing's Shocking, served as a fine introduction to the group, Ritual de lo Habitual proved to be even more daring; few (if any) alt-rock bands have composed a pair of epics that totaled nearly 20 minutes, let alone put them back to back for full dramatic effect. While the cheerful ditty "Been Caught Stealing" is the album's best-known track, the opening "Stop!" is one of the band's best hard rock numbers, propelled by guitarist Dave Navarro's repetitive, trashy funk riff, while "Ain't No Right" remains explosive in its defiant and vicious nature. Jane's Addiction always had a knack for penning beautiful ballads with a ghostly edge, again proven by the album closer, "Classic Girl." But it's the aforementioned epics that are the album's cornerstone: "Three Days" and "Then She Did...." Although Perry Farrell has never truly admitted what the two songs are about lyrically, they appear to be about an autobiographical romantic tryst between three lovers, as each composition twists and turns musically through every imaginable mood. And while the tracks "No One's Leaving," "Obvious," and "Of Course" may not be as renowned as other selections, they prove integral in the makeup of the album. Surprisingly, the band decided to call it a day just as Ritual de lo Habitual hit big, headlining the inaugural Lollapalooza tour (the brainchild of Farrell) in the summer of 1991 as their final road jaunt. Years later, it remains one of alt-rock's finest moments. Tracks Title Composer Time 1 Stop! Jane's Addiction 4:14 2 No One's Leaving Jane's Addiction 3:01 3 Ain't No Right Jane's Addiction 3:34 4 Obvious Jane's Addiction 5:55 5 Been Caught Stealing Jane's Addiction 3:34 6 Three Days Jane's Addiction 10:48 7 Then She Did... Jane's Addiction 8:18 8 Of Course Jane's Addiction 7:02 9 Classic Girl Jane's Addiction 5:07 indicates Track Pick Strays Jane's Addiction Send to Friend buy listen Album Browser < Previous Next > Artist Jane's Addiction Album Strays Rating Release Date Jul 22, 2003 Label Capitol Type Enhanced Genre Styles Rock Hard Rock Alternative Metal Alternative Pop/ Rock Moods Themes Dramatic Freewheeling Theatrical Trippy Druggy Rebellious Fiery Rousing Intense Aggressive Raucous Brash Energetic Irreverent Rollicking Cathartic Drinking Guys Night Out Corrections to this Entry? Review by John Bush The last time that Jane's Addiction headlined Lollapalooza behind a high-profile album was, of course, 1991. Much changed in 12 years, though, and the declining fortunes of Perry Farrell's breakthrough festival during the summer of 2003 were matched by a desultory return from three-fourths of the original Jane's Addiction lineup on its third full album, Strays. Farrell, guitarist Dave Navarro, drummer Stephen Perkins, and bassist Eric Avery (who declined his reunion invitation) had been a vision of '80s musical heaven since their studio debut, 1988's Nothing's Shocking. Farrell's art-school intelligence and originality made the band interesting, while Navarro's and Perkins' background in heavy metal (they're both significantly younger than Farrell) gave the band punch, adding the melodicism of power pop and the constant riffing of thrash. Though Strays possesses all these characteristics — it's undeniably a Jane's Addiction record, and a powerful one at that — it also illustrates that the group's formidable musical talents have been subsumed by an apparent quest to save its legacy. For Strays is, most of all, a safe record. Farrell's regal, echo-laden vocals are intact (and out in front like never before), as are Navarro's ragged, lyrical guitar solos, but the songs lag far behind. In fact, they never even approach the level of any Jane's material from their two proper albums. This isn't a record that would allow a throwaway stunner like "Been Caught Stealing" (the tossed-off jam that became the band's biggest hit) or the majestic ten-minute epic "Three Days." In their place is a set of majestic jams influenced by Farrell's second Porno for Pyros LP, Good God's Urge, a mystical mishmash of musical feelings and textures, not songs. The allure of Jane's Addiction is undiminished by Strays (this is still a band creating music unlike any other group on earth), but the imagination, bravado, and songwriting smarts apparent from their previous classics is missing. Tracks Title Composer Time 1 True Nature Ezrin, Farrell, LeNoble ... Composed by: Ezrin, Farrell, LeNoble, Navarro, Perkins 2 Strays Embry, Ezrin, Farrell, J. ... Composed by: Embry, Ezrin, Farrell, J., Navarro, Perkins 3 Just Because Chaney, Ezrin, Farrell ... Composed by: Chaney, Ezrin, Farrell, Navarro, Perkins 4 Price I Pay Chaney, Ezrin, Farrell ... Composed by: Chaney, Ezrin, Farrell, Navarro, Perkins 5 The Riches Embry, Ezrin, Farrell, LeNoble ... Composed by: Embry, Ezrin, Farrell, LeNoble, Navarro, Perkins 6 Superhero Embry, Ezrin, Farrell, Navarro ... Composed by: Embry, Ezrin, Farrell, Navarro, Perkins 7 Wrong Girl Chaney, Ezrin, Farrell ... Composed by: Chaney, Ezrin, Farrell, Navarro, Perkins 8 Everybody's Friend Ezrin, Farrell, Navarro ... Composed by: Ezrin, Farrell, Navarro, Perkins 9 Suffer Some Ezrin, Farrell, LeNoble ... Composed by: Ezrin, Farrell, LeNoble, Navarro, Perkins 10 Hypersonic Ezrin, Farrell, LeNoble ... Composed by: Ezrin, Farrell, LeNoble, Navarro, Perkins 11 To Match the Sun Ezrin, Farrell, LeNoble ... Composed by: Ezrin, Farrell, LeNoble, Navarro, Perkins 12 [multimedia track] Composed by: indicates Track Pick