Photo credit: SGrantz
Perry Farrell discussed why Jane’s Addiction may be greater than Guns N’ Roses in a new Wall Street Journal interview.
“One of the things I always loved about us is we have these lengthy songs. The songs were stories…I don’t want to shoot down anything that’s going on today…but to be honest with you, then, we loved playing music and it’s an art form.
It’s an art form to perform them, even today. If you come to the show this time around, we have a gorgeous set design, gorgeous lights, gorgeous dancers. And we play out these stories, these dramatic tales, in music.
That was our main concern and still is today. It wasn’t the hit single. We were much more like the Stooges or the Velvets or the Grateful Dead, in the way that we loved playing music, we loved holding instruments, and playing with each other.
That was our life. We weren’t looking at the radio. I gave up on the idea of being a radio band. My wife said something to me very wise. From time to time, I get a little sad and say ‘Gosh, I wish we would have sold more records or had more radio airplay.’ And she said, ‘When you’re singing about menage a trois and heroin, you have a limited audience. What do you expect?’
My life is surrounded with great music, great people, who are in it for the right reasons. I have been able to sustain, regardless. We might not have sold as many records as Guns N’ Roses, but I’d say we’re every bit as great as Guns N’ Roses. Some might argue we’re even greater.”
