Cage the Elephant Singer on 2023 Arrest: “It Saved My Life”

Last year, Cage the Elephant frontman Matt Shultz was arrested in New York on gun charges. Now, he can “finally explain what happened,” sharing a statement on Instagram where he states that his arrest “undoubtedly saved [his] life.”

Beginning by saying “it’s a miracle that I’m here today,” Shultz explained that after he was arrested, he “went to the hospital for two months followed by months of outpatient treatment.” What his experiences ultimately revealed was that he had been “ unknowingly fighting [his] way through an utter mental health crisis” for three years prior.

During that time, Shultz claims that he “slipped into psychosis due to an iatrogenic response” to a medication he was prescribed. Once in treatment, he regained his “grip on reality” and “fully recovered,” a feat he credits to “the love and support of my brothers in the band, my community, and, most of all, my wife Eva.”

Continuing, Shultz said: “I’m humbled and grateful for the opportunity to write this message. I owe my life to God and the support system of friends, family, and Cage the Elephant. I’ll just say it now once again, because it needs to be said, ‘Thank you.’” Read the full statement below.

After the arrest, Shultz took a deal, pleading guilty to three charges of attempted criminal possession of a weapon, criminal possession of a firearm, and criminal possession of a weapon in exchange for avoiding jail time.

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Meanwhile, Cage the Elephant recently returned with “Neon Pill,” their first new song in five years. Some of the lyrics certainly read differently in light of Shultz’s statement, like the refrain: “Like a loaded gun, my love/ I lost control of the wheel/ Double-crossed by a neon pill.”

Up next, Cage the Elephant will play at least two shows later this year: Bonnaroo and Hangout Music Festival.