The Rave presents… Jane’s Addiction with special guest Black Box Revelation
The Rave in Milwaukee, WI was the last stop on this intimate tour with JA and after an initial hiccup, the rest of the night became a showcase of amazing music. Arriving at the Rave, all the photographers were told there would be no pit access to shoot because JA wanted to have a more intimate show for the over 3,000 fans and the barricades would be just for speakers. As I walked in and saw, I could see that even security was not going to be in front and worked my way up to the front row where guitarist, Dave Navarro would be.
Opening the show was the two piece band Black Box Revelation.
As the guys walked on stage the drum kit for Black Box Revelation was wrapped in toilet paper as a prank, never found out who did this but was pretty funny seeing the drummer ripping it all off so he could play. The band did a great job warming up the crowd and played a solid 40 minute set.
After a 30 minute set change, Jane’s Addiction came on at 9:40 and played for a solid 1 ½ hrs.
Jane’s Addiction is:
Perry Farrell – Vocals
Dave Navarro – Guitars
Stephen Perkins – Drums
Chris Chaney – Bass
Opening the show with Underground, off the new album, The Great Escape Artist; the first song had performers on the stage and two ladies floating in the air in long white dresses that reached the floor, as well as performing Mountain Song, and Just Because. The band was in top form and ready to have fun, as Farrell told the crowd he was happy to be ending the show here in Milwaukee, WI.
Each night on the tour they have been changing up the setlist with one or two songs, which is always great to see a band do each night. The night was filled with dramatic video images and vaudeville like theatrics which gave the night a slight naughty feel to it as well as moments that shocked.
Never having seen JA, my eyes were wide open to everything and let it all come in as they played Been Caught Stealing, Ain’t No Right, and the haunting close to 10 minute epic Ted, Just Admit it, that featuring bondage videos and two dancers - one of them being Farrell’s wife in scantily clad outfits performing a beautifully erotic dance on a bench.
The song Twisted Tales for me had the most impact of the night, someone dressed in an all white suit with a white mask with button eyes came on stage with a bag full of dolls. During the song, he took the dolls and smashed them, tossed them and hung one on a rope before doing the same as the song came to a close, as it intro out a video came on with victims who were abused used dolls to represent what happened to them and was very disturbing and with the song and theatrics in the background you could not but help feel the emotions.
With a quick set change, they brought drummer Perkins right to edge of the stage with a steel pan drum kit along with two chairs in front for Navarro & Chaney to sit and play as Farrell moved around. Playing Classic Girl and the sing-along-song of the night Jane said that sounded great and the guys where all smiles as the crowd sang along, they ended the little set with Chip away with all the guys on drums but Farrell, was very tribal sounding and uplifting.
Perkins sounded amazing on the drums tonight and held a tight grove all night with Chaney. This allowed Navarro to show off his insane guitar skills, which he held in check and let out in burst that left your jaw wide open. Farrell was in fine form as well and kept walking on the speaker stands to reach out to the crowd and the few crowd suffers who braved the barrier were greeted by him as he thanked them.
The night ended with Three Days and Stop, Stop - had the crowd dancing and little mosh pits trying to open up in a tightly packed crowd. They came back for an encore of Words Right Out of My Mouth and Ocean Size, leaving the crowd satisfied and talking about how great the show was as they walked out.
While this was my first time seeing JA, I walked away knowing it will not be my last time.
They will be touring outside of the USA in April before coming back to America.
Dates can be found online at http://janesaddiction.com
All photos and review by Peter Lizano
