The first video interview of the conversation series welcomes the iconic frontman for a discussion that ranges from free love, to fuck politics, to making the world a better place through art and music.
The conversation series helmed by clown of Slipknot in the Electric Theater made its proper return to regular programming with the addition of a video component to the weekly podcast.
For the first installment back from a brief pause, clown resumed his series in welcoming pioneering Jane’s Addiction frontman and Lollapalooza architect, Perry Farrell. The conversation featured two of music’s most tenured veterans trading talking points in a comprehensive discussion that touched on art, individuality, and the period of healing that needs to happen in the post pandemic era. Using Farrell’s unparalleled body of work as the catalyst for the discussion, the two shared how art and life play off of one another and how wisdom, age, and experience go hand in hand.
As creative contributors and professional contemporaries, both clown and Farrell share not only a mutual respect for one another but also a unique understanding on a peer level of the rigors associated with being a touring musician, a festival creator, and now, an elder statesmen in their respective circles with a sense of responsibility to their surrounding communities.
The dynamic between the two influential artists makes for an iconic exchange that transcends both generational and genre divides in what truly is a watershed moment in the ongoing run of the Electric Theater series. Stream Perry Farrell on clown’s Electric Theater below.
1:38 – From a very early age, clown found refuge in the record store. Whatever money he had, he saved and poured into music as a personal investment in his artistic foundation.
2:50 – clown recalls a very pivotal day where he retreated to the record store and pledged to himself that he would “find himself” while digging through the record bins. What he found that day was the iconic artwork of Jane’s Addiction’s ‘Nothing’s Shocking’ and was immediately enamored.
5:16 – clown explores the headspace Perry Farrell was in and the kind of artistic confidence he had to have to create such a lasting, impactful work of art
5:53 – Farrell explains that the inspiration for ‘Nothing’s Shocking’ stemmed from a love affair he was carrying on with two women at the time. Recalling the decadence and indulgence of the affair, Perry explained how it consumed his life for a brief period of time and permeated in his art.
6:51 – Free love ain’t free.
7:58 – Perry goes onto explain how he learned about the reality of love when he had a child. True love comes with an element of possession – when you love someone, you claim them and they claim you.
9:09 – The legendary frontman confided that even early on he had lofty aspirations of being great the same way The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, and The Doors were regarded as great.
10:10 – Citing his mid-twenties as a very formidable time, Farrell discussed how from 23 to 28 is such an important window of time of self discovery. You have the youth, energy, and conviction to do whatever you want whenever you want.
10:53 – Farrell recalled coming to LA alone and finding refuge in the Los Angeles underground. Following in the footsteps of legends like Jim Morrison and Darby Crash, Farrell cultivated his identity among the artists and musicians that thrived during the era.
11:48 – “God didn’t want me to die, he wanted me to testify” – Farrell recalls overdosing and being in precarious predicaments and yet, managing to survive to tell his story.
12:44 – Farrell reflects on the lessons in life and love he experienced within his family – confiding that his father was unfaithful to his mother. Witnessing that kind of emotional damage, Farrell knew how not to be and was motivated to be a good partner and a good father.
14:58 – Referencing the divisiveness of the time, Farrell would go onto share how politics have become a line in the sand that separates so many people – including friends and family close to him.
15:45 – Inspired currently by the notion of strong leadership, Farrell shared how Joe Biden, despite being up in age is up to the task of taking on such a monumental job during such a pivotal time with loads of opposition standing in his way.
17:24 – clown confides in Farrell that he looks up to the frontman for not only his artistic accomplishments and his professional accolades, but also his wisdom. clown would then go onto discuss with Farrell what it’s like to earn that wisdom with age and experience.
19:02 – Citing a recent scary incident where his 16-year old son was injured and had to have surgery, Farrell discussed the deposition he has now and how being a good man, a good father, and a good partner are always among his top priorities – even more so than indulging in the wild and crazy times he once was immersed in.
21:47 – Loving life more than he ever has, Farrell talked about finding fulfillment and still being motivated to share his voice with the world and act on his ideas on how to bring the world together.
22:36 – The world will heal itself by committee. People will become tired of being apart and come together
23:50 – Confident the world is closing in on redemption, Farrell shares a sense of optimism about the future and explains that people should treat the world as a tourist destination – enticing people to want to visit and experience all it has to offer.
27:00 – Crediting his wife with the words of wisdom, Farrell shares how disingenuous people can cloud better judgement. The frontman goes onto explain how humanity, has equal parts good and bad within it’s ranks. Both of which come in every shape, size, color, and creed.
28:24 “Most of us should be ashamed of our fucking selves.” Farrell remains emphatic when he explains that most people only use half of their potential and that is a travesty. By that math, the world could be twice as good as it is now.
32:33 – In a very poignant moment, Perry explains, “We know enough now…you don’t need to have anymore wars.”
34:24 – Wearing his emotions on his sleeve, Farrell dives into the pandemic and without naming names, becomes visibly upset when referencing the leadership during such turbulent times.
36:55 – Adopting the attitude of gratitude to be alive right now, Perry details how people should be using this pause to reflect and become better as a result of all of this trauma.
38:12 – clown shares that he has these dreams of being back onstage, ready to play their first song and they can’t because everyone is so overcome with emotion from finally being back that they all have to just soak it in.
39:14 – Prioritizing people over politicians, Farrell details how important it is to travel and meet people from all walks of life as a means of getting the most out of life.
42:13 – clown conveys to Farrell how the line “Wish I was ocean size” has always been so important to him and today he is receiving wisdom indicative of just that… ocean size. clown confides, “If I was ocean size, there would be no problems here.”
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