S Poddar
Former Porno for Pyros bassist Martyn LeNoble is leveling some harsh criticism at his former bandmate, Perry Farrell, in the aftermath of a public confrontation between Farrell and guitarist Dave Navarro during the headlining set for Jane’s Addiction Saturday at the Riviera Theatre. LeNoble, who played with Porno for Pyros-a group Farrell formed after Jane’s Addiction initially broke up-performed no punches were pulled: Farrell was the “worst frontman,” he’s ever worked with.
The fight occurred during the band’s North American tour, which had been closed down on September 16th. That was just three days after an onstage scuffle between Farrell and Navarro at one of the group’s concerts in Boston. It was supposed to be the last leg of their shows as they had performed several shows in South America, Europe, Australia, and now in North America but was cut short due to the tussle.
As a Porno for Pyros cofounder, LeNoble played with the group from 1992 to 1995 and worked extensively on their second and final album, Good God’s Urge. Although he departed the group prior to its release, LeNoble did re-join briefly in 2009 and again in 2022. Other periods saw Minutemen’s Mike Watt on bass. Although in 2023 LeNoble said he was returning to Porno for Pyros to record a final EP with the band, by November of that same year he had left the group. Porno for Pyros completed their farewell tour in March 2024.
After a public brawl backstage after the Jane’s Addiction set, which included a scuffle over a bottle of clippers that allegedly went to Farrell’s head or neck, LeNoble fired back at Farrell, declaring to X (formerly known as Twitter) readers in a series of posts deleted since September 29th: “I can say, unequivocally, that Perry has been the worst frontman I’ve ever worked with.”. Pattern of sweet words, crap actions”: That is what LeNoble said of what Farrell did. Then, he added, “The fish rots from the head down. And I still don’t get how he managed to come up with some of those great lyrics & vocals on the first two Jane’s records”.
LeNoble also made some comparisons between the late Mark Lanegan, Layne Staley, and Scott Weiland, other “difficult” vocalists he’s worked with, and Farrell. But he said even though those personalities could be problematic at times, they were generally “nicer, better, and talented as human beings” than Mr. Farrell. “I judge people by their actions. not by their banter about ‘spiritually,'” LeNoble said, implying there was a disconnect between what Mr. Farrell said and how he acted.
That wasn’t the end of LeNoble’s accusatory innings. He also claimed that Farrell was “frequently absent from rehearsals, soundchecks, and writings-but would then stroll in late, often with shit lyrics and unprepared, wild-eyed, not present, high.” This was his habit, LeNoble alleged, that of a professional slob.
The bassist focused his assaults on Farrell’s wife, Etty Lau Farrell, who had publicly denounced over the Boston incident as well as her husband’s shenanigans. LeNoble describes her “a horrible person,” citing her alleged threat to sue him: “I will sue you …. We have money to burn,” he says Etty Lau Farrell allegedly told him. In the rant’s concluding remarks, LeNoble proclaimed both Farrell and his wife to have “the biggest egos” despite their imperfections.
Although LeNoble did eventually remove the posts, he told Billboard there was “no reason” to continue adding to the public litany against Farrell. He finished with one last word on the subject: “I hope PF gets help,” a level of concern over his former bandmate suggesting that, despite everything, there is at least some measure of goodwill.
Not much has been heard of singer Perry Farrell since the incident happened. His wife, Etty Lau Farrell, intervened by posting a note on Instagram on September 21st, stating: “He is now taking the time to reflect and heal.”.
She added: “Like attracts like. Kindness attracts kindness. As you know, Perry is the gentlest of souls. We are equally astonished at Perry’s physical outburst as you are—but you must know that Perry must have been pushed to his absolute limit… to that end, we apologize.”
Etty Lau Farrell also shared that Perry Farrell already had appointments with an otolaryngologist and a neurologist for review of his health. “If you know and love Perry well, you know there’s no need for me to address the other false narratives. Our souls know,” she added, suggesting that some of the rumors surrounding the incident might not be true.
In the note, Etty expresses optimism that with appropriate care, Farrell will recover and return to his career. Whether this means that for Jane’s Addiction, this is the end or if eventually the band is going to reconcile and perform again is unknown, but for his fans, hope continues for the best for him.
