By Chris Moriates
Daily Bruin Senior Staff
Nothing is more beautiful than delicate music reaching into the
summer sky “¦ and lots of skin.
Jane’s Addiction really knows how to bring the sex, drugs
and rock ‘n’ roll.
There are few things more sexual than Dave Navarro gently
caressing the notes out of his guitar while grinding with a
beautiful female dancer clad in close to nothing.
There are few things more drug-induced than opener Courtney Love
refusing to leave the stage almost half an hour after finishing her
set and having to be carried off by security guards so that
Jane’s Addiction could finally start the show.
There are few things more rock-‘n’-roll than the
sometimes graceful, sometimes take-no-prisoners hard-hitting music
of veteran alternative rockers Jane’s Addiction.
In 1988, they said “Nothing’s Shocking.” Then,
on Saturday night, the members of Jane’s Addiction did
everything they could to shock the audience at the famous Hollywood
Bowl. But they didn’t do it with Marilyn Manson-style
shock-rock; it was more like look-what’s-over-there and
what-are-those-jugglers-doing-in-the-crowd type of shocking.
With a stage that seemed elaborate enough for arena rockers like
U2, Jane’s Addiction left no detail out; from the dancers on
top of the lighting towers to the jugglers and stilt-walkers in the
middle of the audience, Perry Farrell and friends brought a
full-fledged jubilee.
With the recognizable classical architecture of the Hollywood
Bowl hidden in the background behind the lighting, black drapes,
stage platforms and dancers, Jane’s Addiction transformed the
revered venue, known for its classical and orchestra concerts, into
one of sincere debauchery. It was like blaspheming in a church
“¦ but something was so right and rock-‘n’-roll
about it.
Jane’s Addiction was visibly excited to be back at home in
Hollywood. It was impossible to count how many times Farrell
commented on his hometown, even leading what resembled a rally when
he asked the crowd “Where do you live?” and received
the desired overwhelming effect of thousands of voices in unison
responding “Los Angeles.”
Bringing the best of both worlds, the band figured out how to
present a theatrical show and a stripped-down performance all in
the same night. After about 45 minutes the group disappeared into
the darkness and the venue was taken over by a carnival
atmosphere.
Where’d they go? What’s going on?
Then, out of nowhere, the middle of the crowd lit up to reveal a
small stage placed directly center of the audience.
“Here we are,” Farrell announced, while the band
members crowded the stage with acoustic instruments.
Jane’s Addiction played a mini-set, starting off with its
anthemic song “Jane Says,” on the makeshift stage amid
the crowd. The sound quality was slightly sacrificed, but well
worth it. Leave it to Farrell, who is known for always pushing the
boundaries and for his successful alternative festival
Lollapalooza, to come up with an unique idea that caters to the
audience.
Peter DeStefano, from Farrell’s earlier project Porno For
Pyros, further crowded the stage to perform the song
“Pets” from Pyros’ 1993 self-titled release.
It was a night to show off the many different sides of
Jane’s Addiction and the members’ side projects. Dave
Navarro performed his solo song “Empty Girl,” while
playing an acoustic guitar and sitting on a stool. Then came
Farrell’s song “Happy Birthday Jubilee” from his
solo Virgin Records debut “Song Yet to Be Sung.”
“Happy Birthday Jubilee” worked very well in the
live setting and garnered a warm reception from the Jane’s
Addiction fans.
The group then disappeared again and reemerged on the large main
stage to bring the show into the homestretch.
The music was magical, often soft and drawn-out, with
Farrell’s unintelligible vocals stretching to the stars.
“Are you going to remember this year? Of course you are
going to remember this year,” Farrell said to the crowd.
“But who’s going to define how we remember this year?
It’s not a down year. This is an up year. This is the year
that we get off our asses, L.A.”
There is Steven Tyler and Joe Perry. Robert Plant and Jimmy
Page. But don’t forget Perry Farrell and Dave Navarro. The
two eccentric and completely captivating entertainers should be
placed in the annals of great rock duos. With Farrell’s
unique, reaching vocals and Navarro’s accompanying guitar
prowess, Jane’s Addiction can rock with the best of them.