Martyn LeNoble, bassist of Porno For Pyros, made headlines after describing Perry Farrell, frontman of Jane’s Addiction, as the “worst frontman” he had ever worked with in a series of candid social media posts.
The outburst followed a rough period for Jane’s Addiction, marked by a public altercation between Farrell and guitarist Dave Navarro during a recent performance in Boston, which led to the abrupt cancellation of their reunion tour and the announcement of a hiatus for the band.
ALSO READ: Nicki Minaj pens an open letter to EVE: “Thank you for trying to not do to me what was done to you”
Lenoble, a former close collaborator of Farrell, did not hesitate to criticise, causing tensions among members of Jane’s Addiction and Porno For Pyros.
Jane’s Addiction, an alternative rock band founded in the mid-1980s, had garnered critical acclaim and commercial success with albums like Nothing’s Shocking (1988) and Ritual de lo Habitual (1990), spearheaded by Farrell’s unique vocal style and provocative stage presence.
However, internal conflicts plagued the group early on, leading to their first breakup in 1991. Farrell went on to form Porno For Pyros in 1992 with LeNoble, guitarist Peter DiStefano, and drummer Stephen Perkins.
Despite occasional reunions, Jane’s Addiction’s lineup remained volatile, with several members cycling in and out of the band, including bassist Eric Avery and LeNoble.
LeNoble was initially involved in the 2003 Jane’s Addiction reunion album Strays but was dismissed during recording, drawing the start of his deteriorating relationship with Farrell.
The recent controversy surrounding Farrell erupted after a Boston show earlier in the month, where an onstage altercation between Farrell and Navarro led to the abrupt end of the performance.
Shortly after, the band announced the cancellation of the remainder of their North American tour, citing Farrell’s mental health issues as the reason for the hiatus.
LeNoble’s remarks shared on X (formerly Twitter) came in the wake of these events. “I can say, unequivocally, that Perry has been the worst frontman I’ve ever worked with,” LeNoble posted.
He described Farrell as unreliable, “unprepared, wild-eyed, not present, high,” adding that Farrell routinely failed to show up for rehearsals and sound checks.
LeNoble criticised Farrell’s lyrics, claiming he often had to intervene and reject them as “terrible.”
LeNoble’s criticisms extended beyond Farrell’s professional conduct. He took aim at Farrell’s wife, Etty Lau Farrell, calling her “the worst with the biggest ego” and describing her as a “horrible person.”
Etty, who has been involved in various capacities with Farrell’s projects over the years, was portrayed by LeNoble as a negative influence on both the band and her husband.
The fallout from the Boston incident marks a low point in Jane’s Addiction’s already tumultuous history. There was hope for a triumphant return after reuniting earlier this year with the original lineup of Farrell, Navarro, drummer Stephen Perkins, and bassist Eric Avery.
However, Farrell’s struggles and clash with Navarro, both on and off stage, suggest that the group’s longstanding internal dynamics have reached a breaking point.
During an interview, a guitar technician for the band revealed that the altercation went beyond the public performance, with Farrell allegedly punching Navarro backstage.
This incident and LeNoble’s public statements paint a picture of a band whose internal relationships are severely fractured.
Despite these setbacks, Jane’s Addiction released a new single, “True Love,” earlier this month.
The track, primarily overshadowed by the band’s hiatus announcement, may well be their final future offering.
Navarro, in a statement following the cancellation of the tour, expressed regret over the incident, referring to it as a “terrible outcome of what started off as an incredibly magical tour.”
In contrast to the instability of Jane’s Addiction, Porno For Pyros, Farrell’s other major project, has shown some signs of cohesion, although not without its own challenges.
The band, formed after Jane’s Addiction’s first breakup, released two albums before hiatus in 1998. They reunited intermittently, with LeNoble, DiStefano, and Perkins rejoining Farrell for recording sessions in 2023.
While LeNoble chose not to participate in Porno For Pyros’ US farewell tour earlier this year, citing personal changes and a desire for “quiet and nature,” he did express optimism about the new material the band had worked on.
In a social media post, LeNoble stated that the group had “mended our friendships and recorded these songs with love.”
He emphasised that while he would not be joining the tour, he was excited for fans to hear the new songs.
Porno For Pyros has released three new tracks over the past year— “Fingernail,” “Little Me,” and “Agua”—which were initially written in the 1990s but had only recently been officially recorded.
These releases and LeNoble’s message suggest a more amicable dynamic within the band compared to the chaos surrounding Jane’s Addiction.
Once celebrated for his artistic vision and boundary-pushing performances, Farrell’s recent actions and the public criticism from close collaborators like LeNoble have tarnished his reputation.
It’s unclear how Farrell’s apology and acknowledgement of his struggles will affect his future in the music industry, despite apologising to fans and bandmates and expressing a need to “reflect and heal.”
