By LARRY GETLEN
May 27, 2007 -- WHILE Satellite Party, the new outfit from Jane's Addiction vocalist and Lollapalooza founder Perry Farrell, is a smooth hybrid of rock and dance styles, Farrell's mission wasn't just to unite the two, but to make the music feel at home in the natural habitat of each.
"I wanted to bring rock into the clubs," says Farrell. "You go and you're listening to hip-hop or dance music, but not rock. I wanted to bring [rock] cuts for the DJs to put on after Jay-Z."
That Satellite Party fits that bill is surprising, considering that the guitarist for the project, whose debut CD drops Tuesday, is ex-Extreme shredder Nuno Bettencourt, better known for Van Halenish frills than booty-shaking grooves.
But for Farrell, Bettencourt was the special ingredient that made this music a true genre hybrid.
"People think it's hard to create a new sound, and it isn't," he says. "It just takes adding a simple part. Nuno doesn't come from electronic house music, but bringing him into that is that part."
Beyond Bettencourt, Farrell loaded the CD with talented friends such as Fergie, Flea and John Frusciante. But perhaps his most unusual guest is the one who passed away more than 35 years ago - The Doors' vocalist Jim Morrison.
The song "Woman in the Window" features a never-before-heard vocal from The Doors' shaman, which Farrell remixed with the permission of the surviving band members. Farrell considers Morrison's chorus of "just try and stop us, we're going to love," his personal mantra.
"It was an a cappella stream of consciousness," says Farrell. "It didn't have a chorus, and I organized it as a song. I always felt that Jim Morrison was the most courageous guy for helping us recognize our freedoms. He was our greatest American poet."
But making inspired music is just a small part of Farrell's mission these days. An ardent environmentalist, he made sure the Satellite Party CD came in eco-friendly packaging and participated in a meeting this past January on global warming held by British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
"He's got a young heart," Farrell says of the outgoing British leader. "He smiles easily and his eyes are bright. He's a good man."
While Farrell seems to have kind words for everyone, his tone turns when discussing Jane's Addiction.
"When that ended, it was like something blew up," says Farrell. "I haven't heard from [them] since [our last show]."
Despite any animosity, Farrell says that Jane's fans won't be disappointed by Satellite Party's live show, which the band brings to New York's Highline Ballroom on June 4.
"We'll play Satellite Party songs, Jane's songs, Porno for Pyros songs, covers," says Farrell. "It's a lot of fun being at rehearsal. I stay a lot longer than I ever stayed with Jane's."
