Bandmates of Jane’s Addiction File Lawsuit Following Onstage Altercation

The members of the alternative rock band Jane’s Addiction have initiated conflicting lawsuits over an incident involving singer Perry Farrell and guitarist Dave Navarro during a concert in Boston last year. This confrontation led to the suspension of the band’s reunion tour and the cancellation of an anticipated album.

Details of the Lawsuits

Navarro, along with drummer Stephen Perkins and bassist Eric Avery, filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court seeking at least $10 million. They assert that Farrell’s behavior during the tour was erratic, culminating in the altercation where Farrell reportedly punched Navarro both on and off stage.

“With a series of swift blows, he single-handedly destroyed the name, reputation, trademark, and viability of the Band and those who built it,” the lawsuit alleges.

Counterclaims by Farrell

In response, Farrell and his wife, Etty Lau Farrell, filed their own lawsuit, accusing Navarro, Avery, and Perkins of instigating the conflict. They claim the other band members were engaged in a prolonged campaign of harassment against Farrell.

“Navarro, Avery and Perkins apparently decided that Jane’s Addiction’s decades of success should be jettisoned in pursuit of a yearslong bullying campaign,” their lawsuit states.

The Fallout from the Scuffle

Farrell expressed feeling “blindsided” by the sudden cancellation of the remaining 15 shows, stating it caused financial losses for everyone involved. He further alleges that his bandmates publicly labeled him as having mental health issues.

Since its inception, Jane’s Addiction has been pivotal in shaping the Los Angeles music scene since the late 1980s. The band is known for its unique blend of punk, goth, and psychedelic influences, achieving national fame with hits like “Jane Says” and “Been Caught Stealing”, as well as their role in founding the Lollapalooza festival.

Allegations Against Farrell

The lawsuit from his bandmates claims Farrell missed all seven rehearsals leading up to the tour, showcasing erratic behavior during live performances. Reports indicate he struggled to remember lyrics and appeared intoxicated on stage.

The incident in question occurred at the Leader Bank Pavilion in Boston in front of around 4,000 attendees, where videos show Farrell making a physical lunge at Navarro before swinging at him. Navarro attempted to maintain distance, but the altercation escalated.

Conflicting Narratives

Farrell’s lawsuit counters that the video evidence indicates Navarro’s actions were not innocent, alleging he intentionally played loud to overshadow the singer, leading to an exaggerated response from both Navarro and Avery.

According to Farrell, he was further assaulted backstage, with claims of being punched in the kidneys by Avery while being held back by a crew member.

Claims and Consequences

Following the incident, Farrell publicly apologized, acknowledging his behavior as “inexcusable.” Both parties in the lawsuits have presented claims of assault, emotional distress, and breach of contract.

“Now, the Band will never have their revival Tour, instead, history will remember the Band as suffering a swift and painful death at the hands of Farrell’s unprovoked anger,” the lawsuit from Navarro, Perkins, and Avery concludes.