Jane's Addiction - April 30, 1991 - Wallace Civic Center, Fitchburg, MA

Date: April 30, 1991
Location: Wallace Civic Center, Fitchburg, MA
Recorded: Audio (audience)
Status: Confirmed
Type: Concert
Lineup: Perry Farrell
Dave Navarro
Stephen Perkins
Eric Avery
Artwork:
 

Setlist:

Up The Beach
Whores
Standing In The Shower... Thinking
Ain't No Right
Three Days
Been Caught Stealing
Idiots Rule
Summertime Rolls
Mountain Song
Stop!
Ocean Size

Show Information:

Lush opened.

Recording Information:

There are two different sources for this recording, both rough audience recordings. Source #1, the more common version, is better quality. 64:57. Much crowd noise. The last line of "Summertime" is cut.
Source #2 is very warbly and muffled at times because the taper recorded it while jumping around down in the pit. A few quick cuts throughout the show. "Whores" is cut after the first half. Total length 57:45.

Notable Moments:

(before "Shower")
"Oh man, you shop at the Gap? You give me something from the Gap? I look like a Gap kinda guy? Hardly."

(before "Three Days")
"You have to admit, this is a lot better than in the city. We did it for you. Was no mistake. We needed a G.A. floor where the people can move. Fuckin' rockin' event, huh? Yeah, we ain't as stupid as you think."

"Yeah, we figured we'd have a concert out this way a little bit. See, Boston's okay, you know? But they're too strict. Fucks up the people in the head, huh? Yeah, I go to a concert I like to move."

"You know, I gotta admit something to you. When I came here tonight, I was drug sick, man. I said, 'How'm I gonna do this?' I started dedicating this show to my best friends. It makes it easy when you got a crowd like you guys. You might not know it, but you take away the pain. At this moment you should be with us, feeling like we do, like you love to, God damn it, I wish you wouldn't make me sick. I love you all. I thank you. I dedicate this song to my dear Xiola."

(before "Summertime")
"So tell me, do you really believe you have a chance of winning the world's championship of basketball? Do you really think so? Are you really going for number 17? You think so, huh? Hey man, Magic's legs are not what they used to be, you know?"

"This guy wants NO kids on the block. [crowd erupts in cheers.] Did I hit a sore spot? They're not from around here, are they? I had nothing to do with it."

(during beginning of "Summertime")
"I know how you feel, fellas. This is your big night out. You wanna get rowdy. You wanna fucking bump around and get hit in the nuts by the crowd. I've been up in the air many a time in my day. Don't think I haven't. Don't think I don't know how it feels. But you know what, you gotta praise a band like ours, because as much as you wanna get fucked up and take a ride over your friends' shoulders, you gotta consider the one fact that there are some beautiful women in this audience tonight."

(near the end of "Summertime")
"You know, I think of myself as a hell of a man, and I like flowers. Thank you."

(before "Ocean Size")
"Hang on to your balls, motherfuckers. Come summertime, you're gonna wish you were dead."

Worcester Telegram & Gazette (MA)
May 1, 1991
Edition: THIRD; FOURTH; FIFTH; FINAL
Section: ENTERTAINMENT
Page: D4
Column: Music review

JANE'S ADDICTION BASHES IN FITCHBURG
Author: Roberta Fusaro; Telegram & Gazette Reviewer

FITCHBURG- There were plenty of bodies slamming last night at the George Wallace Civic Center, but none of the perpetrators drew any penalty minutes.

Alternative rock messiahs Jane's Addiction prompted this rabid dance frenzy from a very young crowd of more than 4,000. The audience was treated to a raw and energetic performance by lead singer Perry Farrell, and some mind-bending backing tracks from his bandmates.

ROOM TO MOVE

Jane's Addiction is currently touring behind its critically acclaimed new album, "Ritual de lo Habitual." Their booking into the Civic Center, the first at the center in a while, was no promoter's flub; Farrell told the crowd last night the move was deliberate.

"This is a lot better than in the big city, ain't it?" he cried, while the crowd screamed their approval. "This way you've got a lot more room to move."

And the group of enthusiastic fans was more than willing to accommodate, as they passed friends through the air and engaged in a little bit of stage diving. Farrell and Co. literally had the audience soaring off the ground.

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

"Standing in the Shower ... Thinking," a bouncy, riffy song off the band's "Nothing's Shocking" album, sent the crowd into a moshing frenzy. Farrell danced back and forth, and side to side, like a punch-drunk boxer, while intoning the lyrics in that distinctive whine that has become a staple on alternative radio.

Beside him stood lead guitarist David Navarro and bassist Eric A., banging their moptops up and down, and striking those familiar poses that all rockers must learn in Stage Presence 101 or something.

Alternating purple and white lights shining on the band only added to the madness. Long strings of Christmas bulbs hung at centerstage - not the wimpy mini-bulbs mind you, but the true bulbs that are considered fire hazards nowadays. Other than that, the set was sparse. Farrell, in suspenders and leopard-skin cap, was allowed all the attention.

Onstage, Farrell is part court jester, part sex symbol and part tragic figure. Before launching into "Three Days," he admitted to the crowd that prior to the show, he had been "drug-sick."

"You take away the pain," he shouted, and the adoring crowd threw him clothes, flowers and applause.

"Three Days" provided the perfect showcase for Navarro, as the song moved from the droning low end into a fast and furious trip up to the high end of his guitar. Drummer Stephen Perkins kicked out some beats that are still reverberating in my ribcage.

The band did the crowd favorites - "Mountain Song," and "Jane Says" as well as their latest hit, "Been Caught Stealing."

British band Lush opened with a mediocre 45-minute set of their swirling brand of pop/thrash music. Their harmonies and melodies grab you by the ear, then their guitar grunge kicks you in the stomach. They need more work on their stage patter, however, to make the music really matter.