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.:. JANE'S ADDICTION LIVE @ IRVING PLAZA .:.
[JUNE 11, 2003]

by Julio

I first heard about this Jane's show from my friend Rizzo and I got completely psyched because It's such a small venue for them to play. The capacity or the venue is 1,100 so I knew it was gonna be a tough ticket to get. Luckily it was kept very hush hush and only the hardcore fans heard about it. By the time the general public got wind of it mainly through the full page ad in the Village Voice the show was sold out. I have to give thanks to my girlfriend Suzanne for actually getting up early and standing in line. I was supposed to go with her but I was too hung over to get out of bed that early.

The night of he show we got to Irving Plaza our goal was to stand as close as possible so I can snap some pictures with a disposable camera. We stood to the left of the stage a few people back from the barricade and waited over an hour for them to come out. We endured the DJ set by DJ Alex Graham by watching the trippy visuals on the projector screen. The crowd started to get rowdy and after many failed attempts to get them to come out they send out the LA LA Girls comprised of three of the most beautiful women you can imagine (one of them being Perry's wife…lucky guy!). They danced to one non Jane's Addiction song and then the band came out. They started their set with "Stop" (see set list below) while the crowd worked themselves into a frenzy. The mosh pit was getting out of hand but everyone was still having a good time. Oh yeah I forgot to mention how one of the bouncers grabbed my camera and tried to take it away but I just pulled it back hard and continued to shooting pictures out his arms reach. The only thing that sucks is not being able to spark a joint at a rock show in NYC because of the smoking ban. As soon as you spark the lighter you got a goon telling you that there's no smoking. Perry started talking to the crowd and mentioned how they haven't put out a new studio album in 13 years (the new album is titled Strays). He said they chose the route of experience instead of money. I'm sure the record label was dangling a significant amount of money for them to get back in the studio after Ritual de lo Habitual. Perry then flexed his muscles and said, "this is what experience looks like!..What do you boys think?". I do have to say he looked very healthy and by the sound of the new material the fans should be happy. The new songs rock and fit right in with the rest of their classics. The sound seems more refined and that's in part to Bob Ezrin who produced Strays. Some of Bob's past jobs include: Lou Reed's Berlin, Alice Cooper's School's Out, Kiss's Destroyer and Pink Floyd's The Wall. The guitar work of Dave Navarro was on point and he seemed to be putting a lot of his soul into tonight's show. The new member of the band is Chris Chaney replacing Eric Avery on bass. He played all the Jane's classics exactly like they're suppose to sound so he's cool in my book. Stephen Perkins (Drums) was the last to leave the stage after "Jane Says" and he shook people's hands, threw his drum sticks into the crowd and waved goodbye all while having the biggest grin of happiness on his face. It's been a long wait to hear some new material and this show was one of the best I've seen besides Tool at the side stage of Lollapalooza 93 and NIN in Poughkeepsie back in 94. If you guys want more on the history of the band read the 16 page article in the August issue of SPIN. I'll leave you with another memorable Perry quote from the night, "Have a big cock and party!" so maybe I'll make that my slogan for 2003. The new album will come out July 22nd so be on the lookout for that, and if you get a chance go check out Jane's at Lollapalooza 2003. Peace!

.:. Playlist: Jane's Addiction 6.11.03 Irving Plaza .:.

Stop
True Nature
Strays
Three Days
Just Because
Summertime Rolls
Price I pay
Wrong Girl
Ocean Size
1st Encore: The Riches
2nd Encore: Jane Says

Hope you enjoy the photos!