Porno for Pyros Secret: Why Perry Farrell Name the Band That Way Revealed

Porno for Pyros Secret: Why Perry Farrell Name the Band That Way Revealed
Theo Wargo/Getty Images for CBGB

How did Perry Farrell come up with Porno for Pyros' name?

Rock bands in the industry created their names based on things that have deeper meanings. When Farrell founded Porno for Pyros alongside his Jane's Addiction bandmate Stephen Perkins in 1992, the frontman intelligently chose one origin for the name.

Porno for Pyros' Name Explained

In 1993, Porno for Pyros debuted with its self-titled album, and its name led the public to speculate whether it was inspired by the Los Angeles riots that happened a year before it started its career.

At that time, a jury acquitted four Los Angeles police officers for using brutal force when they arrested the protester, Rodney King.

Entertainment Weekly detailed in a May 1993 article that Farrell did not name his band Porno for Pyros out of the blue after he saw "his town igniting in flames after last year's Rodney King verdict seems to have left him literally hot and bothered."

Porno for Pyros' songs seemingly pointed out its name's connection to the event decades ago.

Time also published a report saying that Porno for Pyros' name was made when Farrell saw a fireworks ad in a dirty magazine. The publication added that the term "porno for pyros" was used as a lyrical description of the Los Angeles riot.

Porno for Pyros To Return

Even after staying out of the touring spotlight over the past 25 years, Porno for Pyros members are finally gearing up to mark their 30th-anniversary, "Horns, Thorns En Halos."

The leg will start in Wheatland, California, on Oct. 8 before the finale in Austin, Texas, on Nov. 20. They are also set to appear in other shows and festivals in between the dates, including the Downtown Los Angeles' Belasco and Metro.


Farrell, drummer Stephen Perkins, Martyn LeNoble, and Peter DiStefano will complete the lineup.

Aside from the tour, Porno for Pyros will also offer new music this year along with Farrell's other band, Jane's Addiction. It will mark the band's first music since the members reunited at the Welcome to Rockville Festival.

Details about the reported music project are yet to be released to the public.

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