FDF Vol 1 Issue 98: Porno for Pyros - Good God's Urge

Album - Good God's Urge
Artist - Porno for Pyros
Key Players - Peter DiStefano - Guitars, samples, backing vocals. Stephen Perkins - drums, percussion, samples and backing vocals. Mike Watt and Martyn LeNoble - Bass. Perry Farrell - lead vocals, percussion, samples, harp, keyboards.
There were also guest players throughout like the three guys from Love and Rockets, Flea, Dave Navarro
Produced By - Perry Farrell and Thomas Johnson

Release Date - May 28, 1996

What caused me to blow off the dust? - I am not really sure, some days I just look at the cd rack and say "I haven't listened to this in ages", so it fits perfectly with our theme.

Overview - Porno for Pyros was formed by Stephen Perkins and Perry Farrell after the demise of their previous band Jane's Addiction. Farrell named the band after viewing an ad for fireworks in a porno magazine. The band would release two full length records (with a third rumored to be written but never recorded) before dissolving in to other projects.

FDF Comments (aka the songs) - The album opens with "Porpoise Head" that slowly fades up. The backing band on the track was the three members of Love and Rockets. Those familiar with their sound would notice it almost right away. Perry eases in to the vocal before the drums get a more tribal feel to them. A buzzing guitar works to get things going, before it swallows back down to an even keeled groove. A very "tropical" feeling "100 Ways" fades up. An acoustic guitar and percussion instruments bring up the mellow feel. This is one track where bassist Mike Watt plays on. The track has a horn section, that is sort of buried in the mix considering its a laid back track. The song picks up about 2:20 in with the guitars and bass getting a little more push, but it fades back to the laid back feel from earlier. The only single release to radio "Tahitian Moon" comes up quick with fuzzy bass and marching snare drum. Perry gives a distorted run through the first few lines before we chime over to a more acoustic guitar sound. The bass and drum parts follow suit, and after a few bars we are back to the crunch of the intro. There is breakdown in the middle that would make Jack Johnson, and his laid back fan base swoon. The song does sort of the rinse, lather repeat but as the song fades you can actually hear some pan flutes and other percussion instruments. Acoustic guitars bring up "Kimberly Austin". The bass is smooth underneath and the track has finger snapping coffee house feel. Its largely an acoustic driven track before there is a crunchy, yet subdued guitar part. Perry plays harmonica along with the guitar and the song gets a good work out before returning to the acoustic root. Keeping with the acoustic guitars "Thick of It All" has a layer of them. Perry whispers the vocal parts. This is a far cry from any Jane's Addiction song for sure. It is almost an "arty" track if that makes any sense. A guitar riff will come up, sort of burst out, and then fall right back underneath. Towards the end the guitar solo, still underneath everything, really gets rolling, it ends very strong. Mike Watt returns on the bass for "Good God's://Urge!". It has a very light feel, but the bass is really the stand out. The song gets a little heavier, and faster about 2 minutes in. The vocals speed up and the guitars and drums a little more of a workout. The bass is really the rock on this tune. See for yourself in the down load section. Guitars and cymbal rolls begin "Wishing Well" which combines some acoustic and electric guitar moments takes some time to get rolling. The vocals have a chorus effect on them with some delay and the drums rumble underneath, but the song is not really a barn burner, at least you'd think. About three minutes in it gets rolling good. Bass brings up "Dogs Rule the Night". The drums hit pretty hard compared to other songs thus far on the record. Guitars wah-wah over before the band hits down good. Sampling is done a little more on this track, but its subtle at the same time. Perry pushes his vocals to the ranges he only can hit which is a trait that is lacking on the record. Dave Navarro and Flea offer up their chops on "Freeway". The bass is right up front at the intro with the drums. The bass will remain up front for the track and Navarro has his flashes as well. The is a techno sounding keyboard that sounds sort of out of place considering Navarro and Flea have so much to offer on the track. The album closes with "Bali Eyes", which returns to the heavy acoustic influence. It sounds like a song they'd sort of huddle in a circle and play. The drums are left out for the first 2 minutes and then a pretty decent guitar solo is played over the acoustic guitars and strong bass work (per the norm). This is a strong album closer.


Where are they now? - The initial reason behind the "hiatus" was that guitarist Peter DiStefano has been diagnosed with cancer. He has since recovered and has worked on project with his band Venice Underground. Martyn LeNoble has played with many bands both in studio and live. His web page says he has a new record coming out..in 2005, so I think it needs some updating. Stephen Perkins has seemed to always work with Perry, but currently he is the drummer with a band called "Banyan" and has worked recently with a the Panic Channel, of which former Jane's Addiction guitar player Dave Navarro is also a member. Perry is currently working with a band called Satellite Party. As recently as April 2008 Perry, and for the first time since their break up including Eric Avery performed as Jane's Addiction. Perry is/was the creator and founder of Lollapalooza which returned a few years ago to a weekend festival in Chicago.


FDF Personal Comments (aka the Live experience) - June 8, 1997 the band was part of a local radio station show. (The WBCN River Rave). The show I recall was "okay" and it was a big deal they were playing. The day before the band had played the Tibetan Freedom Concert in New York, and I recall everyone being all jacked with the fact that Perry and company were flown to the show via helicopter. Perhaps it was the same day as the Freedom Fest was 6/7 and 6/8 that year. I did record the show. The set list had four songs from this record performed live.


FDF Overall Take - Upon the "dust" off I didn't have one of those moments like "why haven't I played this in ages?". The album has some good moments but to me personally it is just "okay". Like most things it has a time and a place, perhaps a year from now I dust this off once more, who knows.

Links

Martin LeNobleofficial site and on
myspace
Stephen Perkins on myspace
Perry Farrell has an official site
Satellite Party on myspace

Curious? Check out some MUSIC!

***all mp3's have been removed***

Tahitian Moon
Good God's://Urge!
dogs rule the night
Freeway

All tracks taken from "Good God's Urge" which you can buy here



Disclaimer - For the most part songs listed you can find on iTunes or your local cd shop. The idea is to give you a little taste of the music. Please support the artist buy purchasing some of their work. Songs are posted for about 1 week but can and will be removed at the request of the artist, band, band management etc. If you are one of those persons contact me via the email link in the profile and they will be removed as soon as we are made aware of the request.