Porno for Pyros

Porno for Pyros was an American alternative rock band formed in Los Angeles, California, United States in 1992, following the break-up of Jane's Addiction.[2] The band comprised former Jane's Addiction members Perry Farrell (vocals) and Stephen Perkins (drums), as well as Peter DiStefano (guitar) and Martyn LeNoble (bass).[3]

Porno for Pyros
Porno for Pyros in 1993. Left to right: Perkins, DiStefano, LeNoble, Farrell
Background information
OriginLos Angeles, California, United States
GenresAlternative rock
Years active1992–1998, 2009, 2018–present[1]
LabelsWarner Bros.
Associated acts
Past members

The band released two studio albums, Porno for Pyros (1993) and Good God's Urge (1996), before parting ways in 1998.[2]

History

Following the demise of the critically and commercially successful Jane's Addiction, frontman Perry Farrell and drummer Stephen Perkins formed Porno for Pyros after acquiring guitarist Peter DiStefano and bass player Martyn LeNoble.[2] Farrell named the band after seeing an ad for fireworks in a pornographic magazine.[4] The name has also been connected through song lyrics to the LA riots which occurred in the band's hometown around the time of Porno for Pyros inception.[5] Prior to releasing their eponymous first album, Porno for Pyros embarked on a nationwide tour to support the new band.[2] By the time the band's debut album was released in 1993, anticipation surrounding the project was enough to briefly drive the album to the No. 3 position on the Billboard top 200 list. The video for the album's second single, "Pets", received heavy airplay on MTV. Following the album's release, Porno for Pyros continued a heavy touring schedule, including an appearance at Woodstock '94 along with a cameo on HBO's The Larry Sanders Show.[2] Unlike the relatively straight-ahead rock shows that were the hallmark of live Jane's Addiction, Porno for Pyros live shows relied heavily on props, extras[6] and special effects (including pyrotechnics).

For the band's follow-up album, Good God's Urge, bass player LeNoble quit after completing the majority of the bass tracks. Ex-Minutemen bassist Mike Watt was brought in to finish up the album tracks[7] and join the band on tour.[8] The album also featured the post-Jane's reunion of Farrell with guitarist Dave Navarro, who made a guest appearance on "Freeway", along with Red Hot Chili Peppers' bass player Flea.[9] The band again set forth on a heavy touring schedule. On several tour stops Porno for Pyros played "Mountain Song", a popular Jane's Addiction tune, a foreshadowing of the later Jane's Addiction reunion efforts. Further touring by the band was scuttled when DiStefano was diagnosed with cancer.[2][10]

Perkins and Watt subsequently formed the jazz-punk improvisation group Banyan[11] and, along with DiStefano, occasionally perform sets of Stooges cover versions in the Los Angeles area under the band name Hellride.[12]

Reunions

In April 2009, the original lineup of Farrell, Perkins, DiStefano, and LeNoble performed at Farrell's 50th birthday party.[13] In April 2011, Farrell wrote on his Twitter account: "One day, more Porno For Pyros",[14] suggesting that the band will reunite in the future. On September 3, 2012, DiStefano stated that the band will be active in 2013, which was later also announced by Farrell on his Facebook page on July 6, 2013.[15][16] Despite these hints, nothing has been heard since about the band or any sort of reunion.

On July 27, 2020, it was announced that for the first time in 24 years, Porno for Pyros (featuring the lineup of Perry Farrell, Stephen Perkins, Mike Watt and Peter DiStefano) would be reuniting to play Lolla2020, a free four-night YouTube broadcast event taking place on the original dates of the 2020 Chicago-based Lollapalooza festival, Thursday, July 30 through Sunday, August 2.[17]

Members
  • Perry Farrell – vocals, harmonica, tambourine (1992–1997, 2009, 2018–present)
  • Stephen Perkins – drums, percussion, backing vocals (1992–1997, 2009, 2018–present)
  • Peter DiStefano – guitar, backing vocals (1992–1997, 2009, 2018–present)
  • Martyn LeNoble – bass, backing vocals (1992–1996, 2009, 2018–2019)
  • Mike Watt – bass, backing vocals (1995–1997, 2020)

Discography
List of studio albums, with selected chart positions and certifications
Title Album details Peak chart positions Certifications
US
[18]		 US

Cash

[19]

 Aus NOR
[20]		 NZ
[21]		 SWE
[22]		 UK
[23]
Porno for Pyros 3 1 35 — 16 — 13
Good God's Urge
  • Released: May 28, 1996
  • Label: Warner Bros.
  • Formats: CD, CS, LP, digital download
 20 29 20 18 20 57 40 —
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Compilation albums
  • Rhino Hi-Five : Porno for Pyros (2007)

Singles
  • "Tahitian Moon" (Single with two additional unreleased tracks)

Charting singles
Year Single Peak chart positions Album
U.S.
[18]		 U.S. Airplay U.S. Modern U.S. Mainstream U.K.
[23]
1993 "Cursed Female" — — 3 — — Porno for Pyros
"Pets" 67 67 1 25 53
1994 "Sadness" — — — — —
1996 "Tahitian Moon" 46 8 34 — Good God's Urge
1997 "Hard Charger" — — 23 — — Private Parts
(Non-album single)
"—" denotes singles that did not chart.

Music videos
Date Title Director(s) Notes
May 1993 "Cursed Female" Melodie McDaniel Prod co: Palomar Pictures; DP: Wyatt Troll (16 mm)
June 1993 "Pets" Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris Producer: Bart Lipton; DP: Christophe Lanzenberg
November 1993 "Sadness" John Lindauer Prod co: Chelsea Pictures; Producers: John Oetjen, Chris Wagoner, Keith Milton; DP: Eric Engler; Stylist: Kristine Miller; based on the performance art piece
Four Scenes in a Harsh Life by Ron Athey (concept, co-director and featured actor)
May 1996 "Tahitian Moon" John Linson & Perry Farrell Filmed in Tahiti.
October 1996 "100 Ways" Andrew Dosunmu (as Rusty James) Prod co: Propaganda Films
February 1997 "Hard Charger" Liz Friedlander (as Alan Smithee) & Geoff Nelson Prod co: DNA; Producer: Pete Chambers; Stylist: Gretchen Patch

References
Notes
  1. "Porno For Pyros Will Reunite For Perry Farrell's Insane Vegas Show". Spin.com. March 17, 2018.
  2. Colin Larkin, ed. (1997). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Popular Music (Concise ed.). Virgin Books. pp. 963/4. ISBN 1-85227-745-9.
  3. Thomas, Stephen (1993-04-27). "Porno for Pyros - Music Biography, Credits and Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved 2012-12-23.
  4. Farley 1993
  5. Browne 1993
  6. "Woodstock 1994 concert review". Ram.org. Retrieved 2011-06-04.
  7. "Good God s Urge by Porno for Pyros @ ARTISTdirect.com – Shop, Listen, Download". Artistdirect.com. 1996-05-28. Retrieved 2011-06-04.
  8. "News – Articles – 1433262". Mtv.com. 1997-01-10. Retrieved 2011-06-04.
  9. "Good God's Urge Album Review, Songs, Ratings". Starpulse.com. 2010-06-17. Retrieved 2011-06-04.
  10. "News – Articles – 1433267". Mtv.com. 1996-12-06. Retrieved 2011-06-04.
  11. "Stephen Perkins: Artists: Modern Drummer Magazine". Moderndrummer.com. Retrieved 2017-12-12.
  12. "mike watt". hobo magazine. 2007-12-18. Retrieved 2011-06-04.
  13. "Blabbermouth.Net". Roadrunnerrecords.com. 2007-12-01. Archived from the original on 2009-06-28. Retrieved 2011-06-04.
  14. "Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 2013-05-12.
  15. Shay, Steve. "SLIDESHOW: Porno for Pyros' Peter DiStefano leads Feedback Lounge ensemble | West Seattle Herald / White Center News". Westseattleherald.com. Retrieved 2012-12-23.
  16. "Perry Farrell - Timeline Photos". Facebook. Retrieved 2015-08-25.
  17. "First PORNO FOR PYROS Reunion In 24 Years Planned For LOLLA2020 Virtual Festival Weekend". Blabbermouth. 2020-07-27. Retrieved 2020-07-30.
  18. "Charts: Porno for Pyros". billboard.com. Billboard. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
  19. "CASH BOX MAGAZINE: Music and coin machine magazine 1942 to 1996". worldradiohistory.com. Retrieved 2020-09-14.
  20. "Charts: Good God's Urge - Porno for Pyros". vglista.no. Verdens Gang. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
  21. "Charts: Porno for Pyros". charts.nz. Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
  22. "Charts: Porno for Pyros". swedishcharts.com. Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
  23. "Charts: Porno for Pyros". officialcharts.com. Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
  24. "Certifications: Porno for Pyros". RIAA. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
Bibliography
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