This innovative, art-rock quartet was formed in Los Angeles, USA, in 1986, by vocalist Perry Farrell (b. Perry Bernstein, 29 March 1959, Queens, New York City, New York, USA). He had formerly starred in the Cure -influenced Psi Com, from whose ranks would also emerge Dino Paredes, while it is rumoured that two other former members joined the Hare Krishna sect. With the addition of guitarist Dave Navarro (b. David Michael Navarro, 7 June 1967, Santa Monica, California, USA), bass player Eric Avery (b. 25 April 1965) and drummer Stephen Perkins (b. 13 September 1967, Los Angeles, California, USA), Jane’s Addiction incorporated elements of punk, rock, folk and funk into a unique and unpredictable soundscape.
They debuted with a live album on the independent Triple X label, recorded at Hollywood’s Roxy venue, which received widespread critical acclaim, despite a throwaway cover version of Lou Reed’s ‘Rock ‘n Roll’ and Farrell’s limited stage banter, largely comprising profanities. Drawing inspiration from the Doors, PiL, the Velvet Underground and Faith No More, they set about delivering a hypnotic and thought-provoking blend of intoxicating rhythms, jagged and offbeat guitar lines and high-pitched vocals of mesmeric intensity. Their third album, 1987’s Ritual De Lo Habitual, was a work of depth and complexity that required repeated listening to reveal its hidden melodies, subtle nuances and enigmatic qualities. It included the video-friendly shoplifting narrative, ‘Been Caught Stealing’. In the USA, because of censorship of the album’s provocative front cover (as with earlier work, featuring a Farrell sculpture), it was released in a plain envelope with the text of the First Amendment written on it.
Farrell, meanwhile, instigated the Lollapalooza concert series, which from its inception in 1990 became something of a cultural phenomenon on a par with the rise of MTV. Despite widespread media coverage, Jane’s Addiction never achieved the commercial breakthrough that their talents deserved, and Farrell dissolved the band in 1992. On his decision to defect to Porno For Pyros, taking drummer Perkins and bass player Martyn Le Noble with him, Farrell concluded: ‘What it really boiled down to was, I wasn’t getting along with them. I’m not saying whose fault it was. Even though I know whose fault it was’. The subject of these slurs, Navarro, went on to join the Red Hot Chili Peppers in 1994. In the summer of 1997 the original band, minus Avery who was replaced by the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Flea, reunited to record together. Two new tracks appeared on a compilation of live material, demos and out-takes. Both Farrell and Navarro released solo albums in 2001 before announcing another Jane’s Addiction reunion tour. Le Noble took Avery’s place this time around. Strays appeared in July 2003 and proved to be one of the most successful comeback albums of the new millennium. Following the band’s second demise, Farrell began working with his new band Satellite Party, in addition to continuing to organise Lollapalooza.
