Clowns' Hanny J Admitted To Hospital, Departs Aus Tour

Hanny J, the bassist and backing vocalist in Melbourne hardcore punk band Clowns, has stepped off their Endless tour that begins in Brisbane tonight after she was admitted to hospital this week.

Taking to social media yesterday (14 March), Hanny J shared that she’s been in hospital and receiving treatment for detox and complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD).

Writing that she knows many readers wouldn’t have heard of CPTSD and that she hadn’t until 2021, Hanny J has shared how the condition affects her and her addiction issues.

“Even though as I’m writing this in here and I’m scared and don’t have all the answers I want right now, I can’t ignore the beautiful opportunity this is to shed light on the reality of mental health and depression,” she wrote.

“It doesn’t discriminate and it doesn’t work around your schedule. It’s taken me 15 years to reach out for help because I didn’t think I deserved it and I should be able to handle everything on my own.”

For anyone reading her post (and, by extension, this article), Hanny J has proved that getting help is possible no matter how many doubts you have.

She continued, “I am proof right now that you can get help. Your true friends will support you and won’t give up on you. You won’t ’fuck everything up’ and you deserve love and support and you don’t have to suffer alone.

“No one wants me to be a part of this tour more than I do. But this is something I need to do,” she added, encouraging Clowns fans to support her bandmates on this tour.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Clowns (@clownsband)

The Endless tour was postponed from its original October/November 2023 dates to this month and April after a member of Clowns revealed that they were dealing with a long-term and ongoing RSI injury (repetitive strain injury that often affects the hands, wrists, forearms, shoulders, elbows, etc.).

Clowns are touring in support of their fiery new album, Endless, released last October.

Endless dropped via the band’s independently run record label, Damaged, in Australia and New Zealand and the revered punk record label Fat Wreck Chords in all other territories. Clowns are officially the second Australian punk band to join the famous 30-year-old label behind the legendary Frenzal Rhomb.

CLOWNS

2024 AUSTRALIAN TOUR

WITH SPECIAL GUESTS VOIID

Friday 15 March – The Brightside, Brisbane

Friday 29 March – Lion Arts Factory, Adelaide

Saturday 30 March – Amplifier Bar, Perth (Voiid no longer appearing)

Friday 5 April – 170 Russell, Melbourne

Saturday 13 April – Crowbar, Sydney

Tickets here.

If you or someone you know is suffering from depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts or other mental-related illnesses, we encourage you to get in contact with Beyondblue or Lifeline.

Beyondblue: 1300 224 636

Lifeline: 13 11 14

Suicide Call-Back Service: 1300 659 467

Beyondblue and Lifeline both also offer online chat/counsel. Check their respective websites for operational hours and further details.