Dave Navarro spoke of Eric Avery and Stephen Perkins’ role in shaping Jane’s Addiction’s music in a recent chat with Guitar Guitar.
“They’re my favorite rhythm section, ever,” the guitarist said. “Eric is really the backbone of this band, musically speaking. Take basically any song of ours: take the guitars and the drums away, and just leave the bass and the vocal: it’s still a great song. You know what I mean?”
When interviewer pointed out that the two’s playing carried the band’s identity, he explained, “Absolutely. And that all comes from Eric. And then Stephen, I’ve been playing with since I was 15 years old. We met in high school. We were both in the marching band, in the drum corps. He told me he played drums, I told him, ‘Oh, I’m a guitar player, actually’. We got together and jammed and formed our first band at 15.”
Eric Avery rejoined Jane’s Addiction in August 2022 after twelve years away. He announced that they were working on new material later in the month.
“Four promising new song ideas,” he wrote on Instagram. “Big thanks to you all for all the kind words of support. It leaves me feeling inspired. Honestly. It produces the best kind of pressure; your passion leaves me determined to do all I can for Jane’s Addiction.”
The band debuted their first single with the classic lineup in decades, ‘Imminent Redemption,’ at London’s Bush Hall in May 2024. The studio version of the non-album track came out in July.
Jane’s Addiction also kicked off a US tour earlier this month. They are set to perform next at the YouTube Theater in Inglewood, California, on August 13.