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About Me
- -ea.
- after an inauspicious stint as an unremarkable young man, a cursory tour of four high schools in three years with an early departure, perry farrell and i started janes addiction. ______________________________________________________________ i am admittedly, under the best of circumstances, an erratic email returner but if you want to speak directly to me give it a try at: crashintothesea@gmail.com
100 comments:
thanks for the light..photosynthisis starts slowly too.
Amazing! I am in awe. Inspires to record with whatever you can get your hands on as opposed to waiting for the perfect piece of gear or whatever inhibits one into being lazy.
r&k
M
PS Help Wanted arrived yesterday in the mail. Looking forward to hearing it. Hopefully today. The graphic of the jelly fish wading over the skyline is interesting. And the pill bottle concept on the reverse is cool too.
That vid was BADASS!!!
?
Wow. I've always loved the idea of using broken or shitty equipment to record. Sonic Youth and my friend's FX pedal (the delay in particular) made me a lot more open to the idea that random noise or broken things could make great music.
Eric, are you a Radiohead fan in general, or did you come across the remix looking for something else?
that video is incredible! I'd like to hear what other stuff this guy is doing. I also wondered if Eric is a radiohead fan too. I often wonder if Thom York has heard polarbear. If he has, I wonder what his thoughts are on what Eric and Co. were doing around the time that Radiohead really started going off in their different musical path. Eric, any chance of making some polarbear iso tracks available and see what other creative minds could do to you past work. Some of your solo stuff would be cool too but I think an 'experiment' like what Radiohead did here would work better with polarbear music. What do you think?
interesting but very boring!!!
Hey Eric,
I love that video and that song-- Radiohead's In Rainbows record is a brilliant. It's great to see how a visual gathering of random old tech gear manipulated stylistically like that can make a modern song seem more fresh than the song was in the first place, when you hear it and don't see it. Thanks for the posting of the vid. All the best, Matt
I just recorded myself taking a dump to the tune of Karma Chameleon if anyone wants to see that.
Wow, I was listening to Deconstruction this morning and thought to myself, "I wonder what Eric Avery is up to?" Due to the amazing resource that is the web, I googled your name and here you are (and here I am)! I think it's so cool that you have a blog. I'm digging the vids you post too. Since this is the first time I've visited your board, I think I should just let you know that I think you are a great musician. Thanks for all the music!
Really cool Video. Eric, just rented 'Control" the Ian Curtis Biopic by Anton Corbijn. Have you seen it? Thought it was a beautiful film. I didn't realize all the shit he put his wife through. I found it really hard to feel bad for him. I just read her book too. Crazy stuff. Such a great band though.
peace
chris
I have faith in the solo music of e.avery to help carry me up to higher planes of existence. i hope e.a is working on new material. I hope he will not let his faith elude him anytime soon. especially at a time when his believers are right there with him in spirit
boring
eric- I came across a Soundgarden Video from 1992, song was , " Hands All Over" . Do you know Ben Shepperd,and did he only play the top string on his bass? Very unique sound in that video.I had no idea he was a madman live.
- S
using old making new, while redoing a song and making it his own. and all at once, amazing.
agreed with matt, in rainbows is a great album. radiohead is one of those bands i enjoy listening to repeatedly. they inspire.
I don't know what it is but Radiohead has just lost favor with me. I loved "OK Computer" when it came out, listened to it a hundred times-a masterpiece, bought "The Bends" to catch up and "Kid A" the day it came out. Then I saw them a couple years ago and it did nothing for me. And now I'm to the point that Yorke's voice and the sorta whining/broken tone he's using now just grates on me. I respect what they're doing and the fact that they're fully in control of their scene but the music just isn't moving me.
And the video is cool. Ingenious.
I am falling asleep
To the poster above, if you're having problems & falling asleep here, please take some Ritalin and head over to gossip central: janesaddiction.org. This blog is for intellectual discussion
OK. Just heard the whole HW. Well done. In an unexpected moment, Revolution made me cry.
Was sitting in my garden listening when a green fluorescent inchworm propelled down from the walnut tree. The worm crawled over and perched itself on the musician credit page. It took a good listen with me. Seemed to like the music, although I can’t for a moment assume what or how a worm may think. We listened. The worm inched a circle around the names of the musicians. I couldn’t agree more. Taylor H. floored me through out. And all your guitarist friends, lucky man. Loved the entire musical cast.
It would seem you could add producer arranger and writer to your list of freelance services. Really hope Bowie gives this a listen. Rad how I hear so many genres and flavors and as I begin to get a sniff it all vaporizes into what can only be described as Eric Avery’s touch. So rad.
Hats off. The bar is set way differently now.
THANK YOU Anabelle!
Made me wonder what you thought about (at the time) John Frusciante’s 1st solo record? The t-shirt one with running away into you on it. Full disclosure: I like(d) it a lot.
Also ever since you said something to Dave on the Spread, I have been praying y law of attractioning that flea will release some of his instrumental stuff. Just putting it out there.
Again good going on HW. Can’t wait for the next effort.
Did I happen to mention that the bar is set way differently now? What a wake up call.
RESPECT and kindness,
Mike
PS This is the longest day of the year or something like that. We are at the crest of the wave this evening.
What must we do to summon the magic genie, Dave Navarro?
He is vacationing with Perry underneath a gigantic mushroom, when he ought to be working on new songs with you, the godlike genius.
Why live and careen through life without purpose?
That is the question of the day.
EA--picking up on some of the past astronomy threads here...wonder what you think about the possibility of ice in those Mars Phoenix photos?
KV
.kelly- i actually came across the vid at a contemporary classical site that i frequent occasionally called sequenza21.com.
i am a radiohead fan. only truly inventive and remarkable rock band in recent history, imo.
jared- that is a really cool idea. the pbr tracks would have made an interesting palette, only i dont think those individual tracks exist anymore.
cass - i have seen the biopic. yes beautiful. i would expect nothing less from corbijn. i saw it in a theater and i found it really exciting to hear all those songs in the highest fidelity. the songs always existed either frozen in a block of eighties production or in barely listenable live versions. so to hear the punchy new versions was really great. reminds that i once saw flea, frusciante and klingoffer do a joy division cover set at spaceland. same effect.
s- im afraid i know nothing about soundgarden.
mike- thank you for the kind words.
i love alot of what frusciante does. but funnily enough i only got into the 'to record only water...' cd and his stuff after that one. i think, regarding his earlier stuff, all my friends at the time were really into it and therefore i purposefully avoided it. i dont know why that used to happen with me; avoiding or disliking something just because my friends or a girlfriend really liked it. really doesnt happen anymore thankfully.
kv - thanks for the reminder, i havent yet really looked into the white substance photo. i will. i am always fascinated the whole fucking planet even exists. as in right now. as you read this there is another planet with human machines on it. right now.
ea,
way to avoid saying white stuff on mars
if only yahoo and NASA had said white substance, this whole topic wouldn't have been an internet semi laughing stock
Eric,
Wow, I write a million words and get a comment, oh to be loved. Keep it up I'm rooting from the back row, the guys are trying to get my up on a board, perhaps.
As for rock music...didn't we already do that?
pete weiss
I remember busking in front of Canter’s back in the early 90’s. Homeless dudes coming up all intimidating saying “Ain’t no room for no new comers.” And “ you ain’t from the streets.” Homeless people using several aliases; some rumored to be making six figures. “That ol’ lady will rip you off while she send you to jail.” One hustler junky with several names would warn.
Would see someone walking in a Doors shirt, and no matter what song I might be playing, I would switch to the Doors immediately. Usually a few bars of Crystal Ship as they strolled by. Usually get a buck for this.
One late night in front of Canter’s as I would do the human juke box thing I noticed Pete Weiss coming out. So I go into a medley of hang tough swan song and whatever thelonious I can muster. He waits for me to finish and give me whatever change is in his possession. It is real late at night/morning when LA air is just shy of fresh.
As Pete apologizes for his small amount of alms, I tell him the story about how I used to play at old folk homes for money or charity when there was no money. I told Pete about how I blanked out one gig, resorting to playing the bad brains Regulator in ballad form for a room full of seniors; noticing that one lady was authentic in her appreciation and tapping her foot. I told the story to Pete as if it were ironic.
Pete replied to me “Why not? That is damn good music.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-7tryyJ0Ro
Respect and kindness,
Mike
yeah... i totally understand. today my story went nowhere I wanted it to when I started out, but it's a first draft I suppose. I can get to the other points in the next bit. It was supposed to be about OM and world peace but it turned into a rant about sexist racists and hollywood. http://www.chickalert.com/ heck, i dunno. it's sunday i guess. ;-)
OM and world peace?
Would you be referring to the mystical or sacred syllable(also AUM) in the Hindu, Jain and Buddhist religions
"i am a radiohead fan. only truly inventive and remarkable rock band in recent history, imo."
Really? As much as I have disdain for so many things new (they never compare to my experience in more impressionable days), I can't help but to admire so many youngsters and what they manage. Fearlessness is inherant to youth it seems.
Be well,
SR
I just saw the Cure play this weekend and it was pretty amazing... and then I was wondering what you think of them... even though Robert Smith is definitely getting up there, there is something at the core of his essence that makes it timeless
0=======> ~~~
Yo Eric love your solo stuff man, solid stuff (love Deconstruction too, LA Song is amazing), much better than Panic Channel and Satellite Party, but call up the other Jane's guys, if they're not calling you, call them! You guys need to tour and record before one of you (god forbid) dies! Good luck with whatever you decide to do Eric, but you'd make a lot of people happy if you got the real Jane's Addiction to reunite.
SR,
hey, what's up. You should give examples...
Hey J...
Playing at the Echoplex is RUMASPRINGA. Incredibly interesting melodics supplimented with striking rythyms and the use of vocals as an instrument. Too many flavors for a laymen to describe, but the sum of the parts is just excellent.
Since Radiohead is used as a benchmark for the timeline, I'd say Artic Monkeys, BRMC, and Deadboy & the Elephant Men could be examples.
Best,
SR
dear eric.., i see that u like dj shadow!! niiicce!! Zach
sr- brmc, arctic monkeys, inventive? i understand finding them charming. i find them charming too. but i cant say that i think i havent heard them both before. i think what radiohead has done is to create a fresh sound while affecting music writ large. to be able to innovate while influencing culture is a pretty fair definition of a great band.
radiohead in a way reminds me of beach boys and of course brian wilson with his ability to create huge soundscapes that sound perfect.
recently got the dennis wilson cd pacific ocean blue which has been out of print forever and just rereleased. i HIGHLY reccomend it to anyone that enjoys that sound. sonic landscapes...
let me clarify, check it out before you buy it, its not for everyone... someone blasted me for suggesting it as a must have, so diff strokes.
radiohead, coldplay, nin= 3 of today's biggest rock bands. all three of them bore me to tears, sorry. they are overated in my opinion. i am ready for some real music, like the true follow-up to ritual de lo habitual!
It seems when people have a taste of something really good they can never go back to the ordinary and the bland.
Jane's Addiction spoiled a lot of peoples ears thats for sure. Other than Porno For Pyros(Jane's Addiction copycat?), there has yet to be a band to come onto the scene as interesting and moving as Jane's Addiction.
how bout polar bear? or mr. bungle???
OK, not inventive. But we're equivocating a bit here with definitions. Most bands that influence cuture are known to a degree. Like yours, but that excludes many other bands/musicians. Does a band need to be known to be "great"?
The ability to influence is a double edged sword as well. By "fresh" I suppose you mean inventive as many bands have a unique sound but don't qualify. The whole idea of aestetics is an interesting branch of philosophy...an objective standard for beauty (or great) must be stipulated before much can get done.
Be well,
SR
OK, not inventive. But we're equivocating a bit here with definitions. Most bands that influence cuture are known to a degree. Like yours, but that excludes many other bands/musicians. Does a band need to be known to be "great"?
The ability to influence is a double edged sword as well. By "fresh" I suppose you mean inventive as many bands have a unique sound but don't qualify. The whole idea of aestetics is an interesting branch of philosophy...an objective standard for beauty (or great) must be stipulated before much can get done.
Be well,
SR
Sam mentioned Mr. Bungle. I'd throw most of Patton's stuff in the mix for "inventive" as well. PB should be thrown in as well while I ride the fine line of ass kissing..
Best...
my mouth did taste funny after i wrote it, but goddamn, its good music that i still listen to!
Interesting how Western societies are beholden to, and respect innovation in music and the arts. Contrasted against many Eastern cultures whose respect is towards those who execute existing classic works with perfection. Generally speaking. This seems to be changing now.
R&K
M
In western literature, it was very recent in history...the modernists and post modernists rejected rigid "forms" for literature. Aristotle's rules held up very well.
Sometimes it's sad....those "forms" are often viewed as obsticles to creativity. Nothing is farther from the truth. To write within those boundries is far more difficult than free verse. I often have wondered why R&R writers of lyrics don't try it, then I remember.
Best...
haiku is rigid. iambic pentameter is rigid.
what sparked the modernists and post modernists to reject classical structure?
i would have to say as communications spread faster, the need to streamline communications becomes evident. communicating more effeciently becomes imperative, hence text messaging and its whole new language.
ttyl!
Mr Bungle's "Disco Volante" is an absolute masterpiece....and released on a major label no less?....how the hell did they get away with that one?
Not so long from now some Novels, some newspapers (some webnews) and such will be in all or nearly all text messaging format. Just a theory.
r&k
M
I'm reading The Idiot right now. The thought of that in text form is terrifing
As for the evolution away from form in literature. There are a coupls of converging forces that the revolt drew upon. One was the Romantics facination with the sublime forces of nature...that facination did alot (more) to augment the allure of reason which further challenged status quo. Then the Victorians assailed culture, and the modernists and post modernists began to look back and evaluate what history had done and what they were going to do about it. Someone mentioned the Novel as a medium...that too wasn't a good template for "form" even though epics like The Illiad and The Odysey seem novel like.
Be well,
SR
Jane's Addiction, Polar Bear, Porno For Pyros, Decon, Panic Channel are six feet under. Dead.
Long live the Satellite Party
Been learning your album. Fun as Fuck. Have a couple questions.
What is the voice sound that comes in at 2:01 behind the guitar bridge on Beside The Fire? Me like.
Did Taylor make up those beats or did you have it all mapped out for him for the most part?
Was there a basic system to the majority of the tracks? I.e. first map out the arrangement digitally then add the organic stuff after?
Did your music cast basically put there own signature or were those chord melodies, tones, etc at your direction?
Could you list some of your favorite programs, plug ins, gear, stomp boxes, etc. that were used on HW? Anything you felt really was sweet with ease of use.
Thanks for any insight to the process.
r&k
m
One more question. How long did it take you to complete HW? From the first riff being written to getting the master back.
Thanks!
R&K
M
I just lost my mother as well as my mother in law in a manner of 2 weeks, I am curious to your insight on this chaotic world we will in
I guess someone inquiring about the meaning of life was the logical conclusion to the questions being asked here.
where does toast come from?
My sympathy y empathy about your mother and mother in law.
r&k
mike
are you already working on new songs ? how is your written process : a continuous patient work or one day, you decide your feel in the mood for an album and then, you write the whole stuff in a shot ?
Hey Eric!
We've started a SWEET Jane's Addiction related campaign.
janesaddictionforrockband.blogspot.com
Don't suppose we could get a quote to help the cause?
ea,
Thanks, again, for the video. I played it for coworkers and turned up the volume on speakers. Soon a crowd gathered and discussion ensued.
So you admire Radiohead. What's your take on any of the following?: At the Drive In, Mars Volta, Hot Snakes, Left Over Crack?
just to reframe the context, how about some classic john cage...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSulycqZH-U&eurl=http://artforum.com/video/id=20326&mode=large
dt
another brilliant vid for those times when you begin to lose faith in humanity. stay with it. it starts slowly
Hey Eric, how's it goin?
Just wanted to thank you immensely for making the Polarbear vinyl and EP available to us all. You're incredible. Please play Philadelphia or New York this summer!
Also, a have a question. How fuckin' awesome is Josh Klinghoffer? Give me your insight based on the time you spent with him, as he's one of my favorite musicians, along with yourself.
Obama lies just like Bush, just like Clinton. He is just another lying politician
Thursday, July 03, 2008
By JENNIFER LOVEN
"Democrat Barack Obama opened the door Thursday to refining his plan to bring U.S. troops home from Iraq in 16 months based on what he hears from military commanders during his upcoming trip there.
"I am going to do a thorough assessment when I'm there," he told reporters on the airport tarmac here. "I'm sure I'll have more information and continue to refine my policy."
During his presidential campaign, Obama has gone from the hard-edged, vocal opposition to Iraq that defined his early candidacy to more nuanced rhetoric that calls for a phased-out drawdown of all combat brigades that, at a rate of one or two a month, could last 16 months. He has said that if al-Qaida builds bases in Iraq, he would keep troops either in the country or the region to carry out "targeted strikes."
"There appears to be no issue that Barack Obama is not willing to reverse himself on for the sake of political expedience," said Alex Conant, a spokesman for the national Republican Party. "Obama's Iraq problem undermines the central premise of his candidacy and shows him to be a typical politician."
thats why we should of all voted for RON PAUL!!!!!
EA--there's always the risk of sounding like assholes when we talk about space and Mars because of all the starvation, war, and unresolved problems we have here on our own planet. Always tricky finding the balance...
Hope all is well for your friends in Big Sur, have a Happy Fourth in any event!
KV
Si, La Addiction de Juana es el stupido. NME besa me culo. divino una broma. aspire mi dick por favor farrell
This video is so simple yet so complete. The song is a gem as well.
Change is everywhere. Our only guarantee.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Kl1rRxG251s
r&k
m
So Dave just posted on his blog that he and Perry are playing a show together? Will we see an Eric appearance followed by an announcement of a tour?
forget all that JA business....i want to see a EA solo show @ spaceland.
Ya that queer dj dance version of Jane's is embarassing. Bring on Eric A. solo concerts
ea,
Just watched 11th hour, narrated by Di Caprio. Picked it up for 2 reasons:
1. I'm trying to be more "green" - - recycling, donating; adhering to minimalism and freeganism.
2. You scored the film?
I noticed 2 people credited for musical responsibility.
As I listened to the music, I noticed a lot of keyboard and piano work. Occasionally, I heard a bass lick, which sounded like you.
How does one go about scoring a film?
Does the film company send you a copy . . . and then you watch it while simultaneously tinkering in your home studio?
How is it to serve the film rather than to serve yourself?
Do you watch the film and then replicate the emotive thrust in musical notes?
ea,
Quickly, here's an interesting interview with one of your musical collaborators, Alanis, in Psychology Today.
EA,
You as an american citizen How do you feel about this?
http://loosechange911.com/finalcut/
JMP
boring blog
^
Boring poster.
Blog could use an update though...
Why did you wait so long Eric? You and I not getting any younger.
that's why we should of all vote for RuPaul!!!!!
random fact for all the radiohead junkies.
nude was a song they did as early as 1998 and the original title was "big ideas, don't get any"
here's a vid of them playing it in 1998 at the bill graham civic center
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rG4ItJINzQs
The key to Janes Addiction's lure is found in alternating use of clean and dirty guitar, at times blending them and always allowing bass to have its own space and lead. The guitar tones were put there for texture and mood and subservient to what the bass and drums were doing. This was the key. In 2003, they lost the key. the door was locked and the magic was inaccesible.
What do you think? These lyrics were written in 1973 or 74.
"Some of them were angry
At the way the earth was abused
By the men who learned how to forge her beauty into power
And they struggled to protect her from them
Only to be confused
By the magnitude of her fury in the final hour
And when the sand was gone and the time arrived
In the naked dawn only a few survived
And in attempts to understand a thing so simple and so huge
Believed that they were meant to live after the deluge".
Be well,
SR
I met Perry at the Trader Joe's in Culver City and I asked him about likelihood of an original Jane's reunion - he just smiled, laughed + said "you never know..." This was two weeks ago. I had the sense that this was Perry talk for yeah it's gonna happen.. But... alas, time is passing and no news. Correct me if I'm wrong but it feels like the sense of momentum and urgency generated by the NME event is fading.
Eric, I really don't mean to pressure you but for the sake of maintaining a sense of public interest please let us know where things are at?
Sincere Thanks...
Eric, I'd like to pressure you to tell us when we can expect to see you play your solo stuff live? I'm dying to hear these songs live-even if it's just you with an acoustic. Play a show in your backyard at McCabe's or 14 below
J.
^
I will glady second that last request. Is it within the realm of possibility you and Stephen Perkins do an all acoustic set from Help Wanted? I will be in the Santa Monica area next month...
Playing live in a coffee shop or bookstore. That would be better than a rock concert actually.
EA,
Don't listen to all these dicks,who won't shut up about the Jane's reunion possibility.In the end it's your choice.And if and when you finally decide,one way or the other,any true fans should just respect your choice.
And to the guy who says that NME urgency is fading,get real.If Jane's finally announced 30 years from now that they were going on tour again.It would sell out in seconds.Urgency....ridiculous.
indecisive
sorry, i take back my apology
post-reading all these other dipshits comments mine aren't so obnoxious or pushy
the price of celebrity... pity
Hi there
I want to share with you a dream I had last night. In the dream I saw four guys sitting around a large campfire at twilight in mid-winter. The moon was high in the sky. A cool evening fog was beginning to blanket the surroundings and I could hear the sound of the churning restless sea.
Instruments in hand, they were jamming out new song ideas like peace-loving deadheads. One of the guys was holding a bass guitar with a Brahms sticker on it. A blunt was being passed around and the drummer offered me a drag.
They found a fertile space far from the maddening ego-centric crowds of Los Angeles to create what was to become
Andralyn -
Positive thoughts.
I fucking freaked out when I saw your post this morning. Went on the site to let Eric know that last night I saw him playing a gig with Jane's in my dreams. First time I ever had a Jane's dream.
Dreams have certain "flavors". The flavor of this dream seemed to be the intuitive kind. In fact if I were in Vegas and was forced to bet one way or the other; after having this dream, I would bet that Eric has been jamming with the boys once again.
Have been experimenting with dreams since I was a child. It is one of the only dimension-free dimensions that we animals have access to. Can see tiny glimpses of the future. Only I can not control what I see. Have no idea how it works and to what strentgh.
For the record, I am not screaming for Janes reunion or telling EA to do anything. Just passing along an observation while sleeping.
Hey EA, hope it is all going well for you.
respect and kindness,
Mike
Me likes those two dreams. The former sounds beautiful and surreal.
I agree that urgency is the most important factor at this point. It was best said by Eric himself:
"the other night at the nme was good fun. it felt pretty positive all around. i enjoyed playing those old bass lines (some of which i hadnt even privately played in sixteen or seventeen years). it was a pretty complete pleasure to do on a personal level. i was left with some concerns though musically. our ability as a foursome to focus, to challenge ourselves concerns me. can we bring the urgency to the songs that made them so dynamic in the first place? i dont know. how do we best do that? i am thinking about it. if i can become convinced that we can do that then i am open to trying. but until that point, i can only speculate."
Do tell us more about these dreams Andralyn. Please do. Can you describe the music you were hearing Jane's play on the beach? Thank you.
Reality is the great illusion. We all dream the same dream
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