Porno for Pyros
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1992 in Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Founder | Perry Farrell, Stephen Perkins, Peter DiStefano, Martyn LeNoble |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Perry Farrell (vocals), Stephen Perkins (drums), Peter DiStefano (guitar), Mike Watt (bass) |
| Products | Music albums, singles, live performances |
Number of employees | 4 (2023) |
| Website | www |
Porno for Pyros is an American alternative rock group that originated in Los Angeles, California, in 1992 following the initial dissolution of Jane's Addiction. The band’s lineup features Jane's Addiction alumni Perry Farrell on vocals and Stephen Perkins on drums, joined by guitarist Peter DiStefano and bassist Mike Watt. Founding bassist Martyn LeNoble was a member from 1992 until 1995 and participated in the 2022–2023 reunion phase.
The band issued two studio records: their self-titled debut Porno for Pyros in 1993 and Good God's Urge in 1996, before entering a hiatus in 1998. In 2009, the original members regrouped to celebrate Perry Farrell’s 50th birthday. During the global COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020, the lineup featuring Watt performed at Lolla2020, a complimentary event streamed on YouTube. Subsequently, the group began creating new material, and by 2022, Farrell and Perkins spearheaded Porno for Pyros' first significant live shows in over twenty years, culminating with a full reunion of the original lineup at the Welcome to Rockville festival.
In 2023, the founding four recorded fresh tracks with intentions to release a four-song EP in 2024. After postponing a complete reunion tour to 2024, LeNoble amicably exited the band in November 2023; the group announced that their forthcoming tour would serve as a farewell tour.
1992–1994: Formation and Porno for Pyros
Following the breakup of the acclaimed Jane's Addiction, vocalist Perry Farrell and drummer Stephen Perkins established Porno for Pyros alongside guitarist Peter DiStefano and bassist Martyn LeNoble. The band’s name was inspired by an advertisement for fireworks found in an adult magazine, also referencing the nearby 1992 Los Angeles riots, which coincided with their formation period. Before releasing their debut album in 1993, Porno for Pyros embarked on a nationwide tour. Their first album quickly climbed to No. 3 on the Billboard 200 chart, propelled by substantial MTV rotation of their single "Pets". The band sustained an active touring schedule that included appearances at Woodstock '94 and a guest spot on HBO’s The Larry Sanders Show. Their concerts were distinguished by elaborate stage props and pyrotechnic displays, contrasting with Jane's Addiction’s more straightforward rock presentation.
1995–1998: Good God's Urge and break-up
During the production of their second album, Good God's Urge, bassist LeNoble departed after most of the recording was completed; former Minutemen bassist Mike Watt finished the remaining tracks and joined the subsequent tour. This album featured guest contributions from Jane's Addiction guitarist Dave Navarro and Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea. The touring lineup included Watt, Flea, and Navarro alongside original members, blurring distinctions between Porno for Pyros and a Jane's Addiction reunion. The band even performed Jane's Addiction’s "Mountain Song," foreshadowing future reunion activities. Touring concluded when DiStefano received a cancer diagnosis.
Afterward, Perkins and Watt formed the jazz-punk ensemble Banyan, occasionally performing The Stooges covers under the name Hellride in Los Angeles with DiStefano.
2009–2019: One-time reunion and speculation
In April 2009, the founding members Farrell, Perkins, DiStefano, and LeNoble reunited to perform at Perry Farrell's 50th birthday celebration. Two years later, in April 2011, Farrell hinted at a possible reunion through a Twitter post. By September 2012, DiStefano confirmed plans for band activity in 2013, which was later supported by an announcement on Farrell's Facebook page. In 2018, rumors circulated linking the band to Perry Farrell's immersive Las Vegas production, Kind Heaven; however, this project never came to fruition.
2020–2024: Complete reunion and farewell tour
On July 27, 2020, Porno for Pyros declared their first reunion in over two decades, featuring Perry Farrell, Stephen Perkins, Mike Watt, and Peter DiStefano. This announcement coincided with Lolla2020, a complimentary four-night event streamed on YouTube that aligned with the original dates for Lollapalooza 2020.
Peter DiStefano disclosed on July 20, 2021, that the group was working on new songs—their first fresh material in more than twenty years. In May 2022, Farrell revealed that Porno for Pyros would take the stage at Welcome to Rockville in Daytona Beach after Jane’s Addiction withdrew due to guitarist Dave Navarro contracting COVID-19. During this performance, Mike Gryciuk substituted for Perkins on drums due to illness, and Nick Maybury joined as an additional guitarist.
For later summer concerts and appearances at Lollapalooza festivals, original bassist Martyn LeNoble rejoined the lineup. The quartet commenced developing new compositions with plans to release a four-track EP in 2024.
Following a delay in their reunion tour schedule, LeNoble amicably left the band on November 13, 2023. He cited a desire to focus on his passion for wildlife and a preference for a quieter lifestyle while expressing appreciation for his tenure with the band and its supporters.
After LeNoble's departure, the group rebranded their 2024 tour as a farewell series titled "Horns, Thorns en Halos," welcoming Mike Watt back on bass for these concluding performances.
Members
- Current lineup
- Perry Farrell – lead vocals, harmonica, percussion (1992–1998, 2009, 2020, 2022–2024)
- Stephen Perkins – drums, percussion, backing vocals (1992–1998, 2009, 2020, 2022–2024)
- Peter DiStefano – guitar, backing vocals (1992–1998, 2009, 2020, 2022–2024)
- Mike Watt – bass guitar, backing vocals (1995–1998, 2020, 2022, 2023–2024)
- Robin Hatch – keyboards (2023–2024)
- Previous members
- Martyn LeNoble – bass guitar, backing vocals (1992–1995, 2009, 2022–2023)
Studio albums
| Title | Album information | Highest chart positions | Certifications | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | US Cashbox |
AUS | NOR | NZ | SWE | UK | ||||
| Porno for Pyros |
|
3 | 1 | 35 | — | 16 | — | 13 |
| |
| Good God's Urge |
|
20 | 29 | 20 | 18 | 20 | 57 | 40 | — | |
| "—" indicates the album did not chart or was not released in that region. | ||||||||||
Compilation albums
- Rhino Hi-Five : Porno for Pyros (2007)
Singles
| Year | Title | Highest chart rankings | Album | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | US Airplay | US Modern Rock | US Mainstream Rock | AUS | UK | |||
| 1993 | "Cursed Female" | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | Porno for Pyros |
| "Pets" | 67 | 67 | 1 | 25 | 68 | 53 | ||
| 1994 | "Sadness" | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 1996 | "Tahitian Moon" | 46 | 8 | 34 | — | — | Good God's Urge | |
| 1997 | "Hard Charger" | — | — | 23 | — | — | — | Private Parts |
| 2023 | "Agua" | — | — | — | — | — | — | Non-album single |
Music videos
| Release Date | Title | Director(s) | Additional Information |
|---|
References
- Notes
- Bibliography
- Browne, David. "Burning Addiction", Entertainment Weekly, May 7, 1993. Accessed April 27, 2008.
- Farley, Christopher. "Playing with Fire", Time, May 31, 1993. Accessed April 27, 2008.