UPDATE 1:20 PM PST: More than just a hiatus, Steve Harwell is retiring. Following the video of his last performance going viral, the rocker has decided he can no longer continue the band.
The 54-year-old shared the announcement with TMZ, saying:
“Ever since I was a kid, I dreamed of being a Rockstar performing in front of sold-out arenas and have been so fortunate to live out that dream. To my bandmates, it’s been an honor performing with you all these years and I can’t think of anyone else I would have rather gone on this wild journey with. To our loyal and amazing fans, thank you, all of this was possible because of you. I’ve tried so hard to power through my physical and mental health issues, and to play in front of you one last time, but I just wasn’t able to.”
Harwell noted he’s incredibly grateful to everyone who had any part in the group’s success, as well as to “those who have kept ‘All Star’ relevant as one of the top memes on the internet today.”
“I cannot wait to see what Smash Mouth accomplishes next and am looking forward to counting myself as one of the band’s newest fans.”
According to a source close to Smash mouth, the singer came to the realization it was time for retirement after his weekend performance, knowing he could not continue with the way his health was deteriorating. As we mentioned (below), he was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy eight years ago. Unfortunately, he’s also suffered from heart failure and Wernicke encephalopathy, a condition affecting motor functions, including speech and memory. He’s also been battling substance abuse.
What concertgoers saw at his last show was Steve going through an episode, with the insider sharing he at times didn’t even understand his surroundings.
Sad, sad stuff.
It sounds like he won’t be addressing the Nazi salute controversy now. Not sure any of his health conditions could excuse that kind of behavior. Thoughts??
Something is VERY wrong with Smash Mouth.
As you know, the band has been around since the ’90s, and they were the soundtrack to many childhoods due to their association with Shrek. But in recent times, they’ve been better known for courting controversy — like bagging on Taylor Swift or their infamous packed concert during the height of COVID-19. And now, we’re adding another seriously disturbing incident to the list.
Related: BTW, That Smash Mouth Concert Caused Over 100 New COVID Cases!
On Monday, TikTok user @doesthisfeelgood revealed that she had attended the band’s performance at a beer and wine festival in New York. Describing it as “the most chaotic show I’ve ever seen in my entire life,” she proceeded to share some clips from the event. Not only was the sound unbalanced the entire concert, singer Steve Harwell was belligerent and seemed unwell.
In various clips, the Walking on the Sun vocalist flipped off the crowd, seemed unsteady on his feet, gave an “unintelligible speech” into the mic, and was “absolutely schwasted” in the words of the TikToker.
@doesthisfeelgoodthe most chaotic show I’ve ever been to #smashmouth #heynow #allstar #shrekisloveshrekislife♬ original sound – Haley
At one point, he could be heard bizarrely telling the gathered fans:
“If I could suck my own d**k I’d never leave the house.”
More upsettingly, he threatened members of the crowd, saying:
“I’ll f**kin’ kill your whole family I swear to god.”
Even worse, in one of the clips he throws his arm up in what appears to be a Nazi salute.
@doesthisfeelgoodReply to @moonel0 ##greenscreenvideo ???? ????♬ original sound – Haley
After the original video went viral, the TikToker shared some additional clips from the show (below) that include the musician “wandering offstage and getting stuck behind the speakers” and miming an… inappropriate gesture with a beer.
@doesthisfeelgoodReply to @katielovessharks this blew up so fast I’m scared ????♬ original sound – Haley
@doesthisfeelgoodReply to @karinahunt6 ##greenscreenvideo Does no one remember that smash mouth gave 25,000 people Covid♬ original sound – Haley
Related: Did Leigh-Anne Pinnock Call Out Former Little Mix Bandmate Jesy Nelson Over Blackfishing?
This uncomfortable (to say the least) performance came days after TMZ reported that the 54-year-old was struggling with his cardiomyopathy, a heart condition he was diagnosed with back in 2015. The issue caused Harwell to miss some performances earlier this month, but he had supposedly “adjusted” things in order to return to the stage.
Smash Mouth have not yet made any comment about Harwell’s behavior or their off-the-rails performance. Obviously we only have these out of context clips to go on, but something definitely needs to be addressed here. Whether the artist’s issues are related to a heart problem or to alcohol, he was clearly not doing okay and needs some help. And the Nazi salute thing… well, that also needs to be addressed and apologized for, whatever the intent was behind the gesture.
[Image via Judy Eddy/WENN & @doesthatfeelgood/TikTok]
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