Deconstruction (band)
Encyclopedia
Deconstruction was a band formed by former Jane's Addiction
members, guitarist Dave Navarro
and bassist Eric Avery
. Originally their former Jane's Addiction bandmate drummer Stephen Perkins
was slated to be Deconstruction's drummer but instead joined Jane's Addiction frontman Perry Farrell
's new band Porno for Pyros
. Drummer Michael Murphey was instead recruited for percussion duties.
The band, all Los Angeles
residents, recorded material in a studio somewhere along the Big Sur
coastline in California
and released a self titled LP in 1994 to little public appeal and varied critical acclaim. This came in marked contrast to Porno for Pyros, who were consistent with their lukewarm reviews, despite their relative popularity.
Deconstruction released only one self-titled album
and one promotional single, "L.A. Song", and did not tour due to Eric Avery
reportedly being still weary from extensive touring in Jane's Addiction
.
A British band of the same name sought to legally stop Eric Avery
and company from using the name Deconstruction, but dropped threats of legal action when they were assured the California
n trio's album would be a one-off project.
Dave Navarro
went on to join the Red Hot Chili Peppers
later that year and participate in Jane's Addiction
reunions in 1997 and 2001. Eric Avery remained in the background for fifteen years prior to joining the high-profile resurrection of the original Jane's Addiction line-up in 2009. In between times he played bass for Garbage
and Alanis Morissette
's band, he auditioned for the vacant bass chair in Metallica
after Jason Newsted
's departure (a position since filled by Robert Trujillo
), but mainly focused on writing and recording in his band Polar Bear
, and his own solo work thereafter.
Today, the Deconstruction album is considered a cult masterpiece. In the book, Don't Try This at Home, written by both Neil Strauss
and Navarro, Navarro describes the band as "more of an artistc experiment than anything else. We didn't have songs; some people viewed us as geniuses and others viewed us as fools. And, personally, I could see the rationale behind both points of view very clearly."
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction is an American alternative rock band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1985. The band's original line-up featured Perry Farrell , Dave Navarro , Eric Avery and Stephen Perkins . After breaking up in 1991, Jane's Addiction briefly reunited in 1997 and again in 2001, both times...
members, guitarist Dave Navarro
Dave Navarro
David Michael "Dave" Navarro is an American guitarist who plays in the alternative rock band Jane's Addiction and cover band Camp Freddy. He has also played with the Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Panic Channel, and many others.- Early life :...
and bassist Eric Avery
Eric Avery
Eric Adam Avery is an American musician and is the former bass player for the rock band Jane's Addiction. Avery played in Jane's Addiction initially from 1985 to 1991, and rejoined the band in 2008 before departing again in 2010....
. Originally their former Jane's Addiction bandmate drummer Stephen Perkins
Stephen Perkins
Stephen Andrew Perkins is an American musician and songwriter. A drummer and percussionist, he currently plays with Jane's Addiction and Hellflower....
was slated to be Deconstruction's drummer but instead joined Jane's Addiction frontman Perry Farrell
Perry Farrell
Perry Farrell is the frontman for the alternative rock band Jane's Addiction. Farrell created the touring festival Lollapalooza as a farewell tour for Jane's Addiction in 1991; it has since evolved into an annual destination festival. Farrell continues to produce Lollapalooza with partners William...
's new band Porno for Pyros
Porno for Pyros
Porno for Pyros was an American alternative rock band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1992, following the initial break-up of Jane's Addiction...
. Drummer Michael Murphey was instead recruited for percussion duties.
The band, all Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
residents, recorded material in a studio somewhere along the Big Sur
Big Sur
Big Sur is a sparsely populated region of the Central Coast of California where the Santa Lucia Mountains rise abruptly from the Pacific Ocean. The name "Big Sur" is derived from the original Spanish-language "el sur grande", meaning "the big south", or from "el país grande del sur", "the big...
coastline in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
and released a self titled LP in 1994 to little public appeal and varied critical acclaim. This came in marked contrast to Porno for Pyros, who were consistent with their lukewarm reviews, despite their relative popularity.
Deconstruction released only one self-titled album
Deconstruction (self-titled album)
Deconstruction is the only record released by the band of the same name, consisting of guitarist Dave Navarro and bassist Eric Avery from Jane's Addiction, plus drummer Michael Murphy. They wrote the album soon after splitting with the band, the other half of which went on to form Porno for Pyros...
and one promotional single, "L.A. Song", and did not tour due to Eric Avery
Eric Avery
Eric Adam Avery is an American musician and is the former bass player for the rock band Jane's Addiction. Avery played in Jane's Addiction initially from 1985 to 1991, and rejoined the band in 2008 before departing again in 2010....
reportedly being still weary from extensive touring in Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction is an American alternative rock band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1985. The band's original line-up featured Perry Farrell , Dave Navarro , Eric Avery and Stephen Perkins . After breaking up in 1991, Jane's Addiction briefly reunited in 1997 and again in 2001, both times...
.
A British band of the same name sought to legally stop Eric Avery
Eric Avery
Eric Adam Avery is an American musician and is the former bass player for the rock band Jane's Addiction. Avery played in Jane's Addiction initially from 1985 to 1991, and rejoined the band in 2008 before departing again in 2010....
and company from using the name Deconstruction, but dropped threats of legal action when they were assured the California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
n trio's album would be a one-off project.
Dave Navarro
Dave Navarro
David Michael "Dave" Navarro is an American guitarist who plays in the alternative rock band Jane's Addiction and cover band Camp Freddy. He has also played with the Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Panic Channel, and many others.- Early life :...
went on to join the Red Hot Chili Peppers
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Red Hot Chili Peppers is an American rock band, formed in Los Angeles in 1983. The group's musical style primarily consists of rock with an emphasis on funk, as well as elements from other genres such as punk, hip hop and psychedelic rock...
later that year and participate in Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction is an American alternative rock band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1985. The band's original line-up featured Perry Farrell , Dave Navarro , Eric Avery and Stephen Perkins . After breaking up in 1991, Jane's Addiction briefly reunited in 1997 and again in 2001, both times...
reunions in 1997 and 2001. Eric Avery remained in the background for fifteen years prior to joining the high-profile resurrection of the original Jane's Addiction line-up in 2009. In between times he played bass for Garbage
Garbage (band)
Garbage are an alternative rock band formed in Madison, Wisconsin in 1994. The group consists of Scottish singer Shirley Manson and American musicians Duke Erikson , Steve Marker and Butch Vig . All four members are involved in songwriting and production...
and Alanis Morissette
Alanis Morissette
Alanis Nadine Morissette is a Canadian-American singer-songwriter, guitarist, record producer, and actress. She has won 16 Juno Awards and seven Grammy Awards, was nominated for two Golden Globe Awards and also shortlisted for an Academy Award nomination...
's band, he auditioned for the vacant bass chair in Metallica
Metallica
Metallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. The current line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo ...
after Jason Newsted
Jason Newsted
Jason Curtis Newsted is an American bassist known for his work with Metallica, Voivod and Flotsam and Jetsam. Joining Metallica in 1986 after Cliff Burton's death, Newsted remained a member until 2001, making him the band's longest-serving bassist...
's departure (a position since filled by Robert Trujillo
Robert Trujillo
Robert Trujillo is an American bassist who currently plays bass in Metallica. He has also played in Suicidal Tendencies, Infectious Grooves, Black Label Society, and with Jerry Cantrell and Ozzy Osbourne.-Career:...
), but mainly focused on writing and recording in his band Polar Bear
Polar Bear (rock)
For other uses of the term 'Polar Bear', see Polar Bear Polarbear was a Los Angeles-based band led by former Jane's Addiction bassist, Eric Avery, who formed the band with Biff Sanders, formerly of Ethyl Meatplow, as a side project. They recorded most of their music in downtown Los Angeles, at...
, and his own solo work thereafter.
Today, the Deconstruction album is considered a cult masterpiece. In the book, Don't Try This at Home, written by both Neil Strauss
Neil Strauss
Neil Darrow Strauss , also known by the pen names Style and Chris Powles, is an American and Kittitian author, journalist and ghostwriter...
and Navarro, Navarro describes the band as "more of an artistc experiment than anything else. We didn't have songs; some people viewed us as geniuses and others viewed us as fools. And, personally, I could see the rationale behind both points of view very clearly."
External links
- IGN.com's retrospective review of Deconstruction
- A dedicated and central Jane's Addiction site Includes information about Deconstruction and popular message boards