Jane’s Addiction’s concert last night (Friday, September 13) in Boston, at the Leader Bank Pavilion ended early after an altercation between co-founders Perry Farrell and Dave Navarro. Perry Farrell, appearing to be drunk and otherwise impaired assaulted Dave Navarro during end of the song “Ocean Size,” towards the end of their set. Farrell, who has seemed to struggle with sobriety on this tour, and reports of the band’s mixed performances have marred what was supposed to be a triumphant tour, likely one of their last. Farrell aggressively bumped shoulders with Navarro, and got in the guitarist’s face and cursed at him. Navarro seemed to not know why Farrell attacked him. Dave stopped playing and put a hand up to Farrell’s chest to prevent him from furthering the incident. Then Farrel seemed to punch Navarro in the face before being held back by a roadie and Jane’s Addiction bassist Eric Avery. Avery and the bands’ roadcrew forced the singer off-stage. Their are 15 dates left on the tour with openers Love & Rockets, set to end in Los Angeles on October 16th. Later in the evening, Farrell’s wife, Etty Lau Farrell, gave Perry’s side of the story that tensions had been mounting the entire tour with the band being too loud on stage and Perry struggling due to tinnitus and a sore throat every night. Watch video of the fracas, and read Etty’s post below.
Jane’s Addiction drummer Stephen Perkins was celebrating his 57th birthday at the show. Navarro, who appeared shocked by the sudden attack, threw a pick into the crowd before leaving the stage. Earlier in the week, Farrell, and Jane’s had a rough to shows at the Rooftop at Pier 17 in New York City on Tuesday and Wednesday.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I have to be honest with you. Something’s wrong with my voice,” Farrell admitted to the crowd on Tuesday before adding “I just can’t get the notes out all of a sudden.” The next day, Avery posted to Instagram: “Looking forward to getting another crack at this spectacular rooftop venue tonight. I’m optimistic we will be better.”
In a recent interview with Guitar World, Avery was unsure if Jane’s Addiction would be still standing in 2025.
“I still don’t know if we’re a band that you ever assume will be here a year from now,” he told the magazine. “That being said, yeah… there is a revitalization and a reconnection. Let’s hope it lasts.”