Smash Mouth’s Steve Harwell apparently retires after ‘chaotic’ concert
This browser does not support the video element.
By Natalie Dreier, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
Days after Smash Mouth’s Steve Harwell appeared to be slurring his words and making vague threats during a concert in upstate New York, the frontman has told TMZ he is retiring.
Harwell spoke to 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.”
Smash Mouth representatives told the Los Angeles Times that Hartwell has left the band to deal with medical issues.
“Despite Steve’s best efforts to work through these ailments, he is heartbroken to share that it has become impossible for him to continue doing what he loves most, performing in front of the band’s millions of fans around the world,” the rep told the Times.
A spokesperson for the band said Harwell has had “several types of addiction leading to medical and mental health issues,” including cardiomyopathy and Wernicke encephalopathy which “has greatly impacted his motor functions including speech and impaired memory.”
Video of his performance from Saturday’s concert which has been shared on social media shows Harwell swearing at the crowd and giving what appeared to be a Nazi salute, but Harwell’s representatives told USA Today in a press release that the video clip was taken out of context.
The person who posted the clip said the concert was “the most chaotic show I’ve ever been to.”
“Throughout his career, Steve has been a staunch and outspoken supporter of all minority groups and he regrets his actions,” the press release said, according to USA Today. “But this TikTok video is not an accurate representation of the man Steve is.”
Smash Mouth through the years Smash Mouth at The WB Radio Music Awards, held at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino on October 28, 1999. Photo by Brenda Chase Online USA, Inc. (Brenda Chase/Getty Images)
Smash Mouth through the years Smash Mouth perform live during the 28th Annual Peoples Choice Awards at the Pasadena Civic Center January 13, 2002, in Pasadena, CA. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Getty Images) (Vince Bucci/Getty Images)
Smash Mouth through the years The rock band Smash Mouth attends the 28th Annual Peoples Choice Awards at the Pasadena Civic Center on January 13, 2002, in Pasadena, CA. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Getty Images) (Vince Bucci/Getty Images)
Smash Mouth through the years Smash Mouth performs at the medal awards ceremony at the Olympic Medals Plaza during the Salt Lake City Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images) (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Smash Mouth through the years Steve Harwell of the group Smash Mouth brings a fan up to sing with him at Toys R Us Times Square on August 5, 2003, in New York City. Smash Mouths new CD is called "Get The Picture." (Photo by Matthew Peyton/Getty Images) (Matthew Peyton/Getty Images)
Smash Mouth through the years Steve Harwell of the group Smash Mouth brings a fan up to sing with him at Toys R Us Times Square on August 5, 2003, in New York City. Smash Mouths new CD is called "Get The Picture." (Photo by Matthew Peyton/Getty Images) (Matthew Peyton/Getty Images)
Smash Mouth through the years Michael Urbano of the group Smash Mouth performs songs from their new CD at Toys R Us Times Square on August 5, 2003, in New York City. Smash Mouth's new CD is called "Get The Picture." (Photo by Matthew Peyton/Getty Images) (Matthew Peyton/Getty Images)
Smash Mouth through the years Steve Harwell of Smash Mouth performs at the 2003 U.S. Tennis Open Arthur Ashe Kids' Day at the Arthur Ashe Stadium, USTA National Tennis Center August 23, 2003, in New York City. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Getty Images) (Evan Agostini/Getty Images)
Smash Mouth through the years Smash Mouth arrives at the first annual "Sing For The Children" benefit concert on May 23, 2004, in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images) (Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)
Smash Mouth through the years Steve Harwell (R) and Greg Camp of Smash Mouth perform at the first annual "Sing For The Children" benefit concert on May 23, 2004, in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images) (Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)
Smash Mouth through the years Steve Harwell (L) of the band Smash Mouth sells NASCAR Day pins before the start of the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 race on March 12, 2006, at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas, Nevada. NASCAR Day, NASCAR's primary charitable campaign, benefits several NASCAR industry charities such as Victory Junction Gang Camp, Speediatrics and Speedway Children's Charities. (Photo by Getty Images) (Getty Images/Getty Images)
Smash Mouth through the years Smash Mouth singer Steve Harwell performs during the "CD USA" New Year's Eve event at the Fremont Street Experience on December 31, 2006, in Las Vegas, Nevada. The music show is part of the "America's Party" celebration in Las Vegas, featuring performances by six bands and a fireworks display from casino rooftops for the live New Year's Eve broadcast on DirecTV. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Smash Mouth through the years Smash Mouth guitarist Greg Camp (L) and singer Steve Harwell perform during the "CD USA" New Year's Eve event at the Fremont Street Experience on December 31, 2006, in Las Vegas, Nevada. The music show is part of the "America's Party" celebration in Las Vegas, featuring performances by six bands and a fireworks display from casino rooftops for the live New Year's Eve broadcast on DirecTV. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Smash Mouth through the years Smash Mouth drummer Jason Sutter performs during a rehearsal for the CD USA New Year's Eve event at the Fremont Street Experience on December 31, 2006 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The music show is part of the America's Party celebration in Las Vegas, featuring performances by six bands and a fireworks display from casino rooftops for the live New Year's Eve broadcast on DirecTV. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Smash Mouth through the years Smash Mouth singer Steve Harwell performs during the "CD USA" New Year's Eve event at the Fremont Street Experience on December 31, 2006, in Las Vegas, Nevada. The music show is part of the "America's Party" celebration in Las Vegas, featuring performances by six bands and a fireworks display from casino rooftops for the live New Year's Eve broadcast on DirecTV. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Smash Mouth through the years Steve Harwell of Smash Mouth performs at the 2nd annual Grand Slam Charity Jam at the Potawatomi Bingo Casino on March 10, 2012, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Mike McGinnis/Getty Images) (Mike McGinnis/Getty Images)
Smash Mouth through the years The band Smash Mouth performs at halftime of the Washington Redskins against the Houston Texans game on September 7, 2014, at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Thomas B. Shea/Getty Images) (Thomas B. Shea/Getty Images)
Smash Mouth through the years (L-R) Sean Hurwitz, Paul De Lisle, Michael Klooster and Jason Sutter of Smash Mouth attend the Nickelodeon-sponsored 90sFEST Pop Culture and Music Festival on September 12, 2015, in Brooklyn, New York. (Photo by Brad Barket/Getty Images for 90sFEST) (Brad Barket)
Smash Mouth through the years Sean Hurwitz and Steve Harwell of Smash Mouth perform at 90sFEST Pop Culture and Music Festival on September 12, 2015, in Brooklyn, New York. (Photo by Brad Barket/Getty Images for 90sFEST) (Brad Barket)
Smash Mouth through the years Steve Harwell of Smash Mouth performs at 90sFEST Pop Culture and Music Festival on September 12, 2015, in Brooklyn, New York. (Photo by Brad Barket/Getty Images for 90sFEST) (Brad Barket)
Smash Mouth through the years "Greatest Hits Live Finale: 1980-2005" - The dynamic roster of artists responsible for creating the greatest hits in the music industry from the 80s, 90s and 2000s perform on a night music fans won't want to miss. "Greatest Hits" was broadcast LIVE from the Microsoft Theatre on THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2016. (9:00-11:00 p.m. EDT), on the Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images Television Network. (Kelsey McNeal/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)
SMASH MOUTH, HUNTER HAYES (Kelsey McNeal/Disney General Entertainment Con)
Smash Mouth through the years Musicians Steve Harwell, Paul De Lisle and Greg Camp of the group Smashmouth pose backstage for a portrait at Queen Mary's Rock The Queen at The Queen Mary on June 3, 2017, in Long Beach, California. (Photo by Harmony Gerber/Getty Images) (Harmony Gerber/Getty Images)
Smash Mouth through the years Steve Harwell of Smash Mouth performs during KAABOO Del Mar at the Del Mar Fairgrounds on September 15, 2017, in Del Mar, California. (Photo by Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images) (Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images)