Following the demise of the critically and commercially successful Jane's Addiction project, frontman Perry Farrell and drummer Stephen Perkins formed Porno for Pyros after acquiring guitarist Peter DiStefano and bass player Martyn LeNoble. Farrell named the band after viewing an ad for fireworks in a pornographic magazine. The name has also been connected through song lyrics to the LA riots which occurred in the band's hometown around the time of Porno for Pyros inception. Prior to releasing their eponymous first album, Porno for Pyros embarked on a nationwide tour to support the new band. By the time the band's debut album (Porno for Pyros) was released in 1993, anticipation surrounding the project was enough to briefly drive the album to the #3 position on the Billboard top 200 list. Reaction to the album was mixed, with some fans ecstatic and others disappointed. The video for the album's first single, "Pets," received heavy airplay on MTV. Following the album's release, Porno for Pyros continued a heavy touring schedule, including an appearance at Woodstock '94. Unlike the relatively straight-ahead rock shows that were the hallmark of live Jane's Addiction, Porno for Pyros live shows relied heavily on props, extras and special-effects (including, but not limited to, pyrotechnics).
For the band's follow-up album, Good God's Urge, bass player LeNoble quit after completing the majority of the bass tracks. Ex-Minutemen bassist Mike Watt was brought in to finish up the album tracks and join the band on tour. The album also featured the post-Jane's Addiction reunion of Farrell with guitarist Dave Navarro, who made a guest appearance on "Freeway," along with Red Hot Chili Peppers' bass player Flea. The band again set forth on a heavy touring schedule. On several tour stops Porno for Pyros played "Mountain Song," a popular Jane's Addiction tune, and was a foreshadowing of the later Jane's Addiction reunion efforts. Further touring by the band was scuttled when DiStefano was diagnosed with cancer in 1997.
Perkins and Watt subsequently formed the punk jazz improvisation group Banyan and, along with DiStefano, occasionally perform sets of the Stooges cover versions in the Los Angeles area under the band name Hellride.
The Jane's Addiction/Porno for Pyros book Whores (by Brendan Mullen) states that a third Porno for Pyros album was penned but never recorded.
In April 2009, the original lineup of Farrell, Perkins, DiStefano, and LeNoble performed at Farrell's 50th birthday party.
Kimberly Austin
Porno for Pyros Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She's luck before I'm going away
I wonder what she thinks about herself
She is mine and no one else's
Kim
Kim
Kimberly Austin
She turns the knife around
Kisses my fingers when I go by
See my mother in her eyes
Kim
Kim
Kimberly Austin
I like to watch her sway
She's luck before I'm going away
I like what she sees in herself
Gives me all of her confidence
Kim
Kim
Kimberly Austin
The lyrics of "Kimberly Austin" by Porno For Pyros, tell the story of a man who is enamored with a woman named Kimberly Austin. He describes how he likes to watch her, especially as she sways. It's clear that they have a connection and it's mentioned that she is his and no one else's. The next line expresses the man's curiosity about what Kimberly thinks of herself. He finds her fascinating and alluring.
The lyrics then take a darker turn when the man mentions watching Kimberly turn the knife around and run it down her side. This line could be interpreted in a few different ways, but it may be referring to Kimberly self-harming or engaging in dangerous behavior. However, despite this darkness, the man is still drawn to her and is comforted by her familiarity. He sees echoes of his mother in her eyes which creates a sense of closeness and intimacy.
Line by Line Meaning
I like to watch her sway
I enjoy observing her movements
She's luck before I'm going away
She feels fortunate before my departure
I wonder what she thinks about herself
I am curious about her self-perception
She is mine and no one else's
I possess her exclusively
Kim
Calling her by name
Kim
Calling her by name
Kimberly Austin
Mentioning her full name
She turns the knife around
She manipulates the situation in a way that affects me negatively
I watch her run it down her side
I observe her actions with interest
Kisses my fingers when I go by
She shows affection towards me
See my mother in her eyes
I recognize similarities between her and my mother
Kim
Calling her by name
Kim
Calling her by name
Kimberly Austin
Mentioning her full name
I like to watch her sway
I enjoy observing her movements
She's luck before I'm going away
She feels fortunate before my departure
I like what she sees in herself
I appreciate her self-confidence
Gives me all of her confidence
She bestows her self-assurance upon me
Kim
Calling her by name
Kim
Calling her by name
Kimberly Austin
Mentioning her full name
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: MARTYN LENOBLE, PERRY FARRELL, PETER DISTEFANO, STEPHEN PERKINS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@benjaminlizana1994
I like to watch her sway
She's luck before i'm going away
I wonder what she thinks about herself
She is mine and no one else's
Kim
Kim
Kimberly austin
She turns the knife around (she turns the knife around)
I watch her run it down her side (i watch her run it down her side)
Kisses my fingers when i go by (kisses my fingers when i go by)
(See my mother in her eyes) see my mother in her eyes
Kim
Kim
Kimberly austin
Kim
Kimberly austin
Oh, kim
(Kimberly austin)
I like to watch her sway (i like to watch her sway)
She's luck before i'm going away (she's luck before i'm going away)
I like what she sees in herself
Gives me all of her confidence
Kim
Kim
Kimberly austin
Kim
Kimberly austin
@et9577
I like to watch her sway
She's luck before I'm going away
I wonder what she thinks about herself
She is mine and no one else's
Kim
Kim
Kimberly Austin
She turns the knife around
I watch her run it down her side
Kisses my fingers when I go by
See my mother in her eyes
Kim
Kim
Kimberly Austin
I like to watch her sway
She's luck before I'm going away
I like what she sees in herself
Gives me all of her confidence
Kim
Kim
Kimberly Austin
@AnthonyD1986
Porno For Pyros and Janes Addiction are so underrated. Absolutely great music.
@esgrouviadomix
one of the most underrated albums of the 90´s ...so good..
@TheUnschooledMasterEducator
Filipe Esgrouviado Agree!
@computron808
I totally agree !!!
@frannybellotti4790
Hellz ya. You had to really be into Jane's addiction to follow over into this stuff. But Pets was a big hit.
@Vanity215
I was obsessed when this album came out
@kkfahdhshhs5281
na bro
@haileyadcock1164
I sang this to my baby, well she was a chicken but she was MY baby, and this is the song that she first fell asleep to in my hands, and i sang it to her the night she passed. It always made her so calm and happy, she'd bob her head and peep until she'd fall asleep. I always loved Perry Farrell and his music, but this one has so much soul, and I'm glad I had this for my baby, it felt so special.
@garylkwoodlardl3951
😢
@727skydivers
Restoring faith in mankind, one step at a time. Thank you!