Vintage Video: Jane’s Addiction rehearses ‘Chip Away’ for ‘Saturday Night Live’ in 1997

With Flea filling in on bass for Eric Avery, the reunited Jane’s Addiction appeared on “Saturday Night Live” on Nov. 8, 1997, but only got the chance to play one song: “Jane Says,” which, at the time, the band had just released as a single (a live version) off of the compilation Kettle Whistle.

But it turns out Jane’s rehearsed a second song: “Chip Away,” the percussive closing track to the band’s 1987 self-titled live album (which finally would be released in studio form as part of a free download-only EP issued last year). The video above — featuring Perry Farrell backed on drums by Dave Navarro, Stephen Perkins and Flea — is a rehearsal of that second song, brought to our attention after Navarro tweeted about it today, wryly noting, “‘This is only for camera blocking.’ ha. Sure it is.”

PREVIOUSLY ON SLICING UP EYEBALLS:

• Perry Farrell: Jane’s Addiction’s ‘Gift’ film coming out on DVD this year
• Eric Avery quits again? Jane’s Addiction writing new songs without bassist
• Jane’s Addiction cancels Australian dates after Stephen Perkins hospitalized
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• Official dates: Jane’s Addiction and Nine Inch Nails to unleash joint tour
• Jane’s Addiction opens up its ‘Cabinet of Curiosities’ with new box set