Courtesy of Fender Com

 

As a founding member of Jane’s Addiction, Eric Adam Avery balanced Dave Navarro’s glam-metal inclinations and Peretz Bernstein’s sinewy vocal phrasing with passages that served as a rhythmic anchor and harmonic counterpart.

 

Eric waxed two influential studio sides with Jane’s Addiction – Nothing’s Shocking (1988) and Ritual de lo Habitual (1990) before they initially split in 1991.  The band reunited without him in 1997, and 2001.  Eric briefly rejoined in 2008, but left for good in 2010 citing tensions with Farrell.

 

Aside from Jane’s Addiction, Avery has embarked on several experimental projects wherein he moved to piano, synthesizer, and guitar – most notably a project dubbed “Deconstruction” with Dave Navarro, and with another collective which worked under the moniker “Polar Bear.”

 

Deeply inspired by Peter Hook of Joy Division / New Order, Avery has returned to the bass chair anchoring artists including Peter Murphy, Garbage, and Alanis Morissette.  To date he has waxed three solo slabs.

 

Eric’s weapon of choice is Fender. https://youtu.be/wX49A1HMjV8

 

Eric Avery Sound & Vision…

 

Jane’s Addiction:

 

“Been Caught Stealing” https://youtu.be/BzUnqr1t7yI

 

“Jane Says” https://youtu.be/gQjYgR_3UqQ

 

Deconstruction:

 

“LA Song” https://youtu.be/62If3SSdFYk

 

“America” https://youtu.be/4Rcs9D9jwmY

 

Solo Eric:

 

“All Remote No Control” https://youtu.be/adbVBmjYot0

 

“Flyer” https://youtu.be/ROnMBsjbMTI

 

Alanis Morissette:

 

“Spineless” https://youtu.be/OPEljzSR1X0

 

“Mott the Hoople and the game of life….yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah…”

 

He was a founding member of a groundbreaking Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame ensemble that essentially brought “alternative” rock to the masses, and continues to inspire scores of indie bands. A bassist and prolific composer, Michael Edward Mills was REM’s musical workhorse, often doubling on keyboards and providing harmony vocals while laying the harmonic foundation for his higher profile band-mates.

 

Mills’ modus operandi was to work in the pocket with a melodic mindset to serve the songs sung by Michael Stipe and brilliantly fortified by the defining guitar artistry of Peter Buck.

 

 

On the final two woefully under-appreciated REM studio efforts, Accelerate (2008) and Collapse Into Now (2011), Mills flexed his formidable chops with thrilling results, rendering motifs high in the mix that grabbed the listener ala Jack Bruce, Sir Paul, and The Ox.

 

 

Mills’ primary weapon of choice, especially in REM’s latter years, was the Fender Precision, though he did record and perform with a Rickenbacker 4001 and Hofner among others.

 

 

Following REM’s retirement, Mike toils in several low-key projects including the Baseball Project, and collaborateed with artists including Drive By Truckers, Hindu Love Gods (with Warren Zevon) and Joseph Arthur.

 

 

Mike Mills Sound & Vision …

 

“Discoverer” https://youtu.be/z7q5DLS1rAU

 

“Living Well is the Best Revenge” https://youtu.be/rj55GSeXYuI

 

“Man Sized Wreath” https://youtu.be/mzNOtYyiu1c

 

“Supernatural Superstitious” https://youtu.be/IkQPkZuNjvc

 

REM Live 2003 https://youtu.be/f4_Gulqaj6c

 

“What’s The Frequency Kenneth” / “Crush with Eyeliner” https://youtu.be/pbi4LXDPkCI

 

“Man on the Moon” https://youtu.be/CgR7mQlus4k

 

“So. Central Rain” https://youtu.be/msWi0c4tHV8

 

“Driver 8” https://youtu.be/wuFId1RYSZE

 

Dig Mike taking the mic on “Don’t Go Back to Rockville” https://youtu.be/uWRawTxpD4E