The 2015 Waterman's Ball Honoring Perry Farrell!

Freshly back in town and feeling all madly back in love with Venice and California, it got even better and more confirmed when my friends, The Farrells invited me to attend the 2015 Waterman's Ball where Perry was to be honored with the Environmentalist of the Year Award! Hell, yeah! Etty dropped the hint that there was also going to be a performance by Porno For Pyros - and life got even better.

We zipped down to Laguna Niguel to the Ritz-Carlton, where the 26th Annual Waterman's Ball was being held, just as the sun set on an unusually hot day by the sea, casting the entire event in an appropriately Golden State kind of light. It was a truly stunning setting, honoring some truly stunning people.

Everyone was decked out in "Creative Black Tie", which meant that you saw everything from beaded gowns to flowered Bermuda shorts. It was some great people watching, and I think this cute couple won Best Dressed for me. The dress was Mara Hoffman, and the woman had drawn waves on the guy's jacket to match. Creative! I loved it.

In the ladies room, I had a moment with this regal woman dressed in a black dress with a striking fuschia orchid lei on. I complimented her on it, and her eyes got all kind and crinkly with her big smile. She took my hands and said, "Oh, thank you, honey." ... and I felt like I got super powers or something from her. Like I tangibly felt stronger. I can't explain it, I just immediately adored her. We told each other to have fun, and off I went, looking at surfer dudes, and feeling kind of magic.

There was a silent auction to raise funds for the various organizations that SIMA (Surf Industry Manufacturers Association) supports, with things like hotel packages, signed skateboards, and whole bunch of cool surf art. Little girls and their Moms in matching jackets from the NCL (National Charity League, I was told by a grommet girl in glasses) manned the booths, and were all smiley and informative. It was nice to see a next generation of people actually caring about things.

Things like our beautiful oceans, which was the whole real reason for being there. The silent part of the auction and cocktail hour ended, as everyone was ushered into the dining room for the surf and turf dinner. The meal was delicious, and we made new friends just in time to rock out with for a performance by Porno For Pyros, with Robert Trujillo (Metallica) filling in on bass!

OH, have we missed PFP! They jammed out "Tahitian Moon" - an all time favorite, and the entire ballroom went bananas. It's such a surfy song, and the story behind its writing happened on a surf trip, and it was all just perfect.

Then the also perfect "Ocean Size" was delivered as the video screens played giant wave footage, and Peter DiStefano did a fantastic job replicating Dave Navarro's guitar shreds from this Jane's Addiction classic. From the oceans to the mountains for "Mountain Song", which caused the room to simply erupt. It was badass, and for many, their first live taste of Porno For Pyros. That alone made my night.

That riled people up to be spirited bidders on the treasures up for the live auction. Cool things like a VIP weekend at Lollapalooza (trust me, you want that). Honoree Stephanie Gilmore bid on and won the freshly played bass guitar signed by Farrell, DiStefano and Trujillo, adding $10,000 to the oceans' coffers. You could bid on having artist Letty Nowak paint a portrait like they one she did of Rob Machado. The thing that most caught my eye and was listed as "Priceless" was the gorgeous 1935 Tom  Blake wooden paddleboard, ultimately won by Farrell himself. Yay!

Then it was time for the tributes to the honorees. Each had a video about them play before the award presentation, and when it was time for the Lifetime Achievement Award going to the late Doc Paskowitz, the room grew reverent. Paskowitz is famous for tossing aside his medical career to take his wife and nine children surfing around the world living in a van (as seen in the great documentary Surfwise), spreading the gospel of surf. It was then that I realized the regal and wonderful woman from the ladies room was Doc's beloved wife, Juliette! It all then made sense as I watched their spectacular life and love together in the video. She was magic and strong and full of love throughout their life together, and exactly what I experienced from her in our brief moment together. What a special family. When Juliette and her daughter came up to accept the award, no eye was dry as they blew a kiss above. Not mine, for sure.

Environmentalist of the Year, was next, and my friend, Perry Farrell was the well deserving recipient, presented by his Venice surfing buddy, Trujillo. This is a guy who makes sure Lollapalooza is one of the most eco-friendly festivals there is. I've been in  the family home overlooking the vast expanse of the Pacific, I've traveled across the country with the Farrells, and I can tell you that the Earth and its Oceans could not be more important to him. You can actually see him feel it in his body as he performs, as he surfs, and even just as he talks, all animated and flowing. He accepted his award with great humility, and an even greater imitation of Doc Paskowitz telling him to get rid of his Mercedes for what they did to the Jews. Another story was told about roaming about his Venice neighborhood in a towel, carrying a metal spear for protection. Those were the DAYS in Venice, and why we're all so wistful and protective about Venice now. But I digress ...

Great cheers erupted for the surfing front man as he thanked everyone and said that music goes hand in hand with surfing ... the sound waves. Trujillo and Farrell both spoke about how important it was to them as musicians to also be members of the surfing tribe. "The Ocean would always heal me," said Farrell in closing, and it was special to watch his gorgeous wife and spectacular sons watch and learn from their Dad about these things that are the most important in life ... nature, true friendship, and love of all of it.

The last award of the night was presented to Stephanie Gilmore for Waterman of the Year. Waterwoman. Mermaid. Clearly still stoked on winning the bass, she spoke with a delighted glow about her love of surfing, and how it's the best feeling in the world. "A true waterman loves what they do. They have fun. Maybe that's why I'm getting this award... And I highly recommend surfing as a job!", joked the charming, super-talented, and obviously grateful Gilmore.

After closing thanks from the SIMA people, the party split to celebrate at the upstairs bar on a perfectly starry Southern California night. As I made my way to the door, I walked straight in to Juliette Paskowitz again. We hugged and I told her I had no idea that she was the night's honoree when we met, and I was so honored to meet her and be moved by her. That same crinkly eyed smile of real, authentic living and happiness met my eyes again, and I felt the power of good people once more.

Thank you to SIMA and the Waterman's Ball for recognizing these kinds of people and everyone involved for caring about our Mother Ocean. And to the wonderful Farrells for having me as their guest ... Under the Laguna Moon.

George Fest - A Celebration Of George Harrison

Last night was the big George Harrison-A-Thon show at the Fonda theater in Hollywood, affectionately called George Fest. It was really one for the ages, People. More a matter of who DIDN'T get up there and play. For real.

I had spent the day at the Abbot Kinney Festival going nuts, so it was a true test of endurance to first, get to Hollywood at all, and second, hang in there for this many-hours-long show. I did not make it to the end, I confess, but I sure did see an awful lot while I was there. For instance ...

We missed a few openers like the tight house band led by George's son, Dhani Harrison, and I heard Conan O'Brien threw down "Old Brown Shoe". Wow. I got there just in time to hear the end of the darling guys of Jamestown Revival singing "If I Needed Someone." Bam. Just like that, I have a new crush.

The Black Ryder played "Isn't It A Pity", followed by Chase Cohl (and Brian Bell of Weezer) with "For You Blue". The stage was almost as packed as the audience, where people stood on tip-toe the whole night to catch a glimpse of who was all cramming on up there. Like The Heartless Bastards' (who I love) rendition of "If Not For You." So good. Butch Walker got up and sang "Any Road", The Cold War Kids did "Taxman", and then The Cult's Ian Astbury really delivered with "Be Here Now". I was standing next to Jerry Cantrell (Alice In Chains) during this number, and we both just went "Wow. That was awesome." when Mr. Astbury was done. And whistled real loud. I think it was my favorite of the night.

Next up was Black Rebel Motorcycle Club with "Art Of Dying" - Awesome. Then Spoon's Britt Daniel with "I Me Mine", which was great, but even better was the lovely Karen Elson and Norah Jones on "I'd Have You Anytime". And even better than THAT was Ben Harper with "Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth)". I mean, come on.

Kind of weirdly following that was Weird Al Yankovic in an unusually straight turn for him, singing, "What Is Life", real lyrics and all. Then Dhani Harrison (and friends, including Aaron Emby, Jimmy Vivino, and Stephen Perkins from Jane's Addiction) really going for it with their "Let It Down". It's really good. We got down.

Big Black Delta played "The Ballad Of Sir Frankie Crisp" while we were in line at the bar (Jameson was the gracious sponsor), and then Dhani Harrison was back on lead with "Savoy Truffle". Wayne Coyne of The Flaming Lips came out and gave us "It's All Too Much" - which it really almost was. Because NEXT, joining Coyne and Harrison came Perry and Etty Farrell, singing the sweetest favorite, "Here Comes The Sun" to us, and to each other. Love.

The line-up was so super-diverse, and so jam-packed ... it was clear to see how intensely George Harrison (and The Beatles) have influenced and inspired, well, everyone. And they clearly all wanted to play in a show honoring him, because the cavalcade continued on and on ... Nick Valensi (with Danny Masterson and Matt Sorum) playing "Wah Wah". Norah Jones' beautiful ways with "Behind That Locked Door" and "Something" were simply lush and gorgeous. As was Heart's Ann Wilson with "Beware Of Darkness".

My phone died somewhere around here after a long day's work, so I gave up on photos and caring and just completely enjoyed ... The Killers' Brandon Flowers throwing down "Got My Mind Set On You" with Dhani Harrison. How good. We thought that would be a good note to sneak out (and CRASH!) on, but just as I turned around to split, out came Brian Wilson. BRIAN WILSON with "My Sweet Lord", which I'm pretty sure is what I said right then too. Wow. What an evening! What a day!

That was a REALLY good note to sneak out on, so we did, and that was our finale. The real finale, I'm told, was an All-Star jam of both "Handle With Care" and "All Things Must Pass" - both very sage - and timely, as we were about to crash hard. What an excellent night of music, and what an excellent legacy to see, more than honored ... Rocked. Let's hope this was the first of many, many George Fests ... and many thanks to all involved for a spectacular time!

A Jane's Addiction Weekend On The Sunset Strip

It was all about Jane's Addiction this last weekend in West Hollywood, as it was declared Jane's Addiction Day on September 19. The declaration was celebrated with a ceremony at the House Of Blues on the Sunset Strip, with the band receiving the Elmer Valentine Award for being one of the most awesome bands ever to grace the Strip ... where it all started.

After the red carpet shenanigans, friends and fans milled about inside drinking Jack Daniels (the sponsor of the weekend) and feeling the love for Jane's.

The band, friends and family assembled in the upstairs balcony of the House Of Blues, where they listened as various luminaries spoke about what Jane's Addiction meant to them. Skate legend Tony Hawk introduced the award, saying that back when he was touring around in a van, it was impossible for the guys to agree on a TAPE to listen to on the road ... the only one they ever agreed on was Nothing Shocking (which we were there to celebrate the 25th anniversary of). He went on to say that everyone credits Nirvana for changing music back in the 90's ... but really, it was Jane's Addiction. Truth.

Stryker came out to do the introductions, and Rodney Bingenheimer (both of KROQ fame) came out to swap Hollywood war stories with Perry Farrell. It was evident how much they mutually adore each other. There was a LOT of love in the room, for sure.

A tribute video of Jane's Addiction through the years screened, and it was great to watch Perry watching himself onscreen, talking about how badass The Doors and The Bad Brains were, and how it was all "Deep as fuck", and how he came up with Lollapalooza as, "I just want people to get out there and celebrate." Which we certainly have, enjoying his epic vision through the years. The Vice Mayor of West Hollywood then came out to present the band with a certificate proclaiming it Jane's Addiction Day, and the crowd loved it.

They loved it even more, however, when Farrell mused aloud that they couldn't very well have all these people there to honor them without giving them a song or two ... so they asked the night's band, Dead Sara, if they could borrow their equipment ... and they said yes. So that meant "Mountain Song"!

People went SO nuts, that then it also meant "Ain't No Right" from what Tony Hawk had called "The house band of the Sunset Strip."

The revelers were thrilled, upstairs and down, including the glamorous Mrs. Farrell.

Because it was unplanned (and already an unexpected treat), that was all for then. "We're happy to serve you, L.A.!" It was time to party.

The band and their guests celebrated upstairs until it was time to split and call it a night ... because the next day was the day Jane's Addiction was going to shut down Sunset Boulevard and play Nothing Shocking in its entirety. Again, where it all began...

The Sunset Strip Music Festival went on all day Saturday and Sunday, but all I really cared about was Juana's Addicion. I rode over to the festival with the Farrells, and as we approached the venue site, it was thrilling to see the entire Strip filled with throngs of Jane's fans, eagerly anticipating the show.

We got there almost right at showtime, so the golf carts sped off and soon the opening chords of "Up the Beach" rang out over West Hollywood. The excitement was palpable.

That gorgeous instrumental launched right into "Ocean Size" and the place just went off. OFF! People couldn't contain themselves, screaming and singing themselves along hoarse. Not a beat was skipped before "Had A Dad", "Ted, Just Admit It", and "Standing In The Shower...Thinking", and it was obvious that the band mates of 25+ years (and new-ish bassist, Chris Chaney) were FEELING it, as were the masses of hard-core Jane's Addiction fans, absolutely loving every note.

It was then that the opening began to one of my top five favorite songs of all-time, the glorious and majestic "Summertime Rolls". As we're winding down our own Summer here in L.A. (where, yes, it's endless, but still different than official Summer), it was the perfect song to sing along with, feeling so happy and great with thousands of friends that felt the same way. Dave Navarro gave it an extra bluesiness to his solo, lending a perfect air of wistfulness to the song that already embodies dreamy nostalgia. I love it so, so much. I was grinning ear to ear at this point, and I was not remotely alone.

That dream come true was followed right up by many peoples' all time favorite jam, "Mountain Song". You can see Foo Fighters drummer (and big Jane's Addiction fan), Taylor Hawkins, here in this little video, absolutely feeling the stoke you get every time from this monster of a song.

There was hardly a moment to catch our breath before they blasted into "Idiots Rule", which DID rule.

Then Perry told a story about how they got a little jaded a while back and didn't always want to play their big "Jane Says" hit ... but then thought about how he'd feel if he went to see Lou Reed and he hadn't played "Heroin", he'd have been bummed ... so back in went "Jane Says".

Thankfully, to judge from the reaction of the crowd, who happily sang along to every word of the steel-drum version that found the awesome Stephen Perkins and Chris Chaney joining Farrell and Navarro right up front.  In another nostalgic moment, Farrell said at song's end, "Oh, there was so much drugs back then ..." Yep.

When the fans went completely up into orbit after that one, Farrell thanked them, saying, "It's the greatest honor playing for people on the streets of Los Angeles, here is where we really shine... They didn't ever really appreciate us in New York, because they know we're not theirs. We're yours." Well, that's all the crowd needed to go even more crazy, which they absolutely did for "Pigs In Zen". And should have, because it was AWESOME.

There was a brief interlude while everyone screamed for more, which they got. Jane's came back and blasted everyone with the one-two punch of "Been Caught Stealing" and "Just Because". It was so rowdy and packed with ecstatic fans that it couldn't get much crazier. You thought.

Then for the real knock-out, Jane's brought out their suspension artists and dancers, meaning that for the  literal show-stopper of "Stop!", they had ladies swinging from rods pierced through their shoulder blades high above the stage, and hot dancers (including Etty Farrell) firing up the entire Strip.

The band was in rare form, and seemed like they could've played all night, and probably would have, were it not for that dang curfew.

As Farrell stated, "L.A. was always the place. We'd play just as hard for three people as we did for all of you. I'd fill a bus with people from Venice (!!!) and bring 'em all to the show...and tonight we shut down Sunset Boulevard! What a great night!"

So it was, that performers and fans beamed at each other, mutually thanking each other for the now many great years of music given and appreciated, no, LOVED, by so many.

To hear it live, in its entirety, on the Sunset Strip that may as well be a fifth band member, so steeped are the songs in its history ... well, it was just a night that anyone there will forget. Ever.

Backstage, it was both excellent and fitting that the Farrell children, Hezron and Izzadore, entertained themselves in the jam tent, making up their own beats and words. The family business is in good and capable hands, dear friends.

Dear friends. I'm so grateful to call the Farrell Family dear friends. After loving the music for so long, to be able to know, understand, and love this family is - to rip off the Jane's Addiction movie title - a true Gift.

Thank you for the music, the friendship, and the creativity that goes into every aspect of the Jane's Addiction/Farrell/Lollapalooza worlds ... it has factually made the world such a better place. A better place to celebrate ... just like Farrell envisioned.

Happy 25 years, Jane's Addiction!!! It feels as great as it ever did.


*SSMF awesome photos by www.PaulGronner.com

Jane's Addiction - Las Vegas - Nothing Shocking!

Jane's Addiction just made their iconic song "3 Days" a reality, as they played their entire Nothing Shocking album+ three nights in a row at the Brooklyn Bowl in Las Vegas. The band was there to celebrate that all-time classic record's 25th Anniversary (time fllllllies!), and the fans were out-of-their-minds about it before a note was even played.

I headed out to the desert for the final Saturday night show, and after hearing all the superlatives about the previous two shows, I know it was going to be ON. A whole crew made the trip out from Venice, so there was a bit of a hometown show feel to it, even in the middle of Sin City. The Brooklyn Bowl is massive, and it was jam packed to sold-out capacity, with the die-hard fans squeezed up against the stage ten deep a couple hours before they started. Then 20 deep, then 50 deep ... then so deep I thanked my lucky stars that I had my spot in the balcony to not move from until the last bow. As tribal sounding music amped up the room leading up to Jane's taking the stage, the atmosphere and anticipation was sheer electric. (Neon, to be precise. This was Vegas.)

The stage resembled a Day of the Dead altar, with Christmas lights hanging and flowers in vases all around. When the lights went dark and Stephen Perkins came out and sat at his drum kit, the crowd went crazy. When the opening chords to "Up The Beach" rang out ... well, I completely have chills right now writing about it. It was nuclear powerful in there. Dave Navarro came out and began that familiar opening number with his signature cool prowess, Chris Chaney ruled that bass line, and Perry Farrell sauntered out wailing those haunting vocal notes that set Nothing Shocking apart from anything else out there back in the day, without barely an intelligible word sung. He held a bottle up upon entering, high-fiving everyone down front, signifying that the party would now begin, and we were invited to join in the fun.

FUN! Like blasting out "Ocean Size" and "Had A Dad" back to back, the whole band going as OFF as the fans were. I could tell Perry was in rare form, feeling it back from the fans that love him (and knew every word), and returning it ten-fold. The dancing never let up, the voice and the music were as rad as the day we first heard them (maybe even better, as they've now played the tunes so many times, and they don't live as rough as they did back then, so ... YESSSS!).

"My beautiful friends! I'm so happy to see you again, because you never know when it's time to go ... but now ain't the time!" A fan gave Perry a hat and a joint, and Perry responded with the first of a bunch of awesome and hilarious stage banters about generous people being better than fucked up assholes ... "I want to be friends with generous people ... sometimes you gotta slow down and take a look around ... The cool thing about marijuana is it's communal, everybody shares ... No one wants to share their junkie spoon ... Marijuana is beautiful incense ... !" With that (plus a puff) from Perry, the band tore into "Ted, Just Admit It" like maybe never before. "SEX IS VIOLENCE!!!" It was boiling, incendiary hot. Perkins was going off, a total machine. Navarro's solos are intoxicating, and Chaney almost makes you forget he didn't write those Avery bass lines, and he's made them his own. Perry is ... well, Perry. One of rock's greatest ever front men. Period. No, the WORLD'S great front men, not just in rock, in humanity. A seriously cool cat, and a great friend.

Well, after that one that gave the record its name, everyone was all riled up, perhaps Perry most of all. "I can't wait to fuck again, I'm raring to go!" All bets - and shirts - were off by now, and it was a complete rock frenzy. We all needed a cold shower about then, but "Standing In The Shower, Thinking" would suffice. More than suffice. Rule.

A wind had blown in right before the show, nearly blowing us all over on our way to the venue. Flights were cancelled by 70 mph winds, which brought back some friends who had tried to leave, but instead got another show. Perry had a discussion with this crazy wind, who told him "If you rock my ass out, I'm gonna give you Summertime." So Jane's gave US "Summertime Rolls". This is a top candidate for my favorite song of all time, so I was thrilled to again see it being played (as it rarely is) live. I wasn't remotely alone, as the entire place sang along word for word, and it was clear that this is one of those classic songs that really MEAN something to people. It hearkens you back to the greatness of when and where you were hearing it for the first time. So special, so beloved ...

Equally loved and massively ROCKED was "Mountain Song". This is Jane's at their absolute best. My notes simply said, "Going OFF!" It was monstrous. I'm sure you can imagine. Voices were lost during this one, I actually heard a friend speak before and after, and this was where it went. Well worth it, he'd agree.

Fishbone was also in the house for these shows, and Angelo Moore came out to jam horns for Jane's on "Idiots Rule" ("That should be America's theme song" - Stephanie Hobgood). Jane's and Fishbone go way back, as Moore put it, "We're like Ebony and Ivory, Punk Rock stylie!" They, indeed and agreed, have gotten better with age, no question.

Perry talked about our generation, changing things for the better, things like making history voting in Obama ... to which a guy next to me said, "Ooh, there's a lot of Republicans here in Nevada" ... to which I said and meant, "Who cares?" No matter what, as Perry said, "We're all here together, having a good time!" ... and that's the point of it all. Music bringing people together to rock out, have fun, and UNITE. If people are moved by and love the same music, they have something common inside that can bridge gaps, show that you share something good, and go forward from there. We're all in it together, and not just at amazing shows, in life. So have a good time together. Not so hard after all, is it?

As they played through the album chronologically, you realized just how much EVERY track on Nothing Shocking is not just good, but GREAT. And holds up to be way better than most anything just coming out now, for real. No matter how many times you've heard "Jane Says", it's always awesome. This night's playing might have been the MOST awesome, with the steel drum version killing us of course, but also that we knew it was its 25th birthday ... so we sang along, in lieu of the Birthday Song. "She takes a swing, but SHE CAN'T HIT!" ... was the loudest I've ever heard it sung by a crowd. Again, a truly beloved tune for so, so many.

Reflecting on the years that have passed, Perry said, "My Dad was a tough motherfucker. I learned to be a Man by a tough motherfucker. That's what I teach my boys, Be tough, but be kind. That's the way we're gonna do it, yeah?" The crowd roared back, "YEAH!" in agreement, as that speech was backed by the jazzy music of "Thank You, Boys", which Perry shouted at its end.

"Pigs In Zen" fried all of our minds (at least I think it was because of that song), super heavy and certainly played by tough (and KIND!) motherfuckers/men. The cheers were deafening when that one ended (as it finishes the album) with Perry saying, "I need some more booze, I'll be back!"

Same for us, and when we all returned, it was for the rocker "Been Caught Stealing". This one featured Mrs. Farrell (Etty!) and Melissa Vela Bailey dressed for Vegas in big showgirl headdresses, and little else, making it even hotter in there. The dancers threw casino chips out to the crowd (as the band melted faces), endearing themselves even more.

Then the real "3 Days" arrived ... a scorcher. Dark and ominous, sexy and dangerous all at once ... the fans were beside themselves. At the end of the whole menage-a-troisvaganza, Perry and Etty made out so long and for real that Etty looked a little breathless as she left the stage. I love it. REAL love between a husband and wife, for all to see, enjoy and envy. This spectacle of a show was truly inspiring on so many levels.

"Stop!" = "NUTS!!!" in my notebook. So fast, so frenzied, so opposite the title ... you just want to GO. We were all sweaty messes at this point, but all stops were pulled out by band and audience alike as they lit into "Chip Away". Navarro, Chaney and Perkins were all lined up front of stage banging on big drums in unison, as Perry screamed his way through this other-worldly superjam. Suspension artist girls (skewered through their shoulder blade skin!) swung high above the stage, and there was so much coolness going on that you didn't know where to look.

And then it was over, but no one wanted it to be, not even the band. They took a group bow together, earning ear-splitting shouts, claps and whistles, but still, no one was going anywhere. 

Long after everyone else had left the stage, Perry and Etty stayed behind, shaking hands and handing out all the flowers from their vases. They know their fans love them, and they love them back.

Backstage after the show, this remained as true. Friends and fans came back to greet and thank them, and as effusive as they were, the Farrells and company were equally as thrilled ... at what had truly been an EPIC 3 Days.

Thank you to Jane's Addiction for 25 years of rocking us, and by doing so, uniting us.

NEVER Stop!

(*And special heartfelt thanks to the Farrells for again welcoming me to the show!      Love you.)