Who remembers The Panic Channel, the post-hardcore band from the 2000s featuring members of Jane’s Addiction but fronted by a former MTV VJ instead of Perry Farrell?

The group emerged during one of Jane’s Addiction’s multiple breakups in 2004 and released a studio album in 2006.

Who Were The Panic Channel?

The band consisted of three members from Jane’s Addiction — guitarist Dave Navarro, drummer Stephen Perkins, and bassist Chris Chaney. After Jane’s split for the third time with Perry Farrell in 2004, the other three members decided to continue working together.

They brought in former Skycycle vocalist Steve Isaacs, who also played rhythm guitar in the band. Isaacs had risen through the ranks in the Los Angeles area, studying guitar at Musician’s Institute in the late ’80s. He hosted a local open mic show in Hollywood where he was discovered, leading to his stint as an MTV VJ from September 1991 to April 1993.

After his time at MTV, Isaacs returned to his passion for music and initially landed the lead role in a Broadway production of The Who’s Tommy, personally selected by Pete Townshend.

In 1995, he returned to Los Angeles and formed Skycycle, which scored a major label deal and released one EP before being dropped by their label. The band eventually split in 2000. Following that period, he took on several jobs while performing acoustic shows at Los Angeles clubs. It was there that a mutual friend introduced Isaacs to Navarro, Perkins, and Chaney.

Navarro stated that the band name was inspired by the state of panic induced by the media. He added that they were “channeling the energy inside and outside the room when we create these songs. We like to think of creating music as a way to channel the panic into something tangible.”

What Happened After The Panic Channel Formed?

With Jane’s Addiction inactive, The Panic Channel became a priority. The group signed with Capitol Records and released their only studio album, (ONe), on August 15, 2006.

The album produced two singles: “Why Cry,” which reached No. 33 on the Alternative Airplay chart and peaked at No. 39 on Mainstream Rock. The other notable song was “Teahouse of the Spirits,” a heavier rock track that had a video created primarily to generate interest online.

The Panic Channel, “Why Cry”

The Panic Channel, “Teahouse of the Spirits”

The album itself peaked at No. 110 on the Billboard 200 Album Chart, marking a modest start. On tour, they were joined by another group with TV ties: Supernova, featuring Tommy Lee, Jason Newsted, and Gilby Clarke, who chose Lukas Rossi from the Rock Star: Supernova competition series. Dave Navarro co-hosted that TV series.

As The Panic Channel prepared for their tour, Chaney backed out due to family obligations. Siggy Sjursen of Powerman 5000 initially filled in for Chaney before being named a permanent member of the band.

What Happened With The Panic Channel After Their Album and Tour?

The call came to reunite Jane’s Addiction again in 2008. Navarro and Perkins returned to the band while Isaacs had moved back to New York, creating a geographical obstacle for continuing The Panic Channel.

In 2009, Navarro revealed that he had spoken with both Isaacs and Chaney about returning to the group, but they have yet to reunite in any lasting form or record new music. It appears that members of The Panic Channel participated in Navarro’s Above Ground benefit in 2018, and Isaacs has remained friendly with Navarro; however, the group’s social media has been inactive since then.

What About Jane’s Addiction?

As mentioned earlier, Navarro and Perkins returned to Jane’s Addiction in 2008. They attempted to regroup with original bassist Eric Avery. The band toured with Nine Inch Nails, recorded new versions of “Whores” and “Chip Away,” and released a retrospective box set in 2009. However, by 2010, Avery exited the notoriously volatile band again.

Duff McKagan replaced Avery for their 2011 album The Great Escape Artist, but he did not tour with them. Producer and TV on the Radio bassist Dave Sitek filled that role on tour.

A reunion with Avery was announced in 2022, ending a 12-year absence for him. The band began working on new material and even released “Imminent Redemption” as their first song from the core four members in 34 years. However, tensions escalated during their 2024 tour culminating in an onstage altercation between Perry Farrell and Dave Navarro at their Boston show.

READ MORE: 9 Bands That Broke Up Onstage or Right After

The tour was canceled, additional music was scrapped, and both sides issued public apologies. It seems Jane’s Addiction is now finished as a band; Navarro has stated there is “no chance” they would ever reunite. Earlier this year, both members of Jane’s Addiction and Farrell faced lawsuits against each other over the fallout from the concert altercation and eventual split.