Porno for Pyroswas an Americanalternative rockband formed inLos Angeles,California,in 1992, following the first break-up ofJane's Addiction.[1]The band currently consists of Jane's Addiction members,Perry Farrell(vocals) andStephen Perkins(drums), alongsidePeter DiStefano(guitar) andMike Watt(bass).[2]Founding bass guitaristMartyn LeNoblewas a member of the band between 1992 and 1995, and was initially committed to the band's reunion between 2022 and 2023.
Porno for Pyros | |
|---|---|
 Porno for Pyros in 1993. Left to right: Perkins, DiStefano, LeNoble, Farrell | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Los Angeles,California,U.S. |
| Genres | Alternative rock |
| Years active |
|
| Labels | Warner Bros. |
| Members |
|
| Past members | Martyn LeNoble |
The band released two studio albums,Porno for Pyros(1993) andGood God's Urge(1996), before going on hiatus in 1998.[1]In 2009, the original line-up reunited for a one-off appearance at frontman Perry Farrell's 50th birthday party. In 2020, the Watt-era line-up of the band reunited for Lolla2020, a freeYouTubebroadcast event taking place amidst globalCOVID-19 lockdowns.Following the appearance, members of the group continued to work on new material together,[3]and in 2022, Farrell and Perkins reunited Porno for Pyros for their first large-scale public performances in more than 24 years, leading to a full reunion of the band's original line-up atWelcome to Rockvillefestival.
The original four-piece recorded new material in 2023, with plans to release a four-track EP in 2024. After a full reunion tour was rescheduled to 2024, LeNoble amicably left the band in November 2023, with the band subsequently announcing that their forthcoming tour would be a farewell tour.
History
edit1992–1994: Formation andPorno for Pyros
editFollowing the demise of the critically and commercially successfulJane's Addiction,frontmanPerry Farrelland drummerStephen Perkinsformed Porno for Pyros after acquiring guitaristPeter DiStefanoand bass playerMartyn LeNoble.[1]Farrell named the band after seeing an ad for fireworks in a pornographic magazine.[4]The name has also been connected through song lyrics to the1992 Los Angeles riotswhich occurred in the band's hometown around the time of Porno for Pyros' inception.[5]Prior to releasing theireponymous first album,Porno for Pyros embarked on a nationwide tour to support the new band.[1]By the time the band's debut album was released in 1993, anticipation surrounding the project was enough to briefly drive the album to the No. 3 position on theBillboardtop 200 list. The video for the album's second single, "Pets",received heavy airplay onMTV.Following the album's release, Porno for Pyros continued a heavy touring schedule, including an appearance atWoodstock '94along with a cameo on HBO'sThe Larry Sanders Show.[1]Unlike the relatively straight-ahead rock shows that were the hallmark of live Jane's Addiction, Porno for Pyros live shows relied heavily on props, extras[6]and special effects (including pyrotechnics).
1995–1998:Good God's Urgeand break-up
editFor the band's follow-up album,Good God's Urge,bass player LeNoble quit after completing the majority of the bass tracks. Ex-MinutemenbassistMike Wattwas brought in to finish up the album tracks[7]and join the band on tour.[8]The album also featured the post-Jane's reunion of Farrell with guitaristDave Navarro,who made a guest appearance on "Freeway", along with Red Hot Chili Peppers' bass player Flea.[9]The band again set forth on a heavy touring schedule with Watt on bass, then with Flea on bass with Perkins and Farrell's former Jane's Addiction bandmate Dave Navarro on guitar. In reality, the end of Porno For Pyros bled into the "relapsed Jane's Addiction" situation, as Jane's guitarist Dave Navarro and his Red Hot Chili Pepper bandmate Flea guested on 2 songs from the Good God's Urge sessions, "Freeway" and "Hard Charger." As "Hard Charger" was released and charted as a single from the Howard Stern Private Parts movie, the final touring dates for Porno For Pyros featured 3/4 of Jane's Addiction Dave Navarro and Flea onstage with Peter DeStefano and touring members Sunny Reinhart and Thomas "TJ" Johnson. On several tour stops Porno for Pyros played "Mountain Song", a popular Jane's Addiction tune, a foreshadowing of the later Jane's Addiction reunion efforts. Further touring by the band was scuttled when DiStefano was diagnosed withcancer.[1][10]
Perkins and Watt subsequently formed the jazz-punk improvisation groupBanyan[11]and, along with DiStefano, occasionally perform sets ofStoogescover versions in the Los Angeles area under the band nameHellride.[12]
2009–2019: One-off reunion and rumours
editIn April 2009, the original lineup of Farrell, Perkins, DiStefano, and LeNoble performed at Farrell's 50th birthday party.[13]In April 2011, Farrell wrote on hisTwitteraccount: "One day, more Porno For Pyros",[14]suggesting that the band would reunite in the future. On September 3, 2012, DiStefano stated that the band would be active in 2013, which was later also announced by Farrell on his Facebook page on July 6, 2013.[15][16]In 2018, the band were rumoured to be part of an immersive entertainment experience inLas Vegas,named Kind Heaven, created by Farrell, which never came to fruition.[17]
2020–2024: Full reunion and farewell tour
editOn July 27, 2020, it was announced that for the first time in 22 years, Porno for Pyros (featuring the lineup of Perry Farrell, Stephen Perkins, Mike Watt and Peter DiStefano) would be reuniting to play Lolla2020, a free four-nightYouTubebroadcast event taking place on the original dates of the 2020 Chicago-basedLollapaloozafestival, Thursday, July 30 through Sunday, August 2.[18]
On July 20, 2021, DiStefano announced on his Facebook page that he, Farrell and Perkins were working on what will be new material from Porno for Pyros in over two decades.[3]
On May 18, 2022, Farrell shared Jane’s Addiction will not be playingWelcome to Rockvilleconcert in Daytona Beach, Florida, on May 22 due to guitaristDave Navarrosuffering from a “long bout” of COVID-19, but is reuniting his band Porno for Pyros for the performance.[19]“The gang and the government are no different. That makes me 1%. Rockville, although we are blue that Jane’s cannot be with you at this time due to Dave’s long bout with COVID, I am still coming to Daytona, bringing to you for the first time in 26 years Porno For Pyros Featuring myself, Perry Farrell, Stephen Perkins, Peter DiStefeno and Mike Watt. We’ll play some Jane’s songs for you as well, but for now let’s recall: My boat’s capsized it’s gonna sink to the bottom. I can see the lights on the shore…” noted Farrell on the Welcome to RockvilleFacebookpage.[20]Drummer Stephen Perkins was replaced by his drum tech Mike Gryciuk for the performance due to a stomach virus, with Nick Maybury, formerly of Scott Weiland & the Wildabouts on additional guitar.
For the band's subsequent summer shows and appearance atLollapalooza,founding bassist Martyn LeNoble rejoined the band, with the original four-piece working on new material the following year. The band will release a four-track EP of original material in 2024.
After the band's initial reunion tour was postponed and rescheduled, LeNoble announced his amicable departure from the band on November 13, 2023: "I’m so excited for the world to hear" Agua "and the other unreleased material from our recent sessions. There is a real connection between these new songs and how we've grown. We've mended our friendships and recorded these songs with love. I think you will hear that in the recordings. I've changed. I like quiet and nature. With that being said, I will be following my passion for wildlife and will not be part of the upcoming tour. I wish my brothers Perry, Pete and Stephen the best. I'm truly grateful for every moment I spent with them. Most importantly, thank you to all of you for all of the amazing support and memories."[21]
Following LeNoble's departure, the band announced that their 2024 tour would now be a farewell tour, titled the "Horns, Thorns en Halos",[22]with Mike Watt rejoining the band on bass guitar for its final shows.[23]
Members
edit- Final lineup
- Perry Farrell– lead vocals, harmonica, percussion(1992–1998, 2009, 2020, 2022–2024)
- Stephen Perkins– drums, percussion, backing vocals(1992–1998, 2009, 2020, 2022–2024)
- Peter DiStefano– guitar, backing vocals(1992–1998, 2009, 2020, 2022–2024)
- Mike Watt– bass, backing vocals(1995–1998, 2020, 2022, 2023–2024)
- Robin Hatch – keyboards(2023–2024)
- Former members
- Martyn LeNoble– bass, backing vocals(1992–1995, 2009, 2022–2023)
Timeline
edit
Discography
editStudio albums
edit| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | Certifications | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US [24] |
US Cash [25] |
AUS [26] |
NOR [27] |
NZ [28] |
SWE [29] |
UK [30] | ||||
| Porno for Pyros |
|
3 | 1 | 35 | — | 16 | — | 13 | ||
| Good God's Urge |
|
20 | 29 | 20 | 18 | 20 | 57 | 40 | — | |
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. | ||||||||||
Compilation albums
edit- Rhino Hi-Five: Porno for Pyros(2007)
Singles
edit| Year | Title | Peak chart positions | Album | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US [24] |
US Airplay | US Modern | US Mainstream | AUS [32] |
UK [30] | |||
| 1993 | "Cursed Female" | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | Porno for Pyros |
| "Pets" | 67 | 67 | 1 | 25 | 68 | 53 | ||
| 1994 | "Sadness" | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 1996 | "Tahitian Moon" | 46 | 8 | 34 | — | — | Good God's Urge | |
| 1997 | "Hard Charger" | — | — | 23 | — | — | — | Private Parts |
| 2023 | "Agua" | — | — | — | — | — | — | Non-album single |
| "Pete's Dad" | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2024 | "Little Me" | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| "Fingernail" | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| "—" denotes singles that did not chart. | ||||||||
Music videos
edit| Date | Title | Director(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 1993 | "Cursed Female" | Melodie McDaniel | Prod co:Palomar Pictures;DP:Wyatt Troll (16 mm) |
| June 1993 | "Pets" | Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris | Producer: Bart Lipton; DP: Christophe Lanzenberg |
| November 1993 | "Sadness" | John Lindauer | Prod co: Chelsea Pictures; Producers: John Oetjen, Chris Wagoner, Keith Milton; DP: Eric Engler; Stylist: Kristine Miller; based on the performance art piece Four Scenes in a Harsh LifebyRon Athey(concept, co-director and featured actor) |
| May 1996 | "Tahitian Moon" | John Linson & Perry Farrell | Filmed inTahiti. |
| October 1996 | "100 Ways" | Andrew Dosunmu(asRusty James) | Prod co:Propaganda Films |
| February 1997 | "Hard Charger" | Liz Friedlander(asAlan Smithee)& Geoff Nelson | Prod co: DNA; Producer: Pete Chambers; Stylist: Gretchen Patch |
References
edit- Notes
- ^abcdefColin Larkin,ed. (1997).The Virgin Encyclopedia of Popular Music(Concise ed.).Virgin Books.pp. 963/4.ISBN1-85227-745-9.
- ^Thomas, Stephen (1993-04-27)."Porno for Pyros - Music Biography, Credits and Discography".AllMusic.Retrieved2012-12-23.
- ^ab"PORNO FOR PYROS Is Working On New Music".Blabbermouth.net.July 23, 2021.RetrievedJuly 23,2021.
- ^Farley 1993
- ^Browne 1993
- ^"Woodstock 1994 concert review".Ram.org.Retrieved2011-06-04.
- ^"Good God s Urge by Porno for Pyros @ ARTISTdirect.com – Shop, Listen, Download".Artistdirect.com. 1996-05-28.Retrieved2011-06-04.
- ^"News – Articles – 1433262".Mtv.com. 1997-01-10. Archived fromthe originalon September 3, 2003.Retrieved2011-06-04.
- ^"Good God's Urge Album Review, Songs, Ratings".Starpulse.com. 2010-06-17. Archived fromthe originalon 2011-06-07.Retrieved2011-06-04.
- ^"News – Articles – 1433267".Mtv.com.1996-12-06. Archived fromthe originalon September 2, 2003.Retrieved2011-06-04.
- ^"Stephen Perkins: Artists: Modern Drummer Magazine".Moderndrummer.com. 15 October 2006.Retrieved2017-12-12.
- ^"Mike Watt".Hobomagazine.com.2007-12-18.Retrieved2011-06-04.
- ^"Blabbermouth.Net".Roadrunnerrecords.com. 2007-12-01. Archived fromthe originalon 2009-06-28.Retrieved2011-06-04.
- ^"Twitter".Twitter.Retrieved2013-05-12.
- ^Shay, Steve."SLIDESHOW: Porno for Pyros' Peter DiStefano leads Feedback Lounge ensemble | West Seattle Herald / White Center News".Westseattleherald.com.Retrieved2012-12-23.
- ^"Perry Farrell - Timeline Photos".Facebook.Retrieved2015-08-25.
- ^"Porno For Pyros Will Reunite For Perry Farrell's Insane Vegas Show".Spin.com.March 17, 2018.
- ^"First PORNO FOR PYROS Reunion In 24 Years Planned For LOLLA2020 Virtual Festival Weekend".Blabbermouth. 2020-07-27.Retrieved2020-07-30.
- ^"Porno for Pyros reuniting for Welcome to Rockville in place of Jane's Addiction".98KUPD - Arizona's Real Rock.2022-05-18.Retrieved2022-05-19.
- ^"Porno For Pyros Announce First Show In 26 Years".iHeart.Retrieved2022-05-19.
- ^"... I've changed. I like quiet and nature. With that being said, I will be following my passion for wildlife and will not be part of the upcoming tour. I wish my brothers Perry, Pete and Stephen the best. I'm truly grateful for every moment I spent with them. Most importantly, thank you to all of you for all of the amazing support and memories." - Martyn LeNoble ".Instagram.com.
- ^"Porno for Pyros Reschedule 2024 Dates, Now Calling Reunion Tour a Farewell".Pitchfork.com.November 15, 2023.
- ^"Perry Farrell: Mike Watt to Play Bass on Porno for Pyros Tour".Consequence.net.November 29, 2023.
- ^ab"Charts: Porno for Pyros".billboard.com.Billboard.RetrievedJune 11,2020.
- ^"CASH BOX MAGAZINE: Music and coin machine magazine 1942 to 1996".worldradiohistory.com.Retrieved2020-09-14.
- ^"Discography Porno for Pyros".australian-charts.com.RetrievedSeptember 6,2022.
- ^"Charts: Good God's Urge - Porno for Pyros".vglista.no.Verdens Gang.RetrievedJune 11,2020.
- ^"Charts: Porno for Pyros".charts.nz.Recorded Music NZ.RetrievedJune 11,2020.
- ^"Charts: Porno for Pyros".swedishcharts.com.Sverigetopplistan.RetrievedJune 11,2020.
- ^ab"Charts: Porno for Pyros".officialcharts.com.Official Charts Company.RetrievedJune 11,2020.
- ^"Certifications: Porno for Pyros".RIAA.RetrievedJune 11,2020.
- ^Ryan, Gavin (2011).Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010(PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 221.
- Bibliography
- Browne, David."Burning Addiction"Archived2008-05-29 at theWayback Machine,Entertainment Weekly,May 7, 1993. Accessed April 27, 2008.
- Farley, Christopher."Playing with Fire",Time,May 31, 1993. Accessed April 27, 2008.
External links
edit- Official Website
- Porno for Pyrosdiscography atDiscogs
