Jane's Addiction suing Perry Farrell for $10M over onstage brawl
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Members of the band Jane’s Addiction, including Dave Navarro, Eric Avery, and Stephen Perkins, are reportedly filing a lawsuit against their frontman Perry Farrell, seeking at least $10 million in damages following a public and violent incident that occurred on September 13.

The 58-year-old guitarist is pursuing legal action against the 66-year-old singer for claims of assault and battery, emotional distress, negligence, and breach of contract. This stems from an altercation where Farrell allegedly threw punches during their performance of the 1988 song Ocean Size at the Leader Bank Pavilion in Boston, MA.

The 60-year-old bassist and the 57-year-old drummer are suing Perry for emotional distress, negligence, and breach of contract – according to TMZ. 

‘This lawsuit is a blatant attempt by the group to ostracize and intimidate frontman Perry Farrell,’ Farrell’s attorneys stated to DailyMail.com on Wednesday. ‘The lawsuit’s timing is suspect, as it was filed shortly after they became aware of impending legal measures from our side.’

The next phase in the case has indeed been initiated, as Farrell’s legal team told DailyMail.com they filed their own litigation on the frontman’s behalf as of Wednesday.

Farrell’s legal team told DailyMail.com that the lawsuit from Farrell’s three bandmates amounts to ‘a transparent attempt to control the narrative and present themselves as the so-called “good guys” — a move that’s both typical and predictable. 

Jane's Addiction band members Dave Navarro (L, pictured in 2008), Eric Avery (R), and Stephen Perkins (2-L) are reportedly suing their frontman Perry Farrell (2-R) for $10M minimum in damages over his very public, violent outburst on September 13

Jane’s Addiction band members Dave Navarro (L, pictured in 2008), Eric Avery (R), and Stephen Perkins (2-L) are reportedly suing their frontman Perry Farrell (2-R) for $10M minimum in damages over his very public, violent outburst on September 13

‘Just like when they released a defamatory and entirely unfounded statement about Perry’s mental health and unilaterally canceled the remaining tour dates without his input, they’re once again scrambling to get ahead of the truth in a desperate effort to save face.’

In footage of the brawl, Farrell began angrily screaming at Dave and body-checked him then charged at him as Navarro backed off with his right arm extended.

The Queens-born belter then swung at Navarro before their guitar tech Dan Cleary got in between them and crew member Kevin grabbed hold of Perry.

The former Red Hot Chili Pepper told TMZ that Ferrell allegedly punched him in the face backstage after the incident, and he had been threatening to quit the band as well as making him postpone his March 29th wedding to fourth wife Vanessa Dubasso in order to add more tour dates.

The Lollapalooza founder’s wife of 23 years, Etty Lau Farrell, claimed he was suffering from tinnitus and a sore throat and he ‘was screaming just be to be heard’ over the ‘extremely loud’ volume of the musicians.

The 50-year-old former backup dancer also claimed that Eric put Perry in a ‘headlock and punched him in the stomach three times’ while the stage was dark after Farrell had attacked Dave.

Jane’s Addiction seemingly split for good following the altercation, which prompted the five-time Grammy-nominated band to cancel the remainder of their 32-date North American Tour just three days later.

‘Due to a continuing pattern of behavior and the mental health difficulties of our singer Perry Farrell, we have come to the conclusion that we have no choice but to discontinue the current US tour,’ Navarro, Avery, and Perkins announced on Instagram.

The 58-year-old guitarist (L) is suing the hot-tempered 66-year-old (R) for assault and battery, emotional distress, negligence, and breach of contract for throwing punches at him as they performed their 1988 track Ocean Size onstage the Leader Bank Pavilion in Boston, MA

The 58-year-old guitarist (L) is suing the hot-tempered 66-year-old (R) for assault and battery, emotional distress, negligence, and breach of contract for throwing punches at him as they performed their 1988 track Ocean Size onstage the Leader Bank Pavilion in Boston, MA

In footage of the brawl, Farrell began angrily screaming at Dave and body-checked him then charged at him

Navarro backed off with his right arm extended

In footage of the brawl, Farrell began angrily screaming at Dave and body-checked him then charged at him as Navarro backed off with his right arm extended

‘Our concern for his personal health and safety as well as our own has left us no alternative. We hope that he will find the help he needs…We can see no solution that would either ensure a safe environment on stage or reliably allow us to deliver a great performance on a nightly basis. Our hearts are broken.’

In his own statement to Billboard, the ‘Godfather of Alternative Music’ formally apologized ‘to my bandmates, especially Dave Navarro, fans, family and friends for my actions during Friday’s show.

‘Unfortunately, my breaking point resulted in inexcusable behavior, and I take full accountability for how I chose to handle the situation.’

A lawyer for the Farrell said in a court filing Wednesday that it was not Farrell but Navarro and the other band members who ‘took it upon themselves to abruptly cancel the remaining tour dates – violating contracts and disregarding all professional obligations.’

The 60-year-old bassist (L, pictured in 2008) and the 57-year-old drummer (M) are suing Perry for emotional distress, negligence, and breach of contract

The 60-year-old bassist (L, pictured in 2008) and the 57-year-old drummer (M) are suing Perry for emotional distress, negligence, and breach of contract

The Queens-born belter then swung at Navarro before their guitar tech Dan Cleary (L) got in between them and crew member Kevin grabbed hold of Perry

The Queens-born belter then swung at Navarro before their guitar tech Dan Cleary (L) got in between them and crew member Kevin grabbed hold of Perry

Ferrell's wife of 23 years, Etty Lau, claimed he was suffering from tinnitus and a sore throat and he 'was screaming just be to be heard' over the 'extremely loud' volume of the musicians

Ferrell’s wife of 23 years, Etty Lau, claimed he was suffering from tinnitus and a sore throat and he ‘was screaming just be to be heard’ over the ‘extremely loud’ volume of the musicians

Jane's Addiction seemingly split for good following the altercation, which prompted the five-time Grammy-nominated band to cancel the remainder of their 32-date North American Tour just three days later

Jane’s Addiction seemingly split for good following the altercation, which prompted the five-time Grammy-nominated band to cancel the remainder of their 32-date North American Tour just three days later 

Jane’s Addiction previously broke up in 1988 after Perry – who founded the alternative rock band in 1985 – successfully negotiated to have 62.5% of the publishing rights and royalties while the remaining three members split the rest. 

‘To be fair, I could see how he wanted more than an equal split, certainly,’ Eric admitted to Billboard in 2018.

‘That was consistent with Perry always going forward to this day. When it comes to money and stuff like that, he’s pretty aggressively self-interested. I remember famously Dave played one of our shows after that and put on a t-shirt that said “12%” or something, because that was the amount that was going to be left for him in Perry’s system. So it left some resentment, for sure.’

On January 3, Avery posted a video of himself 'writing some new lines to some of Stephen's drumming' and gushed: 'Look forward to getting some Mr. Navarro on them. 2025!'

On January 3, Avery posted a video of himself ‘writing some new lines to some of Stephen’s drumming’ and gushed: ‘Look forward to getting some Mr. Navarro on them. 2025!’

And last month, Navarro teased their new music might be related to their 1993 spin-off band Deconstruction by unearthing an old promo poster

And last month, Navarro teased their new music might be related to their 1993 spin-off band Deconstruction by unearthing an old promo poster

On Wednesday, Etty Instastoried a snap of the couple kissing in France

On Wednesday, Etty Instastoried a snap of the couple kissing in France

Dave added: ‘It definitely drove a wedge between [Perry] and the three of us. If one guy is saying that he is more important than the others, that’s going to drive a wedge. The three of us felt insulted, but it ultimately got worked out.’

On January 3, Avery posted a video of himself ‘writing some new lines to some of Stephen’s drumming’ and gushed: ‘Look forward to getting some Mr. Navarro on them. 2025!’

And last month, Navarro teased their new music might be related to their 1993 spin-off band Deconstruction by unearthing an old promo poster.

On Wednesday, Etty Instastoried a snap of the couple kissing in France.

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