Stephen Perkins

For the 19th century Republic of Texas politician, see Stephen W. Perkins.

Stephen Perkins

Stephen Andrew Perkins (born September 13, 1967) is an American musician and songwriter. A drummer and percussionist, his most famous work is with Jane's Addiction.

Following the dissolution of Jane's Addiction, Perkins, a native of Los Angeles, continued to play with frontman Perry Farrell in the rock band Porno for Pyros. His own project is called Banyan and in the 1990s he was involved in Lil' Pit with Mike Watt. In 1992, he appeared as percussion player on Rage Against the Machine's self-titled first album and in 1995, he contributed percussion to the Red Hot Chili Peppers song "One Big Mob" on their album One Hot Minute (Fellow Jane's Addiction member Dave Navarro was the guitarist of the Chili Peppers during the making of that album.) Perkins also played drums on Nine Inch Nails album The Downward Spiral on the track "I Do Not Want This".

In addition to Banyan, Perkins worked with Jane's Addiction guitarist Dave Navarro, former bass player Chris Chaney (bass player on the third Jane's Addiction studio album Strays) and singer/guitarist Steve Isaacs on a project, entitled The Panic Channel from 2004 until 2007.

Perkins was also involved with members of Suicidal Tendencies in their Infectious Grooves side project, as well as Hellride, a Los Angeles-based Stooges cover band.

Jane's Addiction reunited and played the NME Awards in April 2008, and the band are set to play a secret show in Los Angeles on October 23, 2008.

His drum style is considered to be exotic because of polyrhythms and African elements.

Personal

Stephen and his wife Cindy Juarez Perkins - a Chicago native and artist-were married in 1995. Cindy also appears on Banyan's "Anytime At All" track "Keep The Change" as well as designing the cover art for the first two Banyan CDs.

Discography

Jane's Addiction

• 1987 Jane's Addiction
• 1988 Nothing's Shocking
• 1990 Ritual De Lo Habitual
• 1991 Live and Rare (Compilation of B-Sides and the Remix of "Been Caught Stealing")
• 1997 Kettle Whistle (Compilation of live tracks, demos and unreleased material)
• 2003 Strays
• 2006 Up From the Catacombs (Greatest hits album)
• 2009 A Cabinet of Curiosities (Box set)

Infectious Grooves

• 1991 The Plague That Makes Your Booty Move...It's the Infectious Grooves

Porno for Pyros

• 1993 Porno for Pyros
• 1996 Good God's Urge

Banyan

• 1997 Banyan
• 1999 Anytime At All
• 2004 Live At Perkins' Palace

The Panic Channel

• 2006 (ONe)

External links

• Stephen Perkins' Official Site
• JanesAddiction.org - extensive discography and info
• Stephen Perkins at IMDb
• Drum Channel | Stephen Perkins Interview