Jane's Addiction and Eric Avery reunion.

Killibinizik · #1 05-24-2008, 12:47 PM

I'm suprised talkbass hasn't already mentioned this (from what i've searched on here at least), but on April 23rd Jane's Addiction did a reunion show at the NME USA Awards Show (since they were being honored that night).

One could dismiss it as yet another Jane's reunion to cash in money with one HUGE exception; Eric Avery was with them at the gig which is the first time the full lineup has played together since the 91 Lollapalooza tour. In addition to that as recently as May 18th Eric mentioned on his blog that he's considering doing a full on reunion with the band. What it will be exactly he isn't sure yet (neither Eric or the rest of the crew have talked about it yet), and he's still reluctant what will come of it.

Jane's Addiction being one of my favorite bands, and Avery being one of my favorite bassists the reunion show and the possibilities of what will happen next are interesting news indeed. The fact that he's collaborating with them for the first time in almost two decades seems a bit more legitimate than the previous cash in reunions with hired guns like Flea and Chris Chaney.

What do you TB'ers think of this?

BTW at the gig they played Stop, Mountain Song, Ocean Size and Jane's Says.

Here's a clip of them playing Stop and Mountain Song (doesn't have the other two)

fenderphil · #2 05-24-2008, 01:18 PM

thats pretty cool.

they need to polish up their performances though... lol

Ian Perge · #3 05-24-2008, 01:20 PM

That he broke up with Alanis and needs the money?

Honestly, after so many "Reunions" I couldn't care less. That clip also reminded me why I was never a big Jane's fan in the first place - Perry's "Vocal Stylings".

MikeVQ · #4 05-24-2008, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian Perge

That he broke up with Alanis and needs the money?

Honestly, after so many "Reunions" I couldn't care less. That clip also reminded me why I was never a big Jane's fan in the first place - Perry's "Vocal Stylings".

I didn't know Eric Avery played with Alanis. Pretty weird considering her old bass player left to play with Janes as well.

ubado · #5 05-24-2008, 01:39 PM

I've been a Janes addiction fan well before their commercial success ... even with that... the live performances were always a bit lacking in comparison to the recordings.

Great shows ... not so great on Perry's end.

Glad that Eric joined up with them again... without him... it never was the same. I doubt that they'll actually make a tour of it ... I don't see Eric and Perry getting along for too long. Heck, when your own band mate wouldn't talk to you during your last tour (and shortly after making the album)... I can't imagine the hard feelings aren't still there.

$$$ is one thing ... Perry is another.

these_go211 · #6 05-29-2008, 11:11 PM

HUGE janes addictions fan! and eric avery is one of my all time favorite bassists. this is great news. he's a hugely underrated bassist.

steamthief · #7 05-29-2008, 11:39 PM

Jane's Addiction - superb instrumentation, fingernails-scraping-chalkboard vocals.

Benjamin Strange · #8 05-30-2008, 11:10 AM

Those times that they got together with Flea and Chris Chaney should never have been called Janes Addiction - it wasn't the same at all. Eric IS Jane's; he wrote most of the material, and was the backbone of the whole group. Without his plodding basslines that band simply does not exist.

Zoidberg523 · #9 05-30-2008, 11:29 AM

I'm glad to see Avery making some kind of waves again. Back when I first started playing bass, Avery's line to "Mountain Song" was one of the first tunes I learned. I remember I was so hyped to have learned it, and where I grew up, hardly anyone knew it.... my disappointment in my fellow Michiganders still rings in my ears..... But it is a great tune!

Lync · #10 05-30-2008, 11:33 AM

Awesome....I saw them on the Ritual tour and they rocked out...great bass tone for an arena too.

zongeek · #11 05-30-2008, 05:13 PM

His solo record, I think, is really good.

His bands post-Jane's, Deconstruction and Polar Bear, were both really great as well.

I'd like to see them tour, but I wouldn't want them to make another record. A lot of bands from the early to mid-90's seem to be reuniting for one reason or the other. It's pretty trendy these days. But after you had the amazing work they had (Nothin's Shocking and Ritual), I wouldn't want to chance blowing a wonderful legacy on some, possibly, half-assed record just because.

Jeramaya · #12 05-30-2008, 06:18 PM

I was a huge fan of Deconstruction, still am in fact as I think it's Dave Navarro's last great moment (except maybe parts of that Chili album), but I didn't find Polar Bear to be that special, so I haven't bought Avery's solo album yet. I'll get around to it eventually. What's it like (tempos, tone, etc)?

Is it possible to like "Strays," say if you didn't have the previous Jane's records--or they didn't exist? When I look at it that way, it has its moments that stand out a little, but there's always that qualifier ("compared to Ritual or Shocking...") most come back to, including myself.

zongeek · #13 05-30-2008, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeramaya

I was a huge fan of Deconstruction, still am in fact as I think it's Dave Navarro's last great moment (except maybe parts of that Chili album), but I didn't find Polar Bear to be that special, so I haven't bought Avery's solo album yet. I'll get around to it eventually. What's it like (tempos, tone, etc)?

Is it possible to like "Strays," say if you didn't have the previous Jane's records--or they didn't exist? When I look at it that way, it has its moments that stand out a little, but there's always that qualifier ("compared to Ritual or Shocking...") most come back to, including myself.

I agree with you about Deconstruction. That album is definately in my Top 5. I think it's a pinnacle alt-rock album and I also think that was Dave's last great work.

I really like Polar Bear. His solo record is sort of continuation in a sense. There is a lot of sampling and electronic stuff. Very moody and dark and almost theatrical in a sense. I would suggest checking it out. Even if you don't buy, maybe check his MySpace and listen to those tracks.

"Strays" I think is a good album. However, it's not like the first two records. For starters, the production value is all wrong. Given, it is Bob Ezrin, but Dave Jerden really had Jane's nailed down. That and it wasn't Jane's. Nothing against Chris Chaney as he is one of the most amazing musicians and bass players out there, but he isn't Eric.

Even now, I wonder, if they did reunite and make a record: what would it sound like? Eric doesn't really play that way anymore, so who knows?

But yea, Deconstruction was amazing. Check out his solo record, you might like it.

Jeramaya · #14 05-31-2008, 09:11 AM

I think my problem with the Polar Bear album I bought (mp3s via Polar Bear's MySpace page, since it's out of print), was that the tempo hardly varied. I like it to a point, but then I need something faster or slower or any other tempo than the one they wrote the songs in. Any one song taken out of context sounds pretty cool, but more variance would have been better.

I always forget about Bob Ezrin doing the production for "Strays." The only other album that I know for sure that he did was "The Wall." I wonder why they went with him... I completely agree with you about Jerden, though. What a fantastic job he did on those two records! Every instrument has its place and sounds full of life--not all overly processed like "Strays."

Avery was a major inspiration when I was first learning how to play bass. He continues to be, in fact. Those nice little chords he plays, the note placement--everything, really...he's far from a virtuoso, but he proved to me that songwriting could be taken to some really cool places, and that it's the foundation for everything.

plopswagon · #15 05-31-2008, 09:36 AM

Bob Ezrin has produced a lot of records, The Wall is probably the best known but he also did a lot of the good Alice Cooper albums, Kiss, Lou Reed, Peter Gabriel... just to name a few.

zongeek · #16 05-31-2008, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeramaya

I think my problem with the Polar Bear album I bought (mp3s via Polar Bear's MySpace page, since it's out of print), was that the tempo hardly varied. I like it to a point, but then I need something faster or slower or any other tempo than the one they wrote the songs in. Any one song taken out of context sounds pretty cool, but more variance would have been better.

I always forget about Bob Ezrin doing the production for "Strays." The only other album that I know for sure that he did was "The Wall." I wonder why they went with him... I completely agree with you about Jerden, though. What a fantastic job he did on those two records! Every instrument has its place and sounds full of life--not all overly processed like "Strays."

Avery was a major inspiration when I was first learning how to play bass. He continues to be, in fact. Those nice little chords he plays, the note placement--everything, really...he's far from a virtuoso, but he proved to me that songwriting could be taken to some really cool places, and that it's the foundation for everything.

Honestly, while the virtuoso's are amazing players (obviously) and I do love them, I really enjoy the players whose lines aren't virtuistic. Guys who play solid lines and play the right things in the right places and note choices, chord voicings, etc. were always the guys I like best.

I could see what you're saying about Polar Bear. His solo record has quite a bit of varience in terms of the sound of each song. To be honest, I've not quite paid much attention to the tempos of each song.

StingrayDub · #17 06-03-2008, 09:56 AM

Great distortion tone Eric had live!

Tedddy · #18 09-10-2008, 10:22 AM

i'd like to know more about the gear that Eric used.

these_go211 · #19 09-10-2008, 10:32 AM

there was an article in bass player within the last year i think that talked about his gear. i think it was something like standard p-bass into a trace elliot amp. ?? i love his tone and it seems pretty basic. i don't think he was a big effects type guy but maybe someone will correct me on this.

i liked the polar bear stuff. deconstruction i thought was more interesting. his new cd 'help wanted' is really good. i have a ton of respect for him as a songwriter and musician so i could care less why he's doing a jane's gig again. i'm just happy to see him back in a more visible way. he and perry wrote pretty much all of the songs on the first 2 records. his basslines are solid and instantly recognizable.

mattblissett · #20 02-01-2009, 03:41 AM

Deconstruction is still stunning, and I like Eric's voice over Perry's but Perry is a huge part of the band and their sound/concept.