Jane's Addiction |
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Mon. July 14.2003 10:30 AM EDT |
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Jane's Addiction: Back Together "Just Because"Farrell & Navarro explain why they're back in action, and tell the world that Lollapolooza is all about the kids. by Brian Ives & C. Bottomley |
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Jane's Addiction (Alexei Hay) |
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What would you say to an alt.rock band with the bombast of Led Zeppelin, the rhythmic throb of Talking Heads, and the rock 'n' roll perversity of Jim Morrison? A band whose topics could include everything from serial killer Ted Bundy to a murky
Youd probably say Where do I sign up? or Why, sir, you must be talking about Janes Addiction! And indeed we are. In the late 80s and early 90s, with the larger-than-life Perry Farrell at the helm, Jane's were Californias most important band, defining an anything-goes aesthetic with outrageous album covers and flamboyant performances. Janes were moving so fast they outgrew themselves after a mere three albums, but not before launching the now-famed Lollapalooza festival by way of farewell. Guitarist Dave Navarro did time with Red Hot Chili Peppers. Farrell started Porno for Pyros with drummer Steve Perkins and carried on as Lollapaloozas ringmaster. The festival brought the cutting edge (and testicle-piercing circus performers) to arenas around the country until it went on hiatus in 1997. Still hungering for that unique magic, Janes Addiction reformed with Flea on bass. Now its beginning to feel like 1991 all over again. Lollapalooza is back and Janes is headlining. Theyve also recorded a new album - Strays - with the legendary Alice Cooper/Pink Floyd producer Bob Ezrin. If you guessed that the disc and its lead single Just Because are out to fry your brain, youre batting a thousand. Janes Addiction stopped by VH1 to explain what prompted them to get back in the studio, their new bassists baptism of fire, and why the world needs another doozy of a Lollapalooza. VH1: Was a new album always in the plan when you reformed in 1997? Dave Navarro: A full-length wasnt in the works until 2001 during the Jubilee tour, where Perry and I discussed the possibility of a new album. Stephen Perkins: At sound-check on the Jubilee tour we started jamming some new ideas, and then wed have to go do Mountain Song, so it was time to have some new material. You cant keep recreating the same music night after night. It was time for us to do something new. Navarro: The new material has breathed life into the old material. Now when we do our sets, the whole thing is truly exciting. VH1: How did Just Because become the first single? Farrell: The song is about doing things "just because." Youll notice that youll get a card around Christmas, but never any other time of the year "just because." We wanted to plant the seed of doing little random acts of love "just because." Navarro: I like it because its three-and-a-half minutes long but its still within the limitless possibilities of Janes Addiction. It takes you on this musical journey within a radio-formatted timeframe. [Kisses Farrell on the cheek] Ask me why I did that! Farrell: Why? Navarro: Just because. [Watch Clip] VH1: Whats the video like? Farrell: Imagine The Matrix meets Janes Addiction meets Thunderdome meets the NBA finals with Magic Johnson with three seconds left. Theres a thousand flashing lights& Navarro: They were so hot, it should be Janes Addiction meets the equator! [Watch Clip] VH1: Does working with other musicians outside Janes influence your music when you come back? Navarro: Absolutely. Im more expansive of a player. I really dont sit at home and practice anymore. I gain my inspiration from playing with other artists, and then I bring it back to this band. VH1: Flea filled in for a while on bass. How did Methods of Mayhems Chris Chaney get the job? Chris Chaney: I met Steve Perkins when he toured with Tommy Lee and Methods of Mayhem. We had an awesome groove [together]. The one unusual thing was that it was all electronic drum pads, so I didnt get to hear Perkins more tribal dynamic. I was dying to play with him in another situation and got a call last August to go do some shows with Janes Addiction in England. The Reading Festival was my first show. Navarro: We broke him in at Reading! VH1: Well, Dave, youve experienced that sort of challenge, too. Your first Peppers show & Navarro: & was Woodstock! I know where youre coming from, Chris. We spared him the uncomfortable situation of wearing a giant light-bulb on his head. He didnt have to deal with that. Im still sore about that, Anthony! VH1: How do your evolving family lives change the chemistry of the band? Farrell: Family life forces you to think outside of yourself, which is a good tool when youre dealing with a band. In the past youve got a very enclosed view. Its just you in your hotel room and these other guys. When you have a family youre forced to slow down and pay attention and make sure everybody is okay, too. Navarro: Ive noticed a big change in everybody, including myself, as a result of embracing that. We did the whole living in the streets and waking in places that we didnt know and hanging out with different girls every night thing. At least we did it in the right order. Now were embracing this family thing, which is new and fresh and exciting. VH1: When did you guys decide to resurrect Lollapalooza? Farrell: It was a very natural process. The record was wrapped up and we started to think about touring so we thought, Why dont we put Lollapalooza together again? So we started to question musicians for their availability. Audioslaves Tom Morello came and sat with us at the studio & Navarro: & and he said, Sounds like a great rock record! [Watch Clip] VH1: Does America need something like Lollapalooza to shake it up musically? Farrell: Lollapalooza has always been about youth culture. What has departed from the festivals the last several years is that they have a music angle but they dont capture American youth culture. We need that. |
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