Jane's Addiction |
 |
|
Mon. July 14.2003 10:30 AM EDT |
||
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 |
||||
|
||||
 |
Jane's Addiction (Alexei Hay) |
|
||
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
You’d probably say “Where do I sign up?” or “Why, sir, you must be talking about Jane’s 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 California’s most important band, defining an anything-goes aesthetic with outrageous album covers and flamboyant performances. Jane’s 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 Lollapalooza’s 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, Jane’s Addiction reformed with Flea on bass. Now it’s beginning to feel like 1991 all over again. Lollapalooza is back and Jane’s is headlining. They’ve 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, you’re batting a thousand. Jane’s Addiction stopped by VH1 to explain what prompted them to get back in the studio, their new bassist’s 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 wasn’t 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 we’d have to go do “Mountain Song,” so it was time to have some new material. You can’t 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." You’ll notice that you’ll 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 it’s three-and-a-half minutes long but it’s still within the limitless possibilities of Jane’s 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: What’s the video like? Farrell: Imagine The Matrix meets Jane’s Addiction meets Thunderdome meets the NBA finals with Magic Johnson with three seconds left. There’s a thousand flashing lights… Navarro: They were so hot, it should be “Jane’s Addiction meets the equator!” [Watch Clip] VH1: Does working with other musicians outside Jane’s influence your music when you come back? Navarro: Absolutely. I’m more expansive of a player. I really don’t 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 Mayhem’s 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 didn’t 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 Jane’s Addiction in England. The Reading Festival was my first show. Navarro: We broke him in at Reading! VH1: Well, Dave, you’ve experienced that sort of challenge, too. Your first Peppers show … Navarro: … was Woodstock! I know where you’re coming from, Chris. We spared him the uncomfortable situation of wearing a giant light-bulb on his head. He didn’t have to deal with that. I’m 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 you’re dealing with a band. In the past you’ve got a very enclosed view. It’s just you in your hotel room and these other guys. When you have a family you’re forced to slow down and pay attention and make sure everybody is okay, too. Navarro: I’ve 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 didn’t know and hanging out with different girls every night” thing. At least we did it in the right order. Now we’re 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 don’t we put Lollapalooza together again? So we started to question musicians for their availability. Audioslave’s 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 don’t capture American youth culture. We need that. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
  |
 |
Jane's Addiction, Killers Turn Up Heat On Lollapalooza's Last Day |
|
Kings Of Leon, Depeche Mode Heat Up Soggy Lollapalooza |
|
Jane's Addiction Cancel Australian Tour Due To Drummer's Illness |
|
Jane's Addiction Call Tourmates Nine Inch Nails 'Extended Family' |
 |
 |
 |
|
Receive Free Music News Daily Via Email |
|
Receive Free Artist Updates Via Email for Jane's Addiction |
|
All news for Jane's Addiction |
|
Breaking Music News |
 |
Add VH1 News to My Yahoo |
|
