janesaddiction.org

Times-Picayune, The (New Orleans, LA)
November 9, 1990
ADDICTION TO ALTERNATIVES
Author: SCOTT AIGES Music writer

Despite what you may have heard, Jane's Addiction really does play music.

So far, most of the commotion about this Hollywood alternative band has been about the cover art on its two Warner Bros.albums - which is and isn't by design.

Singer and chief conceptualist Perry Farrell (a play on "peripheral," get it?) sculpted a pair of naked Siamese twins with flaming heads for 1988's "Nothing's Shocking," and did likewise for the current "Ritual de lo Habitual," which shows Farrell, his girlfriend and another woman in a menage a trois.

In this era of censorship scares, the earlier album brought the group reknown when eight record store chains refused to carry it (although the College Music Journal later vindicated the record with a "best cover art" award). Anticipating similar setbacks, the new record was released unadulterated - frontal nudity and all - and in a blank white version emblazoned with the text of the First Amendment.

But you can't dance to an album cover. Jane's Addiction, which performs tonight at the New Orleans Music Hall, is an important band because in its four years the group has forged a unique style that sounds like an aural puree of Fishbone, the Doors, a profane Living Colourand "Houses of the Holy."

"Ritual de lo Habitual," divided into fast and slow sides, sounds like extended improvisations captured on tape. The Led Zeppelin comparison is no accident - Jane's Addiction captures the cinematic sense of voyage with the ferocity and sensuality that was pioneered by the original thud rockers.

"The press picks up on whatever they want to pick up on," drummer Stephen Perkins said by telephone from Los Angeles. "The band came from the streets making music. Our fans listen to the music."

And what fans they are. Jane's Addiction sold out tonight's show six weeks ago, selling 1,500 tickets in five days with not a penny spent on advertising, according to Ticketmaster and promoter Jim Biever.

Perkins attributes the fast sales to a long absence and good taste.

"We haven't played in about 18 months. And if I was a kid, I'd dig this. It's got energy and melody. It's got slow, fast, beautiful, ugly. That's what records used to have. That's what adults' records have."

Jane's Addiction may not be a household name, but it certainly turned the rock world on its ear. After releasing an independent live album, the arty surfers became the subject of a record company bidding war. Now tops on the alternative scene, the band is touring the world with a philosphy that could be described as anarchic optimism.

"There ain't no right! Ain't no wrong now/ Only pleasure and pain," Farrell howls in "Pleasure and Pain" from the new album.

"I like giving people a rise," Farrell said with a touch of understatement to the Los Angeles Times. "(But) I'm not trying to outrage you. I'm not this stupid kid with a nihilistic outlook on life like I just destroy. I like colors. I'm drawn to colors. I'm drawn to love."

Jane's Addiction does nothing by accident. Like any band of artistes, its moves are carefully plotted. They work because they sound impromptu.

"A lot of people have their concepts about what we're doing," Perkins said. "We're just making music and visuals the way we feel it."

Times-Picayune, The (New Orleans, LA)
November 9, 1990
HOT PIX
Author: Scott Aiges Music writer

If you were quick enough to get tickets to the Jane's Addiction concert tonight at the New Orleans Music Hall (907 S. Peters St.), make sure you get there early enough to see 24-7 Spyz, that punkfunkmetalhiphopreggaegospel group from the South Bronx. Also tonight, the man who has been called the Cajun Mick Jagger, Zachary Richard, will bring a blend of New Orleans R&B and zydeco to Tipitina's. Finally, it'll be "Midnight at the Oasis" (sorry, couldn't help it) at Snug Harbor (626 Frenchman St.) tonight when singer Maria Muldaur takes the stage at 9 and 11 p.m.

Saturday, the blues rules at Tipitina's (501 Napoleon Ave.) with a special show by guitarists Earl King, Snooks Eaglin and John Mooney. Politically correct rapper D-Nice, a member of KRS-One's "Stop the Violence" movement, will rhyme to a hip-hop beat Saturday in a concert at Secrets (3801 Frenchmen St.).

The folk-rock duo the Indigo Girls will be in concert Sunday at 8 p.m. at the McAlister Auditorium at Tulane University. Also Sunday, pianist Joel Simpsonand singer Betty Shirley will perform at Snug Harbor.

For you players, Cafe Brasil is host to an open jazz jam session every Monday night at 10:30. There will be more jazz at Tulane Tuesday with a concert by clarinetist Alvin Batiste in the Dixon Recital Hall at 8 p.m. Tickets are $8 for non-students. Also Tuesday, singer Leigh Harris (a.k.a. Lil' Queenie) will be at Snug Harbor.

On Wednesday, the Drapes will rock out at Jimmy's (8200 Willow St.), and on Thursday the reggae-hip-hop-second-line amalgam known as the Def Generation will be at Cafe Brasil.