Foo Fighters’ Taylor Hawkins played “a big part” in Jane’s Addiction getting back together
"It was his dream to see these guys do this one more time the right way"
by Hollie Geraghty · NMEFoo Fighters’ Taylor Hawkins played “a big part” in Jane’s Addiction getting back together, according to the band’s longtime music tech.
The band recently reunited with their original line-up – comprising Perry Farrell, Dave Navarro, Stephen Perkins and Eric Avery – and played a run of UK and European shows together earlier this year before embarking on a North American tour in August.
This summer also saw the alt-rockers release their first new music in 34 years with ‘Imminent Redemption’.
However, the newly reformed group made headlines earlier this month after apparent tensions came to a head when Farrell shoved Navarro mid-performance during a show in Boston, ending the set abruptly.
Jane’s Addiction subsequently cancelled their remaining dates and confirmed a hiatus, citing the frontman’s “mental health difficulties”.
Now, in a new podcast episode of Rare Form Radio, Dan Cleary – the band’s guitar and bass tech of 17 years – spoke to host Todd Newman – who has been close friends with Navarro for 30 years – about the incident and recent tensions in the band.
Early on in their conversation, he opened up about the band’s rocky return on the road, before revealing: “Taylor Hawkins was a big part of getting this thing back together again.
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“Obviously, before he passed away, it was his kind of dream to see these guys do this one more time the right way.”
After the drummer’s death, Farrell posted a moving video tribute to Hawkins, in which he called the musician his “best friend”.
Farrell performed with Foo Fighters at their final show on March 20, joining Hawkins and co. onstage at Lollapalooza Argentina for a rendition of Jane’s Addiction’s ‘Been Caught Stealing’.
Further opening up about the drama on the podcast, he went on to say that the recent show “went off the rails, to say the least”, before confirming that “the band is no more”.
He also revealed that Farrell punched Navarro in the face backstage after their on-stage fight which was captured on video.
Earlier this month Farrell apologised to his fans and bandmates, “especially Dave Navarro”. He added: “Unfortunately, my breaking point resulted in inexcusable behaviour, and I take full accountability for how I chose to handle the situation.” His wife Etty has also since said Farrell was taking time to “reflect and to heal”.
Jane’s Addiction quietly shared a new single called ‘True Love’ after announcing their hiatus.
Meanwhile, Navarro has apologised for “such a terrible outcome of what started off as an incredibly magical tour”.