A & E

But like the longtime host of "American Bandstand," Farrell wants people to shed their inhibitions and dance -- and not to recorded music.

"Live music is really exciting and it's really fun and it's where it's at today," says Farrell, who appears Tuesday with his band Satellite Party at Mr. Small's Theatre in Millvale. "In the world of music itself, it's about getting out and playing music in a live environment for people. I'm really happy about that because in the last few years people stopped wanting to see live music."

The disc-jockey culture, Farrell says, began to overshadow bands for awhile. But now he's positioned Satellite Party to take advantage of what he feels is renewed interest in live performances.

"There's nothing better than the kinetic energy another human being can share with another human being," he says, "especially when they are listening to real players playing."

Farrell's track record indicates he might be on the cusp of something. As the frontman for Jane's Addiction and Porno for Pyros, he was out in front of trends. As the creator of Lollapalooza in the early 1990s, he set the standard for traveling festivals.

With the Satellite Party album "Ultra Payloaded," he's not exactly breaking new ground -- danceable rock 'n' roll dating to Bill Haley's "Rock Around the Clock." But Farrell gives the music a glimmering sheen, the music thick with grooves and beats. Notably, he enlisted bassist Peter Hook, of New Order; Flea and John Frusciante, of the Red Hot Chili Peppers; and Fergie, of the Black Eyed Peas, to create tracks.

"Although we were just together for a short time when they went away, it was mine to play with," he says. "How amazing is that? These people, I just so admired their work. Peter Hook, without teaching me personally, by listening and observing, I cut my teeth as far as composing and arranging, looking at Joy Division and New Order. I want to be a good friend of his; I want to get more tracks from him."

Farrell also collaborated with Jim Morrison, of the Doors, on the album's last song.

And no that's not a misprint, nor did Farrell find Morrison alive and living in a French chateau. Farrell did obtain a recording of Morrison's song, "Woman in the Window," an unreleased piece from three decades ago, and reconfigured it as the most stunning song on "Ultra Payloaded."

"It would be like if you had lost your mother or your father, and finding a recording of them from 30 years ago," Farrell says. "And they're talking to you again; that's what it felt like. It was one of the highlights of my life."

While the music is entertaining, it's only part of Satellite Party's thrust. The album tells a story of a group called the Solutionists who are attempting to solve the world's problems -- notably global warming and the dangers to the environment -- via group action.

But this is not just a parable for a rock record. Farrell says he firmly believes by raising awareness, the environment can be put on the right track in 10 years, with technologies and solutions already available that will help reverse the damage done to the Earth.

"They exist, so it's not even like we have to stand around with our hands in our pocket saying 'what do we do?'" Farrell says. "And these are funny words coming from the mouth of a musician, but it's all a matter of marketing and capitalism. Those are the two things that are going to save the world. People like myself have to figure out how to market environmentalism so people buy into it and are happy that it's a good decision for them in their lives."

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