A little over a decade ago, Dave Grohl broke his leg onstage in Sweden, prompting the Foo Fighters to cancel a bunch of tour dates before the frontman eventually returned to perform in an ergonomic motorized throne. Now, unfortunately, his bandmate Pat Smear has succumbed to a similar fate, having recently “smashed the shit out of his left foot” during a “bizarre gardening accident.” Beck/St. Vincent collaborator Jason Falkner will be filling in for Smear on the Foos’ tour dates for the foreseeable future until his foot fully heals.
Before you point and laugh too hard, it’s worth noting that bizarre gardening accidents are indeed a tragic phenomenon in rock music. Back in spring of 2020, Queen’s Brian May was hospitalized not for COVID, but for tearing his glutes “to shreds” in “a moment of over-enthusiastic gardening.” In a way, Smear is carrying on a noble tradition (it doesn’t sound like he’ll be bringing out the throne, though). Here’s to a speedy recovery.
