Hokahey recapped Dave Navarro’s guitar tech Dan Cleary’s podcast on AintNoRight.org about Perry Farrell’s fight with Jane’s Addiction in Boston and what led to it, “So, I’m going to repeat a lot of what’s been posted, but here are my jotted down notes listening to Dan’s podcast.
But before I start, I have to say I was really struck by how fair Dan was obviously trying to be and how hard he was obviously trying to not make Perry look like a monster while also being factual about what happened.
Band made the decision when Dave came back that they would be a Democracy.
After Europe, had a band meeting to discuss tour. Band voted down having dancers. Perry wasn’t happy.
Perry never came to a single rehearsal.
Band (musicians) wanted to use a bunch of cool, artsy video stuff playing behind band. Perry voted it down. Wanted nothing to do with participating in creating it.
At Vegas tour opener, Perry brought video he had filmed with a camera crew in a dessert with Etty and two dancers basically unclothed and dancing. Band said “no.” Felt like Perry was trying to get the dancers on stage by way of video instead.
Perry was furious and quit the band. Went back to the hotel. People are already arriving for show. Doors have opened.
Etty came in after Perry left and began screaming at rest of band THIS IS NOT A DEMOCRACY.
Went outside in hallway and continued screaming. Doing it in front of Live Nation rep sponsoring tour.
Band decided to play regardless. Considered if there might be anyone in Vegas that could sing. Maybe let the audience sing? Band wasn’t going to disappoint fans that were already arriving.
Management somehow talked Perry in to coming back.
Dan goes on to say how much he loves Perry. How he and Etty were good to him. How Etty has always been first person to ensure crew was taken care of.
Perry pulled away after that. No communication. No joyful interactions. Felt like ‘if my wife can’t be on stage I’m not giving it my all.”
