Images and article by Bill Kelly
Body surfing, scantily clad woman, surging crowd with fists pumping, ahhh for the 90’s....But this was a Sunday night in the sleepy North Shore town of Huntington, a town better known for date-night restaurants and local pubs rather than the center of alt-Rock frenzy. But, Jane’s Addiction, bringing their eclectic Theater Of The Escapist tour to the Paramount, drove the crowd into a fist pumping ecstasy from the first note.
Surrounded by swinging women, stuffed bears, noir film clips and cacophonous lighting, singer Perry Farrell led old band mates Dave Navarro on guitar, drummer Stephen Perkins and newcomer Chris Chaney on bass through a high charged set featuring new songs and Jane classics including Been Caught Stealing, Ain’t No Right and an accoustic version of Jane Says. Farrell moved and strutted with the same energy he brought to the first Lollapalooza tour. And there was Navarro, a “real life Rock star” according to Farrell, shirtless, tattooed and playing his black Epiphone, surrounded by smoke and laying a sonic wave of flawless guitar sound around the venue. From the first note of opener Underground, the band and crowd was driven by Perkins strong syncopated percussion pushing the perfect weaving of bass and guitar. Farrerll’s voice, perhaps a few octaves off it’s earlier range, still punched its high toned way through the instruments.
Purposefully choosing smaller venues this tour, the band attempts to weaves an “immersive theatrical experience” featuring naked statues, lingerie clad dominatrix (including Farrell’s wife Etty) and a large, robotic like figure pushing a baby stroller. Somewhat reminiscent of a Pink Floyd production (perhaps referenced by the playing of Shine On You Crazy Diamond before the band took the stage) nothing could distract from the pure energy of the music and its effect on the sold out house. Playing non stop for nearly two hours, Jane’s kept coming at the crowd with songs from across its repertoire including a version of Stop! that nearly blew the lid off the house.
Jane’s Addiction tour continues, with a second leg announced on the band’s website
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