Original Jane's Addiction lineup to perform at US NME Awards
For the first time in almost two decades, the four original members of Jane's Addiction [ tickets ] will hit the stage together during this month's inaugural US NME Awards ceremony.Prompting the reunion was British music mag NME's announcement that it would present the band with the Godlike Geniuses award during the April 23 event, which is set to take place at Los Angeles' El Rey Theatre."When we were in the planning stages of bringing the NME Awards to America, Jane's Addiction were always in our thoughts," NME Editor Conor McNicholas said in a press release. "They are exactly the sort of once-in-a-lifetime, inspirational, aspirational, no-holds-barred, genre-busting, risk-taking, pioneering group which sums up what the NME Awards is all about."The group's imminent performance will mark the first time since 1991 that original bassist Eric Avery has played with frontman Perry Farrell, guitarist Dave Navarro and drummer Stephen Perkins; the latter trio has participated in several reunions sans Avery."OK, so ... short story is that I've decided to do a few songs with Jane's Addiction at the NME awards show," Avery said in a blog entry posted Tuesday (4/15). "... I was really conflicted and I am still unsure that this is the right answer (if there is such a thing) but I am happy to be a part of honoring Jane's. ... I must admit that it has felt really good so far in both heart and mind; just sounds like a cool night. Amazing.""Eric's bass lines and writing contributions are such an integral part of the Jane's sound that the night would feel somewhat incomplete without his presence," Navarro wrote in a Tuesday (4/15) message at his own website. "We couldn't be happier about his decision to join us."Navarro went on to describe an impromptu performance he gave with Farrell at Monday night's (4/14) Axis of Justice show at the Troubadour in West Hollywood, CA."Around 8:00pm I got a text from Perry that read, 'Dave ... Get down here. [Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist] Flea is on his way and wants to jam!' Of course I accepted the invitation and immediately rolled over to joined Perry, Flea and Travis Barker (Blink-182, Plus 44) for an impromptu Mountain Song."... it gave Perry and I an opportunity to perform again in front of a public audience before hitting the awards show next Wednesday," Navarro continued. "I have had the good fortune throughout my years as a guitarist to share the stage with some unbelievable talents, but there is no one in the world that I feel more comfortable and at home with musically than Perry Farrell."
