Five Finger Death Punch Singer Arrested, Faces Court Over Alleged In-Flight Assault

The singer of Soundwave act Five Finger Death Punch, Ivan Moody (real name Ivan Greening), has been charged with assaulting aircrew and faced court on Tuesday after alleged “threatening behaviour” towards a female flight attendant on a Qantas flight between Brisbane and Sydney last Saturday.

US metal site Gunshy Assasin broke the news, received via an anonymous tip to metal forum Lamb Goat:

“The vocalist was traveling from Brisbane to Sydney after playing the first date of the 2014 Soundwave Festival in Brisbane earlier that day. He appeared to be very intoxicated and tried to sit in first class but was asked to move to his seat shortly after taking off.”

The anonymous tipster then alleged that the 39-year-old frontman “assaulted one of the female flight attendants and created a scene when they refused to serve him alcohol”. They go on to say that “upon landing two police officers entered the aircraft and escorted him off”.

A spokesperson from Qantas confirmed to FasterLouder that an incident took place on the flight:

“Qantas flight QF553 from Brisbane to Sydney on 22 February was met by AFP following threatening behaviour from an unruly passenger. Qantas takes a zero tolerance approach to aggressive behaviour on board.”

The Australian Federal Police then confirmed to FL that a passenger with the surname Greening was arrested and charged with one count of assaulting aircrew and appeared in a Sydney court on Tuesday. A spokesperson told the website, “The matter is now finalised and it is not appropriate for the AFP to comment further.”

Soundwave promoter AJ Maddah has taken to Twitter to confirm that the tour will go on for the band, responding to a question about the incident with, “I don’t know the finer details. Yes, they are still playing.”

Five Finger Death Punch played the Sydney leg of the festival the day after the alleged incident, and played their Sydney Sidewave on Tuesday and their Melbourne Sidewave last night.

Gallery: Five Finger Death Punch, Avenged Sevenfold – Big Top, Sydney 25/02/14