ROCK music has always thrived on a sense of danger.
In fact the world of rock is a dangerous place, especially when you combine volatile personalities with drugs, alcohol and prolonged periods on the road.
But sometimes you don't even need that combination for things to get out of hand.
Sometimes there seems to be no reason as to why rock gets violent.
Here's five recent stoushes that demonstrate the darker side of rock `n' roll.
John Lydon's posse vs Kele Okereke
ROCK fights don't get much nastier than the recent beating Bloc Party frontman Okereke received at the hands of the entourage belonging to Sex Pistols' screamer Lydon aka Johnny Rotten. Backstage at this month's Summercase festival in Spain, Okereke approached Lydon to tell him how awesome he thought Lydon was. Okereke was particularly a fan of Lydon's post-Pistols project Public Image Ltd and wanted to ask if there were plans for PiL to reunite. Unfortunately, Lydon and co didn't take too kindly to Okereke's approach and attacked him, leaving the Bloc Party singer him with ``severe facial bruising, cuts to his face and body, and a split lip'', according to ClashMusic.com. And if not for the intervention of members of UK bands Kaiser Chiefs and Foals, it could have gotten worse. The situation wasn't helped by one of Lydon's crew telling a beaten Okereke ``your problem is your black attitude!'', leading to further outrage. Police are investigating but Lydon refused to apologise, instead telling Okereke in a media statement to ``grow up and learn to be a true man''.
Noel Gallagher vs Liam Gallagher
IF not for their music, Oasis would still be a great band for the sheer fact the Gallagher brothers continue to play with each other despite such a history of punch-drunk animosity. Guitarist Noel once threw a chair at his frontman brother after Liam changed the lyrics during a concert so as to deliberately offend the audience and Noel. In a later incident, Liam heckled his fellow bandmates during an unplugged concert, having pulled out himself claiming a sore throat, which led to a punch-up. In fact, Oasis' career is littered with numerous fist-fights and quittings, so the fact they're still making music together is nothing short of a miracle.
Craig Nicholls vs The Vines
IT can't be easy touring with The Vines frontman Craig Nicholls. At the height of their fame, Nicholls' behaviour became increasingly erratic with many shows ending in messy walk-offs mid-set. Things reached a climax when he had a fist-fight on stage with bassist Patrick Matthews. The band somehow struggled on until Nicholls threw music equipment at drummer Hamish Rosser backstage at The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Rosser remained in the band, but Matthews walked out after a Triple M show during which Nicholls abused the audience and assaulted a photographer. He's since been diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome, but in interviews he still carries the intensity of a powder keg about to go off again.
Tim Rogers vs Missy Higgins
MALICIOUS attack or drunken accident? The rumour mill went into overdrive after an incident at the 2006/2007 Falls Festival which left ARIA-winning pop pixie Higgins concussed at the hands of You Am I elder statesman Rogers. Higgins later told The Age Rogers ``gave me a big hug when I came off stage. And then . . . umm . . . it became an infamous night'', adding there was nothing nasty behind the bear-hug which toppled her over and smacked her head. The unofficial story, which is naturally much more entertaining, is that a drunk-and-drugged Rogers deliberately spear-tackled Higgins in a jealous rage. One thing that's definitely true is that Rogers was having trouble with ``intoxicants'' at the time and cleaned his act up soon after the now infamous Higgins Hug.
Tommy Lee vs Kid Rock
LEE and Rock have a couple of things in common - mainly that they're both low-IQ publicity-hungry rockers who make for regular tabloid fodder. They're also both ex-husbands of Pamela Anderson, which was supposedly the spark that light their fiery encounter at last year's MTV Video Music Awards. Details are sketchy thanks to wildly differing accounts from the parties involved and witnesses, but Lee apparently started mouthing off at Rock, who then backhanded Lee across the face. Lee went to jump up from his chair and retaliate but Rock slugged him. Minders and bodyguards jumped in, separated the pair and dragged them from the building. Maybe we should just get 'em in the ring together and Pamela can re-marry the winner.
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