More details have emerged regarding singer Perry Farrell’s meltdown at Jane’s Addiction‘s September 13th Boston show that led to the alt-rock band’s tour being canceled. Dan Cleary, a guitar tech who was working the tour, has given a detailed account of the events leading up to the incident, while also divulging that Farrell punched guitarist Dave Navarro in the face backstage after the initial onstage skirmish.
As previously reported, Farrell shoved and punched Navarro onstage toward the end of the band’s show at Leader Bank Pavilion, ending the concert abruptly. He was pulled off the guitarist by Cleary and bassist Eric Avery, who subsequently landed a couple of punches on Farrell.
On the latest episode of his podcast Rare Form Radio (as reported by Variety), Cleary discusses the Jane’s Addiction disfunction with Navarro’s longtime friend Todd Newman.
Cleary explains that the problems started when Farrell and his wife Etty Lau wanted a more elaborate production for the band’s North American tour, including dancers and backup singers. However, the other three members of Jane’s opted for a more scaled-down show.
“It’s 2024, it’s a bit of a different time,” said Cleary. “You know, having scantily clad chicks onstage or on video, I don’t think it’s as empowering as maybe the Farrells might think it is … The Farrells sort of couldn’t let go of this thing, to the point that before the first show, Perry quit the band.”
Farrell was ultimately persuaded to move ahead with the tour, but the lack of production apparently upset him so much to the point that he was despondent with his bandmates throughout the run.
Cleary noted that two other shows on the tour were particularly bad, including one in Tampa and the first of two nights in New York City.