Yesterday, I was listening to Suicidal Tendencies. While listening, I thought back to watching Mike Muir and Infectious Grooves playing the prom in Encino Man. They played “Feed The Monkey” and absolutley rocked the prom. I still think the dance sequence with Pauly Shore, Sean Astin and Brendan Fraser is perfect and hilarious. It’s fun to go back and watch that movie. It still holds up and is still funny. If there were ever to be a sequel (though it’s been a really long time), they need to bring Infectious Grooves back to play.
Infectious Grooves- Feed The Monkey in Encino Man:
Infectious Grooves- Feed The Monkey (Album Version):
Back in 1997, Jane’s Addiction reunited for a tour with Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers on bass instead of Eric Avery. To coincide with that tour, the band released a compilation album called Kettle Whistle featuring live tracks, demos and two new songs (“Kettle Whistle” and “So What”) featuring the “Relapse Tour” lineup. I remember being really excited about this record for some reason. One track on the album has always stood out to me and that is the version of “Three Days.” This live version was taken from their 1990 show at the Hollywood Palladium and it’s absolutely astounding. It’s one of those live versions that far supersedes the studio version.
Jane’s Addiction- Three Days (Live at Hollywood Palladium 1990):
Back in the yesteryear when MTV actually played music, they had some pretty amazing shows that were televised. On Halloween in 1997, Jane’s Addiction played a show at New York’s Hammerstein Ballroom. This Jane’s reunion would feature Flea on bass instead of Eric Avery. Jane’s Addiction would release the Kettle Whistle record which featured new songs “Kettle Whistle” and “So What” both featured Flea on bass, as well as alternate, unreleased and live tracks. The show for MTV was quite the performance and the set list was top notch. Enjoy this classic gem!
Jane’s Addiction- Hammerstein Ballroom, Halloween 1997 on MTV:
Set List:
01. Oceansize
02. Aint No Right
03. Then She Did
04. Stop
05. Three Days
06. Mountain Song
07. Summertime Rolls
08. Jane Says
09. Classic Girl
10. Chip Away
11. Ted, Just Admit It
12. I Would For You
This past week I’ve been on a Jane’s Addiction kick. While further delving into their early career, before Nothing’s Shocking, I came across a very interesting cover they did of Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love.” They really made the song their own in a way that only Jane’s Addiction could. Dave Navarro’s playing and little additional leads to the song are outstanding. Stephen Perkins nails the Bonham feel but adds a bit of a funkier vibe to it, Eric Avery is so damn steady and loose that it just comes natural for him and of course the vocals from Perry Farrell are so uniquely his. This is just a really well done and fun cover. Enjoy!
One of the best bands from the early 90’s alternative scene has to be hands down Jane’s Addiction. They were such a bright spot for artistic imagination. Their influence of many genres allowed their music to go beyond the norm. During their brief early career, they managed to release two of the most iconic alternative albums ever, Nothing’s Shocking and Ritual De Lo Habitual.
Nothing’s Shocking is their absolute gem in their catalog. There is something truly spectacular about this album. A good portion of the best songs on the album were written by Eric Avery. Dave Navarro’s guitar playing has always been underrated in my opinion. And Stephen Perkins drumming is always right on. Songs like “Mountain Song,” “Had A Dad,” “Ocean Size,” “Pigs In Zen,” “Ted, Just Admit It,” and the ever overplayed “Jane Says,” are all complete standouts. The entire album start to finish is great.
Ritual De Lo Habitual really took a chance in exploring where the band could go. They really experimented with genres mixing in a bit of funk to their vibe. It’s this album that I think persuaded the Red Hot Chili Peppers to ask Dave Navarro to join the band for One Hot Minute (another unsung masterpiece in my humble opinion). There was also an added element of pop music in the way of really catchy choruses in songs like “Stop!,” and “Been Caught Stealing.” But there are such other great songs on this album like “Three Days,” “Obvious,” Ain’t No Right,” and “Of Course.”
Jane’s Addiction through all their ego trips and break ups have remained one of the most influential bands of the last 30 years. These two albums have helped influence countless bands over the years. The way they kept to their artistic integrity shows how creative they really are.
If I had to pick between these two I’d go towards Nothing’s Shocking. I jut love the purity in that album and the songs. That album has always stood out to me amongst their catalog and holds up beyond them all.
I have a deep affinity for Layne Staley. He can make anything sound amazing. When this song was released in 1999 on The Faculty soundtrack I was blown away. Class of 99 was a short term supergroup consisting of Layne Staley (vocals), Tom Morello (guitar), Stephen Perkins (drums), Martyn LeNoble (bass) and Matt Serletic (keyboards). One can only imagine what an entire album would’ve sounded like had they made one.
audioeclectica 