Dave Navarro
June 2001

To classify Dave Navarro as just a guitar player is to discredit his music and art, not to mention every phenomenal rock band he’s ever played with. As a member of Jane’s Addiction his guitar playing on recordings and onstage - coupled with the electricity of Perry Farrell, Stephen Perkins and Eric Avery - gave rock music a desperately-needed adrenaline shot during the late 80’s. The guy played so hard it hurt; indeed, there was a lot of self-destruction going on, with massive drug use and tumultuous relationships that led Navarro to a suicide attempt.

Thankfully he recovered, coming to grips by channeling his passion, fury and energy into his guitar and a project called Deconstruction, formed with Eric Avery for a single album that helped purge the pain of the Jane’s years. Additionally, Dave lent his distinctive sound to Red Hot Chili Peppers (which he officially joined from 1993 to 1998), a resurrected Guns ‘n’ Roses, and Porno For Pyros.

For someone influenced by Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page, Daniel Ash of Bauhaus/Love and Rockets and Robert Smith of the Cure, Navarro has done well, having become a guitar icon comparable to the legends he most admired. His first official solo album, Trust No One, was released this summer - just when Jane’s Addiction decided to reform to tour (and possibly record, but without original bassist Eric Avery), making Navarro a very busy guy. But for someone who’s always done stuff with other people, Navarro is now taking the time to focus on himself and his own project.

What was the motivation behind this solo project - was it very different from what was inspired your Rhimorse record back in 1995?

Similar motivations, but on this one it was just time, you know what I’m saying? Time to do some work, so to speak. I mean the songs were written a couple of years ago, and they were what they were - an emotional outpour, blah blah blah, we’ve all heard it before. But the reality is that what I got excited about was the intellectual process in the studio, the mixing process and the completion, the closure. And I think that’s the answer to your question.

I don’t know how to tell you how the motivation was different because motivation is motivation - wherever it comes from is usually different places. But the motivation in terms of this record was definitely a seeking of closure, and I feel like I’ve done that! So what’s cool is that I have no expectations for it, you know what I mean? The only thing I intended to do I did, and I feel like the record’s not even out and it’s far surpassed any goals I may have had.

So now everything else is a bonus, right?

It’s either a bonus… It's either a blessing or a curse. That’s yet to be seen.

Do you plan on touring or doing anything live in any way to support this album?

I do, but the fact of the matter is that we have the Jane’s Addiction tour to worry about, which is more immediate. That just came about because we had the Coachella show and since we had the machine up and running we figured, what the hell, let’s do some more shows! So, the plate’s kind of full with rehearsals and getting ready for that tour, but I definitely want to take this thing out, too.

Is there anybody that you have in mind that, if you were to go on tour, you’d do it with?

I have some players in mind; I don’t think anybody that you may know…. I certainly don’t want to put a supergroup together - I think that would be a big mistake, unless there’s people I truly enjoy playing with. There’s a friend of mine named Dave Kirchner who might play guitar; Roy Mayorga, who played on the album, might play drums; Michael Angelos from a band called Plexi…. But the thing about that is that I live in a city where there’s literally an endless supply of musicians who are all great, you know what I mean?

Yeah - and they’d all love to play with you, I’m sure!

I hope! I mean, I don’t know - that’s nice! But there’s certainly an endless supply of ones that I’d love to play with, and so the line-up isn’t really a concern right now; it’s the timing. And it’s unfortunate that I can’t be out supporting it in a live…uh, you know…in a live…what’s the word I’m looking for…help me out here!

In a live arena?

Live arena! I thought of arena but I thought that would be too much of a pun. Live arena! (Laughs)

You said that the Jane’s thing just kind of popped up, but obviously this record of yours has been in the works for a while, so are you frustrated that you’re kind of being pulled you in two different directions?

No - I mean the thing is that I don’t feel like I’m pulled in two different directions, because both are directions I enjoy. One is collaborative, and one is more singularly oriented - is that a word, singularly? You know what I mean. And they’re both directions I like and I want to pursue. I love being a guitarist in a collaborative band, and I also like making my own music! What is frustrating is the time frame because I’m also someone who likes to live his life and is as out there as I can seem. I don’t mean out there like out in left field, but as much as I can come across as…(Laughs) I don’t know, what’s the word…open, and in public view and performance-oriented. But there’s also a very personal side to my life that I truly enjoy and need. The timing of the two things happening all at once has left it very difficult to do that, you know what I mean?

Yeah, and having been laying low and out of the limelight for a couple of years, is it more difficult to now be thrust back into the public view, as you say?

(Sighs) I think a little bit of both. It’s harder being thrust back into it because I have grown so accustomed to my daily routine and my friends and my surroundings and my home and the things that I enjoy about anonymity. And at the same time it’s easy because it’s like walking into an old pair of shoes, you know what I mean? So, it’s tough to say - there’s a duality that happens there. And I think ultimately with this whole record for me - without getting too introspective and pontificatory…er…I’m reaching here for the words - without getting just too wordy, it was really a matter of me trying to find balance in my life.

And it’s like I came to a place where I found some balance through this process, and then as a result of that was put into a situation where I have absolutely no balance…it’s very awkward. But there’s nothing in my life that I would actually want less of either, which shows how self-centered I am! (Laughs)

Do you plan on any tie-in between your upcoming book and the album?

Actually, there isn’t really a book to speak of at this time, just because my plate’s so full right now, I can’t even like…. We just talked about balance and everything, and I’m trying to approach that right now, ‘cause I also gotta sleep and have a relationship and eat! (Laughs)

Most people might not expect you to do that, but you are human after all.

But to be perfectly honest, at this point I’ve had enough about talking about myself, in terms of the book. It’s like, come on, how much more of himself can he get? I’ll tell you the answer to that: none more!

(Laughing) But, you know, all of these things are an extension of yourself, so if you keep outputting all this stuff, then there’s still more of you to talk about, so it’s going to go on endlessly unless you hole yourself up and never come out again.

Well, hopefully I can learn to do it with balance. Like you said, it has been a couple of years since I’ve really shared any work with anybody outside of my immediate circle of friends, and of course there’s a great hunger for that, and there’s also a great sense of trepidation that goes along with it, too. And I think, just being as compulsive as I am, my natural tendency is to throw it all out there at once. But, you know, I don’t have to do that, and in some ways I’m learning the hard way…but that’s okay! The key word is learning - it doesn’t matter which way you’re learning. Some things I learn easily and that’s cool, too.

What about your relationship with the city of Los Angeles - has that gotten easier over the years? Because for a while you really seemed to have a love-hate relationship with it.

I absolutely adore Los Angeles. I’ll tell you why: It’s the one city that I know that everybody in it is so self-centered that you can actually remain anonymous in it.

Because you think they’re looking at you in the rear-view mirror…but they’re really looking at themselves. (Laughs) Myself included! And there’s something about wanting the excitement of the entertainment industry but also wanting to blend in that I love about it, and that’s kind of what I’m saying in that example, you know?

Are there any artists in particular that you’re finding inspirational or influential these days?

Oh, God, I get asked that question a lot and I always draw a blank. The ones that I like right now - you’re talking music?

Anything inspiring to you.

Artists that I like right now are artists that aren’t really of the same world musically that I am. Massive Attack, Bjork, Aphex Twin…

And why would you say that they’re not of the same world as you?

Because I think that the music that I do is a little bit more organically charged, you know...the electronics versus the…um…

Straight on guitars and amps.

Yeah, rock and roll music. As much electronics as I throw in the mix, the fact of the matter is that they’re rock songs, and they’re dealing with an age-old issue, which is like, poor me, I’m in pain, notice me, I’m in pain. (Chuckling) Whatever - it’s an age-old expression because it’s valid! Everybody can relate. But I just think that I tend to listen to things right now that don’t try and pull me into an emotional direction. I mean, that’s the last thing I need - I need background music. I need head quiet. I don’t need to get into the mind of some guy who’s basically telling me what I just told him.

Speaking of the whole electronic thing, and with so many artists that you’ve worked with before - especially Perry - embracing electronica and remixing and all of this stuff, have you ever flirted with the idea of doing something in that vein?

Yeah, of course! The thing is, honestly, it’s not something that I’m planning on pursuing, but it’s something that came my way I would be very interested in doing it because there’s just so many things that I do wanna take a stab at and I don’t think that all of them have to be public. In fact, I have a little studio at my house and I do experiment with new technologies musically and that keeps it fun for me. I turn to music to get lost in the emotional, but then I can turn to computerized music to get lost on the intellectual side, much like someone would surf the Internet, you know. You’re still getting something done, you’re still learning something, but you’re shutting off your life - or shutting off your mind, I guess, and maybe opening it up to something else - and that’s what I like to play with, that kind of sound…that’s what I gravitate towards that for. But I’m not really…I mean, I don’t know if this sounds conceited or arrogant, but my life has surpassed my goals in terms of what I’ve wanted to do musically, so everything that happens from here on out is just like a gift.

That’s not conceited at all. That’s lucky and you sound very grateful for it.

Yeah, maybe it’s not conceit; it’s gratitude, for sure. I’m just excited to experiment at home with new sounds with a friend of mine as I am to go play with Jane’s Addiction and as I am with this record. And the whole non-expectation factor is really valuable to me.

In light of the whole Jane’s thing, has there been any discussion about you doing something on your own with Eric Avery again? Not like with Jane’s but sort of like Deconstruction?

Oh, no. But there hasn’t been talk of us not doing it either, you know? It just hasn’t come up. But if that’s the plan, I’ll step up to bat.

In the past you’ve talked about guitarists like Robert Smith and Daniel Ash being influences on your own style. Now that they’ve have gone on to work on their own solo material, are they or any other idols of yours doing stuff that’s influencing you, making you want to work with them?

You know what? I’m so thrilled to work with Perry and Stephen that the answer to that question is no. I mean, I don’t know how this sounds, but I’m fulfilled that way. I get asked that question a lot - who would you like to work with? And, like, I don’t really care! Anybody that’s inspiring, you know - and that can be a kid that doesn’t have a deal! I can idolize somebody who isn’t in the public eye. I idolize the thought, the mind set. Honestly, music’s an avenue for me, but it isn’t the avenue. It’s like one street in a very complex city, and it’s a great street, but I don’t want to drive on it all the time.

In getting the distance to look back at your life, what’s different about Dave Navarro now as opposed to Dave five years ago?

Um…I would say Dave Navarro now…hope. Dave Navarro five years ago…um…projecting.

Do you ever feel any pressure or obligation being a Latino in the public eye? Does that ever enter your musical or creative process at all?

Never. No. I think that that would be stereotypical to think that way.

A lot of people expect one’s heritage to be worn as a badge or something.

Honestly! I obviously have a Hispanic background, but I don’t even think of myself that way. I just think of myself as a person, especially in terms of responsibility - I mean, to what? I’m responsible to myself, to being true to myself as a human being. If I’m doing that like seventy-five percent of the time - which is actually shooting high - I’m all right, because that other twenty-five percent of the time is where you learn.