Stephen Andrew Perkins (born September 13, 1967) is an American musician and songwriter. A drummer and percussionist, he currently plays with Jane's Addiction, Porno for Pyros, Banyan and Hellride. His style blends rock, jazz, swing, African, Indian and Latin drumming styles together.[1][2][3]
Early life
Perkins grew up in Los Angeles and attended Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, California.[4] He got his first drum kit at age 13 and was primarily influenced by jazz and swing,[1] as well as rock drummers such as Keith Moon and John Bonham.[2] A few years later he met Dave Navarro and together they formed a metal band called Disaster.[1]
In 1985, when he was 17,[1] Perkins was dating the younger sister of bassist Eric Avery.[5] Perry Farrell had worked with Avery in his band Psi Com. Perkins was recruited to join a new band with Farrell and Avery.[1] He convinced them to replace their guitarist with Navarro and they began playing shows around LA in downtown ballrooms and clubs.[5] Perkins states that Jane’s Addiction played late shows at parties which would be attended by other LA musicians after they had played their own shows.[6] He recorded three albums and toured extensively with Jane’s Addiction before they broke up in 1991.[1]
1990–2000: Porno For Pyros, Infectious Grooves, and Banyan
Perkins formed Infectious Grooves with Suicidal Tendencies singer Mike Muir in 1989.[7] After Jane’s Addiction broke up, Infectious Grooves toured in support of Ozzy Osbourne on his No More Tears tour.[1] The following year he reunited with Farrell to begin work on Porno for Pyros. Perkins changed his drum setup for this band, including more percussive instruments in his search for new sounds. He also formed his own band, Banyan – an instrumental act where he felt he could drive the music like jazz bands led by Gene Krupa and Billy Cobham.[2]
Porno for Pyros toured extensively through the early 90s, which influenced their music and Perkins drumming.[1] In 1997, Jane’s Addiction reformed for a one off tour, and released the compilation album Kettle Whistle.[8] Porno for Pyros then went on hiatus in 1998.[9]
2000–2008: Methods of Mayhem, second Jane's Addiction era
Perkins began touring with Tommy Lee’s band Methods of Mayhem in 1999.[1] After the band broke up in 2000, he continued his ongoing relationship with Farrell, contributing drum tracks to three songs on Farrell’s solo album Song Yet to Be Sung in 2001.[10] This was followed by a Jane’s Addiction reformation tour and album, Strays released in 2003.[8] Throughout this period Perkins continued to tour with Jane’s Addiction, and then in 2004 began playing in The Panic Channel with Navarro and Chris Chaney from Jane’s Addiction, along with Steve Isaacs on vocals. He also performed with The Mutaytor in 2006,[11] as well as releasing an instructional DVD Stephen Perkins – A Drummer's Life produced by Drum Workshop.[12]
2008–present: Third Jane's Addiction era
Perkins again joined with Farrell to reform Jane’s Addiction for 3 shows in 2008, and a full tour in 2009.[8] However, in July that year he suffered from a serious infection in his arm and the Australian leg of the tour had to be cancelled.[13] After his recovery, Jane’s Addiction continued to tour and recorded their fourth studio album The Great Escape Artist in 2011.[14] Perkins played with Jane’s Addiction on their tours and sporadic performances throughout the 2010s and early 2020s, and has also played with Porno for Pyros since their reformation in 2020.[15]
Perkins played in Tabitha with the Okai Sisters between 2015-2018.[16][17] Since 2019, Perkins has performed in Think:EXP with Pink Floyd saxophonist Scott Page.[18]
Community work
Perkins has run drum circles for disabled children, adults, and elderly people at a camp in Malibu.[2] He helped develop a wearable percussive instrument called a GoJo Bag which disabled people could use when they were unable to play a drum.
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