Guitar Center Drumoff 1999 (Sonicnet.com)

Instrumental Version Of Jane's Addiction Relapses Again

Dave Navarro, Stephen Perkins and Flea play several songs by defunct hard-rock band.

by Correspondent Rei Nishimoto

Dave Navarro, pictured on Jane's Addiction's 1997 Relapse tour, also was a member of the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

LOS ANGELES — Flea, Dave Navarro and Stephen Perkins reunited as a sort of instrumental Jane's Addiction at the House of Blues on Saturday to celebrate "Drum Day L.A."

"Stephen asked me to do it, and I'd do anything for him because I love him," Flea (born Michael Balzary) said. "I was in Big Sur this morning, and I drove six hours, got here and walked onstage and did it."

The trio, who joined Jane's Addiction singer Perry Farrell for the hard-rock band's 1997 Relapse tour, performed instrumental renditions of "Stop," "Ocean Size" (RealAudio excerpt), "Mountain Song" and other Jane's songs and combined for a triple-drum assault on "Trip Away" (RealAudio excerpt).

Drummer Perkins and guitarist Navarro were original members of the group. Navarro also played guitar for a few years in the Red Hot Chili Peppers, for whom Flea plays bass.

Navarro and Flea said it wasn't nostalgia that propelled them to participate in the event, which was sponsored by Guitar Center in celebration of "Drum Day L.A."

"The people at Guitar Center are my friends; Steve Perkins is my friend," Navarro said after the performance. "And obviously Steve's one of the greatest drummers in the world and is a pleasure to play with. So anything he wants, I'll do. I'll play anytime, anywhere."

Navarro, who has been working solo since leaving the Red Hot Chili Peppers last year, said he hopes to release his debut album under the name Spread in February.

Perkins, who is scheduled to tour next year with ex-Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee's band, Methods of Mayhem, dotted the performance with several drum solos. The drummer, who also played with Farrell in Porno for Pyros, initially took the stage alone and gave several drum demonstrations, including one on an African split drum.

Saturday's event also featured a contest between seven amateur drummers judged by the likes of Marilyn Manson's Ginger Fish, Poison's Rikki Rockett and the Go-Go's' Gina Schock. Each contestant had won a regional competition. The winner was 9-year-old Carlon Deon Muccular of Richmond, Calif., an event spokesperson said.

Jazz drummer Louie Bellson was inducted into Hollywood's RockWalk at the event, and drummers Dave Weckl (Chick Corea) and Dennis Chambers (George Clinton) also performed.