Jane's Addiction - May 07, 1989 - Fillmore Auditorium, San Francisco, CA

Date: May 07, 1989
Location: Fillmore Auditorium, San Francisco, CA
Recorded: No known recording
Status: Confirmed
Type: Concert
Lineup: Perry Farrell
Dave Navarro
Stephen Perkins
Eric Avery
Artwork:
 

Show Information:

Caterwaul opened.

SACRAMENTO BEE
May 5, 1989
REMEMBER OZZIE? TUNE IN TODAY TO THE SPIN DOCTORS
David Barton By David Barton

WAY BACK in the distant past of Sacramento's music scene, before Anton Barbeau, before the Earwigs, before Bourgeois Tagg, even before Charlie Peacock, there wasn't much. But there was a group that was perhaps better than any of those that followed it: It was called Ozzie.

Ozzie, named for Harriet's husband, was new wave before new wave existed. In fact, the quintet even predated Devo and Pere Ubu; from 1972 to 1980, Ozzie made music that was theater when everyone else in town was trying to be either the Doobie Brothers, David Bowie or Led Zeppelin (some things never change). With influences that ranged from Captain Beefheart to Terry Riley to the Incredible String Band, and songs like the punk send-up ""I'm So Stupid,'' they were weirder than almost anyone.

Graduate, where they were hired to be so weird they'd drive the bikers out) and ""Ozzie on Trial'' (in which they stood on trial before the people of Sacramento).

That last show indicated the depth of local audience indifference, driving the group to gigs at the fledgling Mabuhay Gardens in San Francisco and elsewhere and eventually to Los Angeles, where it splintered and spent the '80s woodshedding, having children and growing up.

Now, Ozzie's back (four of the original five -- missing is Spencer Sparrow, who lives elsewhere). William Fuller, Jack Hastings, Lenny Schotter and Bob Jolly are joined in this latest group by three new members, Stevie Schotter, Jack Normal and Dave Berger. They call themselves the Spin Doctors. And the group's return to Sacramento will be marked by a theme evening dubbed Cambio de Bolsa (''pocket change'') that has something to do with Cinco de Mayo, though what exactly is unclear.

But it will be worth finding out. After all, these guys were well ahead of their time back in the '70s and they may still be. Or the audience may have caught up. In any case, the Spin Doctors will play three sets at 9:30 Saturday night at Harry's Bar and Grill, 400 L St. The cover is $3. For more information: 348-1732.

Metal habit

Jane's Addiction is the hottest new metal band around, drawing ever- increasing numbers to its shows, which include two at the Fillmore at 8 Sunday and Monday nights. This controversial neo-metal band from L.A. has been making waves with its unusual show, which reportedly features the band performing on a mostly darkened stage, in silhouette.

Opening for the band Sunday night will be the essentially non-metal Caterwaul, which sounds closer to the Sugarcubes and Divynils than it does to Judas Priest. At the Monday night show, the Sea Hags will open with their gutsy hard rock 'n' roll that also earns points for bowing to gods other than Led Zeppelin and Ozzy Osbourne. Tickets for the shows are only $11. For more information: 923-2277.

Blues monument

Taj Mahal has been around for two decades, and he's become nearly as wonderful as his namesake, building his own well-balanced monument to American roots music from blues to country to folk to, well, Taj Mahal. For all that, he's a marvelously unpretentious performer who'll make you glad you've got ears. He'll be at Palms at 7:30 and 10 tonight. Tickets are $7.50. For more information: 756-9901.

Yo, reggae

Jamaican rapper Shinehead will play the Fillmore in San Francisco tonight at 9 p.m. The rapper is playing under the rubric of the venue's Reggaefest '89, but this guy's a def jammer for sure. (He'll be playing the more intimate I-Beam on Saturday.) Tickets are $19. For more information: 923-2277.

'60s comebacks

The Palms Playhouse will echo with '60s vibes on Saturday and Sunday nights. One ""comeback'' of sorts is the return of Country Joe and the Fish at 7 and 10 Saturday night. The name is somewhat misleading, since ""the Fish'' here refers not to the original band, but to original co-founder Barry ""the Fish'' Melton. McDonald and Melton will perform both solo and as an acoustic duo. Tickets are $8.50.

Sunday night, the ghost of the Doors' Jim Morrison will tread the boards at the tiny Playhouse, evoked by performances by poet Michael McClure with Doors keyboard player Ray Manzarek and an opening bit done by Morrison biographer Danny Sugerman. Tickets are $12.50 for shows at 6 and 8:30 p.m. For more information: 756-9901.