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Members of Jane's Addiction & Black Box Revelation playing drums in Suite 100 pre-show.

Jane's Addiction doesn't hold back at Pageant

BY DANIEL DURCHHOLZ • Special to the Post-Dispatch | Posted: Thursday, February 23, 2012 10:40 am

Jane’s Addiction opened its “Great Escape Artist” tour at the Pageant Wednesday night, the pioneering alternative-rock band’s first appearance here since 2003.

Those attending the sold-out show were greeted with a warning posted at the door that “tonight’s performance includes adult graphic and violent content that some audience members may find objectionable.” But Jane’s Addiction fans would probably consider that more of a promise. Decadence and titillation have long been part and parcel of the band’s image and presentation, and after all, even the group’s major-label debut album was titled “Nothing’s Shocking.”

The 90-minute set did deliver on that promise: The mise en scene that filled the Pageant stage was dominated by a pair of nude female sculptures; there were scantily clad female dancers and a male dancer that occasionally donned a sort of birdman-in-bondage outfit. During one song, some vintage fetish footage was shown on video screens, and another featured the male dancer acting out some violence toward baby dolls — while perched on a ladder, no less — after which he mock-hanged himself.

There may have been a few opening night jitters in terms of getting harnesses hooked and unhooked or equipment rolled to the right places. “We just put this show together yesterday,” front man Perry Farrell told the crowd, thanking St. Louis for its hospitality while the production came together.

But the music, which was the main attraction after all, was fierce. Farrell bounded across the stage, grinning slyly and cutting loose in his trademark shriek. Guitarist Dave Navarro was alongside him providing thunderous riffs and piercing leads. The show’s opening salvo included “Underground” — one of only four new songs performed — plus the anthemic “Mountain Song,” “Just Because” and the classic “Been Caught Stealing.” “Ted, Just Admit It” and “Twisted Tales,” which contained the bulk of the “adult graphic and violent content,” were potent musically, but bogged down somewhat by the theatrics.

A smaller drum kit, vintage chairs and lamps and — sure, why not? — a stuffed bear were rolled out for quieter, though not acoustic readings of “Classic Girl” and “I Would for You.” These performances were less sure, but the mini-set was redeemed by an audience singalong of “Jane Says,” featuring skinsman Stephen Perkins on a steel drum.

After that, the show rolled to a quick conclusion with another new song, “Irresistible Force,” plus “Three Days,” on which Navarro really shined, plus “Stop!” and an encore of “Words Right Outta My Mouth.”

From here, the tour is headed for venues that will better fit its outsize ambitions. As it was, it was a real treat for fans to see a legendary act work out its show’s kinks — ahem — in a more intimate venue like the Pageant.



Set list:

"Underground"

"Mountain Song"

"Just Because"

"Been Caught Stealing"

"Ain’t No Right"

"Ted, Just Admit It…"

"Twisted Tales"

"Classic Girl"

"I Would For You"

"Jane Says"

"Irresistible Force"

"Three Days"

"Stop!"

Encore:

"Words Right Out of My Mouth"