Goodby Jane’s Addiction, Hello Porno for Pyros

Fans of Perry Farrell--which include the writers at Rolling Stone and Spin magazines who named him artist of the year for 1991--have been hanging in suspense for months since the mysterious performer officially announced that he’d broken up his band, Jane’s Addiction.

Though Farrell had previously talked about leaving music for good, he assured the world that he’d be back with a new musical venture, but gave no clues as to what or when.

Until now. Farrell is readying the debut of his new band, called Porno for Pyros, possibly at an AIDS benefit scheduled for April 4 at the Hollywood Palladium.

“You’re going to know it’s Perry Farrell because of the voice and lyrics,” Farrell’s manager Ted Gardner tells Pop Eye. “But musically it’s totally different, not as hard as Jane’s was.”

The best clues to what we can expect may be in the band’s lineup. The only other holdover from Jane’s Addiction is drummer Stephen Perkins, who had been playing recently with Infectious Grooves. Joining them are ex-Thelonious Monster bassist Martyn Lenoble, guitarist Peter Distefano and Venice hip-hop performer and turntable artist Skatemaster Tate. A female singer may be added later. People close to Farrell say the band reflects his interest in the manic cross-culturalisms of such bands as Paris’ Les Negresses Vertes.

“It’s a combination of ideas,” Gardner says, describing Farrell as a “totally different person” who has been energized by the new project. “There’s use of samples, though not to the point of noticing it’s been ripped off, there’s scratch playing, it’s very rhythmical, very melodic, very strong--music to (have sex) by.”

Fans are going to have to be patient, though. Even if the band debuts at the AIDS benefit, an album is not expected until next year. So far, the band has only recorded a three-song demo tape.

Still, Farrell will be visible through other activities in coming months. His film, “Gift,” is set to premiere in late May or early June, and he is once again organizing, though not performing on, the Lollapalooza tour, the multi-genre concert bill that Jane’s Addiction headlined last year.

For this summer’s Lollapalooza, with a lineup including the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Soundgarden, Ice Cube and Ministry, Farrell is concentrating on the non-musical activities, particularly the political and social awareness angles.

“Sting will look after the rain forests, U2 will look after Greenpeace,” Gardner explains. “Ours is to look after local issues, specifically runaway kids and the homeless, as well as things like handgun control and the beauties of body piercing.”