Jane’s Addiction - Murat Theater

 

The crowd nearly overwhelmed alt-rock powerhouse Jane's Addiction Thursday night as the band packed the house at the Murat in Indianapolis, Indiana.  The Los Angeles band that's best known for its nearly 30 years of explosive, sensuality-laden tours held its fans at near ecstasy with a generous dose of hits peppered with new tunes from its latest studio album, "The Great Escape Artist." 

Big Black Delta, the Los Angeles-opener took the stage right on time with a synth and drum heavy set featuring Jonathan bates on vocals and two drummers.  The trio’s sound was comparable to the disconsolate electronica from the likes of Depeche Mode and the spacy beats were complemented nicely by the smashing sounds coming from the two kits.

After what seemed like an eternity had passed to set up the stage and a rather ominous stage at that, Jane’s Addiction too stage accompanied to Pink Floyd’s “Welcome to the Machine” which was rather fitting given the demented circus that was to come.   Jane’s Addiction propelled with “Underground” off of their newest album.  Perry Farrell and company immediately took the bull by the horns with the utmost enthusiasm. As the lights were drawn to the stage, one couldn't help but notice the elaborate set-up: trapeze artists, video monitors, a giant mold of two nude women, and Tim Burton-esque costumes. 

JA plowed through “Mountain Song” with the ferocious rumble of bassist Chris Chaney, Jane's Addiction launched into the classic, earning the respect of every devil-horned hand in the room.  Next was “Just because” off of their 2003 album Stray, followed by “Got Caught Stealing” a more accessible anthem which  was accompanied by the beauty of a full house singing in unison, making the band feel right at home.

The band then moved on to another number from their mid-80’s heyday “Ain’t No Right” and then mixed it up with some new material with “Irresistible Force” a melancholy, spacy number with a catchy chorus before moving back to another classic, steel drum driven “Jane Says”  that got the diverse crowd from tatted up moms to piercing laden teens moving. 

Next came a true extravaganza as “Chip Away” a tribal drum head trip mélange made the set up and on stage theatrics seem that much more surreal—if that were possible.  This is especially true given the fact that the number was done acoustically and that the opener, Big Black Delta accompanied Jane’s Addiction for this number barraging the crowd in an intense drum collaboration.  

At this point I had to consider how a band could keep up the dynamism following such a memorable moment but guitarist, Dave Navarro quickly addressed any apprehension with his razor sharp precision solos in songs like “ Ted, Just Admit It”, “Ocean Size” and “Stop!” where he really cut loose in this adrenaline injected favorite.  

In the early '90s, it was lead singer Farrell informed the mainstream that a new wave of counter-culture was here to stay. With the creation of Lollapalooza and coining the term "alternative" in reference to the abandoned youth of the late 80’s and early 90’s, it was bands like Jane's Addiction that would leave their mark on generations to come

Jane's Addiction has retained and refined a vibrant, relevant image of the culture it fearlessly created. Though the band rarely visits Indiana, the boys in Jane's Addiction took the Indianapolis crowd by storm.

 

Tagged: Murat Theater