Nothing's Shocking

Nothing’s Shocking is the debut studio album by the American alternative rock band Jane’s Addiction, released on August 23, 1988 through Warner Bros. Records. The album showcases the band’s funk-oriented musical style through Dave Navarro’s heavy guitar riffs and the distinctive singing style of vocalist Perry Farrell, and was one of the leading albums of the funk metal genre that made its breakthrough in the late 80’s and 90’s. Nothing’s Shocking was well received by critics upon release and is often cited as the band’s best album. Despite this, it peaked at number 103 on the Billboard 200 and produced only one noteworthy single, “Jane Says”, which reached number six on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks in 1988. The album was ranked 305 on Rolling Stones’ “500 Greatest Albums of All-Time”

Warner Bros. gave Jane’s Addiction a list of producers to choose from. The group chose Dave Jerden, whose work as engineer on the David Byrne and Brian Eno album My Life in the Bush of Ghosts frontman Perry Farrell appreciated. Jerden said he “jumped” at the chance to work with the group.

During the recording sessions, Farrell stated he wanted fifty percent of the band’s publishing royalties for writing the lyrics, as well as a portion of the remaining half for writing music. Bassist Eric Avery said he and the other band members, guitarist Dave Navarro and drummer Stephen Perkins, were stunned by Farrell’s demands. Farrell refused to compromise.