Fall Out Boy

FALL OUT BOY rocker PETE WENTZ has defended his actions during a recent show in Albuquerque, New Mexico when he dived into the crowd to fight a venue security guard.

The bassist insists he was rushing to the aid of the group's minder CHARLIE, who was being grappled by the gig official after jumping on stage.

Caught on a mobile phone camera, Wentz dropped the microphone he was holding and dived into the fray to fight the security guard.

But he insists his violent reaction was justified, telling MTV, "When I watch the video, I know what I see: I see their dude push Charlie... A lot of people were like, 'Oh, it was just a security guy,' but I've know Charlie since he was 16... I'm not gonna let my friends fight alone.

"Nine times out of ten, that security guy would have kicked my a** because I'm not really into fighting. But you know, it was my friend."

However, JOE ANDERSON, owner of the Sunshine Theater venue, insists his employee was justified in tackling the stage crasher.

He says, "We have a policy at the Sunshine that we don't permit audience members on the performance area. It's a liability. You just can't have 800 people running to get up on stage. Now whether or not the band was made aware of this before the show is up for debate."