An oral history of the ground-breaking psych-punk-metal band Jane's Addiction, WHORES recounts the rise and fall of the outfit that perhaps best symbolized the decadence of early-1990s Los Angeles. Formed in the mid-'80s in the ashes of L.A.'sglam and punk scene, the band blended an affinity for Led Zeppelin with elements of British'80s acts Bauhaus and Joy Division. They were also an inspiration for the Seattle grunge scene that spawned bands like Mother Love Bone and Soundgarden. As evidenced by WHORES' many contributors, Jane's Addiction combined their musical influences with an astonishing variety of chemical stimuli, with at first spectacular and then chaotic results. But though albums like their 1988 major-label debut, NOTHING'S SHOCKING, and 1990's RITUAL DE LO HABITUAL ensured the band's status as pioneers of'90s alternative rock, feuds--particularly between mercurial singer Perry Farrell and the band's equally volatile guitarist, Dave Navarro--over publishing royalties, as well as spiraling drug habits, guaranteed its downfall. With testimony from band associates, girlfriends, fellow drug addicts, and music scene figures (author Brendan Mullen was a high-profile L.A. club owner), WHORES is an illuminating history both of an influential band and of the L.A. music scene that nurtured it. Copyright (C) Muze Inc. 2005. For personal use only. All rights reserved.