Review: Jane's Addiction

Perry Farrell of Jane's Addiction. Photo by Matt Cook/Friend of B2R

As the epic “Ted, Just Admit It …” gradually unraveled, the vintage ’50s video footage grew more disturbing. As two lingerie-clad dancers worked their corner of the stage, films of old stripteases graduated to spanking, bondage and S&M, reinforcing the chorus of “sex is violent.”

After “Ted” ended, Jane’s Addiction frontman Perry Farrell urged the audience to do the Twist, singing a few bars of the famous song and demonstrating the dance. Those two moments captured the essence of the late-’80s alt-rock quartet: sexy, intense, sleazy and silly. And loud.

Farrell and his fellow founding band members — shirtless guitar god Dave Navarro and drummer Stephen Perkins — and longtime bass stand-in Chris Chaney rocked a comfortably crowded Uptown Theater for 90 minutes on Friday.

The 15-song setlist leaned heavily and appropriately on the two classic albums Jane’s released during its original incarnation, 1988’s “Nothing’s Shocking” and 1990’s “Ritual de lo Habitual.” The band has reformed several times since originally calling it quits in 1991 after the first incarnation of Farrell’s Lollapalooza tour. The four songs from last year’s “The Great Escape Artist” acquitted themselves well alongside the longtime favorites. “Just Because,” the lone song performed from 2003’s “Strays,” was easily the weakest performance of the night.

Although the band occupied a smaller stage than its appearance at Livestrong Sporting Park last summer, it still piled on the theatrics and visuals. Three screens showed recycled and found video footage. Two women in skimpy attire danced on a small stage atop one of the screens at stage left and took sultry strolls through the musicians. During “Twisted Tales,” a man in all white hanged and destroyed baby dolls before ultimately hanging himself. A large sculpture of two naked women loomed over everything above the drum kit at center stage.

Despite everything happening onstage, the music easily overpowered everything else. For “Classic Girl” and “Jane Says,” the band set up in an intimate corner at stage right. During “Jane Says,” Navarro strummed his acoustic guitar from the edge of the stage, legs dangling. For “Chip Away,” everyone except Farrell pounded huge drums. Both “Stop!” and “Been Caught Stealing” featured a little sonic experimentation in the middle sections.

Farrell didn’t need to do much to get the crowd involved. The teased intro to “Jane Says” fooled no one, and as expected the number quickly turned into the biggest sing-along of the night. The fans were also impressive during the a cappella bridge in “Stop!” while “Mountain Song” provided the earliest opportunity for everyone to throw their lungs toward the stage.

Both “Ted” and “Three Days” spanned more than 10 minutes. While the former framed the mood of the night, the later captured the band at peak form. Perkins was at the center of the performance. As a psychedelic light show encircled his kit, Perkins’ drumming held the song together. Later in the number, Navarro delivered one of his best and flashiest solos of the night. Although Chaney didn’t play on the original recording, his thick bassline propelled the song.

More than two decades removed from their original heyday, there may not be anything shocking in Jane’s world anymore, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t still a lot of fun.

Setlist: Underground, Mountain Song, Just Because, Been Caught Stealing, Ain’t No Right, Ted, Just Admit It…, Twisted Tales, Classic Girl, Jane Says, Chip Away, End to the Lies, Three Days, Stop! Encore: Words Right Out of My Mouth, Whores.

| Joel Francis, Special to The Star

Comments

[Jake]

I forgot this show was even happening, so much going on recently... anyway... Great, informative, descriptive review. Thanks Joel.

[Bubba]

Oh, here it is! I assumed that this blog wouldn't cover last Friday's JANE'S ADDICTION gig because they were at the Beach Ball event last summer. I was there and JANE'S has an all-new show for their loyal fans to experience.

[Strait fan]

where is the review of the Jason Aldean concert at the Sprint Center?

[Jeeves]

Maybe if you snap your fingers and type IN ALL CAPS they will serve it up to you pronto.

btw- as has been explained many many times here, the good people who run this place dont review all shows (for various reasons). Please be happy for what you get.

[pellboy]

What about the Peter Case/Paul Collins show last night? Not necessarily expecting anything from B2R, but was just wondering if any posters got to go. Really, really wanted to go to that but just couldn't do the Monday/Tuesday thing with Chuck Prophet tonight.

[Joe]

The Case/Collins show was loud and rockin'.

[Strait fan]

"Maybe if you snap your fingers and type IN ALL CAPS they will serve it up to you pronto.

btw- as has been explained many many times here, the good people who run this place dont review all shows (for various reasons). Please be happy for what you get."

have enjoyed BTR for several years, am happy with what we get. just very surprised a Sprint Center concert of a tour that sells out in every city, isnt covered

[Clint]

Why would you expect the highest attended concert at the Sprint Center to be covered? BTR could really use someone that is into country music...the way they love Radiohead. But with SXSW, they are spread a little thin...

[pellboy]

Thanks, Joe. Knew it would be good and that I'd regret missing it. Checked out some vids on YouTube and I guess they both even got together with Chuck and Peter Buck down @ SXSW.

[RogerWilco]

Looking forward to Chuck tonite. Will he come on at any kind of reasonable time?

[onthemark]

Per Davey's website, show starts at 8:00. 'Grisly Hand' opens, so if everything goes according to schedule Chuck should take the stage around 9:00 or so. But when it comes to Davey's, always best to plan on a later time than scheduled.

[Green]

There are a lot of good shows tonight, hoping to make it out but I don't know what to see!

1. Chuck Prophet
2. Sleepy Sun
3. We Were Promised Jetpacks
4. Rachel Yamagata

[Geordan]

Would have also loved to have seen the Peter Case/Paul Collins show last night, in addition to the Chuck Prophet show ("Temple Beautiful" is an fun album from start to finish and I thank the guys here who recommended it), but I will be making the Joanne Shaw Taylor show Thursday and Sister Sparrow Friday at Knuckleheads. If I could hit the lottery and didn't have to worry about getting up and being lucid at work each day, I'd probably be in a club or arena watching a band every night. One can dream.....As for the topic at hand, "Three Days" will always be my favorite Jane's Addiction song. I'll have to scroll around YouTube and find some recent live versions......

[RogerWilco]

Thanks OTM, That is the oldest trick in the book. Tell you 9:00 and come on at 11:00. Will hope for the best, you can't blame 'em for tryin to load up on alcohol sales. I will be there wearing a black DBT shirt. Would like to have a beer with fellow posters.

[lilskins]

Maybe they ought to bring back the " WHAT DID YOU SEE THIS WEEK REVIEWS" from the fans. Just saying. There is so much great music in the Kansas City area, there is no way for few people to cover all of them. It is nice to hear them, so you may learn about new music you may want to see next time.Supporting these live bands is how most bands just make money for their food and HIGH GAS PRICES.

[pellboy]

Great show last night, Chuck and band were outstanding as usual. Didn't see your post so sorry I missed you, Roger Wilco, but good to see otm in the house. Played most of the new album as I expected and those songs came off great in the live setting. The surprise cover of "I'm Eighteen" just 4 or 5 songs in was a definite highlight for me. Loud, rocking show throughout, with a beer glass casualty thrown in due to the vibrating countertop near our spot. Nice encore starting with Alejandro Escovedo's (and Chuck's as he later reminded me)"Always A Friend" and later "Pipeline" to close out an overall excellent show.

Also wanted to add that besides being a top notch entertainer, Chuck Prophet is truly one of the nice guys of rock & roll.

[pellboy]

Almost forgot, also wanted to give some props to the opener, The Grisly Hand. Had heard some good things about them and after finally seeing them, I must say, I was impressed. Really enjoyed their set. Band is talented and lead singer had a nice voice. I will make a point of catching them again around town.

[RogerWilco]

Pellboy nailed it. Killer Dual Guitar Assault! Was a Green on Red fan and only have No Other Love, and now the new one! Will now have to get on Amazon and start in on the back catalog. Great Show and really nice guy.

[Musicgal]

Chuck was great last night. I've seen him a few times but last night was probably my favorite. I'm tempted to hop in the car and head to Columbia for the show tonight.

[onthemark]

Agree with the previous comments, Chuck Prophet put on anther great show. The Grisly Hand sounded good as well. Good to see ya pellboy!

I get the feeling that Chuck called an audible when he started playing 'I'm Eighteen' based on the reaction from the rest of the band!

Was it just me or was it a little warm in Davey's last night?

[Musicgal]

I took the set list from the stage after the show and they didn't follow it. "I'm Eighteen" was a highlight of the evening. He introduced Stephanie to play right after he rocked "Summertime Thing" and I wondered how she could follow that. But she held her own. I have of CD of hers and like it a lot. Yes, it was extremely hot in there.

[CER]

Agree with the comments on the Chuck show. Great time!

If you youtube/google chuck prophet and filter to last 24 hours, you will find a terrific video produced from last night. It is not from the live show, but shots of the band during their soundcheck. Really cool...thanks to whoever put that together!

[NEW]

I'm pretty bummed I missed last nights show. I also just discovered that he was orginally in Green on Red in the 80s which is total news to me.

[Green]

Chuck was pretty good last night, I got in a little late and he was already playing. Really liked what I heard, I'm Eighteen got the place going, the next to me was really loving the song, haha! I headed to the Record Bar after Chuck's show and caught a great band by the name of Sleep Sun. Wow, very cool, check them out!

[Mike Snell]

I love how this Jane's Addiction review has turned into a Chuck Prophet review. This is a great blog. I wish I'd gone to see Chuck. I did, unfortunately go to Jane's Addiction with an old friend... ugh!

[pellboy]

May have been me you were next to then, Green as I went a little nuts during that song (one of my all-time faves), since it was so unexpected, especially at that point in the show.

[CER]

Someone put up a couple vids including a partial of "I'm Eighteen". Really love his new album.

[TK]

For all you all posting about the Case/Collins show, thought you might find this interesting! Glad I went on Monday!

From Paul Collins:
Truth is stranger then fiction...I got kicked off my own tour! Peter Case. Lee from Burger Records and my band all left me stranded in Springfield MO, if you see them say "Hi" for me! Keep on rocking!

[joe]

Couldn't make it to the Chuck Prophet show but fortunately he has been on my radar since 2000 and I have not missed one of his shows since then. Pellboy, you are spot on about Chuck. Each tim I have had the chance to talk to him he has been totally cool and engaged with you while talking. A rewel American Musical treasure. Amazing he is still not that well known. But good for us that are in the know. He is one cool cat...

[student]

For those of you asking about Paul Collins and Peter Case, the talented Greg Stitt reviewed it here: http://lostinreviews.com/2012/03/paul-collins-and-peter-case-at-recordbar/

[pellboy]

Hey, thanks for posting that review, student. Again, pains me that I couldn't go, but two nights of rocking to start my work week would have just killed me. As it was, took me damn near two days to recover from going to Prophet's Tuesday night gig. Damn I'm old.

[Steve]

Was KC the demise of the Case/Collins reunion tour?

[Steve]

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2012/03/nerves-plimsouls-reunion-peter-case-.html

Sorry. See the link

[student]

Hey pellboy, LIR also reviewed the Chuck Prophet show as well: http://lostinreviews.com/2012/03/chuck-prophet-the-grisly-hand-daveys/