Like any tour documentary, looking inside the mystical travelling caravan that is called Jane's Addiction is a far cry from the realistic long van rides, fast food, small clubs and not all glitz story of most rock and roll bands. Starring Perry Farrell, Dave Navarro, Stephen Perkins, and Flea as the 1997 version of Janes Addiction in the midst of their ‘Relapse Tour,’ Three Days, by Carter Smith and Kevin Ford wins on the stage and loses outside.
The band’s first tour in six years, following an idefinite hiatus following the release of their classic 1990 record
Ritual De Lo Habitual, finds the shirtless foursome on a close-to-two month tour that, upon review from the camera’s lens, turns into a tour with heavy sexual overtones. From the poll dancers on stage to the Farrell’s proclamation that a "seed must be planted while on tour," the film is wrapped in hormonal decadence.
Of course, as you may expect, the star of any Jane's Addiction feature would have to be the colorful, spiritual banshee himself….Perry Farrell. Woven within the various live songs, we witness the man revisiting his Jewish roots, spending time at the Playboy Mansion and embellishing himself in bit of surfing. Mixed with a bit of backstage wine drinking, a bit of drug talk and some groupie teases, it's a quick glimpse of what it’s like touring with rock and roll luminaries – but perhaps not enough. Meanwhile, Navarro, (pre Carmen Electra) shows his appreciated for a fan’s baked goodies, but never fully shows the real "Dave," proving he is indeed, an enigma. And all the while, the always exuberant, Flea, gives retrospect to his guest bass spot. Specifically what six weeks on the road can do to even the strongest of players, often seeming exhausted by the whole music industry process. Meanwhile Stephen Perkins, perhaps one of the finest kit men around, is just plain content to be around for another wild ride.
Still, the music speaks volumes. From the opening live number "Ted, Just Admit It," with the patented ominous rolling bass line, Farrell swoons and yells "sex is violent" in his piercing trademark howl, permissing the female poll dancers to gyrate graphically on stage. The pronounced cinemotography allows the live versions of "Hava Nagila," "Mountain Song," "Summertime Rolls," "Ocean Size," "Pigs in Zen," and "Three Days," to shine effortlessly. Although Three Days has its flaws, the music remains 100% addictive.
