John's decision for a possible solo career was taken seriously after friends such as, Perry Farrell (Jane's/P4P/Gobbalee), Steven Perkins (Jane's/P4P/Gobbalee), Gibby Haynes (Butthole Surfers), Flea (RHCP), River Phoenix (Deceased actor & musician) convinced him to do it when they told him very bluntly, "There's no good music anymore"

Debut solo album, "Niandra LaDes and Usually Just A T-shirt" was released in 1994.

The track "Ants" was John's first public display of his solo work & can be found on the Jane's Addiction video, "The Gift"

"Smile From the Streets You Hold", the follow up to "Niandra" was released August 28th, 1997.

"Smile From the Streets You Hold", the title track of this CD, was actually supposed to be on "Niandra LaDes", but was taken off while "trimming off the fat".

His other solo projects are: shadows collide with people, to record only water for ten days, dc-ep, the will to death, inside of emptiness, a sphere in the heart of silence, curtains and automatic writing uder the name of ataxia.