Boston explodes as bandmates clash at Jane's Addiction reunion gig

In the scene in Back to the Future where Michael J. Fox plays Johnny B. Goode on stage and gets so engrossed in the music that he bangs on his own amp, the room falls into a shocked and disapproving silence.

A similar silence descended on the audience at a Boston gig on Friday night when Perry Farrell – aka “The Godfather of Alternative Music” – punched his guitarist Dave Navarro during a song and then, clearly enraged, threw another punch, knocking Navarro back. sending

Pharrell had to be physically restrained by crew members after the altercation and was removed from the stage when fans began booing. A few minutes later, the house lights went up and the show was over.

The incident between the two veteran band members, which appeared to surprise Navarro, was caught on camera from multiple angles by audience members.

On social media, fans who attended the gig to see the newly reunited Jane Addiction on tour reported that the “trouble” started during an earlier song, when Perry allegedly yelled at Navarro. Witnesses said they carried on throughout the set, which one fan noted included an ironic song titled Summertime Rolls.

At X, a videographer who said he attended the show, tweeted that Perry “had a huge bottle of wine with her all evening”.

Pharrell, 65, began his career in the 1980s in American post-punk band Psi Com, before becoming the lead singer of Jane's Addiction.

The band, which created its own unique blend of psychedelic rock, punk and heavy metal music, had an acrimonious split in 1991. Over the years, Eric Avery, a founding member, repeatedly refused to participate in reunion tours but later rejoined the band. 12 year hiatus in 2022. However, Navarro, now 57, was unable to attend the band's reunion tour that year or last year due to prolonged Covid.

The band finally reunited earlier this year in May for their first show in 14 years and are in the middle of a lengthy US tour.

Tensions flared between band members in New York City earlier this week, when the band played two nights on the rooftop of Pier 17, NME reports.

Pharrell told the crowd at Pier 17 that his voice wasn't very good. “Ladies and gentlemen, I have to be honest with you. I've got some problems with my voice. I can't get the notes out all of a sudden,” he said.

Bassist Eric Avery later acknowledged the poor performance in New York in an Instagram post, writing: “Looking forward to another crack at this spectacular rooftop venue tonight. I'm hopeful we'll get better.'