After 26 years of giving fans very little hope, it seemed like a strange miracle when Porno for Pyros reunited in 2020. Even if it was just for a virtual performance during the pandemic. Then they shocked the music world with a handful of performances throughout 2022 and announced a full-on tour for 2023. Unfortunately, the tour was later postponed. But once the band rescheduled the tour for 2024, there was yet another plot twist: It would be Horns, Thorns en Halos: the Porno For Pyros Farwell Tour.
First and foremost, I’m a massive Perry Farrell fan. To me, he has the Midas touch! His projects, be it Jane’s Addiction, Porno For Pyros, or Lollapalooza, are among the most creative endeavors we’ve seen in music. As someone born in 2000, I never had the opportunity to see them live in the 90s. So my excitement for their performances in Chicago on the last tour was immeasurable.
But now catching Porno For Pyros on their final leg made the night feel even more special, if not surreal.
Showing up early on the unseasonably warm February night in Chicago, I was treated to a bold and loud set by UK’s Tigercub. Looking like the 80s yet playing like a nasty rock outfit from the 2000s, Tigercub’s set made you want to dance while the filthy chugging bass threatened to break your neck. And it was all done with a splash of new-wave beauty. The frontman’s playful banter with the crowd – ranging from topics like football to Oasis and The Smiths – added to the already entertaining night. It was the perfect send-up for the night’s main attraction, Porno For Pyros.
Bow in hand, guitarist Pete DiStefano’s eerie guitar sounds welled as Perry Ferrell slowly took the stage to open with “Orgasm”. Ferrell’s iconic voice rang throughout the venue, signaling the beginning of an unforgettable show. As he manned the stage with intense grace, Ferrell’s maturity was apparent but the furthest thing from a deal-breaker. While his punk days might be a distant memory, his stage presence is now driven by an introspective personality.
History and age be damned, this night belonged to celebrating a legacy.
Crossing a myriad of genres, Porno For Pyros’ short yet diverse discography was represented in full spectacular fashion. Slow, psychedelic jams like “Porpoise Head” and “Good God’s://Urge!” ( elevated by the masterful bassist Mike Watt) were enough to mellow the crowd, while quicker, punk-esque tracks like “Porno for Pyros” and “Cursed Male” brought them up to a boil. Accompanying the set was a frantic (and at times blinding) light display, giving the group the grand presentation they deserved. It was just about the only thing that could make Pete DiStefano jamming on the guitar more epic than it already was.
“What has the world come to, Chicago?” asked frontman Ferrell early in the show. In between songs, it was normal for Ferrell to talk about the need for unity and his belief that this generation will set things right. He addressed his fear that one day we will all be fighting over water as our natural resources run out. The perfect segway before introducing the song “Agua,” one of the band’s first songs in over 20 years.
Given their short run in the 90s, it’s easy to think of Porno for Pyros as a Perry Ferrell side project. Especially after rising above the ashes of Jane’s Addiction.
Not that they had anything to prove, but this performance was more than enough to remind the audience and by extension, this generation, just who the hell they are. Mike Watt elevated each track perfectly, even while staying seated the entire performance. DiStefano shredded his guitar to make one’s brain explode. Drummer Stephen Perkins kept a constant rhythm throughout the show keeping everything on track. Perkins and Watt’s outstanding chemistry accentuated an exciting tension throughout the night. Even the backup musicians, including Etty Lau Ferrell, did their part to make this worthy of a farewell show.
As a diehard fan, I would’ve been content with everything the band has done up to 2022. From combining genres to influencing modern music in ways artists don’t even realize! But this final Chicago was something genuinely special. Even on their last round, this set solidified history. This is not just a Perry Ferrell side project from the 90s. This is Porno for Pyros and they sure as hell know how to go out with a bang!
All photography by Oscar De Leon
For information, merch, and tickets to the remaining Horns, Thorns en Halos tour, please visit PornoForPyrosOfficial.com