Perry Farrell of Jane’s Addiction performs at San Manuel Indian Bingo and Casino on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2013. (David Bauman/Staff Photographer)
It was a trip down memory lane on Thursday, Oct. 24 when Jane’s Addiction played San Manuel Indian Bingo and Casino in Highland and not only because the band played its deep catalog of alternative rock tracks going back to the 1980s.
Leader Perry Farrell stopped in the middle of the song “Just Because” early in the group’s set to reminisce about the band’s early days.
He talked about driving out to the casino Highland from the beach on Thursday and seeing a sign for Mount Baldy on the way.
“We played there about 25 years ago,” he told the crowd.
He talked about a pool party and the video for “Stop.”
“Can you believe I remember that?” he said, smiling. “It was … wild.”
Jane’s Addiction celebrated the sex and drugs parts of the rock ‘n’ roll equation to excess in its early days, but even with its members firmly planted in middle age, Jane’s brought an edge to the show.
Lingerie-clad go-go dancers on stage at times did suggestive dances and choreography during songs such as “Three Days” and “Nothing’s Shocking,” culminating in two of the dancers swinging from the ceiling during encore opener “Chip Away.”
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As Farrell jabbed and punched and dance and bounced around the stage, he still commanded the crowd, who thundered back with their response.
“I live for you to smile,” Farrell told the fans.
The only out of place moment of the night was near the end of the main set, when Farrell started talking about genetically modified food and how he and his wife were happy that California would be the first state to ban it.
As for the music, the band played its hits and deep cuts, including songs from every record.
Guitarist Dave Navarro spent the first part of the show looking like he wasn’t connecting before getting more charismatic as the concert continued.
However the highlight of the show musically was drummer Stephen Perkins’ percussion prowess, particularly on “Three Days” and “Nothing’s Shocking.”
And it was the final song of the encore, “Jane Says,” that showcased the band at its finest.
Navarro and Chaney sat on the stage while Perkins played bongos and a steel drum and Farrell led the crowd in a loud, perfect sing-along of the band’s signature tune.
“I hope you’re lucky in love and just plain lucky,” Farrell told the audience as the band finished the set.
Set list (I think I hit everything in this one. If not, let me know in the comments.)
“Underground”
“Mountain Song”
“Just Because”
“The Price I Pay”
“Been Caught Stealing”
“Another Soulmate”
“Ain’t No Right”
“Three Days”
“Ocean Size”
“Nothing’s Shocking”
“Stop”
Encore
“Chip Away”
“Jane Says”