Three Days, named after one of Jane's Addiction singles from their earlier incarnation, follows the band's series of reunion gigs in 1997. Given the band's prodigious drug-taking and all-round hedonism, it comes as little surprise to discover they named these performances The Relapse Tour.

We start with the camera up close and personal on Farrell, trained on him as he talks on the telephone. The phone is a recurring image, performing some sort of confessional function for a band obsessed with religion. The DVD is divided into chapters headed with titles such as 'Exodus' and 'In the Wilderness', and features a cameo performance from a rabbi. Later, guitarist Dave Navarro is captured toying with a bottle of Tippex as his lover worryingly enquires: "You're not shooting up now, are you?"

It's a rollercoaster ride through the dark underworld of rock. We watch as Farrell and Navarro writhe around on stage with erotic dancers, tonguing each one, and even each other, indiscriminately. It's not your average tour movie. Or it may well be, but it's clearly not your average tour movie that's widely released. Other bands lack the honesty of Jane's Addiction who share their innermost secrets to an audience who at times must be watching events through their fingers.

It is not, however, entirely car crash viewing. There are some hilarious episodes, mainly involving Spike Lee's younger brother, Cinque Lee. He's the videographer or an actor playing the videographer - it's all rather misleading. We get to see him chat up groupies on the pretence that Farrell has instructed him to sow his seed and later witness a laugh-out-loud exchange between Lee and jobbing bass player Flea at the Playboy mansion, six months after the tour has finished. Sample quotes: Cinque: "So, Flea, how does it feel six months on?" Flea: "You want me to talk about it now?" Cinque: "No." The routine continues with Flea an unsuspecting straight man to Cinque's funny guy.

What lets the DVD down is Jane's erratic stage shows. There's a weird version of Bar Mitzvah favourite, 'Hava Naglia', which metamorphoses into a discordant percussion session as bandmates join Stephen Perkins on drumming duties. Then there's Perry Farrell's singing itself. Sounding like a kettle coming up to boil, not just on 'Kettle Whistle', it's not everybody's cup of tea. Counterbalancing this, you have the mesmeric Navarro, who boy, like Ziggy Stardust before him, sure can play guitar.

Overall, the band, and Farrell in particular, come across as perverse and I mean that largely as a compliment, apart from their decision to relegate their biggest hit, 'Been Caught Stealing', to the closing credits. Although you have none, shame on you, Perry Farrell.
(3½/5)

Release Date: 03 November 2003

Three Days