Perry Farrell assaults Dave Navarro onstage during Jane’s Addiction concert
The latest Jane’s Addiction concert ended unceremoniously as lead singer Perry Farrell approached Dave Navarro and lashed out at the guitarist. The hullabaloo between the two brought a swift end to the show.
There had been rumblings of discontent in the camp prior to the concert. During an outdoor gig in New York on Tuesday, Farrell told the audience: “Ladies and gentlemen, I have to be honest with you. Something’s wrong with my voice. I just can’t get the notes out all of a sudden.”
Bassist Eric Avery brought further attention to the fact that the band weren’t functioning at the height of their capacity when he wrote: “Looking forward to getting another crack at this spectacular rooftop venue tonight. I’m optimistic we will be better.”
However, nothing had quite suggested that a fight would imminently break out in the manner it did in Boston last night, (Friday 13th). The band were playing the Leader Bank Pavilion and even Stephen Perkins’ drum kit was kitted out with balloons to celebrate his birthday, but things were cut short after 11 songs when, largely inexplicably, Farrell turned on Navarro.
The confrontation was quickly quelled by crew members and Avery who stepped in to drag Farrell away from a stunned Navarro. There was very little explanation for the incident or the behaviour of the 65-year-old frontmen. Navarro didn’t appear to do anything to provoke the attack besides his usual caterwauling racket.
The band were scheduled to play another show at the Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater, Bridgeport, CT, on September 15th. As of now, this concert remains scheduled to go ahead and the band have not made any statement regarding the incident or the abrupt cancellation of the Boston show.
Who are Jane’s Addiction?
Jane’s Addiction former in Los Angeles in 1985. The band were brought together by Farrell and Avery following the dissolution of the singer’s previous band, Psi Com. They then recruited Navarro and Perkins and experiment with a unique blend of alternative rock, funk and psychedelia.
Since those early days where they established themselves as one of the leaders of what Farrell proclaimed to be the ‘Alternative Nation‘, they have had an on-off existence both on the road and in the studio. They have only ever released four studio albums, first broke up in 1991 and have subsequently toured over the years with an array of substitute members, including Flea replacing Avery for a brief tour in 1997.
However, the most recent shows were dubbed as somewhat of a return with the original four-piece together once again. Presently, things haven’t unfurled as intended on a tour pitted with minor disasters.
Never Miss A Beat
The Far Out Music Newsletter
All the latest music news from the independent voice of culture.
Straight to your inbox.