Perry Farrell’s ex-bandmate labels him the “worst frontman” he’s worked with
Former Porno for Pyros bassist Martyn LeNoble has criticised ex-bandmate Perry Farrell following his public altercation with Dave Navarro while fronting Jane’s Addiction. LeNoble called the alternative metal pioneer the “worst frontman” he’s ever worked with.
On September 16th, Jane’s Addiction announced they had cancelled the remaining dates of their North American tour. This followed Farrell attacking guitarist Navarro on stage in Boston on September 13th. After tours in South America, Europe and Australia, their North American tour was intended as their final run, but they never completed the set of dates.
LeNoble, who was the original bassist for Porno for Pyros from 1992 to 1995 – a group formed by Farrell and drummer Stephen Perkins after the split of Jane’s Addiction – quit after he completed the majority of the bass tracks for their second and final album, Good God’s Urge. He briefly rejoined the group for short periods in 2009 and 2022, with Minutemen legend Mike Watt handling bass duties elsewhere.
Despite it being announced that LeNoble had rejoined the band to create one final EP, he announced his amicable departure on November 13th, 2023. The band completed their farewell tour in March, 2024.
Following the fallout from the Jane’s Addiction onstage incident, LeNoble has now torn into Farrell and his wife, Etty Lau, stating that the former is the “worst frontman” he’s ever worked with.
“I can say, unequivocally, that Perry has been the worst frontman I’ve ever worked with,” LeNoble wrote in a series of now-deleted X posts on September 29th. “Always a kind word, followed by shitty actions. The fish rots from the head down. I still don’t understand how he channelled some of those great lyrics & vocals on the first two Jane’s records.”
Naming other “difficult” vocalists he’s worked with, including late grunge stars, Mark Lanegan, Layne Staley and Scott Weiland, LeNoble caveated bringing people such as them into the conversation. “All kinder, better, and more talented,” he wrote. “I judge people by their actions… not by their banter about ‘spiritually.’”
- Dave Navarro suggests Jane’s Addiction have split in new social media post
- Perry Farrell apologises for attacking Dave Navarro at Jane’s Addiction concert
LeNoble then said that Farrell doesn’t “show up” for rehearsals, soundchecks, or writing sessions, and only appears late with “shitty lyrics”. He described his state as “unprepared, wild eyed, not present, high” before alleging that this was a repeated pattern.
Noble’s last criticism was for Farrell’s wife, Etty Lau Farrell, a vocal commentator on what happened onstage in Boston, and the reasons for her husband’s behaviour. “And Etty is a horrible person. ‘I will sue you…. We have money to burn’ Let’s see where that goes,” LeNoble maintained. “The worst with the biggest ego.”
LeNoble would later delete the posts on X, commenting that there was “no need” for him to add to the Farrell pile-on. He concluded: “I hope PF gets help”.
What has happened with Perry Farrell?
Following her original comments about the Boston altercation, in an Instagram post on September 21st, Etty Lau Farrell wrote that her husband is taking time “to reflect and to heal” after attacking Navarro.
She wrote: “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 had been pushed to his absolute limit.. to that end we apologise.”
Revealing the action that is being taken, she continued: “We are taking a bit of time to ourselves, to reflect and to heal. Perry already has appointments with a otolaryngologist and a neurologist. If you know and love Perry well, you know there’s no need for me to address the other false narratives. Our souls know.”
Etty Lau asserted that with continued love, support and compassion, her husband would eventually recover and be able to pursue his career uninhibited.
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