Apr 28 1998 12:00 PM EDT

Joseph Bruce, who under the stage name Violent J makes up one half of the greasepainted rap duo the Insane Clown Posse, spent two days in a Michigan mental health program after suffering a panic attack on stage last week.

According to the group's record label, Island Records, the rapper suffered the attack during a show on April 19 in St. Paul, Minnesota. Bruce then began resting at home, but soon suffered another attack. He was taken to the hospital by his brother, and was then admitted to the Wayne County Mental Health Program, where he stayed for two days. He is currently resting at home where he is being treated with medication and therapy.

The rapper has since issued a statement about the incident, saying, "The worst thing about the whole ordeal was not knowing what the hell was happening to me. When I got off stage in St. Paul, the first thing I did was cut my dread locks off so that nobody could talk me into doing any more shows. I was terrified that I was going crazy and during the attacks I felt suicidal. So I went home to relax. When I got home I was just as bad and I broke down in my house."

ICP has consequently canceled the last two weeks worth of dates on its U.S. tour, but still plans to launch a European tour on May 12. Island says ICP will return to the U.S. for a tour this summer, and hopes to make up the recently canceled dates at that time.

Speaking about the treatment, Violent J said, "As soon as I found out that this whole mental breakdown thing has a name and a cure, I crushed it. I was experiencing high level 'Panic Attacks.' My doctors have fully cured me and I'm now back to being just a little insane. The 'Violent J goes crazy' story is over and it's back to business as usual... scaring you instead of scaring myself. I just wish I still had my dreadlocks."

Despite the incident, the Insane Clowns are still putting together an impressive schedule for themselves. The launch of the group's European tour on May 12 will coincide with Island's re-release of ICP's first two albums, "The Ringmaster" and "Carnival of Carnage."

The Clowns also recently shot two videos, one for "How Many Times" for release in the U.S. and one for a Jason Nevins remix of "Hocus-Pocus" for release in Europe.

On June 23, the group will also release it first home video, a collection of videos as well as interview and concert footage called, "ICP's Shockumentary."

Violent J and his partner Shaggy 2 Dope also hope to have a new studio album ready by the end of the year.