Stephen Perkins, drummer and creative artist, has been a defining force in alternative rock and experimental projects for over three decades. He is best known for his work with Jane’s Addiction, whose powerful rhythms and boundary‑pushing sound helped shape the alternative music landscape beginning in the late 1980s. Across his career he has also performed with Porno for Pyros, Think:EXP, Banyan, Hellride, and other projects that showcase his wide rhythmic palette and adventurous musical approach.
In recent years Perkins continued recording and releasing music with Jane’s Addiction, including new singles in 2024 and early 2025, before a highly publicized onstage altercation led to the cancellation of the band’s reunion tour and the group stepping back from activity. Following the tour’s end, Perkins, bassist Eric Avery, and guitarist Dave Navarro reunited in the studio in 2025 to work on new music together, with Avery posting about sessions featuring Perkins’ drum tracks and Navarro’s guitar contributions. This collaboration represents ongoing creative engagement between three‑quarters of the band’s classic lineup.
Outside Jane’s Addiction, Perkins contributed drums to the track “Deviant” on John 5’s 2025 album Ghost, demonstrating his continued presence in varied rock contexts. He also remains involved with experimental and collaborative projects that draw on his broad musical interests, including his work within ensembles that explore fusion, ambient, and improvisational textures.
Perkins’ playing is characterized by a fusion of rock energy, jazz‑informed touch, and percussive curiosity, reflecting a lifelong dedication to expanding what drums can express in contemporary music. His work continues to influence players across genres while he remains active in composing, recording, and creative experimentation.
Gear:
DW Drums, Zildjian cymbals, Vic Firth sticks, and Remo drumheads.
Sources: Noise11.com, Lambgoat, NME, ThePRP, Grokipedia, Poorman’s 15 Minutes of Fame interview
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Update 1/21/26
“It could go from a swing feel to a real primitive tribal thing and into some kind of chaos, all in one moment.”– Stephen Perkins