THAR SHE BLOWS! Moby Attacked

By Christopher Muther, Globe Correspondent, 12/13/2002

latinum-selling electronic musician Moby was attacked early yesterday morning outside the Paradise Rock Club, following a radio station-sponsored holiday concert where the 37-year-old self-described pacifist spoke out against aggression and violence.

According to police and witnesses, Moby, whose real name is Richard Melville Hall, was signing autographs outside the Commonwealth Avenue club in Brighton about 1 a.m. when he was approached by two men in their early 20s. One of the men, wearing a green hooded sweatshirt, punched Moby in the back of the head and on the right side of his face, breaking the singer's glasses and cutting and bruising his face.

When two security guards from the Paradise attempted to stop the attack, the assailants sprayed Moby, Moby's manager, and the two security guards with a mace-like substance.

The two suspects fled on foot down Commonwealth Avenue in the direction of Babcock Street.

Police say if the two men are caught, they will be charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. Moby declined medical attention.

The two attackers did not attend the concert, said Paradise manager Jeff Marshall.

In recent months, Moby has faced threats and insults from rapper and ''8 Mile'' star Eminem. A publicist at Eminem's record company said yesterday it would be ''ridiculous'' to think the attack would have been prompted by the singer's statements.

Moby, who was performing in Boston at the WBCN Xmas Rave, described the incident on his Web site yesterday, telling fans: ''Please don't let the fact that I was attacked ruin your night. I'm not badly hurt. Really, just some bruises and cuts.''

Moby is electronic music's first bona fide superstar, a crossover success who sold 10 million copies of his 1999 album ''Play'' and scored a radio hit dueting with No Doubt's Gwen Stefani on the song ''Southside.''

For the past two years, the Connecticut native has headlined a touring festival that has featured notable guests such as David Bowie. The festival played to near-sell-out audiences in the Boston area this year and last.

Even if his name is not familiar, chances are his music is. All 18 songs from ''Play,'' which blends soothing electronics with dusty, gospel-influenced vocals, were licensed for commercials and have helped sell products ranging from cars to liquor. The outspoken singer is known for his views on everything from animal rights to religion.

The feud between Moby and Eminem began at last year's Grammys, when Moby called Eminem a ''misogynist'' and a ''homophobe,'' Entertainment Weekly reported on its Web site. At this year's MTV Video Music Awards, Eminem said of Moby from the stage, ''I will hit a man with glasses,'' the magazine reported.

In the song ''Without Me,'' Eminem raps ''And Moby, you can get stomped by Obie'' (referring to Eminem's DJ, Obie Trice). Eminem's most recent US tour also included the mock murder of a Moby impersonator, which culminates with the rapper ''shooting'' the Moby look-alike.

A representative at Eminem's record company asserts that the rapper has ''never advocated violence against Moby.''

''That is one of the more ridiculous things I've ever heard,'' said Dennis Dennehy, head of publicity at Interscope Records. ''If people think that a bunch of guys attacked Moby because of Eminem, they're jumping to ridiculous conclusions.''

Moby wrote on his Web site that he is not angry about the attack, just mystified about the motive. He has asked the attackers to anonymously post an explanation for their actions.

''I just hope that at some point in these guy's [sic] lives they come to realize that hurting other people is wrong,'' Moby wrote.

The two attackers said nothing during the incident and the motive is unknown, Marshall said. The men approached Moby as the singer was getting into his car following his two-plus hour performance.

One man held out a matchbook, indicating he wanted the singer's autograph, but had no pen. Moby, also lacking a pen, apologized to the man, then turned to climb into his car. At that point he was struck from behind.

''These are just a couple of cowardly people who did a terrible thing,'' Marshall added. ''Here's a guy who's so laid-back, and so cool, it's really unbelievable that something like this could happen.''

WBCN's station director, who goes by the name Oedipus, said employees of the station are ''completely distraught over this.''

''This is an artist who we've had a strong relationship with since the beginning of his career,'' Oedipus said.

''He's a friend of the radio station and just an all-around nice guy. He was donating his time at this show.

''You just never expect anything like this will happen, especially to Moby.''