Jane's Addiction Artist Information
The overwhelming influence Jane's Addiction had on alternative music is amazing when you consider the band only released two proper studio albums with the original line-up, and one studio album with 3/4 of that roster and Chris Chaney on bass. Back in 1985 Perry Farrell was looking for a new bass player for his band Psi.com when he met bass player Eric Avery. Mutual love of some of the same artists, including the Velvet Underground and Joy Division, caused the two to begin working with one another. Eric's sister introduced the duo to drummer Stephen Perkins, who in turn introduced the duo to his friend and guitarist Dave Navarro. Psi.com was officially defunct and Janes Addiction was born.
Jane's Addiction quicky developed a massive following in the Los Angeles club underground scene. Known for powerful music, poetic lyrics and their intense live shows, Jane's eventually signed a deal with Warner Brothers, but before going to work on their first studio record they documented the magic of their live shows with a self-titled live album on Triple XXX Records. Two tracks from that record, Jane Says and Pigs in Zen, would find their way onto the first official studio album from the group.
Nothing's Shocking was released in 1988 and was a critical success. The making of the album took its toll on the band, as Farrell demanded the majority of the royalties made from the record. This created loads of tension in the band. The album was not initally a big seller, but its importance in rock music became more profound as years passed, particularly once the band split up.
When their follow-up Ritual de lo Habitual was recorded a year later, the dysfunction within Jane's Addiction was so intense that Farrell showed up at the studio to record his parts weeks after the rest of the band. Only one song, Three Days, was recorded with all four members playing together.
Even amidst all the strife, the output was phenomenal, and Janes Addiction not only conquered "Alternative Nation" as Perry Farrell dubbed the fans of alternative music, but captured the attention of mainstream audiences as well. The singles Stop! and Been Caught Stealing both topped Billboard's Modern Rock Tracks Chart, and the album peaked at Number 19 on the Billboard Hot 200.
Janes had become a household name and what better way to capitalize on that fame than host your own festival? Perry Farrell was the mastermind behind Lollapalooza, an alternative music festival that still exits today as a three day festival at Grant Park in Chicago. In 1991 Lollapalooza One was a touring festival, and the first ever show at Compton Terrace in Phoenix, AZ clearly showed Jane's Addiction were not capable at the time of co-exisiting in harmony. An intoxicated Farrell caused Navarro to have problems with his guitar during one of the solos of the song Ocean Size. Disgusted, Navarro left the stage, the song was completed with just three members, then the rest of the band left the stage. The first ever show of Lollapalooza was over that quick, and the career of Jane's Addiction was over soon thereafter.
Public adoration helped lead to sporadic Janes reunions over the years, but 2008 was the first time bassist Eric Avery had joined the other three members since 1991. The magic was still there, and 2009 was the year Janes Addiction in its proper, original form went on its first full-fledged tour in over 17 years.
Jane's Addiction has seemingly come full circle. TickCo is the best source in the industry to find tickets to see the legendary Janes Addiction live in concert!