Etty Says
Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2008 5:28 am
When I agreed to do this interview, I had no idea that so many questions were going to be JA related. I tried my best to answer questions to the best of my abilities and knowledge.
Perry and I are husband and wife, and as he likes to put it, we are partners in love as well as in life, and we do work side by side together on a lot of projects. We each do what we do best in this partnership. Perry creates as an artist, and I work on the organization side of things. When a major decision comes up, for example, like our recent management and business management changes, we discuss, argue, and we come to a decision together. We support and encourage each other, and we work with as well as for each other. However, when it comes to Jane's Addiction related matters, I only pass the information along. It isn't my project and I should not nor do I want to take part in making any decisions pertaining to it. Of course I will share my opinion, however, I will also insist on Perry soliciting advise from his managers and his agents. But at the end of the day, Perry makes those decisions on his own.
With that being said, I would like to clarify a few of the answers from the interview:
JA Box set: I know there is a director commentary for Gift because I drove Perry to that session. I didn't stay. We didn't discuss. From our cabinets, we discovered some old video tapes of JA's and we passed them along to Rhino. I also know that Stephen has submitted archival footage into Rhino as well. There will be new interviews with the original band members as I am trying to schedule Perry's interview time.
Porno For Pyros: Perry was in the room with me when Mike was asking me about P4P. When Mike came to the question about this alleged album of P4P songs, Perry was shaking his head vigorously. I took that as a "no". Later when I go off the phone, I asked him again about this "album" and he said that it is probably a collection of songs that the band had written. He said that if the songs are what he thinks they are, they will need a lot of work, and at this time he is not interested in working on them. A couple of weeks ago, we did hear that the other members of P4P are ready for a comeback, when I suggested maybe a one off show for Coachella or Lolla, Perry said no. I then said maybe in five years, he shrugged and said maybe.
Possible JA Reunion: Perry's booking agent call Perry up and ask him if there was an validity to the rumors about two weeks ago. A discussion between Perry and his agent and manager followed. They agreed that IF it is even a possibility, it must be with all the original members and not for a few more years. I was not present for that conversation.
I now would like to address the "Yoko" comparison once and for all. First of all, it is racist. But more importantly, it is ridiculous. Perry and I have been together since '99, and we have been married since January of '02. JA did not break up until '04. I have been part of the JA "family", first as a dancer in '97, then as a dancer and girlfriend in '01, and finally as a dancer and a wife in '03. I obviously do not have any issue with the guys playing with each other. Those tours have all been some of the best highlights of my career as a professional dancer. (Sorry, but the the Grammys with Madonna takes the cake!) I have been working in the entertainment industry for over 10 years. I know success for a band is rare. I know a band like JA comes along once a generation. I know that the guys are more powerful and successful working together than if they are to work apart. I would not have, nor could I ever fathom the idea of talking my husband into breaking up one of the greatest bands of our generation simply because of some petty fights I've had with the wives and girlfriend. At the time, i remember telling Perry that it doesn't matter whether or not he likes that certain player in his band, what matters is this incredible dynamic between the two of them when they are on stage together. This intense energy that he will not be able to find with anyone else, because that energy dirive from this deep, dark , love/ hate relationship that they have shared. To throw all of that away because I didn't get along with the other girls, just as the band was gaining momentum, really?!?
As for the censorship matter on this site, I believe that directing opinions and criticism at a piece of art work is very, very different from directing opinions and criticism at a person. I did not put myself out there to be judged. Mike asked me if I would answer a few questions for him and I did. Attacks directed at what I said are certainly acceptable, however attacks directed at me personally are NOT.
For the very last time, Perry Farrell is, and was always, the constant reminder that what Jane's Addiction had, is the rarest and most precious that a musician can accomplish. To wake up to news that the group had broken up was the most hurtful and bewildering day that he and I have ever endured together.
It is quite interesting, that as our society evolves into this cyber age, we are forgetting kindness, politeness, sensitivity, common courtesy and respect towards other people while we are communicating with each other online. There are real people behind the words that we are reading, with real feelings. Don't hide behind your computer and your screen name to be mean and make judgments because you do not need to be accountable. I know, "everyone's got their own opinion", but I do believe it is high time we exercise some self-censorship and remember that a little kindness and consideration goes a long way.
Perry and I are husband and wife, and as he likes to put it, we are partners in love as well as in life, and we do work side by side together on a lot of projects. We each do what we do best in this partnership. Perry creates as an artist, and I work on the organization side of things. When a major decision comes up, for example, like our recent management and business management changes, we discuss, argue, and we come to a decision together. We support and encourage each other, and we work with as well as for each other. However, when it comes to Jane's Addiction related matters, I only pass the information along. It isn't my project and I should not nor do I want to take part in making any decisions pertaining to it. Of course I will share my opinion, however, I will also insist on Perry soliciting advise from his managers and his agents. But at the end of the day, Perry makes those decisions on his own.
With that being said, I would like to clarify a few of the answers from the interview:
JA Box set: I know there is a director commentary for Gift because I drove Perry to that session. I didn't stay. We didn't discuss. From our cabinets, we discovered some old video tapes of JA's and we passed them along to Rhino. I also know that Stephen has submitted archival footage into Rhino as well. There will be new interviews with the original band members as I am trying to schedule Perry's interview time.
Porno For Pyros: Perry was in the room with me when Mike was asking me about P4P. When Mike came to the question about this alleged album of P4P songs, Perry was shaking his head vigorously. I took that as a "no". Later when I go off the phone, I asked him again about this "album" and he said that it is probably a collection of songs that the band had written. He said that if the songs are what he thinks they are, they will need a lot of work, and at this time he is not interested in working on them. A couple of weeks ago, we did hear that the other members of P4P are ready for a comeback, when I suggested maybe a one off show for Coachella or Lolla, Perry said no. I then said maybe in five years, he shrugged and said maybe.
Possible JA Reunion: Perry's booking agent call Perry up and ask him if there was an validity to the rumors about two weeks ago. A discussion between Perry and his agent and manager followed. They agreed that IF it is even a possibility, it must be with all the original members and not for a few more years. I was not present for that conversation.
I now would like to address the "Yoko" comparison once and for all. First of all, it is racist. But more importantly, it is ridiculous. Perry and I have been together since '99, and we have been married since January of '02. JA did not break up until '04. I have been part of the JA "family", first as a dancer in '97, then as a dancer and girlfriend in '01, and finally as a dancer and a wife in '03. I obviously do not have any issue with the guys playing with each other. Those tours have all been some of the best highlights of my career as a professional dancer. (Sorry, but the the Grammys with Madonna takes the cake!) I have been working in the entertainment industry for over 10 years. I know success for a band is rare. I know a band like JA comes along once a generation. I know that the guys are more powerful and successful working together than if they are to work apart. I would not have, nor could I ever fathom the idea of talking my husband into breaking up one of the greatest bands of our generation simply because of some petty fights I've had with the wives and girlfriend. At the time, i remember telling Perry that it doesn't matter whether or not he likes that certain player in his band, what matters is this incredible dynamic between the two of them when they are on stage together. This intense energy that he will not be able to find with anyone else, because that energy dirive from this deep, dark , love/ hate relationship that they have shared. To throw all of that away because I didn't get along with the other girls, just as the band was gaining momentum, really?!?
As for the censorship matter on this site, I believe that directing opinions and criticism at a piece of art work is very, very different from directing opinions and criticism at a person. I did not put myself out there to be judged. Mike asked me if I would answer a few questions for him and I did. Attacks directed at what I said are certainly acceptable, however attacks directed at me personally are NOT.
For the very last time, Perry Farrell is, and was always, the constant reminder that what Jane's Addiction had, is the rarest and most precious that a musician can accomplish. To wake up to news that the group had broken up was the most hurtful and bewildering day that he and I have ever endured together.
It is quite interesting, that as our society evolves into this cyber age, we are forgetting kindness, politeness, sensitivity, common courtesy and respect towards other people while we are communicating with each other online. There are real people behind the words that we are reading, with real feelings. Don't hide behind your computer and your screen name to be mean and make judgments because you do not need to be accountable. I know, "everyone's got their own opinion", but I do believe it is high time we exercise some self-censorship and remember that a little kindness and consideration goes a long way.
