The band fought physically during a concert
Two members of Jane’s Addiction got into a physical altercation during tonight’s (Fri, Sept 13th) show in Boston. Nine songs into their headlining set at the Leader Bank Pavilion, frontman Perry Farrell went on an explicit tirade before walking over to guitarist Dave Navarro, body-checking him and then throwing a punch.
Farrell’s wife, Etty Lau Farrell, released a statement on her Instagram on Saturday (Sept 14th), claiming Farrell’s frustration “had been mounting, night after night” after feeling “the stage volume had been extremely loud and his voice was being drowned out by the band.” She elaborates, “Perry had been suffering from tinnitus and a sore throat every night. But when the audience in the first row, started complaining up to Perry cussing at him that the band was playing too loud and that they couldn’t hear him, Perry lost it.”
Several videos of the incident circulating on social media show Farrell taking frustration out on Navarro. Eyewitness reports indicate Farrell began shouting at Navarro during “Mountain Song” with the issues worsening during “Three Days.” Farrell finally attacked Navarro at the end of “Ocean Days,” abruptly ending the concert.
Navarro looked shocked by the move as crew members and bassist Eric Avery rushed Farrell, grabbed him, and told him to stop repeatedly as he lunged towards Navarro.
Etty Lou Farrell claims Avery “walked up to Perry, upstage, in the dark, behind [crew member] Dan, put Perry in a headlock and punched him in the stomach three times. Kevin, crewmember with a long hair with long hair pulled Eric away. Then Eric nonchalant walked off to the front of the stage to apologize to audience for the show ended early.”
Last week, Tampa Bay Creative Loafing wrote that Farrell “seemed off early in the set and his behavior seemed to spiral more throughout the night” when the band played the MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre on August 29th.
The band has tour dates scheduled through mid October. It’s unclear if the tour will continue.
Undoubtedly regarded as one of rock’s most influential acts, Jane’s Addiction’s first release was the stunning, self-titled live album Jane’s Addiction in 1987, which led to two studio albums, Nothing Shocking in 1988, and Ritual De Lo Habitual in 1990. The band’s initial farewell tour in 1991 launched the first Lollapalooza which has since become the perennial alternative rock festival.
Buddy sent me this from the Jane’s Addiction show. Crazy end to the show. #JanesAddiction pic.twitter.com/UkMD22aQw3
— Mental mis en place ☢️ 🍽 🧠 (@JwSedlak) September 14, 2024
